Page 88 of Because You Loved Me

He had a few false starts where he tripped over his poles and crossed his ski tips, but after a few minutes, he fell into a rhythm of sorts and began to glide with relative ease through the deep snow.

The safest way to town was to follow the forestry service roads until he got to the highway. That way, if anything went wrong or he needed help, he wouldn’t be stranded in the middle of the snowy forest alone.

Fortunately, the cabin was located high up the mountain, so he was able to use gravity and the natural slope of the roads for most of the way. Still, it would take him a few hours to get to the lodge, even at a steady pace.

He just hoped it wouldn’t be too late.

* * *

“Thank you so much.” Noa greeted Kat Carlson at the door to her mom’s suite. “I know it’s super last minute. And especially after that crazy snowstorm, I can’t tell you how much it means that you came.”

“Of course.”

When Kat smiled, Noa was instantly struck by how much she resembled her older brother. It took her off guard.

“Any friend of Asher’s is a friend of mine.”

Noa’s smile faltered a little bit. She worked hard not to let her emotions show, although she couldn’t tell by Kat’s reaction whether she was successful with her efforts. “My mom and Jeannie aren’t quite ready yet,” she said. “Can I get you something to drink?”

“Water is great.”

Noa led them through into the living room. She waved her arm in the direction of the table. “You can probably set up here.”

“This is great.” Kat set her bag down and started laying out her tools. “You mentioned your mom? You want me to?—”

“Yes. I know it’s all a little last minute and everything, but Mom was all worked up. So if you could start with her and then Jeannie. She’s my mom’s best friend. And then if there’s time left, maybe I’ll have you try to do something with this.” Noa lifted her mane of hair off her back and dropped it again with a laugh. “But I’m not too worried about myself.”

She didn’t miss the strange look Kat gave her, but it was easier to ignore it than to try to explain everything that had happened.

Noa went to the small kitchen of the suite to get a glass of water for Kat and give herself a moment to collect herself.

She’d been trying too hard to focus on the vow renewal and her family, and not think of Asher until it was over, but now, with Kat in front of her, that was proving to be impossible. Everything about the young woman reminded her of Asher, and she couldn’t help but wonder how he was.What was he doing? Was he still out at the cabin all by himself? Was he snowed in after the storm? Did he have enough food and if he didn’t, did anyone take him a vehicle, or was he?—

“How is Asher?”

She hadn’t meant to ask at all, but she couldn’t have stopped the question if she’d tried.

Kat’s pretty face twisted up in confusion. She tilted her head and gave Noa a strange look. “I thought maybe I should ask you the same question. After all, he’s spent more time with you lately than with anyone else…”

Noa blew out a breath and turned to lead Kat into the living room. “I know it’s all been…well…I don’t know how much you know, but?—”

“I don’t know anything,” Kat said with a laugh.

Noa appreciated the levity of the moment. “Your brother and I…we are…well, I guess wewere…dating is the wrong word, I think. I suppose we were?—”

“You don’t need to explain,” Kat said gently. “It’s really none of my business. Just like your wedding isn’t really any of my business. And don’t worry, I’m not judging you or any of your decisions. I just…”

She sucked in a breath, blew it out, and continued before Noa could completely register that she’d just saidyour wedding.

“I hope I’m not overstepping too much,” Kat continued. “But I just need to say that I’ve never seen my brother the way I saw him with you at Christmas. To be fair, I’ve never seen him like that at all.”

Noa swallowed hard against the lump in her throat.

“The way he looked at you,” Kat said. “And the way he laughed and smiled.” She shook her head. “I can’t remember the last time I’ve seen him look that…well, that happy.”

She couldn’t stop herself when she asked, “There must have been someone else? Another woman at some time?”

Kat pressed her lips together and shook her head. “Nope. Not one. Don’t get me wrong. Asher isn’t a saint, and it’s probably not my place to say so, but he’s definitely had the company of a lot of women.”

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