Page 41 of Finding Love on the Slopes

When she turned to exit the porch, she realized that Enrique had been seated on Patrick’s machine. Her pack and skis were secured to Allen’s, leaving Chris’ for her to ride. In addition to the seating arrangement, she noticed that his was the only snowmobile without a back support. That meant she was going to have to sit close to him and hold on or risk being thrown off.This rescue just keeps getting better.

“You’re with me, beautiful. Hop on. There’s a warm cup of hot chocolate waiting for you back at the lodge, but you have a two-hour ride before we get to it.” His smile was broad and genuine. He was eating this up.

Chris offered her his hand in assistance, which she ignored and climbed on, leaving several inches between them.

Lifting his full-face helmet visor, he turned to her slightly from his place in front. “I can’t start until I know you’re secure. Wrap your arms around me and hold on tight. This is going to be a very bumpy ride.” He waited until she did as he instructed,then he flipped down the visor, started the engine, and they were off.

Two hours curled around the back of a man you are friendly with but are trying to maintain solid boundaries while in clear view of the man you are forming a relationship with is awkward, to say the least. The time provided Leigh with ample opportunity to think through her current situation.

She was thirty-two. In society, men had it easier when it came to marriage at a later age. It didn’t matter how old they were when they finally tied the knot, but women were often scorned when they reached a certain age and remained single. People start to wonder if something is wrong with her. Leigh felt like she might be approaching that new magic age that said, “Nope this one is officially on the shelf, keep looking.”

Her personal life had been on hold since... forever. First, it was the Olympics. Getting to them and then winning them. All the while, she was in college, fighting to prepare for her life after the Olympics. Now, here she was, having never really been interested in men as she found them to be an annoying waste of time. None of the men, present company included, had ever measured up to her brother, so they had been discarded as not worth her effort. Enrique didn’t really either, but there was something different about him. He had captured her attention from the beginning. The fact that Curtis loved him and found him to be a worthy friend also spoke volumes.

Still, her life was busy. She was in the middle of a very important period of her life and wasn’t sure that now was a goodtime to pursue a relationship either. Then again, was there ever a good time?

One thing Leigh knew for sure: whatever she decided, Curtis would support her. He had never pressured her to do anything. Even while she was growing up and developing crushes on boys, he never urged her to get a boyfriend or go out and party like the rest of her friends did. He guided her on the things that truly mattered and always advised her to do whatever she wanted to do when she felt the time was right. Her life was her own, and she chose how she lived it. He was there to provide support. She knew he would be the man in her life as long as she wanted him to be and wouldn’t complain. In fact, he was upset when she moved to Florida, and he wasn’t able to be her handyman and all-around muscle for getting things done.

Now, she was contemplating a relationship with a person he considered to be a best friend, and she didn’t worry about any bro codes getting in the way. She worried whether or not she could do it. Was she meant for a relationship? She had always thought not, but after the last couple of days with Enrique, she was doubting the limitations she had placed on her life. It was amazing how well you got to know someone when you were placed in a survival situation and forced to spend days on end with them. She bet she learned more about Enrique over their short stay in the cabin than most of the people in his life learned in years, if ever. Aside from his brothers and Hannah, of course.

By the time the resort came into view, Leigh was frozen and very much looking forward to that hot chocolate. Then, a long,hot soak in her brother’s massive soaker tub. She longed for home. She would sleep well tonight, tucked in her bed in her old room, surrounded by familiar things. She had no doubt that Enrique would fill her dreams now that she had decided to be open and flexible and see what God had planned for her. Things never went well when she tried to steer the ship too much. This seemed like a perfect time to ‘Let go and let God.’ as her childhood pastor used to say. Her Grandmother would advise, ‘If it’s meant to be, it will be. And if it ain’t, don’t force it.’ There were five days left of this little adventure. Time would tell.

Chapter Thirty-Seven

The Baileys met them at the lodge’s main door as soon as they walked in and surrounded her in affectionate hugs.

“Oh, we were worried sick! The whole town knows about your accident and stay in the cabin, so don’t be surprised when folks ask about it. I think every single church for fifty miles had you two on their prayer chains. Maybe we should put a notice in the paper that they’re alright?” Mrs. Bailey looked over her shoulder and suggested to her husband.

“I’m sure that won’t be necessary. The town grapevine is alive and well. By morning, it will be all over town that they were rescued by these three fine young men,” Mr. Bailey assured, reaching out a hand to the three safety patrols that had entered behind them after storing the machines in the shed.

“You must be frozen through! Come in. I have a steaming pot of hot chocolate going.” Mrs. Bailey ushered everyone over to the café and served hot drinks, fussing over Enrique and Leigh like a mother hen. A few resort guests lounged around, observing the newcomers and whispering in small groups.

After giving a brief account of the last few days, Leigh stood and stretched. “I’m ready to head home to my nice comfy bed. Enrique, let me know what the doctor says tomorrow, and we can make plans from there. Do you need anything before I head out?” Leigh asked, reaching to retrieve her bag from the floor where Allen had placed it along with her ski equipment.

“I’m not sure, but I think I heard them saying something about the roads not being cleared up yet,” he said, pointing a thumb over his shoulder to indicate the safety patrol team who were sitting a little further down the table engrossed in conversation.

“What? Really?” Leigh asked incredulously, turning towards Mr. Bailey. “Are the roads really still closed? I mean, I saw the damage done in the forest on the way down, and I figured the storm dropped a good three feet of snow, but, surely, the main roads have been plowed.”

“The main highways, yes. Main street and the downtown side streets, yes. Do you have any chance of making it up to your brother’s cabin? Unfortunately not. Folks are still good and snowed in and will be for several more days. Even in his four-wheel drive Jeep, you won’t get far. That storm dropped four and a half feet of snow, and the higher you go, the more itgot. Up where you guys were, got an easy seven feet,” Mr. Bailey informed her regretfully.

“Well, I guess I’m staying here then. Please tell me you’re not sold out.”

“Afraid so. Everyone in town is. This was a bad one. Folks up high on the mountain came down so they didn’t get snowed in and freeze if something happened. Our house is even filled to the rafters with friends and family who came to town. The only thing I can offer is the couch in the office. I’m sorry, love.” Mrs. Bailey squeezed her fingers gently trying to soften the blow.

“Ugh, another couch. Well, at least this one comes with heating,” Leigh said with a smile, trying not to sound as disappointed as she felt.

“You could always stay with me at the chalet. There are plenty of bedrooms to choose from and heating for everyone. Since my staff brought the bedding with us from home, I can personally attest to its quality. It certainly beats sleeping on another couch or the floor. And I promise not to feed you MREs for the duration of your stay,” Enrique added, nudging her shoulder with his.

His cheeky grin was contagious, and his playfulness tickled her heart. At this point, she was so tired that the couch almost sounded good, but not quite. She agreed to stay with him until the road cleared.

He pulled one hand out of his pocket and stretched it towards her.

“Well, come on then. Good food and warm beds await.”

His heart leaped when she took his hand, which had been a long shot. He hadn’t really thought about it when he offered it, but they kind of just made a statement in front of her friends and that wormy guy Chris. As unintentional and natural as the act had been, he was excited by the progress. He wondered if she had realized the announcement they had just made. No doubt, by morning, this news would be all over town as well.

Their hands fit together perfectly, like two pieces of a puzzle, and his warmth seeped into her. He interlaced their fingers together, strengthening the connection and causing her heart to race even faster. With their hands joined together, they walked out to Enrique’s rented SUV. And it wasn’t until he opened the door for her to get in that she realized she didn’t want him to let go.

He made quick work, stowing her gear in the back, and jumped into the warm driver’s seat.

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