Miss McKaslin is the reason I didnt have to bail you out.
Right. I cant believe how wound up everybody got over some lousy figurines. Just chill.
Jack hit the brakes and the Jeep skidded into a parking slot. What has gotten into you? Do you think if you push me hard enough, Ill move us back to Phoenix? Is that what this is about? Then youre flat wrong, missy.
I hate this place. I wanna go home.
This is home. If you dont want to like it here, fine. But you will do one more weeks volunteer work
Dad!
Another word, and itll be two. He waited for the red haze of rage beating dully in his eye sockets to fade. The heartbreak of a disappointed father did not.
Haydens face had scrunched up in resentment, but at least she held back. It was an effort, he could see that by the hard cinch of her mouth, but she stayed silent. That was an improvement.
Relief cooled some of the anger, but didnt begin to touch the ache in his heart. Get your things. Pastor Marin said you kids are meeting for prayer and fellowship in the lodge before the group lesson.
More sullen silence. Hayden whipped her door open and shot out of the car, not so eager to join the youth-group meeting, he figured, but to get away from him. Well, he could handle anything she could dish out because he was her father and he was committed. One hundred thousand percent. He grabbed the keys and climbed out into the bitter weather.
Movement caught his eye. A slender woman with her back to him was ambling away from the parking lot. She was dressed in warm sensible skiwear and carrying an expensive set of skis.
Was that Katherine? Surprise sparked like a new flame in his chest.
No, of course thats not her. His surprise faded to nothing, nothing at all. He wasnt even going to tell himself that he was wishing it was Katherine. With the way hed been so rude, just abruptly walking away from her, if that was her, she would probably be running in the other direction as fast as she could.
The slam of the Jeeps passenger door jarred him out of his thoughts. Hayden glared at him, all zipped and bundled up. Where do I gotta go?
First well hit the rental place. Get geared up. He pressed the remote to lock the doors. With any luck, well get you to the lodge so you dont miss a microsecond of the meeting.
Oh, joy.
Hayden marched off ahead of him and didnt look back.
He had that effect on a lot of females.
Katherine loved skiing; the sport had only one flaw, the fact that you had to go back up the mountainside. Im not afraid of heights, she told herself stubbornly, Im not afraid of heights.
Okay, she was. Shed never been able to talk herself out of this fear. Nor did the view of the rugged terrain far below her skis as she rode the lift ever look any less horrifying. She did the only thing she could dosqueezed her eyes shut.
I know something to take your mind off falling to our deaths, Marin said, ever helpful. Hayden Munroe came to our worship and ski program. Shes taking her first lesson with the instructor this very moment.
Thats great. Katherines initial thought was for the girl who was heading down a very troubled path. I know youll have her feeling better about herself and her life in no time.
Her second thought was, unfortunately, about Jack Munroe. Had he brought Hayden to the lodge? And if so, had he stayed?
Dont think about that, Katherine. Youre not interested in him, remember?
That father of hers is sure something. Marin turned to the other member of their trio squished onto the narrow bench. Holly, youve got to see this guy. It almost makes you believe in Mr. Right.
Holly gasped. But you dont believe in Mr. Right.
True. Ive done enough marital counseling in my career to know that hes a myth. Katherine, were almost at the top. You might want to open your eyes now. Im absolutely sure that there is no Mr. Right anywhere in existence on this earth. Just Mr. Almost-Right.
And those are few and far between. With a scoot off the bench chair, Katherine landed, skis parallel and knees bent. When she turned to look over her shoulder, Holly and Marin swished to a stop behind her. Trust me, Jack Munroe isnt anywhere close to being Mr. Almost-Right.
Wow, did you hear that, Holly?
I heard it, Marin. Katherines in her denial stage.
What is it with everyone? The twins said the same thing. Im not in denial. Really.
Of course youre not, Holly said in a comforting way, although Katherine wasnt fooled. Not one bit. So, tell me, is this guywhoa, buddy!
Outta the way! Comin through! A man shouted, in sheer panic.
Was it her imagination, or did that sound sort of like Jack Munroe? Katherine hopped out of the way just in time to see a blur speed by. The blur was a black-parka-wearing, wide-shouldered man crouched very low over his skis, his poles held straight in front of him as if he were roasting hot dogs over a campfire.
That looks like doom on two sticks, Marin commented. Id better pray for that man.
Hes going to need it. Oh, he went right through the first turn. Holly cocked her head to listen. He missed the trees. I didnt hear a crash.
What if that was Jack? Katherine kicked off and followed Marin down the trail. She couldnt see anything of the fallen skier. That wasnt a good sign. What if he was hurt?
Lord, please dont let him be hurt.
Hey, Katherine, Marin called as she led the way. Do you know who that man reminded me of?
Yeah, she knew. And she was going to stay in denial about that, too. A beginning skier who missed the rope tow for the bunny run?
When they reached the first turn, all they could see was a hole in the snowbank and a single ski sliding crookedly along the trail.
Marin reached the edge first. Mister, are you alive?
Katherine knew it was him, even before his gruff baritone rang out from the trees.
Yep. And better yet, nothings broken.
Katherines heart skipped five beats as she joined Marin at the edge of the bank. Sure enough, she recognized the man below. Although he was in profile, looking down as he tried to free one of his poles from the branches of an evergreen tree, she already knew that particular mans profile by heart. There was no mistaking the hard-planed, granite face. Or the dark shock of hair tumbling from beneath the black ski cap.
It was him. Her stomach clenched tight before it fell downward, tingling, all the way to her knees. Just the way it felt on the uppermost crest of a roller-coaster ride when suddenly down you plunged. Screaming.
Yeah, it was something like that. J-Jack?
He looked up. UhhKatherine McKaslin?
He said it in the same way someone might say, Oh, good, theres a person infectious with bubonic plague. Do you need help up?
No! I can do it just fine. You go ahead and keep right on with your skiing.
Oh no, Katherine said sweetly well stay and make sure you get up all right.
Great. Jack stared at the three women staring back at him. Humiliation eked into his soul like the icy wind through his coat.
Why does it have to be her, Lord? If he was going to disgrace himself, did it have to be in front of Katherine McKaslin? And why was his bad side showing whenever she was around? Im fine. Just getting my snow legs back.
Is that something like sea legs?
Jack could tell she was holding back laughter. Mirth glimmered like flecks of amethyst in her deep violet-blue irises. He liked the sparkles in her eyes very much. I havent skied since college. I figured it would come back to me.
I hope you didnt ski like this in college.
His pole came loose from the branches and he gave thanks for that. Believe it or not, I was a pretty competent skier, but its taking its own sweet time coming back to me.
I hope it comes back to you before you hit the next turn.
Me, too. Jack wondered how she could say that in a kind way, when she had every right to mock him? After all, hed been a little overconfident in his abilities.
Okay, extremely overconfident. He grabbed one ski and hiked up the snowbank. I heard that comment you made. The one about the bunny run.
Sound must really carry on this mountain.
Dont you know it. Truth is, it was my pride. I didnt feel dignified going down the same run as knee-high kids who could ski like Olympians.
So you chose the advanced run as an alternative?
At least I lived to tell the tale. So far.
He made it to the top and drew himself up to his full height and still he didnt feel tall enough, not in the eyes of this woman. He hated it. He really did. Because there was something incredibly special about her. She was easily balanced on her skis, leaning on her poles, serene and wholesome. She made his entire being, his entire spirit, take notice.
Suddenly, he was aware of someone else talking and then he remembered. There were two other women with Katherine. And as they were moving away, one was saying, Cmon, Holly, lets go fetch that ski.
Ski. That didnt register either. There wasnt anything in this world but Katherine and the gentle quirk of her smile, and the thud of his pulse in his chest. She kept him glued in place. He could see her heart in her eyes. There wasnt a drop of judgment, nor was she silently teasing him even when he might deserve it.
Jack, are you going to be able to make it down okay? Marin has her cell phone. She can call for the ski patrol.
No! Hed rather crash and burn and break every bone in his bodytwicethan to admit defeat in front of Katherine. Im fine. Its already coming back to me. I think the fall knocked loose some forgotten knowledge inside my head.
Good, because you could have been really hurt. I would hate to see that happen to you.
That comment was tough on a mans ego. Tough because she was concerned and caring. That made him like her even more. Guess Ill be going now. You want to catch up with your friends?
She didnt budge. She didnt blink. The crinkle of a hint of a smile remained in the corners of her soft, pretty mouth. Snow flecked the fake-fur lining of her jacket collar and clung to the sleek matching ski cap. She looked like everything good and sweet in the world, and he didnt want to think this way about this woman.
Uh, Jack? Before you take off you need to know something. Youre missing a ski.
It registered vaguely. He straightened his shoulders, looking as tough and manly as possible, considering he only had one ski. Ill take care of it.
Are you sure?
Positive. He had to face it. He was never going to impress this womannot that he even wanted to, of course. But had he wanted to, his dignity had passed the point of no return. He stabbed his poles into the hard berm of snow, ready to go. Goodbye, Katherine.
Okay, she could take a hint. Katherine checked the trail for skiers, but no one was coming. She couldnt just leave him hereas Marin had put it, he was doom on two sticksbut she sensed his pride was bruised more than anything.
The poor man. He towered over her, a big mountain of a guy, radiating capability and strength. He didnt look as though he had a single weakness. So why was it hard to find the will to kick off and leave him standing there?
She thought of what her friends and her sisters had said. She did not like this man, not like that, and she wasnt in denial about it. Really. So then, why did her heart crack just as little? And then a little more as she kicked off and away, swooshing over the iced, packed snow, leaving him behind? She could feel his gaze on her back like the press of the cold wind. As she negotiated the next curve, she glanced over her shoulder to see him standing there, looking as alone as she felt.
She spotted Marin and Holly waiting for her and she skidded to a rough-edged halt.
Marin was flushed with excitement. When I talked to him on the phone, did I mention to you that I found out he isnt married? Hes a widower.
Katherine couldnt stop the wave of sympathy for him. That was sad. It did explain the lack of a wedding ring.
Did you see how he was looking at you?
Like I was contagious with the bird flu?
Thats the denial talking. Holly held up Jacks lost ski. We would have returned this to him, but we didnt want to interrupt.
There was nothing to interrupt. So maybe she was in a little denial. But not much. I get the strong feeling that Jack doesnt like me at all.
He does, Holly and Marin chimed in unison.
Did they know how wrong they were? Completely. What do you two know about men? Youre both single.
Yeah, but we have the experience of many failed relationships between us. Here. Holly handed her the ski. Either go up to him or well just wait around the next corner and you can wait here for him, since hes bound to come looking for this.
Then hell find it just fine, whether Im here or not. She could see him starting down the trail, balancing on one ski. He was on his way down.
There was only one thing to do. She propped the slim black ski, brand-new and newly waxed, against the snow berm where it would be easy for Jack to spot when he limped around the corner. You two have been plotting while I was talking to Jack.
Guilty, Marin admitted. Hes a great-looking guy. Hes a caring father, so I know he has a lot of heart.
You can have him then, because his personality isnt so great. Katherine wasnt sure if that was the whole truth, but Jacks first impression had been a whopper. Remembering how hed behaved when theyd first met would keep her firmly entrenched in her state of denial. Cmon, lets get moving.
Youre just gonna leave the ski? Holly looked crestfallen. But, what about our plan? You cant get to know him better if you dont stay, talk, meet him in the lodge for hot drinks.
News flash. I dont plan on seeing Jack Munroe ever again even if I have to avoid him. Lets go, hes almost here. She pushed off, leading the way down the trail. Snow pummeled into her like little wind-driven bullets, and she didnt look back. Didnt want to.
Because she already knew what shed see. The disappointment on her friends faces and Jack Munroe wobbling on one ski. Jack Munroe, whod given her flowers and who had enough problems on his plate. Just because he was a widower didnt mean she was suddenly interested in him. She was pretty sure that Jack was not the man she was looking for.
Humiliation was a sad thing. Jack had found his ski, but his dignity had taken a fatal hit. In front of Katherine McKaslin.
Why her, Lord? He took another sip of strong sweetened tea in the warmth of the lodges empty auxiliary dining room and tried to squeeze the memory from his mind of glancing up to see Katherine at the top of the ravine, looking like a gift from heaven dappled with snow.