“Sure,” she said, warily.
“That’s why I’m thinking gift shop. Something separate from the lodge, but clearly connected, too. Maybe between the lodge and the new addition that’s going up.” He nodded as the image filled his mind and he could actually envision what it would look like. “I’d want to have some refrigerated snacks in there, too. For people who are hungry but don’t really want a full meal. Like prepackaged sandwiches, drinks, fruit, that kind of stuff...”
“Okay, that’s a good idea, but—”
“But more than a snack shop—I want to display local artists. Not just your stuff, which is great, but like the wood-carver at the fair, the glass artist I saw there. I’ll still want your postcards and we can sell framed prints, too.”
“I don’t know what to say.”
Shaking his head, he said, “Knowing you, that won’t last long. But my point is, if we’re expanding Snow Vista, we could bring a lot of the local artists along with us for the ride. I think the tourists would love it and it would give the artists another outlet beyond the fairs to sell their stuff.”
“I’m sure they’d love that,” she said slowly, cautiously.
That was fine. He could deal with her suspicion. She’d see soon enough that he meant what he was saying. “We’ll have a lawyer draw up agreements, of course. Specific to each artisan and what they sell.”
“Agreements.”
He nodded. “I’m thinking a seventy-thirty split with everyone, same as you and I will have.”
“That’s amazing,” she said, tipping her head to one side and looking up at him as if she’d never seen him before.
“Okay, I know what you’re thinking,” he said. “I’ve never really involved myself in anything beyond the lodge or skiing itself.”
“Yeah...”
“Like I told you before. People change.” He shrugged and mentally brushed off whatever else might be running through Lacy’s mind. “Back to the financial aspect, I think what we’ll offer is fair. And we’ll do well by each other, the lodge and the artists.” His gaze met hers. “I want a range of different products in this shop. I want to showcase local talent, Lacy. Everyone from the artists to the chefs, to the woman who makes the blackberry preserves we use at the restaurant.”
“Beth Howell.”
“Right.” He grabbed a piece of paper off the desk and scribbled down the name. “You know her, right? Hell, you probably know all of the artists around here.”
“Most, sure...”
“That’s great—then as resort manager you can be point on this. Talk to them. See what they think. When it gets closer to opening time, we’ll set down the deals in legalese.”
She blinked at him. “You want me to take charge of this?”
“Is that a problem?” He smiled, knowing that he’d caught her off guard again.
“No,” she said quickly with a shake of her head. “I’m just surprised is all.”
“Why?” He came off the desk and stood in front of her before leaning down, bracing his hands on the arms of her chair. “You know your photos are great. Why would you be surprised that I’d want to showcase them, help you sell them?”
She blew out a breath and fiddled nervously with the end of her blond braid. “I suppose, because of our past, I wonder why you’re being so...nice.”
“I want you, Lacy. That one night with you wasn’t enough. Not by a long shot.”
She sucked in air and a faint flush swept up her cheeks, letting him know she felt the fire still burning between them.
“I’m home to stay. That means we’re going to be part of each other’s lives again.”
Shaking her head, she started to speak, but he cut her off. “It’s more than that, though. I want to dig in, make the kind of changes that are going to put Snow Vista on the map. And mostly, I want to convince you that I’m here and I’m not leaving.”
“Why is that so important to you? Why do you care what I think?” Her voice was whisper soft and still it tore at him.
“You don’t trust me,” he said, and saw the flash in her eyes that proved it. He hated that she was wary of him, but again, he could understand it. “I get that. But things are different now, Lacy. I told you I’ve seen how much you’ve changed. Well, I’ve changed, too.” He reached out and captured her nervous fingers in his. “I’m not the same man I was when I left here two years ago.”