Page 50 of Finding Love on the Slopes

He didn’t know what she was talking about until he lifted a hand to his face and felt the trail of moisture on his cheek. He hadn’t realized he was crying while he was talking, nor did he know at which point he became so overwhelmed with his own story that he lost consciousness of his emotions.

Wrapping his arms tightly around her body, he buried his face in her hair, his nose picking up the slight fragrance of her new strawberry shampoo. Her words were like gasoline to a flame because, just like she said, he decided to let go. And he cried. He cried so hard that his body shook against hers while she ran her hands down his back in a soothing manner. He had never allowed himself to cry. Not the day it happened, not the day he was ripped from the only home he knew and moved upstate, notthe day his brothers took him in and offered him a family and protection. Never. Until today, wrapped in Leighann’s arms. The dam broke, and the tears flowed, washing clean the soul of a damaged, broken child searching for love.

Right then, he felt like a sailor swept away by a crashing wave, and he held onto her as if she were his lifeline in the midst of a storm.

Chapter Forty-Four

As they ate breakfast together the next morning, things had clearly shifted in their relationship. They were closer emotionally, but they also felt more comfortable showing affection to each other. Leighann had greeted him that morning with a hug, and he struggled to release her. He hadn’t felt that way with any woman... save Hannah.

He had stayed awake for hours the previous night thinking about his future, about Leighann, about life. After the hug this morning, he was more certain than ever that he needed this woman in his life. He slipped away to his office to make some phone calls before they hit the slopes, and Leighann did the same. She couldn’t speak with Gina or her brother, so she called her grandmother. She was busy, but they madearrangements for a visit the following day since her grandmother’s road had been cleared that very morning.

They hit the slopes for a few hours, then called it early so they had plenty of time to spend together that evening. Excitement thrummed through Leigh at the prospect of how things would go on the date she had planned.

They cleaned up and were dressed in comfortable casual attire. She was in a stylish jean and sweater ensemble with knee-high riding boots and a luxuriously soft scarf. Enrique appeared at the base of the stairs in a soft knit navy-blue sweater, black jeans, and dress shoes.

“Won’t your feet get cold?” she asked, concerned by his choice of footwear.

“No more than yours, I imagine,” he answered, eyeing her new boots.

“Mine came with thick, warm boot socks and a little extra toe room,” she countered, displaying her foot in the new boots he had brought from Denver for her.

“I have warm socks on too.” Enrique pulled up his pant leg to display his wool socks.

“Fair enough. Let’s go. They are anxiously waiting for us, no doubt.” Leigh grabbed her coat from the back of the couch and walked out the front door, Enrique trailing behind her.

“Who is waiting for us?” He momentarily worried about a ‘meet the parents’ setup but knew that wasn’t possible, so he had no ideawho she was referring to.

“You’ll see. Patience is a virtue, remember.” Her teasing grin made him smile even as he gritted his teeth at having the tables turned and his own words fed back to him.

“Have you seen their health inspection rating?” Enrique asked when she indicated they were stopping at a little mom-and-pop Italian restaurant downtown.

Leighann grinned, his look comical as he observed the restaurant. There was nothing wrong with it, but considering he was accustomed to five-star restaurants, this place no doubt looked less than impressive.

She was bringing him down to her level today and hoping he enjoyed it. He hadn’t always been a rich snob. Maybe remembering how the other 99% of the population lived and still managed to enjoy life would help close the chasm between them.

“Very good rating, actually. It doesn’t have to glimmer and gleam with polished crystal and gold finishes to be a nice place,” she answered, squeezing his hand and tugging him forward. “Come on. Let’s go. I bet my last dollar that you’ll love it.”

He sighed, “If I get food poisoning, I’m blaming you.”

Swatting his arm at the insult, she scolded, “You won’t get poisoned! And even if you did, I would too since we’ll be eating the same food. So, you won’t suffer alone.”

He blinked. “What?”

“I’m kidding. I’ve known these people since I was a child, Enrique. The food here is not only safe but tastes like mannafrom heaven,” she laughed. Then she tugged him forward again. “Now, come in already.”

Enrique held the door open as they walked in, immediately greeted by the aroma of freshly baked garlic bread and simmering tomato sauce so pleasant that it made Enrique’s mouth instantly water. The interior was small and quaint but nicely done. The walls were a warm Tuscan yellow, with dark red leather booths lining the walls. Fresh white linen draped the tables, and dark brown exposed beams ran the length of the ceiling. Rounded stone, trim-cased Italian landscape frescos depicting Tuscany, Venice, Florance, and Rome gave the impression of looking out open windows onto a scene thousands of miles away. Taper candles pressed into the necks of wine bottles set a cozy and romantic atmosphere.

There were few customers scattered around the restaurant, so the chatter and occasional clanging of cutlery was light as lovely Italian music played softly in the background.

Moments after settling into a corner booth, a woman approached. “Leighann, dear, it’s so nice to see you. I’ve been excited about your visit since you called yesterday.” She looked like she was in her mid-sixties, with gray beginning to dominate her dark hair that was collected into a low bun at the nape of her neck. She had an apron tied around her waist but made no move to pull a ticket book from it.

“Giulia,” Leighann greeted warmly, smiling widely as she stood and affectionately embraced the woman. Enrique leanedback against his seat, his arms resting casually on the table as he watched their exchange.

“Where’s Mateo?” Leighann asked. Giulia smiled and jutted a thumb over her shoulder, pointing behind her.

“He’ll be out soon. You know how he is with those boys.” Then, her eyes shifted to Enrique.

“And who is this handsome young man over here?”

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