Of Mountains and Men: A Why Choose Romance

Chapter 13

I take the drive slowly, despite the pleas for me to hurry up. "We'll be there in ten minutes, you know I can't rush on the snow."

"But mom I wanna swim now." He pouts.

"Do you want me to pull over until you can behave?" I warn, slowing down.

"No." He shouts. He gives a big sigh, "Fine I behave."

I bite my lip to suppress a laugh, easing back up to speed. Ten minutes later we're pulling into the employee parking lot, "Alright, stay with mommy alright?"

"Okay." He says dismissively.

I sigh, it's going to be hard keeping up with him today. I have to keep checking signs to make sure we're going the correct way. I've never been to the pool before, and the hotel is just so huge. "Look Charley," I lift him up to see through the windows and into the pool. The pool room is enormous and has windows overlooking the lake and small town. It's stunning. What's just as breathtaking is the three stunning men playing with their daughters in the pool. As I open the doors keeping a firm hold on Charley, I see we're not all alone here. There are a few other guests, but it's not overcrowded.

"Hi!" I call out. The excited squeals from the girls are overwhelming, I blink off the noise before giving them a huge smile.

I set Charley down by a bench, "We have to go put our suits on now," I remind him before he throws himself into the water.

"Hurry and change so you can join the fun," James beams up at me, hair slicked back from the pool water.

With the bag in one hand, Charley in the other we head for the door labeled women's changing room. I pick a stall at random to help Charley change first. "Stay right there with our bag, we have to pick a locker next for our clothes." I tell him sternly, he gives me a little glare, impatient to get in the water. Oh boy, when this kid gets older, I'm in for a lot of trouble.

I slip into my polka dot suit, stepping out to look at myself in the mirror. I tie my light brown waves up to the top of my head, figuring this will keep it out of my face when it's soaked. The cut of the suit actually flatters my slim body type, giving the impression of curves. Can't be disappointed with that.

"I'll take the bag young man," I tell Charley with a grin.

"Swim now!" He cheers.

I laugh, taking out the towels and locking up our bag and fast walking to keep a hold of Charley. He starts to break into a run, I quickly swing him up into my arms, I point to a sign. "You can't run around the pool, you can slip and get hurt."

He huffs, "Fine. Swim now."

"Here, let me take him." Michael says as Lexi swims laps around the entire pool. I bend down handing Charley off then I head to the shallower end where I can walk in.

Charley's squeals of delight are loud in the mostly quiet pool area. Priscilla and James wade over to me. "Are you ready to learn to swim?" Priscilla asks pretending to swim in the two feet of water she's in.

I grin at her, "I'm not sure I'm ready for that. We'll see."

James holds up a hand for me to take, I do, letting out a small yelp that the water is a little colder than I expected. James' laughs, "It's a heated pool but with it being negative ten outside it's still pretty chilly. You'll get used to it, it's best just to jump in." He laughs at my horrified expression.

"I think you all are crazy." I mutter stepping into the two feet of water. I grind my teeth against the chill, Charley's loud trills of laughter catch my attention. He's on a floating board, still held by Michael as he glides through the water.

"Mommm!" he calls paddling over to me. "You scared? Mi help."

We all laugh, "I'll just go slow sweety, go have fun." I meet Michael's deep brown eyes, that are filled with amusement. "Thank you."

He smiles, then salutes me as Charley starts to paddle off. "That boy is going to give me a heart attack." I mutter stepping further out.

"You're telling me." James says from directly behind me, arms moving out to show somehow Priscilla is already out across in the deep end with Lexi and Amelia diving for toys.

"How do they know how to do that?" I gasp, impressed just as much as surprised. I turn to see his expression. He picks me up and I cling to him like a little monkey as we wade out to where it's chest deep.

"This is as far as we'll go," He reassures me. "We took them all to swimming lessons since they were two. I thought it was a little young, but they were just like Charley taking to it immediately. We, or their nannies take them several times a week."

"That's really awesome." It was, and I was envious that I couldn't quite give Charley the same thing. We could always swim here I suppose, but that means I need to learn to swim.

James gently sets me down, "Don't stress, this single parenting stuff is tuff for everyone. I don't even know what to do most days."

I arch my brow at him, "You have friends in the same situation and nannies. I have a friend who's a cat lady and only worried about her next lay."

He laughs, "Okay, I suppose there is those differences. Just take everything one day at a time, maybe find some groups online."

I shrug, "Alright, the biggest question. How do I start learning how to swim?"

"Let's start with treading water." Andrew swims up to us joining in, while James trades out with Michael swimming all over the place with Charley.

By the end of the day, I can doggie paddle, and I'm so wiped I'm ready for a nap. Andrew suggests they order room service, and we spend the night with them. I'm hesitant since I've never done this sort of thing, and we have no clothes to change into. Michael takes the girls and Charley to one of the clothing stores in the resort to pick us up some items while James, Andrew and I order room service.

I'm too exhausted to do any play time with them, or this would be the perfect time. Instead, I get a massage while asking their opinions while ordering. I've never felt more spoiled in my entire life.