Read Online Heart of Ice by April Henry, Lis Wiehl - Free Book Online
Authors: April Henry, Lis Wiehl
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Allison’s natural reaction when a ball of any type came in her direction was to duck. Even in sports without balls, her clumsiness was always on display. She twisted her knee on the pommel horse, knocked over rows of hurdles, and in archery bruised her arm from elbow to wrist with the bowstring. Even standing on top of a balance beam had seemed as daring as Icarus flying to the sun on wax wings. With each new sport, the only thing that changed was the location of Allison’s bruises.
Coordinated people had always intimidated her. She might be able to argue circles around them, but once she was on a dance floor they would best her, no problem.
Or in an exercise studio. By the time Allison got the hang of one move, Elizabeth was switching to the next. Longingly, Allison looked at the clock on the wall again, but the hands seemed not to have moved. She still had forty-five minutes to get through. Forty-five minutes of torture.
Next to her Cassidy gamely puffed along. If it had been Nicole who had been singing the praises of this class, Allison could have understood. But Cassidy? Cassidy and discipline did not belong in the same sentence. Unless it came to her job. Then Cassidy would willingly do the heavy lifting, if it meant she ended up with a great story.
Cassidy looked over with her brows pulled together, as if Allison’s panting and poor form personally reflected on her. “Suck it in,” she mouthed, patting her own hollowed-out stomach.
The problem was that Allison already was sucking it in. But no matter how hard she tried, a little shelf of flesh remained just below her navel. If she hadn’t miscarried, it would have made a comfortable cradle for the baby. Lately she had tried to fill that empty space with eating. Everything from Cool Ranch Doritos from the office vending machine to olive-oil poached halibut and the spring vegetable medley at Paley’s Place. At home, there were scalloped potatoes made with half-and-half and Tillamook cheddar cheese. Umpqua Dairy’s almond mocha fudge ice cream.
And now that her sister was living with them, Lindsay seemed to be trying to bake her way into their hearts. Every night Allison came home to the smell of fresh-baked cookies or brownies. Just thinking about food made her want to stand up, walk out of class, and buy a slice of coffee cake from the snack bar they had passed on the way in.
Allison hadn’t felt in touch with her physical self since she lost the baby. Her body had betrayed her. She had done everything right—or as right as one humanly could—and still it had turned on her.
After the miscarriage, she had thrown herself into her work, spending evenings at her desk, coming in early to try to catch people before they went out for the day on the East Coast. When she came home, she only had enough energy to eat and go to bed. Not to hit the treadmill.
Elizabeth barked out, “Second set of lunges.”
Second set? Allison had only managed the last few repetitions by telling herself it was nearly over.
Cassidy was watching Elizabeth with something like awe. This was a side to her that Allison hadn’t seen before. Cassidy seemed to long for this woman’s approval, automatically doing everything a little bigger and better any time Elizabeth’s gaze turned in her direction.
On the other hand, Cassidy had kind of an addictive personality, and exercise certainly beat her past problems with men, alcohol, and Somulex. If her friend was going to plunge headfirst into something new, Allison thought as she sneaked another glance at the clock, at least boot camp was a healthy choice.
CHAPTER 13
Portland Fitness Center
A nd squat and press,” the instructor said, demonstrating. “Focus on the ceiling to help keep your spine aligned.” Nic obeyed, but instead of staring up at the ceiling, she found herself looking at the other women’s breasts in the mirror. Small, big, bouncing, sagging. But they all seemed to have them. What if she went through this thing
Coordinated people had always intimidated her. She might be able to argue circles around them, but once she was on a dance floor they would best her, no problem.
Or in an exercise studio. By the time Allison got the hang of one move, Elizabeth was switching to the next. Longingly, Allison looked at the clock on the wall again, but the hands seemed not to have moved. She still had forty-five minutes to get through. Forty-five minutes of torture.
Next to her Cassidy gamely puffed along. If it had been Nicole who had been singing the praises of this class, Allison could have understood. But Cassidy? Cassidy and discipline did not belong in the same sentence. Unless it came to her job. Then Cassidy would willingly do the heavy lifting, if it meant she ended up with a great story.
Cassidy looked over with her brows pulled together, as if Allison’s panting and poor form personally reflected on her. “Suck it in,” she mouthed, patting her own hollowed-out stomach.
The problem was that Allison already was sucking it in. But no matter how hard she tried, a little shelf of flesh remained just below her navel. If she hadn’t miscarried, it would have made a comfortable cradle for the baby. Lately she had tried to fill that empty space with eating. Everything from Cool Ranch Doritos from the office vending machine to olive-oil poached halibut and the spring vegetable medley at Paley’s Place. At home, there were scalloped potatoes made with half-and-half and Tillamook cheddar cheese. Umpqua Dairy’s almond mocha fudge ice cream.
And now that her sister was living with them, Lindsay seemed to be trying to bake her way into their hearts. Every night Allison came home to the smell of fresh-baked cookies or brownies. Just thinking about food made her want to stand up, walk out of class, and buy a slice of coffee cake from the snack bar they had passed on the way in.
Allison hadn’t felt in touch with her physical self since she lost the baby. Her body had betrayed her. She had done everything right—or as right as one humanly could—and still it had turned on her.
After the miscarriage, she had thrown herself into her work, spending evenings at her desk, coming in early to try to catch people before they went out for the day on the East Coast. When she came home, she only had enough energy to eat and go to bed. Not to hit the treadmill.
Elizabeth barked out, “Second set of lunges.”
Second set? Allison had only managed the last few repetitions by telling herself it was nearly over.
Cassidy was watching Elizabeth with something like awe. This was a side to her that Allison hadn’t seen before. Cassidy seemed to long for this woman’s approval, automatically doing everything a little bigger and better any time Elizabeth’s gaze turned in her direction.
On the other hand, Cassidy had kind of an addictive personality, and exercise certainly beat her past problems with men, alcohol, and Somulex. If her friend was going to plunge headfirst into something new, Allison thought as she sneaked another glance at the clock, at least boot camp was a healthy choice.
CHAPTER 13
Portland Fitness Center
A nd squat and press,” the instructor said, demonstrating. “Focus on the ceiling to help keep your spine aligned.” Nic obeyed, but instead of staring up at the ceiling, she found herself looking at the other women’s breasts in the mirror. Small, big, bouncing, sagging. But they all seemed to have them. What if she went through this thing
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