Snowbound in Montana Read Online Free PDF Page B

own.”
    “And the accident? How did it happen?”
    “I was blindsided by a skier, coming down a track that merged with the one I was on. I had the right of way, but it didn’t matter. My legs still broke, and I ended up in a coma that lasted forty-eight hours. The legs healed, but it was the brain trauma that finished my career.”
    “That sounds scary.”
    “Yeah. It was. I had trouble concentrating for a long time after that. I had to go to speech therapy, as well.”
    Using his ski pole, Marshall pointed to a clearing up ahead. “Hard to tell now, but we’re on the ridge. Usually an amazing view over there.”
    But today, all they saw was grey fog and snow.
    An hour later, they stopped for lunch, at another spot Marshall assured them typically had an incredible view over the valley. It was so cold, they ate quickly, no one said much. Soon they were back on the trail.
    And the snow kept coming.
    Despite being part of a large group, the snow was so heavy now, that Eliza could hear nothing but the sound of her skis crunching against the track, her breath loud and labored in her ears. The pine trees were snow-shrouded ghosts, pressing in from either side. She couldn’t see more than three feet in front of her. Every forward glide was an exercise in trust, as she had no idea where she was going.
    She had to admit she felt relieved when she finally caught a glimpse of the lodge’s red door.
    Eliza left her skis and boots in the drying room, along with her soggy jacket, mitts and hat. Her cheeks tingled as they met with the warm air from the fire. When she rubbed her nose, she discovered it was totally numb. And so were her toes.
    The afternoon tea made all the effort of the ski worthwhile. There were oatmeal scones, huckleberry preserves, and clotted cream. Bowls of steaming hot vegetable soup, and warm brie served with toasted walnuts and rosemary flatbread. Best of all was the layered chocolate cake for dessert, with brandied cherries and whipped cream.
    And the Earl Grey tea went perfectly with all of the above.
    “I feel like I’m in heaven,” Eliza confessed. Marshall had taken the seat across from her, and she had to admit she was glad. So far, she hadn’t had much success breaking the ice with the other people in the group. Besides, Marshall was proving to be more interesting than she’d expected.
    She asked him questions about his years on the ski team, and then about the injury and what it had been like to have his dreams taken away so abruptly like that.
    “Honestly, I wasn’t in any shape to care. Not for a long time.”
    It made her heart ache to see the sadness in his eyes. “How long were you in hospital?”
    “Two months. Then two years of rehab after that. Luckily, I had insurance with the team.”
    Which implied his family would not have had the medical coverage to deal with it. “Your parents must have been terribly worried about you.”
    Marshall, up until now so open and frank with her, glanced down at the table. “I’m sure Mom was, but she was living across the country, remarried with a new family. And my father was working in the oilfields in South America. He still is.”
    “But—they must have visited you.”
    “Mom did a few times. But she had a young family who needed her. And obviously, it would have been a really long trip for my Dad.”
    Her questions were making him uncomfortable, so she stopped. But her curiosity was anything but sated. Her parents weren’t the warm and mushy type. But she knew, if she was in a serious accident the way Marshall had been, they would be there. They just would.
    “What about your family? Why aren’t you spending your holidays with them?”
    She’d figured he would ask that question eventually. And it was fair, especially since he’d been so candid with her. “My parents live in California, as do my sister and brothers and their families. We’ve never made a big deal about Christmas. Mom always preferred to spend the money and time on