Page 8 of Easton Island: Old-Fashioned Christmas
“Exactly. I’m surprised we didn’t go sledding last year, but now that we have themandthis awesome hill, I can’t wait.”
“You’re right.” Quinn patted her puffy jacket. “Look at all this padding we have protecting us? Even if we crash, it will cushion the impact.”
“Good point.”
The conversation ended when Greg returned pulling a second sled, identical to the first, behind him. He lined them up side by side. “Ready to rip.”
“Potato chip,” Morgan said. “I bet I’ll beat you to the bottom.”
“No way.” Quinn dropped to her knees and rolled onto the sled, scooching all the way to the back to make room for her clunky pink boots. “Let’s do this.”
Woof! Woof!Chester and Esther pranced around in circles, excited by all the action.
“You'd better stay clear of us sledding newbies,” Morgan warned.
Greg called the pups to his side. “On the count of three.” He lifted both hands over his head. “One…two…three!”
Morgan pushed off as hard as she could. The sled picked up speed and flew down the hill. Remembering the rope, she gave it a firm tug to the right, mindful to stay clear of Quinn, who was on her left and gaining ground.
Nose to nose, the two raced down the sloping hill. Up and over a bump, fresh powdery snow blew over her shoulder.
“Whoa.” Morgan’s stomach flip-flopped as she and her sled became airborne. It came down with a gentle thud, and on they went.
Morgan cast a furtive side glance at Quinn, a look of pure joy on her face, her eyes wide and a smile lighting her face. The trip down the hill moved in slow motion yet so quickly it was over in the blink of an eye.
She gave the rope a sharp pull, veering off to the right and following the same path Greg’s sled had taken. She hit a pile of snow and came to a sudden stop.
Morgan scrambled to her feet. “Who knew sledding could be this fun?”
Quinn, who had gone left, jumped off. “Racing through the snow,” she sing-songed.
“In a speedy wooden sleigh,” Morgan chimed in. “I want to do it again.”
“Me too.”
Chester and Esther, not to be left out of the adventure, barreled down the hill, their little legs moving at full speed to catch up with the women. “You silly pups.” Morgan ruffled Chester’s ear. “How about I give you a ride back to the top?”
She scooped her pup up and placed him on the sled while Quinn did the same, placing Esther on her sled.
The friends climbed the hill all the way to the top, where Greg stood waiting. “Well?”
“It was so much fun.” Morgan struggled to catch her breath. “Who needs a gym? All you need is a few trips down the hill.”
“Let me guess…you’re ready to go again.”
“Yep. But it’s your turn this time.” Quinn handed him the rope.
He started to shake his head.
“I insist.”
Morgan dusted off her backside. “I’ll race you to the bottom.”
“Last one there is a rotten egg,” he joked.
Quinn took over the role of the starter. She checked to make sure the pups were out of the way before lifting both hands and counting to three.
Morgan pushed off, this time harder, and sailed through the air. It felt the same as when she’d tried Wyatt and Grady’s zipline…the feeling of freedom, of flying through the air.
