Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 73963 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 370(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 247(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73963 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 370(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 247(@300wpm)
“Oh.” He considers that for a minute, then nods. “Yeah, I guess you’re right.”
We walk out the back door to avoid the crowded showroom and climb into my car.
“What should we do today?” I ask. “Ice skating? Movie?”
“I want to go skiing,” Alex announces proudly. “Can we go?”
“I don’t know, Alex.” I turn toward my house, expecting to spend the day in the theater with movies for the kiddo and my laptop. “I don’t know if your mom would be okay with that.”
In fact, I’d be shocked if she was okay with it after what happened to Cary.
“She’s totally fine with it,” he replies easily. “I was supposed to take skiing lessons this year, but we didn’t have time. In fact, you’ll be doing her a favor if you take me ’cause then she won’t have to.”
I glance over at him, and he looks so sincere and excited, how can I tell him no?
“We don’t have your snow pants with you.”
“They’re in my backpack,” he replies. “See? It’s like we were supposed to go skiing today.”
“Now you’re laying it on a little thick.”
“Does this mean we get to go?” he asks hopefully.
“Yes, but... You have to stay close to me at all times and do exactly what I say so you don’t get hurt. This is important, Alex.”
“I will do that,” he says, nodding. “Honest. I’ll listen.”
“If you don’t, we’ll stop and go home.”
“I understand.” He’s solemn and earnest, so I decide to take the day off with him and spend it doing what I love the most: skiing.
It’s crazy that I’m taking my best friend’s son skiing for the first time. I wish Cary were here with us. He’d be so excited.
But he’s not. I’ll keep Alex safe and show him the ropes on the bunny hill today.
The drive up to the resort is quick. I park and help Alex into his snow pants, then slide mine on, as well. I always keep a pair in the car, along with boots, skis, and poles, because I sometimes decide on a whim to come up and ski a run or two.
I won’t be using my skis today, so I slide on my snow boots, lock up the car, and take Alex’s hand.
“Ready?”
“This is going to be the best thing ever,” he replies, skipping next to me.
“First, we have to go rent your equipment. If this becomes something that you really like and you want to stay with it, I’ll get you your own skis and boots next year.”
“You’d do that?” he asks with wide eyes.
“Of course.” I ruffle his hair, then hand him his hat. “You’ll need this. It’s cold up here today.”
Thirty minutes later, Alex has skis, boots, and poles, and we’re headed for the bunny slopes when I hear someone call my name.
I glance around to find Jacob approaching with someone I don’t know at his side.
“Hey, hold up,” Jacob says. “I want you to meet my mate, Sebastian. Sebastian, this is Max Hull, a good friend of mine.”
“I know the name for certain,” Sebastian says with a smile, shaking my hand. His face looks familiar.
“Have we met?” I ask him.
“No, this is my first time in Cunningham Falls, but I’m glad I came. Jacob has been trying to get me to visit for years.”
“We went to college together at Oxford,” Jacob says as Alex tugs on my sleeve.
“This is Alex Monroe, a friend of mine,” I say, introducing Alex to Sebastian. “He’s never skied before, so I thought I’d show him the ropes.”
“Really?” Jacob frowns, but something from the corner of his eye catches his attention. “Oh, bollocks, I have to run. Sebastian?”
“I’m with you,” Sebastian says and smiles at both Alex and me. “Nice to meet you both. I hope to see you again.”
He waves and rushes off, and I lead Alex to the chairlift that leads to the simplest run.
“I like their voices,” he says with a smile.
“They’re British,” I inform him.
“I know, I like it. Okay, what do we do first?”
I show him how to hop on and off of the chairlift, which is enough to make him giddy. When we hop off, and I take him through some lessons, he’s all smiles, mastering it quickly and efficiently, just like his father.
He does exactly as I say, listening intently and being the perfect student.
When it’s time to call it a day, Alex sighs with happiness and walks, slower now, to my car after we hand in his gear.
“This was the best day ever,” he says, settling back on the seat. “Like, ever ever.”
“You did a great job,” I say, easing down the mountain. It snowed while we were skiing and has gotten colder, making the road more treacherous. “I’d say you’re a natural.”
“Like my dad?” he asks eagerly, and I remember what Willa said the other day about Alex not asking many questions about his dad.