Page 52 of Finding Love on the Slopes

“Oh, hush,” she pouted, even though amusement danced in her eyes. She dragged her hands down her face, trying to erase the traces of mortification she knew had been displayed moments earlier, and started her meal. But her heart continued to race as she picked up her spoon and took her first bite.

As they enjoyed the authentic homemade soup, she reflected on the conversation. She had to admit that her heart skipped abeat when Mateo said she was engaged to Enrique. She always tried to push such thoughts from her mind, but now she envisioned them as a couple, engaged and preparing to marry. The thought didn’t scare her as it should but sent a thrill down her spine. What-ifs swam in her mind throughout the first course.

Leighann wasn’t one to take risks or rush into decisions but was quick to know her own mind. She realized back at the cabin that she was developing feelings for this man. Last night, as she held him in her arms while he cried, she admitted to herself that she was falling in love with him and cared more deeply for him than she had ever cared for another human being... outside of her brother and grandmother. As she pondered marriage, she realized that it was something she wanted, too, with this man.

What she had no way of knowing, were his thoughts on the matter. It was clear he had feelings for her, but were they running anywhere near as deeply as hers? He mentioned deciding if she could be all in with him the day before. What did all in mean to him?

“You were right,” he smiled, pushing his now empty soup bowl to the edge of the table. He had never eaten anything so delicious or that made him think of home—not his childhood home but his home with his brothers, the home he, on rare occasions, wished he had. He sipped from his glass as he leaned back against the backrest of the booth. “This is the best meal I’ve had in ages.”

Leighann smirked. “Even when compared to the pretentious restaurant a few days ago?”

Enrique chuckled at the term. “Like I said, you were right. You win, fair and square. Your point has been taken.”

Giulia came over with two plates of lasagna and picked up the soup bowls, winking at Leighann before she hurried away.

Picking up his knife and cutting a generous bite of lasagna, Enrique asked, “What are your thoughts on marriage, Leighann? I mean, I know you said you were leery of it after observing your mother’s heartache and all.”

“Well, I’ve always loved theideaof marriage,” she answered, staring at him. “I believe that once someone finds the right person, they should solidify the relationship with marriage and make that commitment. As for me, it’s all been a distant idea, like a mirage in the desert that you never quite reach. Part of medoeswant to have a family. I know it sounds like an oxymoron. I want a husband, and yet I have a lingering fear of being left alone and heartbroken, so another part of me has it marked as off-limits. I want children and to watch them run around the house and grow into amazing people. To make my family breakfast every morning and dinner every night and create a warm, loving home together. But, I still worry that, at some level, I’m my mother’s daughter and would wind up disappointing them. I also want to have my career. I am doing important work, and it means a great deal to me. I would never let marriage tie me down, Enrique. I have dreams I need to chase, and the man I end up with must understand that and support me. I need a partnership, even if it’s not convenient. I don’t ever plan on becoming a housewife. Not that there’s anything wrong with it,but it’s just not for me, you know? I’m not a dependent person who enjoys living off of others. If I marry, that wouldn’t change, and he would need to be able to handle my independence.”

“Even if he could take care of you easily and wanted you to just enjoy life?” Enrique asked, his intense gaze searching her face.

She nodded. “I am a firm believer in not putting all your eggs in one basket. Having a plan D is optional. Having a plan B and C is a necessity. Even if my husband has a great job and money rolling in, I don’t want us to rely solely on that one source of income. I have seen what happens when a woman depends too heavily on her husband for support, and when it is ripped out from under her, she is left holding an empty bag. No, thank you,” she said fiercely.

“Wow,” he said, swallowing as the realization of what he really wanted with her hit him squarely in the chest. “You really are one in a million.”

She blushed at the compliment and tucked a rogue strand of hair behind her ear. “And you?” she asked, sipping slowly from the straw in her glass. “When I Googled you, I read an interview where you said you were the eternal bachelor just looking to keep things easy and fun. Which is fine by the way. Not everyone has to get married. Some probably shouldn’t. But you seem to be very dedicated to your family, and I wondered if perhaps there was a family man tucked away deep inside.”

“That was before,” he said, and she unconsciously sat straighter, very interested in his response.

“Before?”

“Before,” he repeated. “That was before. Growing up and witnessing so many marriages end in divorce or separation. The unhealthy relationship between my parents, where my mother begged for attention and did anything to get it, and my father treated her like trash. Marriage, family, kids, those topics never resonated with me. But like I said, that was before.”

Now, he wanted it. Desperately. And he wanted it with no one else but her.

“You feel differently now,” Leighann asked, but it sounded more like a statement than an actual question.

“I do,” he replied, tilting his head to the side as he studied her. She blushed under the intensity of his gaze and looked away.

“So, what changed?” she asked, sipping away at her drink, and he shrugged.

You, he wanted to say, but he didn’t want to scare her off. They had only met a few days ago, which made this realization even crazier. She was the change he had needed. Anthony was right all along. He needed this and didn’t even know it.

Half frozen at the bottom of that mountain, he realized she was special. In the cabin, when he held her and heard her say she loved him, albeit platonically at that point, he knew things were different with this woman. Last night, when she accepted his brokenness and tears, holding him in arms that surrounded him in love he had never felt without Hannah, he fell hard. But now, sitting here in this simple restaurant, he knew without adoubt that she was the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with, whatever that took.

He wanted her—not just as a girlfriend and best friend, but as a wife and companion for life, as the mother of his children, no matter how crazy that sounded.

Leaning back in his seat with a smile on his face, he said, “I think seeing my brother Anthony and his family grow over the years has slowly chipped away at my heart, and this trip... Let’s just say God has used it to open my eyes and my heart to the possibilities.”

Chapter Forty-Six

As they climbed into the SUV to return to the chalet, the reality that their time together was coming to an end weighed on both of their minds. Enrique held her hand as he drove, which she would normally not recommend, but it felt so nice.

“I heard the roads are clear now, but would you consider staying with me one more night? That would give us the maximum amount of time to spend together before I fly out. Perhaps we could roast some marshmallows over the fire for dessert?”

“That sounds lovely. It’s probably a good idea anyway. I’m not sure what state my brother’s place will be in when I arrive, and it is almost dark. Probably better to investigate it tomorrow during the day.”

They explained their plans to Mrs. Ellis when they arrived home and settled in front of the fire on a fluffy blanket with throw pillows off the couch for support. Soon, a tray wasdelivered with all the fixings for smores, hot chocolate, and pecan shortbread cookies.

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