Page 9 of Snowed in With My Small Town Billionaire

“Sure. That’s what all losers say,” Sawyer teased. “Let’s go again.”

They managed to get eight runs in before they decided they needed a break.

Lucas checked his watch and rubbed his tummy. “It’s twelve-thirty. Time for lunch. I beat you five to four. You’re buying.”

“Only because I let you win.”

Laughing, Lucas patted Sawyer on the back. “It seems to me that a really smart guy I know said that was what losers always say.”

They dropped their skis and poles off at the cabin and lumbered through the snow to the lodge. Sawyer felt his stomach tighten as they walked into the dining room.

His worst fears were confirmed when he saw the Coopers sitting at the same table they had occupied the night before. Jerome looked like he had just swallowed a lemon. Audrey and Gwen looked tired. Brent was talking animatedly about the morning’s runs.

Sawyer froze for a second. The urge to turn around and avoid any kind of confrontation was overwhelming. “Maybe we should just go back to the cabin and open a can of beef stew,” he muttered under his breath.

Lucas shook his head. “You can’t run from them. We’re here to have a good time – not to tiptoe around them. We’ll sit on the other side of the room and pretend they’re not in the room. If Jerome tries to start anything, then we’ll deal with it.

Sawyer signed and nodded, knowing that Lucas was right. He walked toward, what he thought of, as their usual table. The waitress brought some stew, bread, and more sweet iced tea.

He tried to focus on his food, but it was hard because he could feel Jerome’s eyes boring into his back. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Jerome staring at him since his seat was in direct sight of Sawyer’s and Lucas’ table. It was obvious that he wasn’t trying to conceal his hatred. Gwen and Audrey were doing their best to not acknowledge their presence, while Brent chatted nonstop, completely oblivious to the tension.

Some of the guests, who had been present for the previous night’s drama looked back and forth between Sawyer and Jerome, as though anticipating a second act. However, much to Sawyer’s relief, Jerome stayed where he was.

Lucas tried to lighten the mood. “While we’re here, we need to try some of the backcountry trails. According to the website, they are incredible. They’ve got really good ratings.”

“Sounds good. I’m in.”

For a while, Sawyer focused on their conversation about skiing and he relaxed a little, even though he occasionally caught glimpses of Jerome glaring at him through the corner of his eye.

When they finished eating, Sawyer made a point to not look at the Cooper’s table. He was relieved when Jerome didn’t say anything, although he couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling that he hadn’t seen the last of Jerome’s nasty temper.

4

C H A P T E R

Gwen

Gwen was completely humiliated by the confrontation and really wanted to follow her father out the door. However, she knew she couldn’t leave Brent and her mother there to face the stares alone.

She felt compelled to apologize to Sawyer, although she wasn’t happy about it. Gwen certainly didn’t want to hear him make any excuses for himself or his family.

Gritting her teeth, she sat next to her mother at the table, picked up her fork, and made a weird structure out of her mashed potatoes. She felt sick to her stomach and wanted to get out of the room.

As soon as Brent finished eating, Audrey paid for the meal and they headed back to the cabin. Audrey’s and Jerome’s bedroom door was closed, much to Gwen’s relief.

“Can I play my video games?” Brent asked.

“Yes, as long as you take a shower first and you’re in bed by ten.”

“Grandma, it’s vacation, and this is my Christmas present.”

Audrey smiled. “Fine. A shower and you’re in bed by ten-thirty. You need to be well rested for the slopes tomorrow.”

“Okay, fine,” he said.

Gwen slumped down on the couch and stared blankly into the fireplace. Her heart was still pounding from the embarrassment of her father’s attack on Sawyer. She could still hear the anger and hatred in her father’s voice.

She had been torn about apologizing. Gwen knew that she should because of her father’s attack, but part of her hated groveling to a Johnson.

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