Snowbound (3 page)

Her overall impression was that Daniel was truly a nice guy. He had seemed so concerned when he figured out she was skiing by herself in the poor visibility.
Of course, he might have just been concerned that you ran right over him.
If it had been Rick he would have freaked out, but Daniel had laughed it off and made sure she made it down the slope safely. She found his attentiveness very attractive and, for the first time since Rick stormed out, she smiled.
Hmmm, nice.

* * *

After trying, unsuccessfully, to reach her best friend by phone, Cassidy wandered downstairs to the lobby. She needed to decide whether she should stay at the resort or go home on her own. At this point she was pretty sure that Rick wasn’t coming back. It was past dinner and she hadn’t heard from him.
I can’t seem to decide one way or the other
. She sighed. Part of her wanted to stay here to show Rick that he couldn’t bully her anymore but another part, the scared little girl part, wanted to run home and make things all right with him.

Drawn to the fire burning in the fireplace on one side of the lobby, Cassidy chose a wide chair and sat with her feet tucked underneath her. It was so peaceful here. Unlike so many hotel lobbies this one seemed more like a large living room, with oversize chairs and couches covered in dark brown chenille and scattered throughout. The chair she sat in was grouped alongside another chair and a deep couch—they were all arranged around the fireplace. “Penny for your thoughts,” said a warm voice above her.

Pulled out of her reverie, Cassidy looked up at the woman who had spoken to her. “Oh, I don’t think they’re even worth that much.”

“You’d be surprised,” the woman replied. “I’m Sandra Johnson. May I sit?” She indicated the chair beside Cassidy’s.

“Of course.”

Once Sandra sat down Cassidy was able to take a good look at her. She guessed Sandra to be in her sixties, judging by the gray in her hair and lines on her face. She emanated warmth and seemed very casual which surprised Cassidy. She was aware Sandra ran this resort. With her silver hair tucked into one long braid behind her back, wearing a ski sweater over leggings and her feet in moccasins, Sandra did not resemble the strong businesswoman whom Cassidy expected. She’d read all about Sandra in the promotional material available in each hotel room. “So, how do you like it here?” Sandra asked.

Cassidy watched the fire twinkling in Sandra’s hazel eyes and tried to decide how to answer. “It’s a very nice place, but I’m not sure I can stay. In fact, I was just trying to decide what to do about that.” Gazing back into the fire, Cassidy tried to find answers within its flames. She hadn’t even gone to the front desk to see what Rick had done as far as checking out. Had he checked them both out? Or just himself?

“He paid for the room for the entire week… before he left,” Sandra stated, as if reading her mind.

Startled, she turned back to Sandra and felt the heat of embarrassment touch her face. “How... I mean...”

“I was at the desk when he checked out. I knew who you were since I saw the two of you arrive—before you headed out to ski. We’re not especially busy right now so I have more time to get to know our guests.” Sandra smiled at her sympathetically.

Cassidy had no idea what to say. She didn’t know how, or even whether, to explain to this woman why she was sitting here alone while her boyfriend had checked out.

Again, Sandra appeared to read her mind. “You don’t have to explain anything to me, my dear. I’ve been around a long time. Enough to know when there’s heartache afoot. I just saw you sitting here and wanted to come chat because you looked distressed. I can’t have someone sitting in my lobby looking all down now can I? How would that look for business?”

It sounded like she was teasing, so Cassidy tried to laugh, but instead tears filled her eyes. Even though she tried to blink them back, they did not stop. “Oh for goodness sake, I’m sorry. I don’t know what’s come over me.”

Sandra said nothing, just held out a tissue pack and waited.

“We had a fight. I don’t even remember what started it… but then, it could have been nothing. He has a bit of a temper. He doesn’t mean it half the time, but he just gets so mad and then I get defensive and...” Cassidy sniffed and wiped at her nose. “He left. I thought he would come back when he cooled down. He always does, but I guess not this time. The problem is we came in his truck, and I’m not sure how to get home. I mean I assume you have a shuttle service into some of the larger towns, but I really hadn’t thought that far. Is it ok if I just check out tomorrow morning?”

“No, it’s not.”

“What?”

“I said no. Now listen to me young lady,” said Sandra in a firm but loving voice. “You are not going to go chasing off after that man after he treated you so badly, then left you up here all by yourself.
And
you are not going to go home and cry about it either. You are going to go upstairs and have a good night’s rest. I will send some food up for you. Then, tomorrow you’ll start ski lessons with us and stay out the rest of the week. You are going to relax and have fun. Maybe the stinker will realize he made a huge mistake, which he did, or maybe he won’t, but it’s not your problem anymore. You are a strong, beautiful, and intelligent girl. Unless you want to spend the rest of your life being abandoned by someone who isn’t worthy, you don’t need that guy to prove it.”

Having had her say, she stood up and pulled Cassidy into a hug. “Thank you. I know you’re right. We’ve just been together so long, and I feel so useless right now,” she mumbled into Sandra’s shoulder, then stepped back awkwardly.

“I know dear, but you’ll see. It will get better. At least while you’re here I can make sure of that.” Sandra looped her arm through Cassidy’s and led her toward the Peaks Cafe. “C’mon, I have an even better idea than sending food up to your room. My friend, Debbie, runs the cafe. She’s been through some stuff in her day and can tell you all sorts of great stories of men and heartache, winning and losing, and turning a corner. I know she’d just love to have someone to chat with while she closes up. She’ll feed you some great grub besides.”

Cassidy smiled. “Well I
am
hungry, and I did try to reach my closest friend earlier, but she wasn’t around. I’d rather talk to someone than go up to my room alone right now. Girl talk always makes me feel better.”

* * *

Sandra stepped out of the cafe and looked back through the doors at the two women inside who laughed and talked like old friends. It did her good to see Cassidy smiling after the day she’d had. Debbie was just the person to help Cassidy work through this, having been through something similar herself a long way back, although not to the same extent. She could not believe that anyone would up and leave someone behind in a remote resort.
And, from what Cassidy said, it was all over nothing.
Rick had been the one to leave Cassidy alone on the slope earlier; he’d been the one sitting in the warmth of the cafe, while Cassidy froze her tushy off out there wondering where he was.
If anyone should have left it should’ve been that poor girl.
She became more steamed by the minute.
What is wrong with people these days? Do they think love is something so easy to come by?

She walked back to her office with the Cassidy situation weighing heavy on her mind. She knew she should just stay out of it, but she couldn’t stand to see someone hurting. Plus, she was never really very good at staying out of things. Truthfully, watching and helping people fall in love was what she did best. Some of her friends said that playing cupid was her hobby.
Why else would I have sent Daniel up there to check on Cassidy when that Rick fellow came back all alone?
Although Sandra had a rescue team at her disposal, she thought that Daniel would be a good choice. She figured Cassidy might need a friend since it looked like hers wasn’t interested. At the time Sandra thought she’d been keeping Daniel busy so he didn’t have time to become too entrenched with depressing thoughts about Natasha. She wanted this to be a healing time for Daniel. It had been a long time since Natasha had passed away.
He’s a young man, it’s time he found love again.
Now, after further thought, Sandra decided that it was destiny she had chosen Daniel to rescue Cassidy.
Yes, yes. I think those two both need a little pick me up in their lives.

As she stared at her list of guests signed up for ski lessons, an idea formulated in her head, and she picked up the phone.
Cupid, you chubby baby, it’s time to play

Chapter
Three

Standing at the bottom of the chair lift near to the run signage, Cassidy waited patiently for the rest of her group. Earlier in the morning, she’d found a note from Sandra slipped under her door. In it, Sandra had let her know that the ski lessons were all set up and gave instructions where to meet with her instructor. Cassidy felt much better this morning. After her previous evening’s chat with Debbie, she’d decided to stay for the whole week. More and more she realized that Rick had anger management issues that had nothing to do with her. She also suspected there was more going on that he wasn’t letting on. There were too many inconsistencies in his behavior that she’d always just brushed off. Cassidy didn’t know what his problem was and she didn’t want to think about it anymore.
I’m ready to have a good time and forget about it for a while.

“Hey everyone, I’m Daniel, your instructor. If you’re not here for a group ski lesson for blue runs, then you are in the wrong place.”

Enmeshed in her thoughts, Cassidy hadn’t noticed Daniel ski up to the group. She hadn’t actually noticed anyone else arrive either; she tended to block things out when she concentrated on things.

“It looks like there are only three of you today so that will give us plenty of room to maneuver. Also that will give me time to spend with each of you, one on one,” he said, looking around at the group. His gaze stopped when it reached Cassidy’s. “Hey, hi! How are you doing?”

She smiled shyly and replied, “Fine, thank you. I didn’t realize you were an instructor here.”

“I’m not usually, but when they need extra help they know they can call on me. I’ve been coming here forever, and I don’t mind.” Daniel smiled. Cassidy noticed his eyes seemed even more dazzling reflecting the sun that was shining today. “All right everyone, let’s head to the chairlift. When we get to the top just stand off to the side and we’ll reconvene.”

Since the other two students seemed to know each other, Cassidy was paired up with Daniel on the chair lift. “So—any bruises from yesterday?” he asked.

“Mostly to my ego. Sorry, again, about that. I see the weather has cleared up beautifully today though. It’s hard to believe it was so bad not even twenty-four hours ago.” She smiled shyly at him, feeling nervous, but not quite sure why.
Maybe because he’s a cute guy and you keep getting lost in his eyes. Come on girl—he’s just another guy—even if he has the most gorgeous eyes you’ve ever seen.

He laughed. “No worries at all. The weather can change fast around here. I’m just glad I found you, and that you were able to make it down safely. Those goggles you were wearing were terrible. I’m sure they made the visibility even worse.”

“They weren’t great,” she agreed. “I only get the rejects. Rick gets the top of the line stuff.” Embarrassed to be bad mouthing Rick, she added, “Oh well, he can afford it I guess and it was nice of him to buy me goggles in the first place.”

Daniel seemed like he wanted to say something and then changed his mind. He just nodded, glanced around and then back at her. When he looked at her she noticed he blinked more than usual.

“Is there something in your eye? Do you want me to check for you?” Cassidy leaned toward him.

“No, my eyes are just very light sensitive so I tend to blink a lot. Unfortunately, I left my sunglasses back at the lodge—whoa.”

The chair lift came to an abrupt stop. They were almost to the top when it stopped. As their chair gently swung back and forth, Cassidy took a moment to take in the view.
It’s so peaceful up here. Especially since no one is yelling at me today.

“So, where’s Rick today? He off skiing black diamonds?”

She wasn’t sure what to say, but decided on the truth. Quietly she said, “No. He left.”

Daniel seemed to misunderstand. “Done skiing already? Ah well, I know there’s a game being shown on the big screen in the lounge this afternoon.”

“He left the resort. He left me.” The words came a little louder, a little more defensively, as if daring Daniel to make something of it. At that moment, the chairlift jerked to life again, and they both fell silent.

* * *

Wow
! Daniel tried to conceal his reaction from Cassidy.
I can’t believe that guy just left her here all by herself. First he leaves her on the run, and now this. What a world class jerk!

From what little Daniel knew of her, she seemed like a nice girl. But, even if she wasn’t, that didn’t entitle someone to abandon her like this. He’d been surprised to see Cassidy in his ski group as she seemed to be a decent enough skier. However, he thoroughly enjoyed talking with her, so he was happy to have her as part of the group. As they reached the top of the lift, Daniel noticed Cassidy stiffen and become tense. She had a death grip on the two poles in one hand, ready to push off with the other. “It’s ok, it slows down—there is plenty of time, just push off and go to the side.”

Cassidy smiled at him and pushed away from the chair. Tension still lined her face, even as she sidestepped out of the way to avoid skiers behind from running in to her.

“We’re over here.” He indicated the other two students and led the way over to them.

“Sorry, I always get freaked out that I’ll get stuck on the chair and have to go all the way around again.”

Daniel watched the red flush up Cassidy’s face and witnessed the shame in her eyes. He wondered if Rick was the one who put that look there and decided that no one ought to feel that way—ever. “Hey, I’m sure it’s happened to everyone once, but I can show you some tips that might make it easier for you, ok?”