Julie smiled sweetly. Kitty, I work for Northwest Edition, a weekly lifestyle television magazine, and Im doing a piece on Nick. And because you are his self-professed number-one fan, Id love to interview you.
For a moment uncertainty crossed Kittys face, then slowly her demeanor shifted and excitement built in her eyes. You want to interview me? On TV?
Ignoring Nicks sudden coughing fit, Julie kept her voice smooth. Yes. Id love to have your take on Nicks career and the upcoming games. Nick will be competing in the fiercest contest of his life. I want to explore all the facets of an elite athlete. Including the fans. Maybe you could give me some insight on what its like to be such a devoted fan?
Kitty practically glowed. That would be super.
The possessive-woman bit fell away. Kitty appeared younger than Julie had originally thought when shed forced her way into Nicks room. Julie slipped a card out of her purse and handed it to Kitty. Heres my card. Call me and well set it up.
Thank you. Kitty hugged the card to her chest. Isnt this fabulous, Nick?
Fabulous, he repeated dully.
I cant wait to tell everybody. Kitty hurried away.
Julie wondered who everybody was.
Why did you do that? Nick asked the second Kitty disappeared out the door. Dont encourage her.
It will be fine, Julie assured him. It will give her an opportunity to talk about you. And she might have some useful insight. Maybe even have some ideas of who would benefit with you out of the way.
I can name a hundred aerial freestylists whod benefit, but not one that I could point a finger to and say theyre the type to go to those lengths.
She shrugged. If nothing else, interviewing Kitty will give her something else to focus on.
His intent gaze met hers. And youll say were in a relationship if she asks?
If youre doing the interview, then we have a working relationship, Julie stated.
She could see him debating with himself. Finally, he said, Good enough. Maybe shell back off. He visibly relaxed. I owe you.
She smiled. Then youll talk with me.
Talk? You dont want to talk, you want to dissect me like we did those frogs in biology class. He held up a hand. Oh, wait. I did the dissecting. You couldnt watch.
Her nose wrinkled up. I still cant look at a frog without gagging. She suppressed a shudder. You were my hero that day.
An answering grin tugged at the corners of his mouth. You did turn a nasty shade of green, like Id never seen before or since.
Not my finest moment. But it had been worth it since she got to spend time with him. Hed sat in front of her in class. Most days all she saw was the back of his head. But that day...shed been the envy of the other girls in class when Nick had turned around and asked her to be his partner.
She held his gaze and something indefinable passed between them. A shared past, memories of simpler days. The longing to go back to those days grabbed ahold of her as she lost herself in the blue depths of his eyes. Was that same yearning there in his gaze?
Wouldnt you rather tell your story to me than someone who doesnt care about you?
His eyes widened. You care?
She touched his arm. Of course I care. Youre a big deal in this town.
Right. He tapped a finger against his lip as he contemplated her. Finally, he let out a short laugh. Im nuts to agree to this. But youre the only reporter I would ever trust.
Gratified and hoping that his words were a forecast of a successful promotion, she sat in the chair. You wont regret it.
Well see.
Are you always so skeptical? She hadnt remembered that from when they were young. Shed considered him to be one of the most laid-back and driven people she knew. The dichotomy was what made him so interesting.
Ive become more so, he stated.
Mr. Walsh, this man says hes with her, Ted said from the doorway.
Seeing Bob over Teds shoulder, Julie said, Thats right, he is. She stood. I should let you get some rest.
He reached for her hand again. You dont have to run off yet.
His warm palm pressed against hers, making her feel connected to him. She swallowed back the jolt of yearning that grabbed her by the throat. She wanted to feel connected, to be a part of a couple. Had thought shed found that sort of connection with John, but hed proved less than trustworthy. She wasnt ready to put her heart on the line again. Especially not with Nick.
Flirting came naturally to a guy like him and meant nothing. She had to remain unaffected by his charm and charisma. She quickly extracted her hand. It shouldnt be too long before youre released. Besides, Bob is my ride. I cant ask him to wait around.
Well drop you off when Im released, he said. Or rather, Gordon will since hes the one with the wheels.
As tempting as it was to stay, she shook her head. She needed to keep her perspective. Theirs was a business relationship. She had to remember that and act like the professional she wanted to be. No. I need to go. Ill be in contact with Mr. Lewis so we can set up a time for you to come to the station for the interview.
His mouth twisted in a rueful way that she found appealing. You can call me directly. In fact, why dont you come by the motor home tomorrow? You can see how I live when Im on the road.
Excited by the unexpected invitation to visit his home on wheels, she couldnt help but beam. That would be great. Ill make sure Bobs free.
Nicks gaze went to the doorway, where Bob waited, and back to her. Sounds good.
Was that disappointment in his eyes? Couldnt be.
Suddenly reluctant to leave and half afraid hed change his mind about the invitation tomorrow, she dug out one of her cards and wrote her cell number on the back.
Here. She thrust the square piece of card stock at him. Call me with a good time for us to come over.
He took the card, his fingers brushing over hers, setting off little sparks shooting up her arm. She released her hold and backed away. Time to beat a hasty retreat before her resolve to keep their relationship strictly business weakened.
* * *
With Julies departure the room seemed duller and the hospital more oppressive. Nick stared at her business card. It read, Julie Tipton, production assistant for Northwest Edition and had the call letters of the local affiliate television station. He turned the card over to where shed written her number in a neat script.
He still couldnt believe it. Julie. Shy, sweet Jules had blossomed into a beautiful, ambitious woman. A reporter. Wannabe. Which made her worse. No doubt shed do whatever it took to make her story. Including dragging Cody back through the muck.
When shed said she cared, his heart had sped up, but then shed clarified that it was because he was a big deal in this town and his stomach had dropped as if hed caught a tip. She was no different than anyone else. He was a ticket to ride. A commodity to exploit. And she wanted her piece.
He couldnt work up the usual animosity he felt when thinking about the press, though. Julie had had his back with the Kitty situation. Even going so far as to prevent a scene by asking Kitty for an interview.
This was one debt that he unexpectedly didnt mind paying.
* * *
The next morning, Nick stepped out of the motor home onto the snow-covered ground and filled his lungs with crisp mountain air. The scent of pine teased his senses.
After giving an acknowledging nod to Ted, whod been waiting outside the door for him, Nick lifted his gaze, drawn by an invisible cord to the snow-capped peak of Mt. Bachelor. The playground of his youth.
The Oregon mountain, part of a string of volcanoes making up the Cascade mountain range, was home to some of the Pacific Northwests best skiing. It was on these picture-perfect slopes that Nick had learned to ski, learned to love and learned to grieve.
A familiar wave of sorrow and guilt washed over him, bowing his shoulders slightly and making the pressure build in his chest until he thought his ribs would collapse. He forced himself to breathe. His arm throbbed in tempo to the beat of his heart. He sent up a silent thank-you to God that all hed suffered yesterday was a bruise. He hoped God was listening, because he was going to need His protection.
Whoever wanted him dead had failed this time.
Nick shuddered with certainty that there would be more attempts.
So far the police had had no success finding out who wanted to kill him or why.
Nick had to stay strong and focused. He was so close to realizing the dream he and his younger brother, Cody, had worked their whole lives toward.
Only Cody was gone now. A year ago this coming Thursday. His parents had a one-year anniversary memorial service plannedthe reason Nick was staying in town instead of returning to his condo in Lake Placid to await the announcement of who had been chosen to compete in the Winter Games.
Nick hadnt been home since the funeral, because he couldnt bear to see the anguish on his mothers face or the sadness in his dads eyes.
Hed worked hard this year once hed gotten his head back in the game after Codys death. Nick had thrown everything he could into each competition, winning or placing high enough that even without scoring at last nights competition he had earned enough points to qualify for the U.S. team traveling to the games.
He wanted to win gold for Cody.
Nick had a good shot at securing one of the four positions on the U.S. mens aerial team. But so did the other ten U.S. competitors whod qualified to make the team, including both of his traveling companions.
And Cody would have been among them, too.
The door to the motor home opened behind him and Lee Thompson stepped down and clapped Nick on the back. Forget your way?
Naw, just taking it in. The parking lot adjacent to the West Village Lodge was busy with skiers arriving for a day of fun on this beautiful late-January morning. The sun shone like a bright ball in the clear blue sky and fresh powder dumped sometime in the night glistened in the suns rays. Perfect conditions for a day on the slopes.
Lee stretched, lifting his arms high and letting out a noisy yawn.
Im surprised youre up, Nick stated, noting the dark circles under his teammates brown eyes.
Cant waste a beautiful day sleeping.
Lee and Frank had returned to the motor home long after Nick was released from the hospital. The two buddies liked to find the nearest hot social spot and unwind after competing. Nick had always preferred some alone time after a competition.
You know you and Frank can head back to Lake Placid anytime, Nick said.
Now that last nights qualifier was done, the two men had no reason to stick around Bend.
Lee shot him a sharp look. Were here for Codys memorial, too.
Theyd loved his brother, as well.
Nicks heart spasmed in his chest.
Codys death shouldnt have happened. Nick should have prevented Cody from taking that last run.
Despite the way the press had raked Codys reputation across the coals with accusations and insinuations, Cody had not been high or drunk. Hed been tired and trying a trick that got away from him.
The burn of anger smoldered in Nicks gut any time he thought about the way the news reporters had spun Codys accident into something sordid, leaving a taint of speculation blanketing the tragedy.
The image of a blue-eyed blonde marched into his mind. He blew out a breath. He had to trust that Julie would not be made of the same ilk.
Uh-oh. Sheeees baaaack. Lees singsong tone drew Nicks attention.
Who?
Mirth danced in Lees eyes. Your number-one fan.
She was like a bad penny, showing up unexpected and unwanted.
It occurred to Nick that Kittys presence had precipitated the last attempt on his life. And she was here now.
Was she somehow involved?