Katie Douglas looked through the windshield of her Chevy Silverado as she drove toward the Tawnee Mountain Resort. The gorgeous colors of fall were in full swing and the crisp autumn air made everything stand out in sharp relief.

As she had driven through sleepy Old Town, New Jersey, she had seen signs of new development, no doubt a spin-off benefit from the world-class resort that lay ahead.

“A working vacation, they said,” she whispered aloud. “Go up there and do your job, but, hey! Take some time off and enjoy!  Kick back and relax.  You’ll love it!”

She smiled to herself as she thought of the expense report she would write at the end of this job.

After parking in the area reserved for check-ins, she collected her suitcase and duffel bag from the rear seat of her truck and made her way through the wood-framed glass doors and into the lobby. She dipped her sunglasses and casually looked around.

So, this is where they come to play.  Must be nice, she thought. High glass windows overlooked Tawnee Mountain. Huge wooden posts and beams and a cozy fireplace with chairs all around gave the place a rustic if upscale feel.

“May I help you?” The question came from a young, blonde woman behind the reception counter. Katie smiled and dragged her luggage toward her.

“Katie Douglas, Douglas Mechanical,” she replied. “I’m here to inspect the ski-lifts.  There should be a room reserved for three days for me.”  The receptionist nodded and turned to her computer screen.  A few taps later she found what she was looking for.

“Yes, we have you here for three days,” the young woman replied. Then a small smile crept over her face. “Would you like a free upgrade? We have cabins available, fireplace and hot tub included!”

“Did you say free?” Katie asked.  She loved free.

“Absolutely.  It will also put you closer to the ski-lifts and cable cars, but still very close to the main building for the restaurants and lounges.”

“Where do I sign?” Katie grinned, slapping her company Mastercard on the counter.

***

Across the lobby from the reception desk, Casey Malone was relaxing in a leather armchair in the Fireplace Lounge.  He looked up from his notebook and lowered his reading glasses to study the tall figure in blue jeans, red plaid shirt over a white T-shirt, with her long chestnut-brown hair flowing loosely around her shoulders.

Quite a change from the usual 5th Avenue togs one sees around here, he thought as he watched Katie Douglas collect her luggage and stride out of sight down the hallway.  He picked up his glass of bourbon and water and took a sip.  With an appreciative sigh he placed the glass on the side table and went back to his notes.

Gales of laughter interrupted his thoughts as a group of twenty-somethings approached the reception desk.  He watched as three young couples signed in and overheard the words ‘mountain biking’.

“Must be nice to be young,” he muttered, thinking of the strenuous exercise of tearing up and down over the trails that paralleled the ski runs up on Tawnee Mountain. 

***

The sun had gone down on the resort and was no longer streaming in through the high lobby windows when Casey heard someone enter the lounge and sit in the armchair across from him.  He glanced up and smiled easily as Miss Plaid Shirt set her wine glass on the center table separating them.

“Chardonnay,” Casey quipped. A quizzical look came over Katie’s face.

“How do you know?” she asked.

“The color,” Casey responded. “Chardonnay is the only white wine with sufficient body to be aged in oak, hence the golden color.  If you look at other white wines, they are straw colored and very pale in comparison.”

Smart-ass, Katie thought, taking in the boyish smile and charm of the forty-something guy sitting opposite. His dark, wavy hair with touches of grey gave him a sophisticated look.

“Katie Douglas,” she offered in introduction.  Casey smiled.

“Casey Malone. Pleased to meet you.”

Katie nodded in response. “Casey. Must be a nick-name?”

“Actually, yes. It is,” Casey responded, setting his notebook down. “How did you know?” Katie smiled and pointed to the briefcase by his feet.

“K.C. Malone, in gold letters.”

“Maybe Casey is my middle name.”

“Probably not.”

“Touché, madame,” Casey raised his glass to her.  Katie raised hers in response.

“And it’s mademoiselle, monsieur,” she responded.

“Kenneth Charles.  I hated Kenneth because I only heard it when my mom was pissed at me.  And Charles always became Chuck.  So, I went with K.C., which eventually became Casey.

“Busy place,” Katie remarked.

“Yeah, for the time of year.  I came up for some peace and quiet, figuring it would be the shoulder season, golfers back to work, no snow yet for skiers,” he replied. “But, if you got enough money, play time is any time.”

“You’re not part of the jet set?” she asked, his Tweed smokers jacket complete with leather elbow patches and white collared shirt making him seem at home.

“Hardly,” he said. “I’m a writer. A novelist. I was hoping a little R and R would loosen up the creative juices.”

“What have you written?”

“Nothing yet,” he responded.

“Gotta love a successful man,” she ribbed, sipping her wine with a playful smile.

“Call it a career change,” he answered. “Me and the army didn’t get along.”

“Ah! A military man.”

“Ex-military man. One who didn’t get along with superiors who kept getting people killed.  But, that’s another story.” He took a long pull on his drink and set it down.  Katie nodded her head with a thoughtful look.

“And you?” he continued. “What’s your story?”

“I’m here on company business. We inspect and certify ski-lifts and cable cars.  I thought I would add a few days and kick back for a while.”

“Sounds like heavy work. And you’re qualified to do this?” he asked.

She ignored the needle. “I have a Masters Degree in both mechanical and electrical engineering, so, yeah, I’m qualified,” she said with a satisfied smile.

“Besides, this place should be a piece of cake,” she offered. “It’s practically brand new and the owner is a zillionaire, so I doubt he cut corners, considering the clientele.”

Casey nodded with a smile as he sipped his drink. He noticed her fingers were devoid of rings. Interesting lady, he thought.

Katie finished her wine and stood up, offering her hand. “It’s been nice chatting with you Mr. Malone. I’m gonna go to my cabin and wash off some trail dust.  Maybe see you later?”

“Looking forward to it, Ms. Douglas,” Casey jumped to his feet and accepted her hand with a slight squeeze.  He watched as her tall, athletic figure turned the corner and walked out of sight.