Chapter 14
The next day, nothing happened at The Snow Zone. No calls, no weirdos wanting to poke her. And when Camden called, there was no news on the phone records. She’d stayed out too late last night and enjoyed every single moment, but today she was truly tuckered out. And to think she’d agreed to ski with Liam after they’d finished up for the day.
Max met up with them long enough to tell them the slopes were theirs for as long as they wanted and insisted on keeping two of the bunny-hill lifts open just for them.
“This is employee time, too. Don’t forget, these people live to ski. Tasha and Terrence are skiing, too. Don’t say anything to either of them. I want to watch her first. If I see she’s got a bit of talent, I’ll pop up on the slopes. I need to loosen the old bones anyway. Haven’t had time to ski.”
Hannah and Candy Lee went to the rental shop, where she was fitted with ski boots, beginner skis, and poles. “Oh. My. Gosh. My feet feel like they weigh a ton,” Hannah said as she slowly walked out of the rental shop.
“You’ll feel as light as a feather once you start gliding through the snow. We have four inches of fresh powder. It’ll be perfect for you. Have fun.” Candy Lee waved and headed for her car. She had a date tonight, and she had told Hannah that while she could ski any time she wanted, she didn’t always have a date. Hannah told her that she completely understood.
Liam waited for her at the bottom of the bunny hill. She carried her skis over her shoulder as she’d been instructed. She dropped them on the snow-covered ground next to Liam’s. “I’m a bit nervous. Are you?”
“A little, but you’re with me. I won’t let anything happen to you.” He looked in her eyes, and Hannah knew what was going to happen next.
His lips were warm when they touched hers. He tasted like peppermint and chocolate. She kissed him back, softly, her lips gently touching his. The slight kiss sent butterflies to her stomach, and she was sure they were dancing. Liam raised his mouth from hers and gazed into her eyes. “This is okay?” he asked.
She didn’t bother to answer with words. She stood on her tiptoes in the uncomfortable ski boots and pressed her mouth against his. Waves of desire burned in the center of her, unlike any she’d ever experienced. Liam took that as a sign and deepened the kiss. He parted her lips with his tongue, and she allowed him free rein over her lips, her tongue, her teeth. He continued to explore her mouth until the sound of a snowmobile blasting past them brought them back to earth.
They broke away from one another, and each felt a bit shy, different, as though their first kiss had changed the status of their relationship. And it had, for both of them.
Terrence and Tasha came flying through the snow once again, stopping this time when they saw that the couple was no longer in a lip-lock.
“I knew you two were a couple; don’t ask me how, but I did,” Terrence said as soon as he removed his helmet. “This is Tasha.”
“I’ve heard a lot of good things about you. Your brother told me about your dream of becoming an Olympic skier. I think it’s fantastic.”
“Thanks,” Tasha said shyly. She was petite but muscular. Her honey-colored skin was flushed from the cold, but Hannah knew the girl could have cared less. She saw two sets of skis hooked on the back of the snowmobile. “I’d love to see you ski a bit before I give it a try. Maybe I can learn something from you,” Hannah said, then looked at Liam and winked. He knew what she was up to. He gave her a slight nod.
Tasha put her skis on first, then her helmet and gloves, along with a pair of goggles. “You’re not supposed to go on the mountain without goggles unless it’s sunny. Right, Terrence?” She looked to her brother for approval.
“Right, but Miss Ray and Mr. McConnell are guests of Mr. Jorgenson. I think he’ll let them get by without them just this once.”
At the mention of Max’s name, Tasha’s eyes lit up like a Christmas tree. “He’s the best, you know. Ever.”
“So I hear. Go ahead, show us your stuff. We’ll be waiting here.”
Tasha didn’t need to be told twice. She and Terrence took the lift up to the top of the mountain. Somewhere out there, Max would watch her, and she’d either get her hopes and dreams crushed, or—and for some reason, Hannah was almost sure this would be the case—Max might’ve found another gold-medal winner.
Twenty minutes later, Tasha came flying down to the bottom of the mountain like a speed demon, but graceful as ever. Terrence was several hundred feet behind her, but both Hannah and Liam saw Max in the distance as he slowed down, waiting for Terrence to join his sister at the bottom of the run.
When they’d taken off their helmets and poled their way over to where Hannah and Liam waited, Max zoomed down the rest of the run, then stopped beside them, sending snow flying through the air.
“Max Jorgenson!” Tasha shouted. “I. Can’t. Believe. This.”
Terrence appeared to be truly shocked. Neither was expecting to see Max. Hannah was thrilled to be here to share in the moment. She knew just by the look on Max’s face that he’d seen something special in Tasha, just as Terrence had said.
“How would you like to have me as your new coach?” Max asked the young girl.
There were no words. Just happy tears and hugs.
All those present knew that they would never forget this moment: the birth of a new Olympic-class skier.