Page 2 of Merry on the Mountain
“No, we moved to Holly Ridge back in the spring when I retired.”
“Retired?” She glances over at me, looking closely. “You seem a bit young for retirement.”
“I played in the NFL.”
“Really? Where?”
“Chicago.”
“I love Chicago. If I were to ever live in a big city, it’d be at the top of my list.”
“It is great. I grew up there, too.”
“Why’d you move?”
“I wanted a change of pace for the two of us, and I’ve always loved the mountains.”
“I hear that. I’m from a small town in Minnesota originally, but I moved out here to Colorado for college and never went back.”
We come to what looks like a conveyor belt on the ground. Groups of kids follow instructors onto it as it tows them up the small hill. I feel silly as I look around and realize I’m one of the only adult students, and, because of my height, I stand out even more.
Willa shows us both how to put our skis on and goes through a safety talk. She explains the best way to fall, the way to turn and stop. She spends most of her time explaining things in a kid-friendly way for Izzy’s benefit, which I appreciate.
“Ready for your first magic carpet ride?” she asks us both as she gestures for us to join her in line.
Izzy’s eyes flare with excitement. “Like inAladdin?”
“Yes,” Willa’s eyes meet mine over Izzy’s head. “I see you’re exposing her to the classics. Good job, Dad.”
“Thanks.” I flash a smile at her. I’ve never been happier about my cheeks being cold because the smile she gives me in return makes me blush like a prepubescent boy. I need to get a fucking grip; she’s just a pretty woman who knows how to interact with my daughter.
But as the lesson progresses and she works with both us on the foundational basics of skiing, I can’t stop watching her. She doesn’t just listen to Izzy’s questions, she hears them and goes beyond a quick answer. The fact that she spends more time focused on Izzy than me makes me appreciate her even more. I’ve seen the look on the faces of some women once they find out I’m a retired NFL player, especially one who’s been to two super bowls. Sometimes I’m sure it’s about money, others status. I don’t think any less of those women—hell, I used to entertain the fuck out of them—but now I have someone more important to focus on.
I made the mistake of trusting the woman I hired to be Izzy’s nanny back in Chicago and that ended horribly. I won’t be doing the same thing ever again, no matter how great it felt in themoment. Luckily that experience didn’t set Izzy and I back in getting to know each other, but it easily could have. I won’t risk my relationship with my daughter for anything.
After the lesson ends I take Izzy to the resort restaurant where Aiden works and order us two hot chocolates while we sit in the lounge by the large fireplace. He comes out of the back for a few minutes to chat. He drops a coloring sheet on the coffee table for Izzy along with a little packet of crayons.
“How was your first lesson?” he asks once she settles into coloring a winter scene.
“Good. Izzy took to everything so quickly.”
He smiles as he looks over at her. “That’s good. Kids tend to do really well when they learn young. How was it for you?”
“I’m still standing.”
He chuckles. “Who was your instructor?”
“Willa.”
“Blonde hair? Tall?”
“Yeah, that’s the one.”
He nods. “I’ve only heard good things about her. You’re in good hands.”
“Yeah, it seemed so.”
“What are you doing this weekend?” He leans back in the chair, crossing his legs.
