Read Online Love on the Lifts by Rachel Hawthorne - Free Book Online Page B

spent the night with her.”
    â€œProbably because he didn’t have a key and a way to get in. Give him a reason to want to be with you tonight.”
    I nodded. “Okay.”
    But I was also wondering if I wanted him that badly. Was he really worth it?
    â€œHey, you girls walking, or riding back to the condo with me?” Sam asked.
    Allie popped off the loveseat. “Riding.”
    Leah got up, too. “How long are you gonna work?”
    â€œI’ll help with the late afternoon rush, then I’ll be back at the condo.”
    â€œOkay, we’ll see you later.”
    I sipped on my hot chocolate, contemplating what I might wear for the party. Most of my sweaters were bulky, designed to keep me warm rather than to show off the shape of my body. I thought about stopping by the Knitted Cable to see if I could find something that might prove a little more interesting to Brad. It was a boutique. All the stores in the village were labeled a shop or a boutique—they weren’t really big enough to be anything else. And they all smelled like pine and were as cozy as a fire in winter. I guess because most had fireplaces and it was winter.
    I heard a footstep and turned my head to see Joe standing there. I hadn’t realized he was still hanging around. I should have. I mean, I hadn’t seen him leave, but he just wasn’t on my radar. Not totally true. He was on my radar, I just preferred that he not be. After all, he’d witnessed one of my more humiliating moments.
    He held up a paper bag that looked like it contained a book. “I was browsing. Looks like I got left behind.”
    â€œYeah, Sam already left with Leah and Allie.”
    â€œThat’s all right. What’s a little walk aftertrudging up mountains all day?” He sat down on the loveseat across from mine. “Think you’ll go with us tomorrow?”
    â€œProbably. How did you enjoy the lessons?”
    â€œDidn’t take any. I know how to ski.”
    I felt myself blush. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”
    â€œNo reason you would know.”
    â€œSo you’re not as mesmerized by all this as Allie and Leah are? No building snowmen for you?”
    â€œSure, I build snowmen, and make snow angels. It’s the magic of snow. It’s gotta be done.”
    â€œYou don’t agree with Sam that playing in snow is just for kids?”
    â€œThe way I play in snow isn’t for kids. Maybe I’ll show you sometime.”
    Those hazel eyes of his unexpectedly darkened, and I thought maybe he was thinking about things that would warm up a girl. Dangerous things.
    Now where did that thought come from? Brad was the danger, not Joe. Or at least I didn’t think the danger was Joe. But the way my heart was thudding against my chest, I suddenly wasn’t so sure.
    â€œHave you ever been to Snow Angel Valley before?” I asked, wanting to change the subject.
    â€œNo, but I’ll be sure to come back. It’s beautiful country. I love being around mountains. I grew up on the Texas coast—flat as a pancake.”
    I hadn’t known that, either, but then we really hadn’t talked except for last night while I was making my pitiful attempt not to look like I was waiting for Brad. And we hadn’t delved into each other’s histories.
    â€œWhere did you learn to ski?”
    â€œWyoming, New Mexico, other parts of Colorado. My folks would take us every year.” He shook his head from side to side as though contemplating how much to tell me, how much I might really be interested. He gave a little nod like he’d made his decision. “I prefer rock climbing and mountain climbing, though.”
    â€œYou and Aunt Sue should talk. She scaled Everest.”
    â€œWe did talk. She’s a fascinating lady.”
    â€œShe’s definitely that.”
    â€œDo you have any interest in mountain climbing?”
    â€œI like to hike snowy trails