Page 7 of Snowed in With My Small Town Billionaire

Sawyer couldn’t remember the last time he had so much fun. His face was bright red from the cold air that hit his face as the men went down the slope for what felt like the hundredth time. He and Lucas had hit the blue and green slopes all afternoon, racing each other to the bottom.

“Alright man, I’m done,” Lucas said. “I need some food and beer. Tomorrow, though, we’re done with the sissy slopes. We’re hitting the black diamond.”

Sawyer laughed and slapped Lucas on the back. “You’re on.”

The two friends dropped their gear off at the cabin and made their way back to the main lodge. They found a seat in the back corner of the dining room.

“This is exactly what I need. I’m starving.”

Sawyer nodded and laughed when his stomach grumbled.

“What can I get you to drink?” the waitress asked, setting a basket of bread on the table in front of them.

“Whatever you have on draft,” Lucas said.

“We don’t serve alcohol in the dining room. Sorry.”

“I’ll take a sweet iced tea, then,” Lucas replied.

“Make that two.”

She nodded and left to get their drinks.

“Good thing I brought beer,” Lucas said. “Plus, there is a town at the foothills of the mountain.”

Sawyer nodded and studied the menu, then sat back in the chair. He couldn’t remember the last time he felt so relaxed. They both ordered steaks, baked potatoes, and country fried green beans. The food arrived quickly.

“Wow. This is really great. Their food gets great reviews on the website,” Lucas said, wiping his mouth and putting his napkin on the table.

“Now I know why you chose this place. I have no idea how you manage to stay in shape when you eat like a horse,” Sawyer teased.

Lucas grinned. “What can I say. It’s good genes.”

Sawyer finished his last bite of steak and started looking at the dessert menu when he felt as though someone was staring at him.

He looked up and saw Jerome Cooper staring at him from a table across the room. Sawyer groaned. Nodding politely, he forced himself to look away, trying not to escalate anything.

We haven’t spoken in years. Maybe we can get through this vacation civilly.

Jerome stormed over to the table. His face was bright red and he was scowling. “Murderer.” Jerome’s voice was loud and echoed around the walls of the dining room.

Every head in the room jerked in their direction and Sawyer felt the embarrassment wash over him.

Before Sawyer could say anything, Jerome pointed his finger at him. “You think you can just sit there and act like nothing happened. Your family took everything from us.”

Lucas stood quickly and raised his hands in a calming gesture. “Let’s not make a scene. We can talk about this quietly.”

Jerome ignored him. He glared at Sawyer. “Because of you and your family, Kyle’s dead,” he yelled. His voice trembled with rage.

“I didn’t…” Sawyer said in a low voice.

“You didn’t what? Your family didn’t ruin our lives? You didn’t buy our land and force Kyle to quit med school? He’s dead because of you and your family.”

Gwen suddenly appeared and grabbed her father’s arm. “Dad, this isn’t the time or the place. Please come sit back down.”

Jerome jerked his arm away and glared at Sawyer.

“Mr. Cooper, please calm down. This isn’t going to help anything,” Lucas said.

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