She knew how much the woman loathed her.
Had the years diminished the animosity Janet had always felt toward her?
If not, there was trouble on the way.
* * *
A FEW DAYS LATER, Tyler was waxing skis, trying not to think about the time he’d had a whole tech team to do this very thing.
He picked up his phone and called the ski company who had sponsored him, talked about new developments and then ordered two new pairs of skis for Jess.
That was one Christmas present knocked off his list.
Unfortunately, there were plenty still to buy, including the most important one of all.
“I need to ask you a favor.” Jackson strolled into the barn and watched as Tyler finished with the ski. “Could you take a small group into the woods later today? People are willing to pay a premium to lay tracks in untouched snow.”
His mind still on Brenna, Tyler nodded. “What time?”
Jackson stared at him. “That’s it? That’s all you’re going to say to me?”
“What else am I supposed to say?” He knew she didn’t like possessions. She wasn’t the type to fill her life with objects, so she wasn’t going to appreciate a gift that gathered dust.
“Usually you say no. Then when I push you a bit harder, you scowl and ask how well they ski.”
“I assume you’ve checked that.” Maybe he could buy her ski gear. But she already had everything she needed.
“Are you sick?” Jackson strolled around him, eyeing him from every angle. “Drugged? Did you fall and bang your head? What the hell is wrong with you?”
“I said I’d take your skiers. Why does that mean there is something wrong?”
“Because you’re not normally so amenable.”
He tried to stop thinking about Brenna. “I’ve given up the fight.”
“I saw Jess on the mountain with Brenna this morning. She has real talent.”
“She’s a natural.” Tyler wiped his hands. “I’m going to train her.”
Jackson leaned against the bench. “That’s good to hear.”
“She’s good, and there is never any whining or moaning. If she falls, she’s back on her feet again. I get a real kick out of seeing her improve.” He lifted the ski, feeling the weight of it in his hand, realizing how much lighter he felt.
Jackson reached out and ran his finger down the edge. “She’s going to need better skis.”
“I’ve got that covered. Christmas.” Tyler reached for his jacket. “Beats buying dolls and pink fluffy stuff. Brenna is harder to buy for.”
“You’re buying a gift for Brenna?”
“She’s spending Christmas with us. Jess doesn’t want her waking up on Christmas morning with nothing under the tree.”
“Right.” Jackson’s gaze was steady. “So it’s going well?”
“What?”
Jackson raised an eyebrow. “Your relationship with Brenna. You’re more relaxed. Mellow. You’re not snapping heads off bodies. You’re saying yes to things you’d normally say no to, or at least argue about for an hour.”
“Am I that bad?”