Sweethearts on the high school ski team, Riley and Jean-Claude always expected to marry and stay together forever. But as they become world-class skiers, they drift apart, and Jean abandons Riley.<br><br>Years later, Jean appears unannounced to train at the resort where Riley works. He's  still charmingly irresistible and physically powerful, and is the US's hope for a second Olympic downhill gold. Once Riley herself expected to win gold, but a skiing accident dashed those hopes. Jean never sent any condolences, and he shattered her heart when he married -- and quickly divorced -- a skier she dislikes.<br><br>Anger and pain flare between them, and Riley ignores Jean's attempts at friendship to insulate herself from further hurt. Yet the old longings and the love they once shared resurface. What will it take for her to come to terms with the past? Or can she?

Snowfall

As fatigue crept in, she settled back in the cushioned warmth of the car.


“If ya don’t get a call in, ya’ll be seein’ him at closing ceremonies tomorrow night.”


She nodded. That was going to be as fantastic as opening ceremonies had been.


When she was back in her room and Jean still didn’t answer his phone, she suddenly felt like someone had pricked her balloon, deflating her. Her emotions were on a downhill slide, but her spirits picked up again when the rest of the women’s team pounded on her door, insisted she wear her medal over her down jacket, then hefted her onto their shoulders and headed for the cafeteria for athletes.


Bellies full, they made final rounds to purchase souvenirs. They could hardly walk for all the athletesthere, and although Riley looked around frantically in hopes of seeing Jean, she didn’t spot anyone ontheir men’s team.


Chapter 10