Page 41 of Wild Promises

His gaze followed mine. "Okay."

"So what you're going to do is make sure you're balanced on your skis." I bent my knees and showed him how I maintained my balance even though it was second nature to me now. "Then we're going to play a little game."

Both boys watched me intently.

"It's called Simon Says. You do what I say." Kids loved games, and this was an easy one for them to follow. They didn't even have to think about it. They usually moved on auto pilot, and before they knew it, they were on the bottom of the hill.

When Ezra and his brother nodded, I took off. "Simon says follow me."

The boys pushed off one by one, easily mimicking my slow wide arcs down the slope. We made three wide turns before we were on the bottom.

"You did it!" Sophia cried as she joined us.

Pride surged through me. This is what I loved about my job. I held my gloved hand out to the parents. "I'm Xander Wilde, head of outdoor adventures here at the resort. I'm starting a beginner's lesson over there in a few minutes if you'd like your kids to join."

"Can we sign up all three kids?" the dad asked me.

"Of course." I took their information and added them to the course on my phone. The father paid for the lesson, signingthe kids up for a week's worth while they were staying at the resort. Then I escorted the three kids over to the crowd that was forming for lessons. I easily wrangled everyone into a line and gave them the instructions for safety.

Some parents stayed, and others drifted off when they realized I had things under control. I didn't have any issues with kids. They were usually eager to learn. Some were scared, but I usually easily won them over.

By the end of the lesson, Ezra was skiing with more confidence, and I felt good about telling his parents he was ready for a green slope.

When he looked up at me, he asked, "Can you come with me?"

I glanced at the lesson schedule. "I have fifteen minutes before my next lesson starts. We'd better hurry."

The break between lessons was intended to give me time to run to the bathroom or grab water, but I routinely used it to follow my students up the mountain and back down again. I loved seeing the joy on their faces when they made it to the bottom.

I stayed with Ezra all the way down the mountain. When we got to the bottom, I crouched next to him. "How did that feel?"

He threw his arms around my neck. "Amazing!"

I patted his back before letting him go. "I'm so proud of you. I'll see you tomorrow in class, okay?"

The boy nodded, then skied toward his siblings, probably to ask if they'd seen it too.

The father approached me. "We weren't sure he'd make it down a hill at all. If that had happened, we'd have to split up so one of us could be with Ezra in the lodge. Thank you for saving our vacation."

"I don't know about that, but I'm happy to help. I hope you enjoy the rest of your stay, and I'll see your kiddos in lessonstomorrow." There was nothing better than helping people enjoy the outdoors.

The rest of the day flew by, and when I got a notification to come to Eli's office, I took off my gear and grabbed a sandwich and a water before heading toward his office. His was the biggest with a view of the mountains. I didn't use mine because I liked to say my office was the mountain. But I wasn't sure my brothers would appreciate that joke anymore.

I knocked lightly on Eli's door before heading inside. "I hope you don't mind if I eat. I missed lunch."

Eli's forehead creased. "You haven't eaten lunch?"

I glanced at the clock. It was six, and Tori would be here at seven. "Didn't have time between lessons."

"I thought we scheduled them so you can take a break between."

"Usually someone asks me to escort them on a green," I said, unwrapping my ham-and-cheese sandwich.

"And you do?" Eli asked.

"Of course. I want them to feel confident." I took a bite.

"You know they're only paying for a beginner's lesson, right?"

---