Page 75 of Shining Through

“We also have information that might help you,” said Brett. “We were there, and can identify the attacker.”

“It definitely was not him,” Sergei said, nodding toward Daniil.

The cops spoke to one another, then signaled for Brett and Sergei to follow them into the rear office. Bogdanov looked embarrassed as he left. Anton and Ilya turned to Daniil. “We knew it wasn’t you,” Anton said, then turned to Tabitha. “We’re grateful to you for coming forward. If there’s anything we can do, just say the word.”

“Thank you, but knowing Daniil’s name is cleared is enough of a reward.”

“Even so.” Anton nodded. “Danya, we should get over to the practice rink. You still have a competition to prepare for.”

“Can you give us a minute alone?”

“Of course.”

Daniil took her hand, and they walked out of the building. Athletes and tourists streamed past. No one looked their way. At least for now. “You know that by the end of the day, that picture will be everywhere,” he said, quietly. “If its controversy you’re afraid of, I think you’re in for a storm of it.”

“I know. It’s a risk I’ll take. Sometimes, you have to brave a little heat for the sake of someone you love. You were willing to cover for me, but there was no way in hell I would stand by and not help you.”

“I’ve dealt with trouble. You haven’t, and I wanted to protect you as much as I could. They would have found the right person, eventually.”

“You don’t know that. And what if Bogdanov had barred you from competing?”

“And what if coming forward hurts you? Naked bedroom shots will get you in Playboy, but not in shampoo or breakfast cereal commercials.”

“It might be a problem,” she said. “But it also might not. I didn’t become U.S. ladies’ champion three times because I’m a squeaky-clean ice queen. I’m a champion because I’m one of the best figure skaters in the world. I’ve come to Grenoble to prove it. Having troubles doesn’t mean you’re irreparably broken, or that you don’t deserve love. It just means you’re human. And real. What we have is real.”

“That it is Angel.” Daniil kissed her, as the sun peeked over the mountain, bathing them in golden, morning light.

It was going to be a beautiful day.

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

TABITHA’S GOLD MEDALS—-THE ONE FORthe Team event, and for the ladies’ event last night—-bumped against her jacket as she hurried to keep up with Daniil. They were half-way up the steps that led to the torch and the thin, cold mountain air were making the climb harder than she’d expected. That and the fact that she’d slept only a few hours, thanks to the adrenaline rush of becoming a Winter Games gold medallist.

The Grenoble podium had looked much like the one in Chicago. She, Machiko Furakawa and Katia Filipova had all claimed medals. Only this time, Machiko had won bronze, while Tabitha had taken gold. As the final victory of her skating career, on the world’s biggest stage, this win should have been her sweetest. In many ways, it was.

Yet in the light of day…

“Come on Angel, just a little further!” Daniil paused to wait for her to catch up. He was definitely energetic this morning, and excited about their hike to the torch for a photo, in their Grenoble hardware. They’d been planning it since both the Americans and Russians had medaled in the team event. Actually, they’d been planning it since Vancouver.

“If the babushka with the torch could make it up to the top, so can the world’s best figure skater!”

She laughed. “The torch lady didn’t start from the bottom of the hill, and she had that nice fake staircase leading up from the stadium.”

He reached for her hand and helped her make the last big step onto the landing where he stood. Together, they gazed out at the view. On one side was Grenoble, still quiet so early on a Sunday morning. The little bubble shaped cable cars that ran to the top of Fortress Mountain weren’t even running yet. On the other was the stadium where they’d gathered two weeks ago for the Opening Ceremony. Tonight they would come together again as the torch was extinguished and the Games officially came to a close.

She wished she were ready for this wonderful chapter to end.

Daniil slipped his hand into hers and brushed a kiss across her lips. “Life will sort itself out Angel. Even if you’re moving on from your skating career, the things that got you to the top aren’t going away. And neither am I.”

“I only wish I knew what was next,” she said quietly. “Saying goodbye to all this would be easier.”

“I know. But you may have some answers sooner than you expect. Answers you will like.” His earlier exuberance dimmed, replaced by tentativeness that was as surprising as it was sweet. “At least I hope so.”

She rose on her toes and planted a kiss on his lips. If he thought her doubts about the future included him, he had nothing to worry about. “As long as you’re part of whatever’s next, I know it will be great.”

“You can count on that.” He kissed her again, longer this time. “Come on, we still have climbing to do.”

She grinned. “Race you.”

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