Deal of a Lifetime by Rue Allyn Page A

back her challenge from their earlier meeting.
    “No. I’m the only one who dictates my behavior. Obviously you don’t want to understand me when I say I don’t trade sex.”
    He cast a glance around the nearly empty room. No one was close enough to hear their conversation. “What if I said I wanted more than that?”
    Tam lifted her eyebrows and chuckled. “Are you proposing?”
    He looked down, and his hand slipped from the table. “Not really. I was hoping you wouldn’t ask about the details.”
    She laughed out loud. “I’m a businesswoman and an adult. Of course I’d ask about the details.”
    “Well, I’m sorry things didn’t work out. You’re going to bid and stay for the banquet?”
    She shook her head. “I’m afraid not, Mike. I need to get back to Arizona—for personal reasons. TLC and Buddswell’s will have to wait a year or so before we enter into any business relationship.”
    “I hope it will be sooner than that.”
    She shrugged and stood, extending her hand. “Who knows what the future holds? Friends?”
    Mike stood with her and shook her hand. “Friends. You’ll be hearing from me soon. I’m very interested in the Native American markets.”
    They moved toward the exit while Tam pulled on her coat. “Read my proposal, then get back to me. You’ll probably want to suggest modifications. In the meantime, Con wasn’t at lunch. Have you seen him?”
    “Haven’t seen him since we arrived.”
    “That’s too bad. I wanted to bring him up to date on your announcement. I may be leaving, but he’ll want to see his bids through to the end.”
    “I won’t disagree. Con always gets what he wants. One or two of the tram cars have already returned to the resort. I’ll bet he left early.” Mike held the exterior door open.
    A light snow fell, blanketing the ground but melting on concrete and other hard surfaces. She buttoned her coat, wrapped her scarf around her neck, then tugged on her hat and gloves.
    “I’ll check if anyone’s seen him at the terminal. Goodbye, Mike.” She paused on the walkway, extending her hand once more.
    He took her palm in his, then leaned forward and bussed her cheek. “Not goodbye but farewell. I’ll be in touch about your proposal.”
    An hour later, she still hadn’t found Con. Snow flew and stuck to every surface, an inch deep in some places. No one at the terminal had seen him, so he had to be on the mountain. She checked the restaurant and shops with no luck. Now she stood at the overlook wondering where he might be.
    Given his state of mind when they parted, he might have decided to walk off some steam, but for three hours? Concern twisted in her stomach. That employee who’d given the spiel on the trip up the tramway had mentioned uncertain footing and hungry animals. Was Con lying dead now, lunch for some marauding bear?
    She shook her head at the lurid image . Get a grip. Con’s probably fine. Maybe he slipped onto a tram car without anyone noticing . She moved toward the complex, but before leaving the area she decided to take a look down the path leading into the woods. If she was lucky, once in the trees where the snow hadn’t covered the ground, she’d find a shoe print or something that would show her Con had turned back. Then she could return to the hotel and pack with a clear mind.
    ****
    “Con! Connor O’Neal! Can you hear me? Are you out there? Con!”
    Con shifted, trying to stand despite the pain in his ankle. He shook off the daze that had overtaken him after the first hour since the rockslide trapped him on this ledge. Someone was calling his name. He had to do something so they’d find him.
    “Yes!” The word emerged as a croak. He grabbed a handful of snow and shoved it in his mouth. The cold shocked him more awake, and the melting liquid eliminated the dry hoarseness from shouting for an unanswered hour or so.
    “Con! Dammit, Con, where are you!”
    Tam. That was Tam yelling herself raw and searching for him. How long