Page 37 of Finding Love on the Slopes

“Actually, I’ll have to take your word on that. I can’t say I’ve ever had one of those moments.”

“Whatever. I’m not the first person you saw and thought, ‘Wow, she’s stunning.’ And, if you say I am, I won’t believe you. I saw you at the red-carpet events online. You were surrounded by gorgeous people only a blind man wouldn’t have noticed. Moving on… My point is that I have been attracted to men before but never drawn to them. I was so taken aback by your reaction to me when we met that it ruined everything, but I remember feeling more than thinking you were attractive. I’m a scientist; I’m sure it has to do with pheromones, but it is a surreal experience. Even when you were being a jerk, I couldn’t keep you off my mind. I have never had that problem before. However, a large part of me still wants nothing to do with love, no matter how life-changing it could be. After experiencing what losing it did to my mother, I’m not interested. At least I didn’t think I was interested until I saw you laying at the bottom of the mountain motionless, and all the what-ifs played in my head for a split second.”

“What ifs?”

“Yeah. What if he hadn’t been such a jerk? What if he had listened to directions and we had skied the slopes together for ten days? What if we hung out at his ridiculous chalet instead of me sulking about like an intruder? What if we could be close friends like he and Curtis are? What if he became a regular in our family? All the possibilities that could have been but were wasted. But then, as I lay here this morning trying to go to sleep, I replayed those what-ifs in my mind and realized that if I was thinking about them, it was because I was interested in more than a simple instructor-client relationship. Fulfill the contract, get paid, and move on.” Leigh wasn’t meeting his eyes anymore but instead stared into the yellow and orange flames of the fire as she continued to process her thoughts.

“This makes me think you are on the same page as me with a desire to see where this could lead and that these ten days are simply not enough.” Hope welled in his chest at the prospect.

Turning her head to meet his gaze, she said, “I’m saying I have already chosen to love you, and it is not purely platonic. My heart wants me to explore the possibilities with you, but my brain warns me there is only hurt and heartache down that road. I’m honestly not sure what I want. Let’s play it by ear.” Sitting up and stretching her legs, she stood. “The adventures of yesterday and the deep discussions of today have exhausted me. I’m going to turn in early and see if I can catch up on some sleep. You can do whatever you want. Once I nod off, I won’t wake up even if a tornado comes down on us. Hopefully, thisstorm blows over tomorrow, and we can get out of here.” Leigh prepared for bed and got comfortable as Enrique prepared a cup of hot chocolate for himself and resettled on the couch, enjoying the warmth of the fire and the gentle glow it cast over the now-dark cabin.

He thought Leigh had already nodded off when she spoke softly, “I will say this, Enrique; before any progress can be made, we need to talk about your treatment of others. Love at first sight or not, I will never be treated poorly by any man, be he a friend or more. You have gotten away with it this long because of the number of people depending on me to complete this contract and get paid. I won’t take the disrespect and blatant disregard for my instructions ever again. Before we leave this cabin, you and I will come to an understanding one way or another.” Within moments of making this last statement, her breathing evened out, and she dropped into dreamland.

Guilt ate at Enrique for everything he had put her through. The next day, he would have to explain, and it wasn’t going to feel good, but maybe once it was said, it would.

Chapter Thirty-Two

The following day started much as the previous one had, with the exception that Leigh didn’t find herself in a man’s arms. The hour was earlier, having gotten all her necessary beauty rest. She tip-toed to the window and looked out. The storm was still dropping buckets of snow, but the wind was calmer, and she was sure the temperature wasn’t as extreme. If all went well, they would be rescued today.

She went to her satellite phone and was relieved when she saw she had a signal but decided to wait a little while to make any calls. Enrique was healing; he needed sleep just as much as she did. She set about making herself some breakfast when she heard rustling on the couch. A moment later, his dark head popped over the edge to rest on the back.

“Please make me whatever you’re having. I don’t know how our servicemen survive on those things. I’m starving!” He folded his blanket and placed it on his usual cushion. Then, headded two more pieces of wood to the fire before taking a seat at the kitchen table.

Leigh placed the MRE she had just finished preparing in front of him. “Here, start on this. I’m not hangry yet. I can wait a few more minutes.”

“This smells delicious!” Enrique lifted the package to read the label. “Maple Pecan, good choice.” Diving in with the spoon she had already dipped inside, he asked, “Hangry?”

“Yeah, you know, so hungry you’re angry. A hungry grouch is hangry.” Looking over at his confused face, she queried, “You seriously have never heard that before? Curtis used to call me that all the time. ‘Here, Angel, better feed that hangry before it gets the better of you.’ he would say every time I got snippy. Like I couldn’t be annoyed with my big brother unless I was hungry.” She smiled at the fond memory.

“Did you often get annoyed with him?”

“You know my brother. He’s nearly impossible to be annoyed with. He is the chillest guy I have ever known.”

“So, he was right, and you pretty much only get snippy when you’re hungry?” Enrique was soaking up these little facts about her and storing them away for later.

“Yes, and no. I’m usually hungry when I get snippy with him because he is a saint and very hard to get angry with. People like you, on the other hand, who learn my buttons and push them on purpose, I get snippy with quite easily. Although, after being raised by my brother, I pretty much only lose my cool when I’m tired or hungry.” She chuckled, seeing the look of trepidationon Enrique’s face. “No, that was not a segway into another intense conversation about your treatment of other humans. It is way too early in the morning, and I need to make some phone calls. The day is young, and that conversation can wait at least another hour. Even if help were on the way right this minute, which I doubt considering this is still pretty much a whiteout, they wouldn’t get here for at least three more hours. You have time before your interrogation begins.” Her mischievous grin bordered on evil. She was going to enjoy every minute that he squirmed under her microscope.

After breakfast was finished, Leigh called Curtis, feeling the warmth of his love fill her when he answered the phone.

“Angel! It’s about time. I haven’t let this phone out of my sight in almost two days. How are you? I need a status report.”

“We’re fine. Enrique has a concussion, but it doesn’t seem to be too serious, and banged up ribs. Lots of cuts and bruises, but otherwise seems whole. I’m right as rain. We finally got some heat going yesterday, and we are doing well. How are you, and what is happening with this storm? From my vantage point, it still looks like a whiteout.”

“You’re right. The worst of the storm has passed, but the snow is still falling, and roads are closed. No one is moving just yet, and emergency workers are doing the best they can. Now that I know you’re safe, I will tell the men not to hurry to mark you as a level two emergency. There is plenty of firewood and food, correct?” Curtis asked, seeking to verify her safety with specific details of her supplies as he was prone to do.

“Yes, worry wart. I inventoried everything when we arrived. We have enough to be comfortable for a few more days. The wood is stockpiled; I just have to dig it out of twenty feet of snow, which will be easier now that the wind isn’t as fierce. We are okay,” she assured him once again.

“Okay, I will contact Chris and Anderson to let them know your status. As soon as I hear specifics on your rescue, I will let you know. How’s morale? You two getting along well enough?”

That was her brother, always a worrier when it came to her. “We are fine. This has done us some good. I’m learning all of his secrets and what makes him tick. Soon, I will be able to push his buttons as effectively as he does mine.”

Curtis could hear the smile in her voice, but red flags were flying high. “That’s wonderful. Mind if I check in with my buddy before I go?”

“Oh, sure. I love you; talk soon.” Handing the phone to Enrique, she said, “He wants to talk to you.” She walked into the living room and folded her blanket before sitting on the couch and staring into the flames.

“Hey man, how’s it going?” Enrique asked good-naturedly after pressing the receiver to his ear.

“Hey, glad to hear you’re gonna make it. It would have been bad form to die on my sister’s watch. We’ll talk about all of that at another time. What did she mean when she said you were telling her all your secrets? I certainly hope your concussion hasn’t loosened your tongue to the point that you are placingher in danger she isn’t even aware of.” His voice was conversational, but there was an underlying warning.

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