Mountain Grump E-Book

Willow Fox

• Herausgeber: Slow Burn Publishing
• Kategorie: Gesellschafts- und Liebesromane
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2023

Beschreibung

When Cali tosses her drink at the hot billionaire she doesn’t expect him to throw her over his shoulder.

As a vlogger, Cali Sinclair is sent to Blue Sky Resort, a ski lodge, to review the winter destination. She usually travels to warm, exotic locations, not the frigid mountains in the dead of winter.

Billionaire and single dad, Logan Henderson, owns the ski resort in Breckenridge, Montana, and meets the cute but not quite so charming Cali at the gift shop. She’s an unhappy customer, and he’s miffed to take one more customer complaint.

Logan’s daughter, Julianna, recognizes Cali and is star-struck. The only thing worse than a persistent fifteen-year-old wanting to intern for Cali is the sassy vlogger constantly tripping all over the place. Logan doesn’t want bad publicity or a lawsuit.

When Cali gets distracted by a shirtless Logan, she trips and falls into his arms, but this time he doesn’t let her go.


Mountain Grump is a standalone romance with no cliffhanger, no cheating, and a happily ever after. It is a steamy slow burn romance with spice.

Leseprobe

Copyright © 2022 by Willow Fox & Allison West

All rights reserved.

Edited & Proofread by Marla VanHoy, Madison D., and Melanie Kirk

Cover Design by GetCovers

V2

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

CONTENTS

About this Book

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Epilogue

Giveaways, Free Books, and More Goodies

About the Author

Also by Willow Fox

ABOUT THIS BOOK

When Cali tosses her drink at the hot billionaire she doesn’t expect him to throw her over his shoulder.

As a vlogger, Cali Sinclair is sent to Blue Sky Resort, a ski lodge, to review the winter destination. She usually travels to warm, exotic locations, not the frigid mountains in the dead of winter.

Billionaire and single dad, Logan Henderson, owns the ski resort in Breckenridge, Montana, and meets the cute but not quite so charming Cali at the gift shop. She’s an unhappy customer, and he’s miffed to take one more customer complaint.

Logan’s daughter, Julianna, recognizes Cali and is star-struck. The only thing worse than a persistent fifteen-year-old wanting to intern for Cali is the sassy vlogger constantly tripping all over the place. Logan doesn’t want bad publicity or a lawsuit.

When Cali gets distracted by a shirtless Logan, she trips and falls into his arms, but this time he doesn’t let her go.

Mountain Grump is a standalone romance with no cliffhanger, no cheating, and a happily ever after. It is a steamy slow burn romance with spice.

ONE

Logan

“I swear if I hear one more complaint from the tourists, I’m going to walk out of this resort and never come back,” I grumble.

“Is owning a ski resort really that bad?” Levi asks over the phone.

We’ve been friends since we served together in the army. However, we don’t see each other very often. And it’s not about the money. Levi inherited his father’s business, a global hotel chain.

I made some early investments in a few tech companies that I’d never heard of and thought I’d be lucky if I had enough for retirement in forty years. Instead, I ended up a billionaire.

I guess I got lucky.

My luck seems to have run out, though.

I bought a ski resort in Montana. The place needed renovations and what I thought would be the hard part is over. Except that was a breeze. The contractors blew through the original estimate like water and found every expense in the book to tack on.

I’d never hire them again, but the place is mostly done. Four times over budget. And I’ve got to make up the money somehow. Adding a few dollars per ticket for an entrance fee helps, but it’ll take years to recoup my investment.

“Oh, the logistics are great. The resort itself is gorgeous. It’s like your house times three.”

Levi chuckles. “Are we seriously measuring how big our houses are and comparing?”

I let the innuendo slide. I hadn’t meant what he’s suggesting.

“How’s Julianna?” Levi asks.

Julianna is fifteen and ready for college. She wants to go away to school, move out of the country if she can, and be as far from her old man as possible.

I’m not keen on that arrangement, and just because I have the money doesn’t mean I’m flushing it down the toilet for an education in drinking.

If she gets into a top-notch school, I’ll handle the tuition, but she’s not going to Oxford on her current GPA. And I’m not letting her fly to England or Paris to get the same degree she could get here just because she wants to travel the world.

She can take a gap year.

But I’m not funding it.

I didn’t come from money, and I don’t want her to think it isn’t hard-earned, even if I got lucky.

“She’s on holiday break,” I say, and scratch the back of my neck. “New school has her a bit overwhelmed, I think, too. You should come out with Amelia. Julianna would love to see her.”

“Do you think you have room for us at your place?” Levi asks, poking fun at me.

“I think we can spare a room. I mean, I could just charge you double, since I’m sure you’ll be the biggest pain in the ass in the entire lodge.”

“I can’t be any worse than the grandmothers who try to take their grandkids skiing,” Levi says.

He’s not wrong.

Julianna is out of breath, jogging toward me and coming into my office. “I have to go.” I hang up before I can give a proper send-off to Levi. He’ll understand.

“What’s wrong?” I ask, glancing her up and down. Why the hell is she running around?

“The floor out there is crazy crowded, and you’re in here, hiding,” Julianna groans. “I can’t believe you’re making me work floor duty.”

“I’m not making you mop the floors.” My gosh, the kid knows how to lay it on thick.

“You deal with the customers, Dad. See what it’s like behind the actual desk, not in your office.”

She’s snarky today. She bit off more than she can chew.

“Fine.” I slide my chair back, step around my desk, and out of the office. I head down the corridor and to the lobby, where half a dozen guests are waiting to be checked in at the ski rental stand.

I groan and redirect the guests to the correct side of the building. We have a hotel on the east side, and on the west side is the ski resort, which is open to the public. It isn’t that difficult to understand. Signs and maps are all over the building, but it’s newly laid out, and some people don’t like change.

I check with Wyatt, my brother, to make sure the ski equipment is being handled properly. When guests rent their skis, they have to hand over their driver's license, and we hold on to it until the items are returned.

Everything looks above board, but he’s drowning trying to help guests fast enough as the line keeps growing for rental equipment.

And they don’t pay inside where they rent the skis. We have a separate booth for payment when guests first enter. It’s supposed to be set up for ease, but I’m not sure it’s the best method. We’re still working out the kinks.

Julianna scurries behind the counter to help hand out ski boots. We’re packed for a Tuesday, but it’s also winter break for the kids in Breckenridge and surrounding towns. Barely a week until Christmas. Where did the year go?

I cover the equipment desk for a couple of hours. When it finally slows down, I head across the hallway to grab a bottle of water from my fridge.

“I can’t believe these prices!” a woman’s voice carries from within our shop.

I should just leave it alone and ignore the woman’s complaints. Did she think she’d go on vacation and not spend a cent?

But I run the place and need to take customer complaints and issues seriously. Even Julianna reminded me that if I don’t listen to what other people want, I can’t help with fixing things. The kid is too smart for her own good.

“May I help you?” I answer gruffly.

There are two store attendants on duty. One is nestled behind the register, the other is folding T-shirts, and his eyes widen, noticing me. I guess staff doesn’t necessarily expect the owner to be hands-on, but I’m not going to sit in my office all day.

My daughter would never let me if I wanted to.

“Three hundred dollars for a jacket is absurd. Can you believe that?” the brunette scoffs. “It’s highway robbery. I didn’t come here to get taken advantage of.” She shoves the ski parka back onto the rack.

“It’s winter, and you’re at a ski resort. What did you expect?” I snap.

“I could buy this same coat at a department store for half the cost.”

“Well, then maybe you should go and do that. You’ll also want to embroider Breckenridge onto the front,” I say, pointing at the customization that a lot of tourists enjoy.

“I could do that myself for half the cost,” she huffs. “And the tickets for the ski lift, my gosh, families will need a second mortgage if they want to rent the equipment too. I hear there’s a new owner. It’s like he wants to shake your pockets and steal all your lunch money while you’re on the lift.”

Harsh.

“No one’s forcing you to take the ski lift or go on the slopes. There’s plenty to do in town if you’re here for a nice, relaxing holiday.”

Why am I still conversing with this woman? She’s trouble. I can downright feel the intensity and heat of her fiery blue gaze.

“Well, they may not be forced, but this is a ski resort, and the classes, don’t get me started on the costs of learning to ski. The lessons are exorbitant.”

“Not everyone needs a class. There are bunny hills for those just getting started.”

“You come here a lot?” Blue eyes asks, glancing me up and down.

I give a curt nod. “You could say that.”

“Season ticket holder, huh?” she guesses.

She’s wrong, but I don’t correct her.

“Did you like the place better before the new jackass owner took over and changed everything? I hear he’s a real stickler to the employees. Doesn’t let them have time off and makes them work long hours. Have you noticed any of that?”

“I can’t say that I have,” I seethe.

“Oh, good,” the woman says, smiling at me. She’s all sunshine, and I’m the storm about to rain on her good day. She glances me up and down again. “The service here is lacking if you ask me. I had to wait twenty minutes to get into the right line for check-in.”

“Did you follow the yellow arrows on the floor?” I growl as my hands bunch into fists at my sides.

“What arrows?” She shrugs, not having noticed the bright yellow and orange writing on the floor that pointed in the direction of guest check-in.

“Some people can’t read,” I mutter.

How is that my fault? If you can’t follow instructions and it takes you twice as long, that’s on you.

She glances at the next rack, with long-sleeved base layer tops for women. “Seventy dollars?” She scoffs at the price tag. “It’s worth thirty.”

“Have you ever been to a ski resort?” I ask, emphasizing the part where this is a vacation destination for folks who like snow. People fly in from all over the world. At least, that’s the hope. “What did you expect for clothes at a place like this to cost you?” I bite, my tone sharper than I intend.

“Oh, I don’t know. I never really do ski resorts. It’s usually beach vacations and whatnot. I’m an influencer.”

“An influencer? Who the hell are you influencing, teens, on that clock app?” I huff, annoyed. This woman is wasting my time.

She purses her lips. “What I do is more like vlogging. But I’ve been known to dabble.”

“Of course you have,” I mutter. What the hell is vlogging? I need to get back to work. I turn and head out of the store without so much as a goodbye or farewell.

“Dad!” Julianna calls for me, coming out from behind the counter.

I pause and turn around, waiting for my daughter to catch up. Dare I even ask what it is?

“Is that Cali Sinclair?” Julianna asks, her eyes wide.

“I don’t know. Is she a celebrity or something?” I’ve never heard of the woman Julianna is asking me about.

“Cali Sinclair is a vacation blogger. She reviews the next top destination spot. It’s like whatever she posts always goes viral. The places are sold out for months if it's a good review. If it’s bad, she destroys you.”

I don’t believe she has that kind of power. She’s a woman with a phone, maybe a computer.

“I’m going to find out, Dad. We need the best publicity we can get!” Julianna squeals and hurries across the hallway. I grab her arm to stop her, but she slips by and rushes toward the woman.

I can’t watch. I head back to my office. I have more important matters to attend to that need my intention, and trying to impress some girl who likes to make dancing videos isn’t going to help me turn a profit.

* * *

I never did grab that bottle of water.

My office is chilly; the vents are open, and the heat is cranked up. The rest of the lodge is plenty warm, which means the heat isn’t filtering in properly to the office.

Something I’ll deal with another day.

I stalk out of the room, heading toward the lounge for a coffee.

The brunette from earlier is seated near the coffee machine, her leg up with a bag of ice melting faster than a popsicle.

She must have injured herself while out on the slopes.

“Hey, I didn’t catch your name,” the woman says as I stalk past her.

I should have grabbed a coffee from the pot in the back room, where I wouldn’t have to interact with guests. My mistake.

But the coffee in the lounge is a million times better. I punch in the code for the coffee I want and then the admin code so I don’t have to pay five dollars for a basic cup of coffee. It lets me bypass putting cash into the machine.

I grab the piping-hot cup and glance at the brunette. “I didn’t give it,” I say. She’s cute, but there’s only so much room for one grump in this lodge. I’d sooner throw myself down the black diamond slopes than spend five more minutes listening to her rant.

“Can you get me a coffee?” she asks, and holds up a five-dollar bill.

“Sure.” I snatch the money and pocket it while punching in the code, getting her the same drink as I have. “Do you want cream and sugar?”

“Yes, please.” She brightens up as I hand her the cup.

“Thank you,” she says, taking a sip.

“First time on the slopes?” I ask, glancing at her ankle.

“Oh, this? No, that was from my heels.”

“Seriously? Who the hell wears heels to a ski resort?” I glance her over, and while she’s still in her navy leggings and pink shirt, she has a pair of boots with heels beside the chair.

Who the hell invented boots that can’t be worn in winter?

“I didn’t come here to go skiing,” she says.

I perch myself, leaning forward over one of the chairs, giving her my undivided attention. I’m not sure why. I should get back to my office and leave this crazy chick alone. She’s not doing me any favors, but making me question my sanity.

“You came here with these fashion boots to use the clock app and try to go viral?”

“Something like that. I’m Cali,” she says, holding out her hand to introduce herself.

“Logan,” I mutter, and shake her hand before taking another swig of coffee. I need an espresso, something stronger, to keep me focused this afternoon.

“I take it you don’t like to ski?”

“Why would you say that?” I ask. Finishing the empty cup of coffee, I toss the cup into the nearby garbage and punch the digits into the machine. This time, I have it prepare me a double espresso.

Cali watches with fascination. “You’re inside on a bitter day when it’s frigid and snowy. Perfect ski weather. Also the kind of weather I despise.”

“Why come here?”

“I told you, for work. I’m an influencer.”

“Right.” I can’t imagine who she’s influencing. Who would listen to her? “Your job makes zero sense. Aren’t you supposed to try something out before judging it?”

“I’m not reviewing the ski slopes.”

“But that’s why people come to Blue Sky Resort. They don’t come to the lodge because of the coffee or the jackets at the shop down the hall. They come for the experience of skiing or snowboarding on the slopes.”

“Agree to disagree,” Cali says.

I can’t take much more of this woman. My espresso is ready, and I grab it from the machine. I should head back to my office. “On second thought,” I say, sizing her up. “With your ankle injury as a result of your heels, you’re a liability. Stay away from the slopes.”

Her eyes narrow, and her nose twitches. “Why do you care? Do you work here? Wait, are you Logan Henderson?”

I bring my espresso to my lips and turn, heading out of the lounge before she can assault me with any more questions.

“Dad!” Julianna chases me down the hallway. I slow down to let her catch up while I sip the last of my drink. “Oh my gosh, Cali is so awesome!”

I groan, wishing that menacing woman had never showed up at the lodge in the first place. Who comes to a ski resort and doesn’t plan on skiing?

“Not now, Jules,” I snap at her.

Julianna stops walking and folds her arms across her chest. “Dad, do you have to steal the joy out of everything?”

Her words cut me deep. I didn’t mean to do anything offensive. Why is she barking at me? “What is it?”

“I showed Cali the videos that I’ve done, and she’s impressed. She invited me to intern with her this summer,” Julianna squeals. I’ve never seen her so happy. Well, not since her mother and I divorced.

She’s jumping up and down, eyes radiant as the sun. “You have to let me go, Dad. Please.”

“I don’t have to do anything. Where is it?”

“California.”

“Of course it is,” I mutter. “Cali is from California. Is that even her real name?”

“I don’t know.” Julianna shrugs.

“What do you even know about this woman?” I ask, steering Julianna into my office. I shut the door, not wanting anyone to overhear our private discussion.

“What’s there to know? She offered to teach me everything related to vlogging and influencing. It’s so cool, Dad. You have to say yes. Please. I want to be an influencer. I can make a lot of money at it, and you won’t have to support me.”

I rub my eyes, trying not to roll them back into my head. “Influencing isn’t a job. It’s a hobby.”

“You don’t know that,” she argues. “You should talk to Cali.”

“I already have,” I seethe, and there’s no way I want my fifteen-year-old hanging out with her over summer break next year. Not only do I not trust the woman because she’s a stranger, but I also don’t want Julianna getting any crazy ideas that she can be a vlogger.

“Wait, you did? She asked you about me interning for her?”

“No,” I growl, and gesture for Julianna to sit across from me at the empty seat by my desk. I lean back on the desk, but I can’t sit for this conversation.

“Oh.” Julianna’s face falls. “I knew I should have waited to ask until you were in a good mood, but that happens like never.”

The kid is mouthy today. Probably part of her being a teenager and her hormones or something. It hasn’t been easy, just the two of us. Her mom didn’t even ask for joint custody when we divorced. She gave me Julianna but wanted the house in Greece. Like our kid is worthy of that kind of shitty trade?

Jess still irks me, the mere thought of her. I don’t want another Jess hanging around Julianna, and I worry Cali will be no better, with her head in the clouds, convincing my innocent kid that she can be the next great influencer and go viral.

“We can talk about you accepting an internship later, but it’s not going to be for some random girl who shows up at our lodge,” I say. “We don’t fraternize with the guests.”

“What does that even mean, Dad? I’m not sleeping with her.”

I choke back a laugh. Thank heaven, because the woman is too old to be bedding my daughter. “Is that what this is about, a crush?” I ask.

Julianna hasn’t been secretive about her girl crushes. She’s had more of those than boy crushes over the years. I think she’s still figuring out her sexuality, and it’s not something I want to discuss with a fifteen-year-old. She can date whomever she wants, as long as I meet them and approve.

And I don’t approve of Cali. She’s closer to my age. Well, in between. I’m forty-three. She’s what, maybe twenty-five? I’ll look her up later when my daughter isn’t glaring at me.

“Cali isn’t a crush. I mean, I’d die if she’d look at me that way, but she’s fourteen years older than I am, Dad. Like, eww.”

I laugh and do the mental calculation. That makes Cali twenty-nine. Fifteen years younger than I am.

Why do I care?

It’s not like I’m interested in dating her.

Absolutely not. I’ve sworn off women since Jess did a number on my heart, tap dancing, stomping, and then flushing what was left of it down the toilet.

If it weren’t for Julianna, I’d probably hate all women. But I love my kid, even if she doesn’t know what’s in her best interest. That’s what I’m here for, to remind her and keep her on the straight and narrow.

“Seriously though, Dad, Cali invited us to dinner tonight.”

“What?” I growl. I’ve heard enough. “Get back to work.”

“Come on. You can’t say no. I already told her I’d join her, and she wants to meet you.”

My hands bunch into fists at my side. My biceps twitch with rage. “We’ve already met.” I don’t need to spend a meal with the woman to know I don’t want my daughter around her. “And you shouldn’t be making decisions without me.”

“It’s just dinner, and it’s at the place you own. It’s not like I’m going to her house in the middle of nowhere.” Her voice rises, but she’s not screaming at me. Julianna is irritated, her cheeks are red, and her dark hair in a bun is messy and starting to untangle and fall around her face.

She’s right. I’m not entirely being fair. If she wants to have dinner with someone while at the lodge, I won’t stop her. Hell, I’d be a hypocrite if I did. I’ve been telling her to make friends and get out there. I just wasn’t expecting it to be with a grown-ass adult.

“You can have dinner with her. I’ve got work to do.” I push myself off the desk and climb around to the leather chair, putting my ass down to make a point. I’ll skip dinner if I must, but more than likely, I’ll just grab something and bring it back to my office.

“Fine, be a grump,” Julianna says, and storms out of my office.

“Teenagers,” I mutter.

“Grumpy dads!” Julianna shouts back.

TWO

Cali

The teen girl I met this afternoon was sweet and cute. Reminds me a bit of myself when I was her age.

I stay seated on the plush chair in the lounge. There aren’t too many that are that comfy, and since my leg is elevated on an ottoman, I don’t want to chance someone stealing my seat if I get up.

Which doesn’t help, because I have to go pee really bad.

Coffee didn’t help that, either.

But I’ll just wait until dinner and deal with it then.

Which is sometime soon. My watch broke when I twisted my ankle, which was more like falling onto the floor than I’d like to admit.

I tripped, broke a heel, and bruised my knee while turning my ankle. I have the best luck in heels.

“Cali!” Jules waves as she notices me and jogs over. “I thought we were meeting by the restaurant?”

“Oh, we were supposed to. I’m sorry, my watch broke earlier, and my phone is out of juice.” I show her the dead screen.

“Yikes. My dad would be so mad if I let my phone die. Then he couldn’t reach me.” She gives me a wicked grin before eyeing my ankle. “Do you need help to the restaurant?”

“I think I can manage,” I say, and wince when I stand and put pressure on my ankle.

It’s painful, and I bite down on my bottom lip to stifle the agony. I’ve done worse. I’m a klutz. It happens.

Jules offers me her shoulder. “You can lean on me,” she says.

She’s a good kid.

“Are we meeting your dad for dinner?” I ask. “Maybe he can help get us to the restaurant.” I’m only half-joking. It’s across the other side of the lodge, but at least it’s not a hike on an incline.

“No, he can’t come. He’s busy,” Jules says.

“Oh, okay. Is he still on the slopes?” I’m surprised he’s not joining his daughter while on vacation.

“No, he’s got work.”

“Oh.” I nod. He’s probably got to deal with stuff back at the office in his hotel room. “Maybe he’ll come down when he’s done and join us.”