Caught by the Blizzard: A romantic winter thriller (Tellure Hollow Book 1) (8 page)

You wouldn’t know it to look at her, but Kayla Yu was as ruthless and cutthroat as they come. She used her physical appearance to fly under the radar. No one suspects the cutesy Asian girl with the bubbly personality would be much trouble. Usually, it was a lesson people only learned once.

I jumped every time the gondola rolled through the support poles, the entire box shaking like it was going to detach from the cable and go flying. Finally, after what seemed to be an eternity, it started to level out. We slowed as it entered an open structure, gliding onto a track that we could step out on. A cute guy in a jacket that looked two sizes too big slid the door open with thunk.

“Hey Kayla. Roughing it outside the lodge today?”

“Oh, you know. I’d rather hang out with manly men who don’t need to work in heated offices,” she said taking his offered hand. I stood, the car still wobbling beneath my feet. I tightened my grip on the camera bag and stepped out, thankful for solid ground.

“I’m always happy to be in one of your videos if you want,” he said too eagerly.

She patted him on the arm and smiled, turning to me. “Alright, let’s get started.”

It was easily ten degrees colder on the top of the mountain. I’d worn a thick, puffy jacket that came below my ass. Any warmth it gave me was nullified by my thin pants. We hiked a little way down the flat bit by a trail, stopping at the edge as it dropped away. I chanced a peek over the impossibly steep run and took a few dizzying steps back. How could anyone in their right mind strap a couple sticks to their feet and go down that? All I could imagine was taking a nasty fall, my lifeless body sliding all the way down to the front of the lodge a million feet below.

“Cool! This is perfect. If I interview people here, you can see the mountains in the background, right?”

I crouched down to look through the camera, adjusting the focus slightly, and gave her a thumbs up. “Looks good.” Kayla took out a mirror to fix her hair and makeup. She had a tight white knit cap pulled down, her hair framing her face perfectly. The cold had given her cheeks and nose a pink flush.

As she got ready, I took a minute to take in the scenery. The view was absolutely incredible. We were standing on one of the tallest mountains around, the entire snow-capped range stretching out in front of me. The brilliant blue sky made the whites and greens look even brighter. Taking a deep breath, I understood how this area could get under your skin. What I couldn’t understand was how people could just fling themselves over the edge of the trail like it was nothing.

I actually screamed when a skier just casually zoomed past us and disappeared. It was like watching someone jump off a building.

Kayla laughed at me, my eyes filled with terror. “It’s okay. No one accidentally goes down a double diamond run.”

“Do you?” I asked, my eyes still wide. How could even tell which run was which?

“God no, not yet. I’m only up to intermediate. Oh wait! Excuse me? Can I ask you a couple questions for Angel Vista TV?”

Kayla didn’t really need my help. She called people over as they exited the lifts, thrusting a microphone in their faces.

“What’s your favorite dirty ski joke?” she asked, flashing her brilliant smile. I couldn’t believe some of the jokes people delivered. I had to cover my mouth to keep from ruining the audio with my laughter.

“What’s the difference between a ski instructor and God? God doesn’t think he’s a ski instructor.”

“What do snowboarders use as birth control? Their personalities.”

Just as we were about to finish up, she snagged an older woman who looked to be about my grandmother’s age. After a brief chat back and forth, Kayla asked for her favorite ski-related joke, not even a raunchy one. After a moment’s consideration, a wicked smile spread across the old woman’s face.

“How many ski instructors does it take to screw in a light bulb?”

“I don’t know, how many?” Kayla replied.

“Ski instructors don’t screw in light bulbs, dear. They screw in hot tubs.” After delivering the punchline, the woman skied off without a word, leaving Kayla laughing appreciatively. She turned back to the camera with a chuckle.

“Well there you have it! Proof that life is not only better, but funnier, on the slopes. I’m Kayla Yu coming to you from beautiful Angel Vista.” She smiled for a few more seconds before collapsing in a fit of giggles. I finally let mine loose too. “God, that last woman was perfect! I want to go find her and buy her a drink.”

I closed the view on the camera and started to close the tripod. “Honestly, you got some really great stuff. I take it everyone hates ski instructors, ski patrol, and snowboarders.”

“It’s all in good fun.” She blew into her hands, jumping up and down a little. “Let’s get inside. It’s freezing up here!”

The ride down in the gondola was much better. I’d lived at sea level my whole life. The mountains were a little overwhelming at first but they were starting to grow on me. Their height was beginning to feel safe, protective.

After dropping off the equipment in her office, Kayla gave me a quick tour of the lodge. High, vaulted ceilings with exposed wooden beams soared over large stone fireplaces and cozy seating areas. The ambiance was warm and inviting, not too different from the cabin I called home for the winter.

As she led me through the main hall, it became obvious the owners were intent on modernizing the lodge. The architecture changed abruptly as we walked through the dining hall. The kitchen surfaces gleamed with shiny stainless steel and dark marble. The walls were no longer a warm brown but an ashy white. It looked modern, like what a millionaire might imagine a cabin should look like.

Kayla suddenly burst to life mid-sentence, beaming at a middle-aged man holding a cup of coffee. “Mr. Richards! Just the person I was hoping to see.” A man with salt and pepper hair turned toward her bubbly voice and I could tell straight away, this was Noah’s father.

“Ms. Yu,” he replied coolly, his eyes traveling up and down my body without shame.
I can see where Noah gets it from
, I thought. “And miss…”

“This is my friend Liz. She actually lives at the cabin with us—”

“Ah, Elizabeth Croyden,” he said with a knowing nod. I met his cold eyes, trying not to reveal how weirded out I was that he knew my full name. He extended his hand, unnaturally warm from holding the coffee. “After you get settled, I assume you’ll be applying for a position here?”

I pulled my hand away and shook my head, forcing a friendly face. “Probably not, no. I’m focusing on my photography this winter.”

He smiled at Kayla. “It’s a shame. I’d much rather hire from out of state. These locals are an ungrateful bunch.” I glanced around, shocked that he didn’t even bother lowering his voice but he still continued. “You’d think bringing in millions in additional revenue would come with a little thanks but apparently not.” A vein in his temple pulsed slightly but he shook his head. “Anyway.”

“I’m just about to upload another video to the website, Mr. Richards. I’d be happy to stop by your office and show it to you when it’s ready,” Kayla chimed in.

I stopped short of cringing when he looked at her, nearly licking his lips like a hungry predator. “I look forward to it, Ms. Yu. And I expect you’ll both be enjoying the powder day?”

“Oh, I don’t ski,” I blurted. The innuendo-laced conversation had me on edge and wanting to run for the hills. I would’ve said anything to break up the way he was looking at her.

“No? We’ll have to remedy that. Kayla, why don’t you take your friend to the rental shop and get her set up, on me of course.”

“That’s really nice of you, but—”

“I insist. Any friend of Noah’s is welcome to ski for free here. It certainly pays to be friends with the Richards family.” His voice was warm but the subtext of his words was icy. I felt like he knew everything about me, my full name just the start. Without waiting for a response, he quickly excused himself, reminding Kayla to see him in his office before she left for the day.

I looked to Kayla for some sort of explanation but she only gave me a coy smile. “Come on, at least now I don’t have to drive you back to the house.”

“I’m pretty sure he knows your name,” I said poking her in the ribs.

_____________

“Don’t I get a say in this?” I moaned, my nerves already jangling.

The entire resort was busy, but the rental shop was absolutely mobbed. It was mid-morning and people were still flowing in, playing hooky from work and school to take advantage of the fresh snow. I dodged out of the way of a couple kids, skis slung over their shoulders and laughing as they ran to the door.

Kayla grabbed my hand and led me through the maze to a harried looking girl giving out equipment receipts. “Emily! It’s so crazy in here.”

The girl groaned and slumped on the counter. Wisps of blonde hair framed her round, friendly face, pulled loose from running around all morning. “You have
no
idea. Just wait until Christmas. We get a snow like this during Christmas break and it’s mayhem.”

“Can’t wait,” Kayla laughed. “Listen, this is my bestie Liz. Mr. Richards wanted me to hook her up with some rental stuff.”

“Yeah, no problem. I need a break from dealing with these little shits.” She held out her hand and smiled. “Hey Liz, great to meet you. What level skier are you?” My fear must’ve been evident because she instantly nodded. “Okay, Level 1 it is. Fill out this form. Don’t lie about your weight, not that you have any reason to,” she muttered sarcastically, “and I’ll be right back.”

“So you’re good?” Kayla asked half way out the door.

“Wait, what? You’re not coming with me?” I was a little embarrassed at the amount of terror I heard in my voice. When I remembered the height of the mountain, I didn’t care.

“I’m supposed to be working,” she giggled. “You’re gonna be fine. Gravity takes care of it all for you.”

“Gravity takes you right off a cliff face!” I cried. I hated showing how terrified I actually was. Damn her for taking me to the top of the mountain before I knew how to ski!

“You’ll be on the bunny slope, stupid. It’s right over there.” She pointed through the rental area to a hill that looked pretty much flat. I watched as a kid took a pretty messy fall right on his face. “That reminds me.” She reached over my arm and checked two boxes on the form. “There.”

“A helmet I can deal with, but I’m not taking lessons. I’m done, seriously.” I held up my hands, backing away from the counter.

“Don’t be such a pussy. Everyone is a beginner at some point.”

“Fine. But I’m learning it by myself.”

“You suit yourself,” she replied. “Why don’t we meet in the restaurant around noon for lunch? I can drive you home after that if you want.” By this time, Emily had returned to collect my form. Kayla stuck her bottom lip out and sniffed. “You promised we’d be snow bunnies together, remember? Life experiences, broadening your horizons…”

I scowled, irked that she knew exactly which buttons to press. “I hate you,” I grumbled, hastily writing down my height, weight, and shoe size before I could chicken out.

“Love you, too. See you for lunch. Thanks Emily, I owe you!” She turned quickly with her dark hair spinning behind her. Kayla disappeared into the crowd and essentially left me to die. Nice.

No one told me the hardest part about skiing was just getting the equipment on. Helmet, skis, poles, all good, but the boots! Whoever designed those things was a straight up sadist. It took ten minutes to get one foot inside. Emily was such a sweetheart and stuck with me, kneeling in front as I grunted in frustration.

“All you have to do is slide your toe in and stand up, okay? You can hold onto my shoulders.”

“I’m telling you, they’re still too small,” I complained. I watched a couple snowboarders walk by in envy.
Why the hell did I say skiing
?

“I’m the professional here. Stand and put all your weight on your leg.”

My foot was wedged in the boot like I was wearing the tallest stiletto in the world. Just when I was about to declare that I was a lost cause, my heel slipped down and hit the bottom of the boot with a thud.

“Oh!” I cried, falling back onto the bench. “I’m in!”

“That’s what he said,” Emily snickered. A few teenage girls overheard and broke into a fit of giggles but I didn’t care. I had a boot on, a real ski boot! “One down, one to go. This one’ll be easier.” True to her word, Emily got me into the last boot but she didn’t warn me how horrible they were to walk in. After tightening the buckles, she explained, “You walk heel, toe, heel, toe.” When I tried it, it went more like, heel-slam-scrape-swear.

Once I sort of got the hang of it, I thanked her profusely for helping and shooed her away. Sitting on the bench in the middle of all the craziness, I gave myself a little pep talk.
You can do it. You can do whatever you put your mind to and right now, you’re putting your mind to this. Even if you fall and make a complete ass out of yourself, you at least have to try. Besides, Mom was a natural and you will be too.

I tightened the strap around my chin, gathered my poles and skis, and went
heel-slam, heel-slam
all the way to the base of the bunny slope. For the sake of brevity and my pride, let’s just say that after a little while, I managed to get everything in place and my body at the top of the hill. Sweaty, breathless, and frustrated -- and I hadn’t even started yet.