Page 31 of A Bear Ski Instructor Christmas

He powered forward, snow spraying in his wake as he swerved to avoid crashing into a small rock.

Close shave there.

Digging his poles into the snow, he propelled himself further, eyes narrowed against the wind.

He wouldn’t have felt so awkward last night if he’d actually remembered her. But at the rate things were going, it didn’t look like he’d be getting those memories back anytime soon. No, siree. He’d have to come up with some kind of explanation when he returned to the cabin. No doubt, he’d hurt Rachel’s feelings last night with his silence.

I’ve seen the way you look at her, Elena had told him the other night.You don’t even remember her.

As much as he hated to admit it, she was right. And as badly as he hoped he was wrong, the possibility of never getting the rest of his memories back was gradually becoming a certainty in his eyes.

Do you think she’s the better choice?Elena had asked him.

Michael brushed the memory from his mind. He didn’t need to think about that. Not now. Not ever.

The path widened and narrowed as he sped further downhill, skirting around a tree stump by the edge. There was barely any light around, but he could just make out the dark woods on either side of him. The snowy path stood out easily, grey in his dimmed vision. He squinted, his gaze focused on a bend in the road. Maneuvering it wouldn’t be easy, not without enough light, but he was pretty sure he could—

I love you.Rachel’s voice filled his head, soft as a whisper.

Michael fought to clear his mind of the thought. Why had she told him that? And why, just why, couldn’t he remember enough to honestly give her the response she deserved?

He never saw the rock, only felt the impact as his skis collided with it. A shock traveled from his toes up his body, and a yell built up in his throat. He shot into the air like a rocket, the wind roaring in his ears. A bright light exploded behind his eyes as his head connected with something solid.

An image flashed through his mind, vivid as ever. It was one he’d seen before a slender woman wearing a sequined black dress, sitting across a table from him with a fork and knife clutched in her hands. The image shifted, and in his mind’s eye, he caught a glimpse of a slender neck, a smooth jawline, a dazzling smile, a pair of turquoise eyes…

And then his world went completely dark.

Chapter Thirteen

“Rolls Right off the Tongue”

A series of giggles awakened Rachel. She fleetingly knew the sound came from outside, but it might as well have been in her head. She sat up, rubbed her eyes, and looked around. It was morning. Soft light streaked into the cabin through the cracks in the wall. Rachel blinked again and sighed as she took proper stock of her surroundings. This was Michael’s bedroom. She was in his cabin.

They’d spent the night here.

No,shehad. They’d had wild, orgasmic sex, and then she’d passed out on top of him. But Michael wasn’t here anymore. Frowning, Rachel picked herself up, got into her clothes, and left the room.

“Michael?” she called.

There was no answer. Her voice reverberated through the cabin. Outside, she could hear some of the villagers chattering excitedly. So the giggleshadn’tbeen just in her head.

Oh, right, she thought.It’s Christmas Day.

She wished she could share the excitement that had no doubt gripped every other soul in Melinor, but she was concerned with other matters right now. Michael was nowhere to be seen. Where had he gone?

Rachel had been only half awake when she heard the rustling in the middle of the night. She’d figured he’d just stepped out of the bedroom, but he was gone. Her frown deepened. Perhaps it was just her mind playing tricks, but something didn’t feel quite right.

“Michael?” she said again, feeling somewhat foolish this time.

Still no response.

Maybe her mindwasplaying tricks on her. She had no reason to jump to conclusions, especially after last night. Things hadescalated so fast that she hadn’t even had time to think. In retrospect, the sexhadbeen amazing. She’d expected no less from the man she knew and loved.

It was what had followed that haunted her now.

I love you.Those words had tumbled from her lips before she could stop them. At first, it hadn’t seemed too bad. Shedidlove him, had loved him for a long time. But the silence that ensued had been enough to make her face burn with embarrassment. It wasn’t his fault—after all, it wasn’t like he didn’t love her. He just couldn’t remember.

Still, the silence had hurt. Her exhaustion was the only thing that had kept her from putting on her clothes and leaving the cabin.

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