Page 10 of Once Upon A Snowfall
Thank goodness there’s only one person in line ahead of us when we finally reach the restaurant for breakfast. There’s a couple empty tables across the way and I ask her to grab onewhile I pay for our food. Thank goodness she doesn’t put up a fuss like some women. My father would never allow my mother to pay for their meal, and well, I feel the same way. Old school, maybe? I’d like to think I’m just a good guy with manners.
We spend the next hour devouring two cinnamon buns—hers with cream cheese icing and mine loaded down with caramel and chopped pecans. Our hot chocolates are pretty yummy too.
Talk comes easily between us and for that I’m grateful. There’s nothing worse than forced conversations where both parties are struggling to find something to talk about. I’m not one of those who believes in love at first sight or anything like that, but I’m well aware when two people are compatible. It’s a shame Annie’s from Texas because I’d definitely consider asking her out.
When I return from the restroom, double checking that I don’t have any caramel stuck to my chin, I find her staring longingly out the window.
“Care to walk outside and see the snow?” I ask.
“I don’t know. It looks really, really cold.”
“Come on, what do you say? We won’t stay too long.” I give her arm a nudge and step towards the set of sliding doors.
A brisk wind is blowing between the hotel and parking garage, making it feel colder than what it actually is. She turns her back to the wind and immediately pulls her coat tightly around her.
“You lied to me,” she teases and kicks her boot at a pile of snow.
“It won’t be so bad once we get in the sun. Trust me.”
“I don’t know, it’s pretty cold,” she says between chattering teeth. “I’m not sure how much of this I can stand.”
“Turn around and look behind you.”
The expression on Annie’s face is priceless. “Wow!”
Chapter Eleven
Annie
When Madi and I first started to plan this trip, I knew we’d see a lot of snow, but I never imagined it would be anything like this. I understand why so many people have to wear sunshades when they’re outdoors—it’s almost blinding how white it is. I bring my hand up to my brow to shield the sun and look up at the mountains. I’m in complete awe. From here, the trees look so tiny, but I know they’re far from being small.
“There’s the lift over there,” Brent points to a building where the gondolas are making their way up the side of the mountain.
“Oh, no, I’m not going up there,” I quickly admit, taking a couple steps backwards. “No way are you getting me in one of those things.”
“Uh oh, someone’s not scared of heights, are they?”
“Maybe,” I admit without meeting his gaze.
“It takes about thirty minutes to get all the way to the top.”
“Thirty minutes?” I repeat because it doesn’t look like it should take that long at all. “Just exactly how far is it?”
“Two and a half miles, but yeah, it’s quite a ride. If you think the view is nice here, imagine what it looks like from up there.”
I notice several people walk by us carrying skis and wearing funny looking boots. Just as Brent had pointed out before, they almost look like they’re wearing water repellant suits, except these are quite a bit thicker.
“Must be hard to walk in those things,” I say, nodding towards the ground. “They sound funny against the sidewalk too.”
I begin to shiver and I feel like my nose is close to breaking off my face. As much as I’d like to stand here and take in everything, I know it’s time to head back inside.
“I’m not sure what all you brought with you, but there’s several places that’ll allow you to rent jumpsuits and boots. That is, if you’d like to spend more time outdoors.”
Only if you’ll promise to be my tour guide,I think to myself.
“I’ll give it some thought. Right now, I want to find someplace warm.” I blow into my gloves, but my warm breath does very little for my frozen fingers.
Brent slows to a stop in the hotel lobby and begins to fidget with the zipper on his coat. “Thank you for spending the morning with me.”
