Chapter 12

12

Twenty minutes later, the ski lift was stopped in mid-air while someone was helped onto a chair. Tahlia swung her legs a little, as best she could with two planks of wood strapped to her feet.

“I appreciate how you handled that back there,” Nelson said, causing Tahlia to look his way. His eyes were hidden by sunglasses, which she didn’t particularly like. Being able to see his eyes was an advantage; they were a giant clue as to what he was feeling or thinking. The ability wasn’t particularly relevant in that moment, but Tahlia still preferred being able to see his eyes.

“Handled the kids? That was nothing.”

“No, it was…” he paused. Even from beneath the sunglasses, Tahlia could tell he was struggling. “I try, but I’m not a particularly patient person. Their mom lacked the virtue entirely…”

Tahlia barely kept her stunned reaction in check. This was the first time he’d ever mentioned the mother of his children.

“I gather she wasn’t terribly active with the twins,” she said, choosing her words carefully. “They don’t have many memories of her.”

“No, they wouldn’t. You’re right. She wasn’t interested in being a mom. My ex-wife was - is - incredibly selfish.” Nelson wasn’t mincing his words. Tahlia wasn’t sure if his frankness was because of the cold mountain air or because no one else was around.

“Mr. Nelson, what happened? You don’t have to tell me, of course,” Tahlia rushed to add. “I don’t mean to pry.”

Nelson considered her for a long minute and Tahlia wished all the more she could see his eyes. Finally, he sighed.

“It’s not a secret. I don’t like talking about it, but I suppose you should know the basics. And since we’re stuck here…” Tahlia didn’t need to see his face to know he was annoyed. “I guess now is a good time.”

Anxious, Tahlia squeezed the ski poles she held in her gloved hands but kept her voice low and level. “Whatever you’re comfortable with telling me.”

He was silent for a few seconds, staring off to the snow-draped mountain ahead of them. “She cheated on me,” he stated flatly. “When the twins were three, she had an affair with one of my business partners - former business partner - and ran off with him.”

“What about Maddy and Kaiden?” Tahlia couldn’t help asking, already in protective mode for her kids.

Nelson worked his jaw before he answered. “She didn’t want anything to do with them. I don’t think she ever did. She was more engaged in spending my money than helping me raise our children.”

A surge of fury made Tahlia so hot she forgot all about the cold wind rocking their chair, though she could have gone without the angry tears welling up in her eyes. She wasn’t keen on explaining to Nelson why a mother abandoning her children was so viscerally disturbing. Thankfully, he wasn’t paying attention to her, too engrossed in his memories.

“The weird thing is,” he continued, “was that she didn’t even ask for alimony when we divorced. She didn’t want anything. She just disappeared with the guy.”

That was enough to shake Tahlia out of the defensive stupor she’d fallen into.

“What? She didn’t even try to get any money from you?”

“Nope.” Nelson shrugged. “I was forced to conclude money wasn’t her ultimate goal after she left. I don’t know why she was with me…She didn’t love me. She didn’t love the kids. Why marry me? Why have children with me?”

The melancholy was obvious in his voice, the sound of a person who thought they were worthless. She could imagine what he was thinking: not even his money was good enough reason to stick around. It was obvious he’d been hurt; maybe he’d loved her, maybe it was just for his kids’ sake, but Matt Nelson was hurt. Her heart ached for him.

“I don’t know why people do the shitty things they do,” she said quietly. “I know it’s not your fault or the kids’ faults. People are just…shitty.”

“Profound, Miss Jameson.”

There was a little lightness to his tone. Tahlia smiled. “I try.”

The lift jolted forward at that moment, and they continued their journey up the mountain.

“Maybe it’s as simple as her being a fucking bad gold digger,” Tahlia said after some time.

“What?” Nelson asked, startled.

“She could just be that stupid.” Tahlia met her reflection in his sunglasses. “You’re supposed to milk the rich man you’re with for all he’s got. It’s a long con. Maybe she is simply the dumbest woman in existence.”

Nelson stared at her for a few seconds, what she could see of his face utterly blank. Tahlia wondered if she’d gone a tad too far but when she was about to apologize, his mouth curved, and he snorted a laugh.

“I haven’t heard anyone put it quite like that before,” he said with another chuckle.

Tahlia flushed. “It was inappropriate…”

“No, no,” he waved a hand, the black leather squeaking a little, “it’s fine. It was funny.” Nelson smiled at her, with a more full, somewhat boyish smile that sent bolts of warmth into Tahlia’s chest.

Their destination came into view, the lift slowing in preparation to drop them off. Tahlia wiggled to right herself and gripped her ski poles tightly.

“I suppose I should tell you… I don’t know how to ski,” she announced.

Nelson twisted so fast the chair swung. “ what?”