Season For Love: Two Seasons Lodge Series, #1

By Vicki Connellan

Tanner McAlister was resigned to going through life on his own. He didn't think there was a woman out there that would want him, especially being damaged goods and all. So instead of wishing for love, Tanner put all of his time and effort into the family business, Two Seasons Lodge. His parents had built the business from the ground up, but now there was a chance that they could lose it all. He had to do something to stop that from happening, and if that meant calling in a favour or two, then that's what he'd do, because losing the lodge wasn't an option.

 

In all his time, and all his travels, he'd never come across anyone like Lizzy Morrison. There was something about her that made him feel alive, that made him feel like maybe he'd been wrong about the happy ever after being out of his reach, but was he foolish to let those little glimmers of hope take hold? Was Lizzy really any different to the women he'd met in the past, or was she just like them? Either way, it didn't matter, because once he met her, he knew his life would never be the same again.

 

For Lizzy Morrison, the past twelve months had been the hardest year or her life, and that was saying something, as there had been some very bad years before that. It seemed that just as things came good, something bad would happen, but that was okay. If that was what the universe intended for Lizzy, then she'd do what she could to survive it, she'd make lemonade out of lemons if she had to. There would be no sitting back and wallowing in self pity, not anymore. That wouldn't be doing justice to herself, or to her sister. There had been enough grieving, enough sadness. Now it was time to move on and live the life that would make her sister smile.

 

When she agreed to do a favour for a friend, finding the man of her dreams was the last thing on Lizzy's mind, but just like the universe had thrown her many curve balls in the past, it threw another one this time. The only problem was, this curve ball came in the shape of one very hot sexy as hell man with a killer smile, and naturally, smiles were Lizzy's weakness. All she had to do was make it through without falling in love with him. Easy peasy.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Vicki Connellan
• Release date: Apr 26, 2020
• ISBN: 9780648443957

Vicki Connellan

Vicki was born in Orange, NSW. When she was two years old her family moved to Dapto, a southern suburb of Wollongong. She was kicked out of pre-school at the age of four (for reasons that she will keep to herself).   When she was sixteen she moved with her parents and two sisters (Vicki is the typically misunderstood middle child) to the ACT where, ironically she studied Child Care so she could work in a pre-school. Now, at the age of 45 she still lives in Canberra with her husband and three adult/teenage children.   Vicki works full time (not in the child care industry!) and is an avid baker. She spends her time taxiing her kids around and baking cup cakes for all the kids who constantly fill the house.    Vicki has always enjoyed writing and is now taking the time to put her stories to print.  You can contact Vicki via email at [e-mail] with any questions or  feedback on her book.  If you enjoyed the book please take the time to leave a quick review. 

Book preview

Chapter 1

LIZZY

I pulled into a parking spot and looked up at the giant concrete structure in front of me. It looked solid, dependable, and indestructible. It looked like nothing could throw it off balance, and that made me laugh. Everything, and I mean everything, could be thrown off balance, and everything, no matter how solid and dependable it looked, was vulnerable to destruction. Including me, and I’d always considered myself to be pretty tough.

Hey, I jumped a mile when there was a knock on the window. I turned to see Mark looking at me, a goofy smile on his face. You coming in, or are you going to sit out here in your car all day? He held up a tray, showing me two hot brews with a bag of pastries wedged between them.

Depends, I called back through the closed window. Did you get extra hot coffee?

I did, he held up the tray again.

Did you get jam doughnuts?

Affirmative, he winked at me. He knew I liked to tease him about the police talk he used all the time. Affirmative. Copy that. Negative. The list went on. Mark was a good friend, and one of the best white-collar crime detectives I knew. Come on Diz, you can’t sit in your car forever, again with the cheeky wink. He was also the only person who got away with calling me Diz, which was short for Dizzy, which was so not original. Kids had been calling me Dizzy Lizzy since kindergarten, and while normally anyone to call me that would end up flat on their butt, I knew Mark said it with heart, so I let it slide.

I was still shaking my head at him as I got out of the car and snatched up the hot coffee. Damn that’s good, I fell into step beside him as we headed inside. What’s so urgent that I needed to drop everything and come down here?

Got a favour to ask you, he grinned at me as we stepped into the elevator. Buddy of mine needs some help, and there’s no one better for the job than you.

Oh really, I looked him sceptically. And what’s the job?

Two Seasons Lodge, Mark looked at me as we stepped out of the elevator and headed towards his office. There was a chorus of hi Lizzy, hi Mark as we went. I’d done a fair bit of consultancy work for the department over the years, so I knew practically everyone in the white collar crimes division.

I’ve heard of that place. It’s kind of a cross between a ski lodge and a dude ranch, depending on the season, I held the door open for him seeing as though his hands were full.

Mark laughed at my words. Ski lodge and horse ranch yes, don’t let Tanner hear you call it a dude ranch, he hates that tag.

Tanner being your friend who needs my help? I took a seat on the other side of his desk and reached for the jam doughnut that I could smell. Damn, that’s as good as the coffee.

Mark settled with his coffee and bowl of chia pudding, something I found intensely repulsive, it was like eating slime that was riddled with grainy lumps. He smiled at me as he scooped in a mouthful, then he put his feet up on his desk and started talking. Tanner’s family owns Two Seasons Lodge. It’s always been a family run business, but it’s just been his mum and brother since his father died six months ago. When his dad died, Tanner got a discharge from the army so he could go back and work the lodge with his family.

But what’s the problem, why do they need me?

Tanner says on the face of it, the business is going great, they’re booked out most of the time, they get a lot of repeat guests, and they’re always busy, but the bank account doesn't match with how busy they are, Mark pulled his feet back and planted them on the floor. For now, they can pay the staff, but if things keep going the way they are, they’re going to have to let people go, and he doesn't want to have to do that, Mark looked at me, and there’s the fact that they need the staff because they’re always busy, it doesn't add up.

So you want me to take a look at their books?

That’d be great, Mark handed me a piece of paper. That’s Tanner’s number, give him a call. He’s a great guy Diz, one of the best, I’d hate to see his family lose the business they’ve all put their heart and soul into for the last thirty years.

It’s a couple of hours from here isn’t it? I tucked the paper into my pocket. A little break away from the city would be nice. I hadn't really taken any time to grieve when Anna died, and it was coming up to the one-year anniversary already.

Three and a bit hours, if you get a good run, Mark sat back and looked at me. You should take some time off, go stay there for a couple of weeks, you need a break Diz, working yourself to the point of breaking won’t bring Anna back, and it won’t take the hurt away either.

I know, I studied the cup of coffee in my hands. I’ve been thinking about that a lot lately, about all the plans that we had together, all the things we wanted to do, I looked up at him. It’s about time I got my shit together and moved on I think.

I agree that you need to move forward, but as far as having your shit together goes, I think you’ve got that covered, Mark winked at me. Anna will always be there Diz, always, but you need to take care of yourself, you need to let yourself be happy, he leant forward and looked at me. She wouldn't be happy if she saw you like this, she’d kick your butt and you know it.

She was pretty kick arse at kicking my butt, I smiled a little. I’ll call your friend, maybe even go stay for a week or two, see if I can help them out.

I stood and grabbed the jam doughnuts before heading to the door. Thanks for these, I held up the bag of sugary goodness. And thanks for caring.

ALONG WITH WALLOWING in self-pity, procrastinating was something else I was very good at. Yes, I could use some time away from here, a place where every time I turned my head, something reminded me of Anna. And yes, some of the things on our list could be ticked off at Tanner’s dude ranch that wasn’t a dude ranch, and yes, it was time I stopped being so sad and moved on. I guess I was ticking a lot of boxes in the affirmative, as Mark would say, but there was something niggling at me, one of those little gut feelings that was telling me once I called this number, my life was never going to be the same, and I couldn't figure that out. It was only a job, a favour for a friend, nothing more, nothing less.

I looked at the picture of Anna and I that was stuck to the fridge with a magnet shaped like a pineapple. We had our arms around each other, smiles a mile wide, and we were a good ten years younger than I was right now. The road trip up north had been our first road trip together, well, first one with just the two of us. Three months seeing the sights of Oz, stopping at all the big things along the way. The big bananna, the big prawn, the big pineapple, and at each one we’d take a selfie and collect a new fridge magnet. It was our thing. We had other trips planned too, road trips around the U.S, a trip to Ireland in September so we could go to Lisdoonvarna, the little village that held Europe’s biggest singles festival, maybe hook up with a cute Irishman, or two. But now she was gone, and I was left to do them all on my own.

Why did you leave me? I took the picture and the list off the fridge. Stay at a dude ranch, ride a horse and hook up with a cute cowboy, I read aloud. The hooking up with a cute cowboy made me laugh, the riding a horse, I wasn't too sure about that. Horses terrified me.

Three weeks and it would be a year to the day, the day after our twenty- seventh birthdays. The day I lost my sister, my best friend, my other half. The sister I’d shared a womb with, the sister I’d shared my whole life with, the sister I was supposed to make many more memories with. She was gone, and if I didn't do something to snap out of this mood, to claw my way out from this hole I was falling into, I might as well be gone too.

TANNER

There were some days where it felt like I’d never left the lodge. It felt like my time in the army was a lifetime ago, then there were times when it felt like only yesterday. Those were mornings like this one, one where I woke after a sleepless night filled with bad dreams and bad memories, and it made me wonder if things were ever going to be normal again.

But as much as I had changed, there were many things that had stayed the same, my brother being a jackass was one of them. He was always miles ahead of me with everything. With girls in school, then with women when we were older, with the quick wit and his ability to be comfortable in a crowded room, all of it. He hit the jackpot as far as looks and confidence went, and there was no competing with someone who had it all, so I didn't even try, not anymore. I was used to it, used to being in his shadow, it didn't bother me anymore, not like it did when we were kids, but that didn't mean I was going to sit by and watch him lose the lodge and everything that our parents had worked for, all because he couldn't admit something wasn't right.

We don’t need any help, he threw the spanner into the toolbox and glared at me. We’re doing okay, things will be fine Tanner, they were fine while you were away, and they’ll be fine now.

But things aren’t fine Chase, they haven’t been for a while but you won’t admit it, you won’t admit that you don’t have the business smarts to figure out the problem and find a solution, I stepped over to him and poked him in the chest. I won’t stand by and watch you lose the lodge.

What the fuck are you talking about, we’re not losing anything, it’s just a slump that’s all, besides, I didn't think you cared about this place, you couldn't wait to get away from here remember.

I care about our home, and about the lodge, I shook my head at him. I wanted a career away from here for a while, and you and Dad were so tight, you had this place running like clockwork, you didn't need me, you never did, the pair of you were thick as thieves, you always were.

Here we go, bring on the tears, woe is me, poor me, daddy liked you better, Chase laughed at me. That pity me act might work on Mum, but it won’t work on me.

I couldn’t give a shit that he liked you better, I got over that a long time ago. He made it clear that you were the favourite, the son with the perfect face, the ability to do great at any sport you tried, the charm to talk your way out of any situation, girls always following you around, I shook my head at him and stepped back. I don’t care about that, but I do care about Mum, and I won’t see her stressing the way she is right now because you’re too stubborn to let me help. I’m taking over the admin side of the lodge whether you like it or not.

You know what book nerd, fine, you want to sit with your nose in spread sheets, account ledgers and staff rosters all day and night, go for it, he laughed at me again. Janice is about to go on holidays for a few weeks, you can do her admin job while she’s gone. Chase stepped up in front of me and got in my face. Any changes to the way things are done come through me, is that clear?

Any changes to the way things are done are discussed between you, Mum and me, I looked down at him. Being an inch taller wasn't much, but it was enough to piss him off, and I loved it. But sure, I’ll keep you posted if I decide there are ways we can improve things.

I have horses to see to, Chase glared at me for a minute before turning and walking away.

I knew coming back to the lodge wasn’t going to be easy, but I didn’t think he could still be this much of a jackass. There had to be a point at which he’d grow up didn't there?

My next stop was to see Janice. If she were about to go on holiday for a few weeks, I’d need a rundown from her on where things were at. I’d already done a bit of after hours snooping in the office, but all that had shown me was that something wasn't right, things weren’t adding up.

Janice, I took off my hat as I walked into the office. My father might not be around, but I still remember the all too often clips up the back of the head for not taking my hat off quick enough when I was in the house.

Oh Tanner, she looked up and gave me one of her big smiles. How are you love?

I’m good, I stood on the other side of her desk. Chase says you’re going on holidays soon, I looked around the small office. I was thinking that I’d get someone in for while you were gone.

I’m only gone for a month love, but if you want to get someone in, that would be great. That way there won’t be a pile of invoices and a backlog of things for me to take care of when I get back, Janice looked like she wanted to say something else, but was weighing it all up before opening her mouth. She was good like that. It was one of the things I admired about her. She always considered her words before they left her lips, and I’d never heard her say a bad word about anyone, not even my father, and he was such an arse to her sometimes.

I’ll see what I can do. Wouldn’t want you spending your whole holiday thinking about all the work you’re going to come back to, I gave her a little nod. I’ll see if I can have someone here a couple of days before you go so you can give them a rundown on how the place works.

I leave the week after next love, on the Wednesday, Janice picked up another stack of invoices and turned to her computer. These invoices seem to multiply like rabbits lately, I can hardly keep up with them all, she laughed a little and gave me a little smile. Anything else love?

No, I headed for the door. I’ll let you know when I find someone.

THE LODGE WAS FULLY booked for the weekend, which meant that not only would I have to take a couple of the trail rides, I’d need to find time to fit in some study as well. My final assignment for this unit was due in four weeks time, meaning if I pass, I’d have successfully completed my first year of studies. One down, three to go. I ranked this degree right up there with my engineering degree in terms of difficulty, and it was also up there in terms of interest. Chase always called me a book nerd, and to a certain extent, he was right. Books were safe. Books didn't make fun of my lip, or the way I talked. They didn't make fun of how shy I was, or of the way I turned into a stupid mute around women, especially women that I liked. Which reminded me, I needed to message Mark’s friend and see if she could be here Monday week, which would allow Janice to give her a two-day hand over.

I hadn't met Mark’s friend, but when she called two days ago, it was easy, like I was talking to an old friend, one who I got along well with. It was stupid I know. We hadn't even met, but I already knew she’d be someone I could have a conversation with without getting all tongue tied and making a fool of myself.

Tanner, I grimaced at the sickly sweet sound of Rose’s voice. I couldn't put my finger on it with her, but there was something about her that made me want to take a shower and scrub myself down with disinfectant. Tanner sweetie, I plastered on a smile as she approached. Here, she handed me the days mail. I’m flat out busy at the reception desk, can you be a dear and take these to Janice for me, she looked up at me and smiled. I’m catching up with Chase later for a drink, maybe you can join us, she licked her lips and did that stupid head tilt thing she liked to do when flirting with all the male guests, regardless if they had someone with them. Maybe you and I can get a little drunk together and have some fun, she ran her finger down my forearm and licked her lips.

No thanks, I stepped back from her. I’m studying tonight,

Oh come on Tanner, Rose stepped forward and ran her fingers down the front of my shirt. Don't you think drinking and spending the night with me would be more fun than studying?

As I stepped back from Rose, I noticed Chase standing in the doorway glaring at me, like I was the one doing something wrong here. It was his friends with benefits friend who was coming on to me. Not because she was attracted to me, but because she was sick in the head and she thought it was funny to play games and mess with people. I’d bet my last dollar she knew Chase was there all along, and she was playing it up just to get under his skin. And it worked. She knew he wanted to be more than friends with benefits, she knew he’d wanted to make them a permanent thing since she started working here. Rose was messed up in the head, but he couldn't see that. He couldn't see past her perfect face and her perfect breasts, as fake as they were. She had him wrapped around her finger, and it was sad. Not that I’d ever tell him any of this. He was a big boy, sooner or later he’d figure it out for himself.

Go spend the night with Chase, you know he want’s you, I spun on my heels and headed back to the office, pulling out my phone as I walked along.

Hi Lizzy, just the sound of her voice made me smile, and I loved the fact that it didn't make me want to take a kerosene bath.

Hey Tanner, what’s so funny, do I have lettuce in my teeth or something? Lizzy laughed at me.

Funny lady, I stopped outside the office door. I’m sure your teeth are fine, I was laughing at something else.

Good to know, she sounded happy. What can I do for you?

Just wondering how you’d feel about taking on an office job here for a few weeks. It’d be the perfect ruse for what we discussed.

It would be perfect. You haven’t told anyone about me have you, or about why I’ll be at the lodge? It’s just that it’s easier if people don’t know they’re being investigated, they tend to clam up if they think they’re under suspicion.

Haven’t told a soul, you and I are the only ones who’ll know the true reason for you being here, I looked at the thick stack of mail in my hands. I really hope we can figure out what’s going on before it’s too late.

Hey, didn't Mark tell you that I’m the best in the business? Lizzy chuckled a little, and it made me smile. We’ll figure it out Tanner, don’t stress.

Lizzy said she’d call the reception desk and book in for next weekend, arriving on Thursday so she can spend a few nights here doing ranch activities before starting her fake reception job on the Monday. After the call, I couldn't stop smiling, and I wasn't sure if that was because she sounded confident that we’d get to the bottom of the finance issue here, or if it was because I was finally getting to meet her. Both were things worth smiling about I guess. I just hoped that the Lizzy I knew over the phone turned out to be as nice in person, because while I couldn't put my finger on it, for some reason, I felt a connection to her and we hadn't even met. Did that mean something? Surely it had to mean something.

Chapter 2

LIZZY

I’d packed enough gear for four weeks, even though I hoped it wouldn't take me that long to figure out what was going on at Two Seasons Lodge. I’d be here for my birthday, which in a way, was a good thing. If I wasn't here at the lodge, I’d probably sit at home and wallow in that big pile of self-pity and misery that I’d immersed myself in lately. No, it was better that I wasn't at home. It was better that I was here, a place that offered a distraction from my life, and from the horror show that it had been for the past twelve months.

Come on girl, time to go have some fun, I grabbed the photo of Anna and I, the one with our travel bucket list stuck to it, shoved it in my handbag and headed for the trunk. Pack enough? I laughed at myself as I hauled my jumbo size suitcase from the boot of my car.

Lucky for me, it was only mid autumn so there was no snow yet, but you could feel it in the air, smell it almost, like the way you can smell rain just before it starts to fall from the sky. It wasn't far away, three to four weeks at the most. But for now, the path from the car park to the lodge was clear and free of the white power, making it easy to drag the bag along behind me.

I looked around the expansive foyer space, taking in the rustic feel of the lodge. There were massive exposed beams running the entire length of the room, gorgeous polished timber floors, soft warm leather furniture by the fire place that looked so inviting. To my left I could see into the dining area of the lodge, an intimate space big enough for all the guests, but small enough to feel homely. To my right was the fireplace and another couch by the window that looked out over the valley. The view was simply stunning. Straight ahead was the reception desk, where a gorgeous woman stood talking to an even more gorgeous man. Damn, if I’d known the men here were so hot I’d have made the trip sooner.

Shaking my head at myself, I headed towards the reception desk to check in. My first few days here would be for relaxation purposes, after that it would be down to business, and finding out why this busy resort was flailing in the finance area.

Good afternoon, checking in? The glamorous woman flashed me a friendly smile, as the gorgeous guy beside her did the same. Her smile made me smile in return, his though, it made me blush on the inside. Literally. It was like a nuclear bomb had gone off inside me and I was burning from the inside out, like an internal combustion kind of thing, if that was possible. I’d never experienced anything like it before.

Lizzy Morrison, I finally managed to get out. The second I said my name, Mr Gorgeous’ head snapped up and his smile faded a little, only a little, then he recomposed himself and smiled at me again.

Well Lizzy Morrison, that's a lot of luggage for a three night stay, the receptionist looked over at my suitcase.

Oh I’m here for more than three nights, but I’ll find a room in town after my stay here, I smiled at her. I’d come across her type before. Nosey. She liked to know peoples business, and I got the feeling she didn't keep information to herself. Well, I