Page 77 of Well Played

I stood on the side of the run, stunned. The kids started to return, gathering around me, awaiting their next instruction.

“What’s wrong Sophie?” Freyja asked earnestly. “You look sad.”

“I’m not sad, sweetheart,” I told her. “I am just surprised.”

They started clamoring around me as more arrived. “What is the surprise?”

Owen looked at me, and I nodded.

Owen took off his helmet, and the kids’ mouths dropped. As soon as the kids saw his face, the look of stunned amazement that a World Cup champion was here with them took hold and they stayed rooted to the spot.

“You are Owen Bartels!”

“I am,” he said, emphasizing his American drawl. “I have some amazing news, and you are the very first people in the world to hear it. But it is a secret, okay?”

“What! Tell us!”

“I am the new head coach of skiing for the US ski team, and, when she has given up racing, the lovely Sophie here has just agreed to be the other head coach.”

“But there is only one head coach,” Odin piped up. “My dad told me so.”

“Not anymore. Now we will have two. And you are looking at them.”

The gasps of awe reverberated around us, leaving me speechless.

Awkward tugging at my sleeve pulled my attention away from Owen.

“What’s wrong Millie?”

“Are you leaving us?” she asked forlornly.

“Not yet,” I assured her. “I will finish up the season here. I promised you I would come to all your races, didn’t I?”

“She will,” Owen confirmed. “Now, can I come for a free ski with you?” Owen asked excitedly. “If your coach says yes, that is. Sophie is in charge.”

The kids all looked at me wide-eyed and I nodded, knowing I would never win this. The kids started jumping up and down on their race skis.

Owen clicked his helmet back on and adjusted his goggles. “Anyone who can catch me, I will treat to a hot chocolate!”

Owen flew off down the slope, leaning into his classic trademark carving turns. With whoops of joy, the kids chased after him, leaving me alone for a moment to ponder my options.

Did I want to trade in my racing career to be a coach?I had one more major assignment and a final exam, and I would qualify as a physiotherapist. It had always been my dream to help others achieve their goals, and while I had always thought it would be as a physiotherapist, maybe it was as a coach? Was that my legacy? Jodi’s words about going out on her own terms resonated in my mind, and I pondered if I wanted another year on the circuit. Was going out on top the ultimate success?

As I pushed off down the slope, my mind whirred as I contemplated what was truly important. Since I had left the States, I had been bereft. Going through the motions, but not living. My heart had been shattered, stomped on, and left in pieces. Several guys had asked me out since I had returned to Australia, but none of them came close to him. In a flash, it all became clear. I knew what I wanted.

“Wait for me!” I called and took off after my man, knowing that life wasn’t predictable, and always threw curveballs. But whatever the future held; I knew we faced it together.

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