Page 23 of Finding Love on the Slopes

“I know that,” he said, looking back at her. “I just want one last run, Leighann.”

Her stomach flip-flopped when he called her that. Most of her friends and family had nicknames for her, and hearing her name on his lips made her feel warm inside. She never thought she would prefer him to call her that.

“Enrique –”

“Just one last run,” he said again. His voice had taken on a slightly softer tone, like he was trying to coerce her into letting him do it. “I can see the storm too, Leighann. One run wouldn’t stop us from getting out of here before it starts.”

She hesitated, her resolve slowly melting. “One run, Enrique. One.”

He grinned disarmingly, “I’m a man of my word.”

Reluctantly, she agreed. Either she went with him, or he would go alone.Rocks and hard places, she thought, shaking her head.

When they got to the top of the mountain, Enrique immediately lined himself up with the top of Bone Crusher.

“I’m ready for the black diamond, Leighann,” he announced when she slid to a stop beside him.

Leighann laughed, her cheeks burning as she placed her hands over her face. He was funny; she’d give him that.

“Sure, you are,” she said, turning to head to the nearest blue-black diamond Cry Baby. There were still traces of laughter in her voice. “Come on. We’ve spent enough time here today. Tomorrow’s another day. This one will get your blood pumping sufficiently.”

“I’m not joking,” he said, turning to look at her. Her smile quickly dissolved from her face.

“What do you mean you’re not joking?” she hollered incredulously.

“I meant it,” he nodded, turning around to stare at the slope up ahead, lowering his goggles over his eyes.

Leighann’s heart sank.Oh no, no, no, no, she thought, shaking her head in disbelief, this couldn’t be happening.He can’t be for real!

“Enrique,” she shouted at him, her heart sinking to her toes. “You’re not ready for this level, trust me.I know what I’m talking about.Idon’t even go on this slope. Maybe in a few days, we can reevaluate your skills and look for a safer black at the front of the mountain for you to push yourself on.Not this one and not now!”

Enrique gripped his poles as he shuffled closer to the edge. He hated being told no. Hated being told he couldn’t do something or wasn’t good enough, and he hated how Leigh kept insistinghe do easier versions of things when he was ready for more. If what Leighann said about the storm and the slopes being closed down for the next three to four days was accurate, his time to strike was now. This mess at work was likely going to call him away early. If he didn’t tackle his fear once and for all he might not have another chance.

Looking over the edge made him a little dizzy. This was it. One last round with this mountain to face his fear head-on. This was the slope to slay his dragon on.

Leighann’s reluctance reminded him of why he was disappointed on the very first day, when he found out she was theLeethat Curtis had been talking about. This was one of the reasons why he didn’t want to work with a woman. Women were softer at heart than men, and they shied away from danger. That was a good thing, he guessed, but if Curtis were here beside him, they would embrace the adventure together. His friend would understand his need to do this.

In a last-ditch effort to make him see reason, Leigh pleaded, “Enrique, don’t do this. We are totally cut off from the safety staff out here. It is just you and me. If something goes wrong, I may not be able to help you. Not to mention, the storm is closing in, and the main slopes are likely already closing. We are so far removed up here we can’t hear the final bell to go in. We have to go. Now!”

Enrique was ready. He could feel it in his bones. All he needed was to experience this challenge one time, and he would besatisfied to board a plane for home, fear vanquished, brotherhood pact fulfilled.

“Enrique, stop,” Leighann shouted behind him. A harsh wind blew and whipped her hair into her face. The wind whistled loudly around them, flecks of snow swirling through the air, and the low rumble of thunder could be heard from a distance.

It only fueled Enrique’s desire, infusing him with energy.

“Stop it,” she cried, grasping his elbow. She pulled him back to face her, and she pointed her finger towards the safer slope. “You don’t know what you’re doing.You’re not ready, Enrique. Believe me. You couldn’t possibly handle a black diamond.Please, for once in your life, just listen to me. We need to leave right now.”

Her begging pulled his mind back to his childhood as similar scenes had played out between his parents. That was what this was all about, finally erasing them from his mind. Leigh didn’t realize it, but her actions were solidifying his resolve, and her pleading fell on deaf ears as he shrugged out of her hold.

The cold wind felt like it was biting the exposed skin of his face, but he ignored the harsh weather as he tightened his grip on the poles and readied his position at the top.

He looked down once more and felt his stomach drop at the incredibly steep angle before him. The sight made his heart thrum a little faster as anxiety tried to claim him... fear tried to stop him. He could almost feel his father’s hand clutching the front of his shirt, holding him over the edge. The fear restrictinghis lungs slowly morphed into anger, and he allowed it. He wasn’t a child at the mercy of a madman. Enrique held his own future in his hands, and he wasn’t backing down from this; he would crush it once and for all.

As he reached his arms back to push off, Leigh lifted cupped hands and shouted one last warning, hoping that this time he listened, “Stay away from the edge and control your speed, or you won’t survive!”

In an instant, he was gone, the rest of the words lost to the harsh wind, and her heart hammered against her ribs as she watched him go. She was so grateful that she had taken the extra time to grab her larger emergency pack while she waited for him today. Lugging the extra weight was tiring, but now she knew why she had been led to do it. If he crashed on the slope, she would likely need all the equipment in her bag to save him.

Tightening the straps on her large pack, she approached the edge. She hated this slope, but he had left her no choice. If she wanted to ensure his safety, she would have to follow him down. She could barely see him, but so far, he had managed to stay on his feet. However, the worst of the trail was yet to come.

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