the kind of vehicle that suited Adam. The doors, the hard top and who knew what else could be taken off. Adam loved zipping around on the ATVs, so she imagined he’d love to go two-tracking, as well. Unless he never got that Jeep dirty. Unless it was all for show from a city boy who liked the idea of having a fun car but didn’t put it to use.
Eva turned her attention back to Ryan and shrugged. No one knew about Todd, only Beth. “Because he’s a jerk.”
“Then you’re better off without him. But why the tears after all this time?”
“I don’t know.” But she knew. She hadn’t faced Todd since that night at a party two years ago. She’d never gone to the police because she couldn’t drag her family through more junk after the death of Ryan’s girlfriend.
Instead, Eva hoped she’d get over it. Fat chance. Seeing Todd brought back the pain almost as if it had happened last night.
“What do you think of Adam?”
Eva stared at the snow-covered landscape whizzing by. “I try not to.”
Ryan laughed. “You like him, don’t you?”
“No.” Only partly true. She was afraid to like him.
“Come on, Eva. He’s a good-looking guy with a fat wallet.”
Eva closed her eyes. “So?”
“So, you haven’t dated since you broke up with Todd.”
“I’ve been on a few.” Eva had gone on three dates, but they didn’t work out. Her fault, not theirs.
“Maybe it’s time you went on a few more.”
“You’re one to talk,” Eva blurted.
Ryan’s neck reddened. “I have my reasons.”
Remorse pulled Eva into the melancholy place she frequented far too often. “Yeah, well, so do I.”
After a few moments of silence, Eva felt Ryan looking at her. “What?”
“With Mom and Dad in Florida and Sin gone, it’s up to me to look out for you. You’re the youngest.”
Her heart swelled into her throat, making it hard to swallow. “Thanks, brother dear, but I’m a big girl now. I can fend for myself.”
“I know you can. But I’m here just the same.”
“Thanks.” Her eyes stung in the corners. Ryan was a good man, and he deserved better than what he’d been through. Bolstering her courage she asked, “Why didn’t you move away after Sara died?”
“This is where Sara wanted to be. I won’t ever leave.”
Eva nodded, but her heart ached for her brother who’d lost the love of his life. Maybe that was why she and Ryan understood each other. They each accepted what they’d lost.
But Eva didn’t want to accept losing her family’s orchard. She’d do her best to show Adam the ropes even though she prayed for two things—he’d keep her on as farm manager long enough for her to get that loan and he wouldn’t ruin the farm.
She needed those cherry orchard views to lure guests for her bed-and-breakfast.
Chapter Four
Ryan pulled in behind Adam’s Jeep parked in the last driveway at the end of a row of large but unpretentious-looking town houses. Eva changed into her ski boots and then slipped out of her brother’s truck to look around. Adam’s place was tucked into the woods at the base of a hill. A stream wound its way through the complex that bespoke quiet living.
“Nice.” Ryan gave a low whistle. “This guy has some cash.”
“It belongs to his family.” Pampered. That was what came to Eva’s mind. Ski slopes and beach resorts were no doubt Peece family destinations. It was no wonder he could buy Marsh Orchards and give her folks the means to retire early.
Feeling out of place, Eva scanned the snowy trails that led toward the ski resort. Why’d she come? The question rang through her brain again when Ryan handed her the skis she last used as a teenager. Hoisting them onto her shoulder, Eva wasn’t sure joining Adam and Ryan had been such a good idea.
“You okay?” Adam had quickly changed into a trendy black ski jacket with matching black-and-red checked pants. She shook herself out of her daze. “It’s been a long time since I’ve done this.”
“We can hit the easy trails first.”
Eva glanced at her brother, who looked anxious to bomb the black diamond trails. How’d she turn out to be the only kid who played it safe in her family? “I don’t want to hold you guys back. You two go on ahead. I can putter until I get my ski legs.”
Adam handed Ryan a lift ticket, then turned to her with a grin. “There are some nice, gentle slopes here. And I’ll give you some pointers. You’ll do fine.”
Great. Peece wasn’t going to be easy to shake loose. She’d been hoping for a little solitude. Time to deal with seeing Todd.
“Trust me, you’ll enjoy this.” Adam grinned.
“Right.” Adam had the kind of smile that made her want to believe everything he told her. Not good. She’d believed in Todd once.
“Come on, the lifts aren’t far from here.” Adam carried his skis tucked under his arm and led the way.
Ryan walked fast with antsy anticipation. It was all Eva could do to keep up. When they made it to the base of the hill, Eva fiddled with her ancient bindings. If she took too long, maybe they’d go on without her.
“Need help?” Adam asked.
“I got it.” Eva finally clicked in.
“Ready?” Adam asked.
“Absolutely.” Ryan pushed forward.
Eva waddled close enough to pull on her brother’s sleeve.
“What?”
“Don’t ditch me,” she whispered.
Ryan looked at her with a blank stare. “Why?”
She didn’t want to get stuck with Adam, alone. She still felt raw, vulnerable. “Stay close.”
He rolled his eyes. “You’ll be fine, Eva.”
At the main chairlift, Eva looked up and really wished she hadn’t agreed to come. The trails looked steep.
Adam pulled another lift ticket out of his pocket. He slid close and handed it to her. “I know you can do this.”
How could he know? She tried to force the clip onto her jacket’s zipper, but her mittens made her movements clumsy. “I need easy, remember?”
“Don’t worry. You’ll ace the green trails in no time.”
Eva noticed that Adam’s right ski was practically on top of her left. She’d back up but didn’t dare move for fear she’d slip and bring them both down into a heap. His leg brushed hers as he leaned toward her, sending a shiver down her spine that had nothing to do with the cold.
If Ryan left her, she’d kill him. She looked at Adam. “What are you doing?”
He grabbed the lift ticket from her fumbling mittened hands and clipped it onto her jacket with a quick snap. “You were bending it.”
She let out the breath she’d been holding. “Oh.”
His eyes searched hers. “Relax. This is supposed to be fun.”
She nodded, but really, how could she relax? Her rich and handsome employer was inches from her face. She could smell his cologne. Nice, woodsy, expensive. Another jolt of awareness raced up her spine. There was no way she’d relax around Adam Peece.
“Let’s