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

“Ah, here’s our leader. Hi, Paul,” Riley said. She poured a black coffee for him and gave him the floor.


Paul said, “If you’re new, you’ve heard of the New Year’s Eve midnight ski with torches. It works this way—Sam has arranged guards to be sure the guests remain only on the open trails. Be sure your radios are on as we’re on call for emergencies. We’ll man the First Aid room two-at-a-time, probably in forty-five-minute stretches. Check the schedule, because if there are no emergencies, each of you should enjoy at least one torchlight run. You get to go to the head of the line.”


“Fifteen minutes before closing, the events coordinator will announce the end of the runs, and they stop anyone getting on the lift. The lift delivers the last load of guests, and after those skiers go down, they’ll reverse the lift so the guards and those giving out the torches can get back to base camp.


Chapter 14