Page 59 of Love on the Run

His chances of surviving this trip unscathed were looking grim.

Aiden nodded, grinning just a little bit. “Cool. That makes things easier.”

Anna was smiling now, all traces of nervousness forgotten. Her smile lit something inside him hehadn’t known existed. He quickly looked away, unwilling to be pulled into her siren trap.

Aiden walked them through basics, dos, and don’ts as they made their way to the lift. Anna started squirming again as they approached the line, and she didn’t say much until it was their turn to get on.

As soon as they took their places in front of the next seat, Anna grabbed onto his arm with both hands.

Beau rested a hand over hers. “You okay?”

“Just a little scared of heights,” she said, glancing back at the seat slowly approaching.

“Are you going to be okay? Now is the time to back out if we’re not doing it.”

She closed her eyes and shook her head. “No, I can do it.”

When the seat reached them, she tightened her hold on him as the seat swung back and forth.

“Get comfortable before we’re up in the air. Then you can close your eyes until we get to the top.”

Anna shifted closer to him before improving her latch on his arm. “Just tell me when it’s over.”

“You don’t like heights?”

“Sometimes I’m okay, and sometimes I’m not. I can be high up inside a building, and I’m okay until about the tenth floor. I don’t do airplanes or high bridges, but if there’s ground right below my feet, it’s not so bad.”

Beau reached the arm she held across her and grabbed onto the outside of her thigh. Maybe she’d feel better with a human seatbelt. “Just keep your eyes closed.”

And she did. She didn’t panic. She didn’t complain. She just sat still with her eyes closed, holding onto him like he was the rope anchoring her to safety. Halfway up, she rested her head on his shoulder and relaxed.

Sitting this close to Anna should have felt weird, but it wasn’t at all. It was exhilarating. He could jump from the lift right now, and he wouldn’t get half the rush as he did with Anna snuggled up to his arm.

He was in trouble. So much trouble.

Once they were on the homestretch to the drop-off, he tapped her hand. “You can open your eyes now.

The air was thinner at twelve thousand feet, and his lungs were getting a workout. The freezing wind bit at any bit of exposed skin, and Anna remained quiet until it was their turn to exit.

Anna stumbled as soon as they stepped off the ski lift, and Beau grabbed for her arm.

“Whoa. You okay?”

Anna huffed as she stood, brushing the snow off her suit. “Sorry.”

“It’s okay. Get your balance.”

She propped her hands on her hips and sucked in deep breaths. “I’m fine.”

She wasn’t fine, but Beau didn’t want to push her too much. She had to let him know if the altitude was getting to her.

They’d barely made it off the platform when her knees buckled. He grabbed onto her arm before she collapsed, but that was all he needed to make an executive decision.

Aiden jogged over and tucked his chin, studying her as Beau held her up. “Is it the altitude?”

“I’m not sure, but I think we need to skip the lesson. I need to get her back down the mountain.”

Aiden waved them over to the line to get back onto the lift. He spoke to another guy helping people on and off before gesturing for Beau and Anna to join him at the front of the line.

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