Page 106 of Forbidden Flame

I texted Cole when we were on our way outside. I had a feeling my brothers were sleeping off a hangover and would hit the slopes late, if at all. It heightened the chances of us running into them at the lodge. So we’d need to be careful.

When we got to the meeting point on the bunny hill, a man in a red and white jacket with the words Wilde Ski Resort approached us. “I’m Xander Wilde. I’ll be your instructor today. What’s your name?”

“Izzy.” Her face screwed up. “Does your name mean you’re wild?”

Xander tucked his clipboard against his chest. “You know, I guess it does. I was certainly wild as a kid.”

Izzy lifted her hand to shield her eyes from the sun. “But not now?”

He tipped his head. ‘If you consider teaching kids like you how to ski and snowboard wild.”

Her nose scrunched. “Not really.”

Xander chuckled. “Kids are the best.” Then to me, he asked, “What’s your name? I don’t want to call you Izzy’s mom all day.”

“Daphne.” I shook his gloved hand.

“Nice to meet you, Daphne. As soon as everyone’s here, we’ll get started.” He stayed by our side while other parents came up to ask him if they were in the right place.

Xander had this ease about him. He was relaxed and fun, good with kids. I wasn’t worried about leaving Izzy in his care.

Cole approached us then, crouching down to talk to Izzy. “You ready for your lesson?”

She nodded. “Xander’s going to teach me.”

Cole looked up at Xander, squinting against the sun. “Is that right?”

He held out his hand. “Xander Wilde. My family owns the resort.”

Cole shook it. “This is Izzy’s first time skiing.”

I watched with amusement as Cole sized up Xander. Did he think Xander was flirting with me? Was it possible he could be jealous?

“I’ll take good care of her,” Xander said as he stepped away to address the group. “We’re going to get started. You can leave your children in my very capable hands. You’re welcome to ski, grab hot chocolate. Just be back in two hours.”

Izzy moved with the other kids to stand in a half circle around Xander, who started off by making some silly jokes about skiing. He had the kids laughing and relaxed in no time.

I turned with the intention to grab some hot chocolate from an outdoor vendor when Cole stopped me. “Don’t you think we should keep an eye on the lesson. Watch for a while?”

“Eli assured me that Xander’s the best.”

“What if Izzy needs us?”

“She goes to school every day without me. How is this different?”

Cole frowned. “I don’t like just leaving her here.”

I huffed out a laugh, not quite believing that Cole was so worried about Izzy. I curled my hand in the crook of his elbow and leaned close. “I’m her mother, and I feel confident in leaving her with Xander. Besides he has my phone number if Izzy needs me.”

“Can I just watch for a few minutes?”

I shook my head in amusement. “If it will make you feel better.”

But Cole’s gaze didn’t leave the lesson that was going on in front of us.

Xander fitted the kids with skis and poles, then told them the proper way to put them on and take them off.

Then he told them how to stand and why it was important to bend your knees. Izzy’s focus was intent on Xander’s instructions, and there was a second person walking around in a red Wilde Ski Resort jacket assisting him.

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