First Sight Read Online Free PDF Page B

the bottom of the hill, feeling pumped full of adrenaline.  I was happy and relieved to be down the slope but also ready to try it again.   I looked over at Travis, wondering what he thought of my slow descent down the bunny slope.   He lifted his ski goggles up , and I could see the warmth of his brown eyes as he looked over at me .
    “ What’d you think? Y ou did great!” Travis said , happy that despite my protests, I had actually been able to ski.
    “ It wasn’t as bad as I thought—except for all those little kids whizzing by me , ” I said with a grin.
    “It’s easier for them—they’re closer to the ground!”
    “Maybe,” I said reluctantly.   It felt like I was the slowest skier out there.  He was obviously just trying to be nice.
    “Are you ready to try again?”
    “Might as well,” I said, smiling.   “I won’t get any better without any practice.”
    “Come on,” he said, tilting his head toward the ski lift.
    I followed Travis back to where we’d started from , noticing the easy way he glided through the snow, the effortless way that he carried himself .   I heard my cell phone beeping in my jacket pocket and called out to Travis to wait.
    I flipped open the phone and saw a new text message from Marissa .
    Lunch in an hour?
    “They want to meet for lunch in an hour,” I said.
    “ Okay , that sounds good.   We can do a few more runs—you’ll be an expert by lunchtime. ”
    “ Yeah , right.   I’ll let her know we’re up for lunch though .”  I pulled off one glove and sent Marissa a quick reply, before tucking the phone back into my parka.  Pulling the glove back on , I looked up at Travis.
    “Ready to go?”
    “I guess it’s now or never , ” I replied.
    We did a few more runs down the beginner’s slope, but I was already getting exhausted and dragging behind Travis as we finished another descent.   “Do you want to head back to the lodge early to wait for the others?” Travis asked.
    “Yeah, I could use a break,” I said gratefully.
    I followed him over to the wooden chalet , and while he gracefully came to a stop and popped off his skis, I struggled to get mine off while trying to maintain upright.  Travis came over to help, offering his arm for me to hold onto.  I stabbed at one ski with my pole again, trying to hit the release, and fell against Travis in the process.  His arms came around me as he steadied me , and I laughed in embarrassment.  Travis grinned back, seemingly amused by my predicament.  After I straightened myself out, w e propped our skis up against the outside wall and walked into the lodge—Travis easily striding a cross the floor, while I followed a bit more unstead ily as I got used to walking in ski boots.
    The room was cozy and warm, with exposed ceiling beams and dark wood paneled walls . A pair of old wooden skis were hung in a crisscross pattern near the entrance, and I noticed snowshoes and other alpine equipment decorating the interior .  There was a roaring fire at the center of the room , and a folksy, bluegrass trio playing music at the far end .  A few people were seated at the tables and bar , but it was still early, so it was mostly empty .   I pu lled off my wool cap and ran my fingers through my hair to fluff it up a bit and then pressed my hands to my cold cheeks.
    Travis sat down at the bar and pulled out the barstool next to him for me to take a seat .  “Do you want some hot chocolate?” he asked as he watched me .
    “Yeah, that sounds good.”
    “Two hot chocolates, please,” Travis said to the bartender.
    I took off my parka and slid onto the barstool next to Travis.  It felt really good to sit down and relax.  M uscles I didn’t even know I had would probably be sore tomorrow if I was already this tired from a couple hours of learning to ski.  The bartender brought over two steaming mugs of hot chocolate and then squeezed fresh whipped cream from what looked like a pastry bag on to the top of our