Page 5 of The Christmas Accomplice

Chapter 2

Reece took his time getting back to the lodge. He shouldn’t have taken the cart in the first place, but when he’d seen Welton contemplating the revolving door and his luggage, he really couldn’t resist. A hot nerdy guy always grabbed Reece’s attention. Too bad most of them either never liked him back or were already taken.

And he didn’t even know if Welton was gay, though if his gaydar had anything to say about it, he did swing Reece’s way. There was just no guarantee he’d want to do that swinging with Reece himself.

The radio on his hip let out a burst of static that yanked him out of his thoughts.

“Donaghy, where are you?”

Reece grinned at the irritated feminine voice. Nicole, or Nick as everyone called her, was his co-worker and best friend at Snowcapped. She was pretty much the only reason he’d applied for the Assistant Activities Director job when Edward had posted it. Unfortunately, Graham Robertson—who Nick called Reece’s nemesis—had also applied for the job, so now Reece was competing with him for the position.

“I’m in a cart heading back to the lodge,” Reece said into the radio. “Is there something I can help you with?”

“You’re in a cart? What the hell?”

“Language,” Reece said.

“Screw that,” Nick shot back.

“I second Mr. Donaghy’s warning, Ms. Hogan.”

Reece grimaced at the sound of Edward Salva, their shift supervisor and Activities Director for the lodge. He would be the one deciding between Reece and Graham for the Assistant Activities Director role.

“And, Mr. Donaghy, why exactly did you feel it necessary to drive off in a cart?” Edward asked.

“I was taking a guest to his cabin,” Reece said. “Pulling up at the lodge now.”

“Fine, come see me when you get inside.”

Reece winced. “I’ll be right there.”

After parking the cart, Reece entered the lobby. Nick waited for him a short distance from the revolving door. She’d twisted her brown hair into a bun and stuck two holly branches into it. Her arms were crossed, and she was tapping her foot.

“You were supposed to meet me twenty minutes ago,” Nick said.

“I was helping a guest.” Reece walked past her, and she pivoted to follow.

“Was he a hot guest?”

“I have to talk to Edward.”

“That didn’t answer my question.”

“Your question was inappropriate.”

“Which means you don’t want to answer me, so he was someone you consider hot. Which means he was an attractive nerd or genius or savant or something.”

Reece frowned and shot her a look. “Savant?”

“It’s a word.”

“I know it’s a word, it’s just interesting to hear it used to describe someone I may have been attracted to.”

“Ah ha!”

Nick’s exclamation was so loud it caught the attention of guests and employees alike within a fifty foot radius around them. She stomped to a halt and pointed at him with a victorious expression. Reece quickly backtracked to stand before her and lowered his voice.

“Would you please keep your voice down? I don’t need everyone here to know my business.”