Deep Freeze Christmas Read Online Free PDF

you."
    Bryan's questioning gaze never left her. "Well?"
    "OK, sounds like fun. Let me tell Chef." She ran into the kitchen, and before she could say anything, Chef waved her off. "Go. It's time you had some fun, girl. You work too hard."
    She kissed his cheek. "See you this afternoon."
    He handed her a sack lunch. "Dress warm."
    "Yes, Chef." She snickered, grabbed the lunch, and then dropped it off with the others before running upstairs to change.
    Marissa did not look very happy.
     
    ****
     
    Just out the door, four large snowmobiles lined the front driveway. Cameron's dad had installed trails years ago, and they'd added a few additional ones every couple of years. Today CG would lead them through the latest trails and to a gorgeous spot on top of the mountain for their picnic.
    CG and Coco led the group, followed by Henry and Charlene, Bryan and Leona, with Cameron and Marissa bringing up the rear.
    As they gathered speed, Cameron's heart rate sped as well. He'd forgotten the thrill of riding the big machines. He wouldn't be able to be too adventurous with Marissa onboard, but there were a few open fields where they could have some fun.
    Leona, just ahead of him, dressed in a snowsuit with one of his dad's helmets on, turned her head from side to side. Was she enjoying the ride? Taking in the beautiful views? He hoped so. It was always a treat to have someone come up to their lodge who'd never been in snow before. It was like experiencing his first time all over again through their eyes. He was happy she'd come.
    He searched his brain trying to remember who she reminded him of. Her warm brown eyes brought a familiar calm when he looked into them. It felt like coming home after being gone for a long time. He wanted to spend as much time as possible with her for purely selfish reasons—he liked how he felt when he was around her.
    Marissa, with her arms around him, squeezed his waist, reminding him who sat behind him. A twinge of guilt pierced. He couldn't stop thinking about Leona even while the beautiful and desirable Marissa clamored for his attention. Most men would trade places with him in a heartbeat.
     
     
     
     

Six
     
    When Leona lifted the visor on her helmet, a gust of frigid air flashed in. She craned to see all of the mountain landscape. The aspens and Douglas fir dotted the trail in contrasting evergreen and white. She loved the "eyes" of the Aspen bark. Although, it was hard to see zipping along as fast as they did, the speed added to the fun. Thankfully, she'd bundled well, and the cold air couldn't seep into her suit.
    When they climbed the crest and circled to a stop, the view of the valley took her breath away. She and Bryan dismounted the snowmobile, removed their helmets, and waded through the thick snow closer to the edge for a better view. She inhaled deeply and allowed the clean air to cool her lungs.
    Wow. She was at a loss for words to describe the unparalleled beauty. The valley lay sprawled below with the partially frozen river winding through. The lodge nestled in one of the river's bends appeared as a miniature in the vast landscape. She'd never seen anything as majestic and awe-inspiring. How could anyone take in this kind of beauty and not believe in God?
    "Isn't it beautiful?" Bryan asked.
    "Yes, like nothing I've seen before. God's handiwork at its absolute best." She exhaled a cloud of mist.
    He shook his head. "God? Haven't heard that in a while. My mom believed."
    "You don't?" She sat on a large rock protruding from the snow and slid over to give him room to sit.
    He joined her. "Not really."
    "So who do you think created all this amazing beauty?" She inhaled his woodsy, manly cologne.
    "No one. It's just here." He smiled at her with a twinkle in his stunning green eyes.
    "Just here, huh?" She nudged his arm. "You'll have to do better than that, Golby. This…" She spread her arms out. "…doesn't just happen. What would your mom have thought?"
    "She would have agreed with you.