CHAPTER NINE
Thursday morning dawned bright and cold. Snow was forecast, which wasn’t unheard of in December, but it probably wouldn’t amount to much. In any case, it wasn’t enough to stop the planned ski outing.
Alan picked her up, as promised, in a vehicle that had four-wheel drive and plenty of room for her skis and equipment. She’d had to search the garage to find her old skis and poles, but they were all in good working order. Okay, maybe the skis could use a fresh application of wax, but she wasn’t a professional skier. She was more along the lines of a gifted amateur who had loved skiing a few years back, but hadn’t gone in too long to really know what her equipment needed.
They weren’t going for Olympic gold. The skis she had would be good enough for a day on the beginning and intermediate slopes. She wasn’t about to try any black diamond runs. Not with so little recent experience on a mountain. She was only out to have a little fun on some relatively safe terrain then drink hot cocoa in the lodge.
Mount Peter was one of the smaller resorts, but it was in easy driving distance, and they made it up the New York State Thruway to Route 17 in the brisk, cold sunshine, arriving well before lunch—and just before the rest of the group they were meeting up there. Alan surprised her by pulling a very long pair of skis out of the back of the truck, along with her own, much shorter pair. Skis were fitted according to the height of the user, so the really tall skis had to be Alan’s.
“I didn’t know you had your own skis,” Eileen commented as he dragged the skis, poles and two boot bags out of the back of the truck.
“Yeah, I skied a lot in college but haven’t been out on the slopes since I joined the Navy. My folks still had my gear, though, stuffed into the garden shed. I found it yesterday,” he told her.
“Mine was in the garage,” she commiserated.
“Maybe we ought to take it through the pro shop and have them take a quick look before we risk our lives on the slopes,” he mused, looking over the edges of his skis with a practiced eye. “They could probably use a fresh coat of wax. Maybe they can do it quick for us before we head up the mountain.”
She’d been thinking along those same lines. “That actually sounds like a really good idea.”
“I’ll text the others and tell them to meet us by the ski shop. Some of them will probably have to rent equipment anyway.” He hefted both boot bags over one shoulder and his skis and poles over the other but let her carry her own skis and poles as they headed for the lodge.
A quick look around inside and they headed for the shop. There wasn’t anyone else inside, so they were able to get an expert to look over their skis right away. As they were finishing up, Alan’s twin brothers and some of their friends showed up. The twins had their own gear, but a few among the passel of friends needed to rent skis, so Alan and Eileen left the now-crowded shop to exchange greetings with the twins just outside.
Before long, they were all headed up to the lift area. The newbies were going to take a lesson, and the twins raced straight for the black diamond trails. Eileen was content to try a few rounds on the bunny hill, just to get her sea legs under her again. Alan agreed, and they made their way to the tow rope that would get them up the gentle slope.
“You sure you don’t mind a jog down the bunny hill with the kiddies?” she asked Alan, just to be sure he wasn’t too embarrassed by her request to start at the bottom and work their way back up to more difficult trails.
“Not at all. Like I said, it’s been years since I’ve been skiing. It’s a good idea to re-acclimate slowly to a skill you haven’t tried in a while. I wouldn’t want you getting hurt, after all,” he told her, hugging her to his side.
The effect of the hug wasn’t altogether lost with the puffy layers of ski parkas between them. In fact, she was feeling a warm glow in her center, just being around Alan.
He was good as gold, accompanying her through every misstep and stumble. Every slide in the wrong direction and a spectacular fall that sent her skis going one way and her boots going another. He collected her skis for her when they started to slide away and helped her reattach them to her boots, laughing all the way. She couldn’t remember when she’d had so much fun.
It was only later, when they took a lunch break in the lodge, that the past came back to haunt her. She remembered high school and she and Mary learning how to ski. Together. They’d done just about everything together during those formative years, and it was hard to remember the fun times they’d had without also remembering the sorrow that was so new.
“Mary and I did a weekend trip to Camelback when we were in college. We met a few friends there and had an absolute blast, but it was the last time she ever went skiing. She didn’t exactly take to the sport like an old hand.”
Eileen laughed, remembering the fashion disaster that had happened when Mary had taken a huge fall, and her borrowed ski pants—that were just a little bit too snug—had ripped at the seams. On her butt. An emergency trip to the little girls’ room and a judicious tugging at the hem of her borrowed parka had kept anyone but Eileen from knowing about the disaster.
Between them, they got the giggles over the entire situation and cracked up, but couldn’t explain to the puzzled ski instructor what was going on. See, he was handsome and young, and Mary had her eye on him from the start. Once the pants issue had been fixed—by rapid application of a credit card at the ski shop inside to purchase a new, slightly larger-sized, pair of ski pants—Mary had gone on to bedazzle the instructor so that he spent the evening with them, on his own time.
They’d both benefitted from the extra “lessons”, but it was Mary who had made a conquest of the guy. While Eileen had gone off on her own to ski, Mary had spent the rest of the night, until the place closed, with the guy. He’d bought her drinks, and when Eileen came in from the slopes, she’d found them sitting together in front of the fire looking very cozy, indeed.
Eileen told Alan the story, pausing here and there as memories threatened to overtake her. Before she realized it, Alan’s arm was around her, snuggling her into his side. She felt safe with him. Protected. Almost…cherished.
“Sounds like you have good memories of your friend,” Alan said softly. They had finished lunch and were sitting by a roaring fire, drinking the first of what she supposed might be multiple cups of cocoa that day.
“Good and bad,” she admitted. “Like any normal friendship that lasts that long, we had our ups and downs.”
“Sounds about right,” Alan allowed. “I’m sorry if this has been a bit more than you expected. We don’t have to stay.”
“Oh, no. I’m okay. Just wallowing, I guess. But I’m having a really great time here today, with you. I don’t want to leave yet. I’d forgotten how much I enjoy being out in the sun and snow. It’s really invigorating.”
“If you’re sure,” he said, seeming to gauge her words with a measuring look.
“Yeah, I’m sure. But I appreciate the offer. If I really can’t take any more, I’ll let you know. I promise. But I think my body will give out physically before my emotions do. Skiing uses muscles I forgot I had.” She rubbed at her hip, remembering the unexpected discomfort as she snowplowed down the bunny hill just a short time before.
They spent the afternoon trying out the beginner trails and getting more comfortable on their skis. At some point, Eileen realized Alan was holding back his true skill level to hang with her. She didn’t say anything but thought it was really sweet of him to stay with her, even though he could probably take the black diamond trails with no problem. He was a SEAL, after all. He was the next best thing to a superhero. Good at all sorts of physical activities…
And that thought led her straight into the gutter. Her cheeks heated as she thought about what other kinds of physical activities she might get him to participate in—with her.
They had dinner with the twins and their group of rambunctious friends. Alan’s brothers were hilarious, and Eileen found herself laughing out loud throughout the meal. Some of the girls who had opted to come skiing with them were nice, and they talked a bit about girl stuff. The younger crowd had rented a few hotel rooms in a nearby bed and breakfast and were planning to stay overnight, but Alan had promised to have Eileen back that same night.
It wasn’t far. Maybe a two-hour drive from the mountain to her home on Long Island. They could easily get some night skiing in before they had to head back and still be home at a reasonable hour. Which is exactly what they did.
Eileen felt comfortable tackling some of the intermediate runs after dinner and thought nothing of it when little flurries started. If anything, it added to the experience. There was nothing quite like sliding down the side of a mountain at night with your goggles on because snow was pelting you in the face. It sounded awful, but it was actually a rather amazing experience. Something she’d remember, always.
The fact that Alan was right behind her, ready to come to her rescue if she should wipe out, made it even more special. She’d never skied with a boyfriend before. Not that Alan was technically her boyfriend. Not yet. Maybe not ever. Though, she really wanted him to be, if she was being honest with herself. Boyfriend…and maybe a whole lot more.
She’d always skied with her family or friends, never with a guy who she was really interested in. It was nice. He was solicitous of her and her comfort, and though skiing was generally a very solitary kind of sport, he somehow made her very aware that he was with her—and would stay with her—even if his skill level meant he could easily outpace her.
That meant a lot. The fact that he wanted to stay with her more than he wanted to pursue some kind of daredevil run on a double black diamond…like his brothers were doing. He’d invited her here, and he’d stuck with her like glue for the most part, except for the natural separation of individuals going down a mountainside as individuals, yet…together.
*
The angel watched over Eileen, enjoying hearing her laughter. It had been a long time since the girl had laughed so well or so much. She needed more joy in her life, but sometimes, that was a hard commodity to find.
It looked like Eileen had found it with Alan, and the angel decided to intervene…just a little.
*
When the light flurries started turning into actual flakes of snow and Eileen’s muscles were threatening to give out on her, she finally called it quits. They’d taken their leave of the younger group after dinner, so Eileen and Alan were free to just pack up their gear and head for home. Alan was agreeable and carried the bag that held her heavy ski boots as they went out to the parking lot.
A half inch of fresh powder had to be brushed off the windows of the truck, and Eileen looked up at the sky. Not a single star shone anywhere. Clouds covered all.
“I’d heard they’d forecast a bit of snow tonight, but I didn’t realize it would start this early,” she observed as they piled into the truck and Alan got the engine going.
“The bulk of the weather system was supposed to hold off until after midnight. I’d expected flurries during the day, but I didn’t see any. I guess the forecast might’ve changed while we were otherwise occupied.” He smiled over at her in the dark intimacy of the cabin. “Not to worry. This truck has new all-terrain tires and four-wheel drive. We should be fine.”
But they weren’t.
Halfway to the Tappan Zee Bridge that would eventually lead them back down toward the island, the roads got impassable. Whiteout conditions made them rethink the whole idea of driving all the way home in the middle of a blizzard.
“I think we’d better stop somewhere,” Eileen told Alan as she peered out the window, hoping to spot a turnoff from the Thruway. She’d traveled this road a lot when she was younger, so she was somewhat familiar with the area. “I think there’s a hotel at exit fifteen. At least, there used to be.”
It was after eleven o’clock at night by the time Alan guided the truck through way too much snow to a parking lot that was just beginning to be plowed by men in a giant yellow truck with flashing lights on top. There wasn’t much open, but there was a giant hotel from a well-known chain. They had a restaurant, and if worse came to worst, a place they could stop for the night in hopes that the roads would be clear by tomorrow so they could continue their journey home.
The parking lot was already pretty full of cars, but they managed to find an open space. Alan parked the car, and they both made their way through the blowing, heavy snow to the front door. The desk clerk looked a bit harried but smiled at them as they entered.
“More refugees from the storm, eh?” the clerk said, as they stomped snow off their shoes on their way to the front desk.
“Looks that way,” Alan replied easily. “Is there any place we could wait out the storm?”
“This is going to blow all night,” the clerk said, waving toward the big screen TV across the lobby that was tuned to the Weather Channel. “The forecast changed suddenly just after dinner and caught the weather folks by surprise. That’s what they’re saying.”
“Really?” Eileen felt a tingle down her spine. It was as if fate was conspiring to keep her and Alan together. At least for a little while longer.
She turned with Alan to hear the latest report on the television. They watched in silence, and one thing became clear. They were truly stuck here until this storm blew over.
Alan sighed and turned back toward the clerk. “Looks like we’re staying,” he said quietly. “Do you have two rooms for us?”
“Two?” The clerk looked both surprised and full of regret. “I’m sorry. We’re full up. As soon as the weather changed, people started showing up in droves. I’ve only got one room left.”
Eileen had to stifle a chuckle. It figured. Alan was trying to be a gentleman about this, but she knew the odds were very good that, if they shared a room tonight, they would also be sharing a bed. And making love. She didn’t trust herself to stay away from him if they were in that close proximity to a bed.
But, really… Isn’t that what she’d wanted all along? Hadn’t she already decided to grab the brass ring? Eileen stepped forward and placed her handbag down on the counter.
“We’ll take it,” she told the clerk, digging inside her bag for her credit card. But while she was searching for her wallet in the big bag, a hand came over her shoulder, already brandishing a gold-colored card at the clerk. Alan. “Hey, you don’t have to pay,” she told him. “We should split this.”
“We can argue about it later,” he told her gently. “Let’s just secure the room first. You never know when some other traveler is going to show up and snatch that last room out from under us.” He and the clerk shared a laugh as the credit card was run through a reader. A short time later, Alan was handed two keys to the room, one of which he gave to Eileen.
They walked into the atrium area that was planted with tropical trees and bushes and featured a large pool with a tiki-themed bar off to one side. It was open, and there were several people there, drinking, eating and talking in low tones.
“We don’t have any luggage. Do you want to stop for a drink and maybe a midnight snack before we go up to the room?” Alan asked.
Intrigued by the idea of sitting in a tiki bar in the middle of a blizzard, Eileen nodded and followed Alan through the little pathway between tropical plantings that led to the bar. They picked a quiet table on the edge of the planted area, and Alan went over to the bar to place their order for drinks and some light snacks. He came back with the drinks and a promise that the snacks would be delivered to their table shortly.
“Here we go,” he said as he placed the rum and Coke Eileen had asked for in front of her. She didn’t usually drink much, but tonight, everything was a little different. She noticed Alan had ordered beer for himself as he sat down.
“Thanks.” She took a small sip of her drink, glad for the warmth that began to circulate in her system from the potent Caribbean spiced rum she’d requested. “Well, this is an unexpected turn of events,” she said, placing her glass down on the little table and deciding to take the bull by the horns.
“Believe me, if I’d had any idea the weather was going to go nuts on us, I wouldn’t have—”
“I know,” she cut him off. “There was no way either of us could have predicted this situation. Even the meteorologists got it wrong. Sometimes, fate has a way of laughing at our carefully laid plans.”
“And sometimes, fate sets us up for adventures we never expected but that end up changing our lives forever,” he replied, his voice dropping to a low, intimate tone. She didn’t know what to say, and the silence stretched as they sipped their drinks. “I’m sorry about all this,” he finally went on. “I didn’t plan it.”
“I know,” she repeated. “It’s okay. We’ll muddle through. It’s just… I’m not sure about anything right now. It’s been rough since Mary died, and this time of year really gets to me ever since we lost Mom. My emotions are all over the place, and I’m not really sure what’s happening between us and where it might leave me if you go back to the Navy.”
He reached out and caught her hand, enfolding it gently between his palms. “No matter what, I hope we’ll come out of this stronger. I really hope that we can have some kind of…relationship…even if I do go back to the Teams. I don’t want this—whatever this is that I feel growing between us—to end. If I stay, I’m hoping you’ll be part of my life. If I go, maybe we can try to keep things going long-distance, though I’ll try to understand if you feel that’s not fair to you. It isn’t. I get that. But I’m just selfish enough to not want to lose you.”
She was a little stunned but also a lot happy about his words. He really was thinking about a future with her in it, no matter what he decided to do about his career. That was really something.
“So, I’m not imagining this.” She used her free hand to gesture between them. “You’re feeling something happening here too?”
“Most definitely,” he replied. “I’m not playing around here, Eileen. I want you to know that. I’m very attracted to you. I have been from the beginning. But there’s something else going on. Something deeper and, frankly, a little scary. All I know is, I want you in my life.”
Forever? It was on the tip of her tongue, but she dared not ask. She didn’t want to push him too far. It was enough, for now, that he’d come this far.
She’d been fantasizing heavily all day about what it might be like to have him at her side for always. He was so considerate of her comfort, so easily helpful and fun to be around. The more time she spent with him, the more she wanted to be with him…always.
Eileen was pretty sure she was in love. Big time. And she was hoping that he was beginning to feel the same, though it was probably too soon for a worldly guy like him. Still, he did sound awfully serious.
The snacks arrived, and they spent a few minutes noshing on sliders and fries. They’d had dinner but were both hungry after the slog through the snow, so the midnight snack was very welcome. Eileen’s muscles were protesting her day of exercise, but she was feeling better now after eating something warm and sipping about half her drink through the tiny cocktail straw.
She was starting to feel pleasantly warm and more than a bit sleepy, but she knew from past experience that she’d need a hot shower before bed to ease the muscle aches. If she didn’t, she risked being stiff as a board in the morning when they’d have to drive back. She had a gig tomorrow night, too, and she had to be ready for it.
“I’m going to go up to the room,” she told Alan. “I’d like to soak my sore muscles under a hot shower for a few minutes before I stiffen up any more.”
“That’s probably a really good idea,” he told her. “Shall I give you a half hour before I come up? I’ll also see if the gift shop has any T-shirts or robes or anything that I can scrounge up for us to wear. I noticed it in an alcove next to the check-in, so I assume it’s always open.”
She glanced back toward the main lobby. “Very observant. I didn’t notice it, but if they have a T-shirt in a medium and maybe a pair of sweatpants or shorts or something, get them for me, and I’ll pay you back, okay?” She stood and took her half-finished drink with her. “I’m going to bring this upstairs. I don’t want to guzzle it, but it’s yummy, and I might want it after I get out of the shower.”
“No problem,” he told her. “I’ll do recon and find supplies while you get comfortable. I’ll be up in thirty minutes. Is that enough time?”
“Oh, yeah. That’s plenty. Thanks.” She beat a retreat toward the elevator and headed up to the room.
She wasn’t really sure what was going to happen in a half hour when they met again, but she resolved to take this entire situation one step at a time. They were in a totally unexpected situation, but they’d made great strides in their relationship over the past days, and today had been stellar. She’d enjoyed every minute of her day with him. Would there be more to it? She wasn’t sure, but she was very willing to find out.