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

Afterward, still rattled by that familiar, earth-shattering kiss, Riley took inventory of their supplies in the First Aid/EMT room with Ellie, who surprised her with a question.


“You’re such a marvelous skier that I guess it’s natural for the crew members to wonder why you stopped competing. Feel like talking about it?”


For a moment, Riley felt as if someone had punched her in the gut. Then she shook off the feeling becauseher team members were closer than most crews. They dealt with life-threatening situations, and there was no reason not to share what this young woman wanted to know.


“I’m really tired today. Mind if we sit down?”


“I don’t talk about it much because it was the worst three years of my life. I think it’s time you allunderstand how lucky I am to be able to ski at all. And why I’m afraid of the double-black.”


“I didn’t mean to push you into something uncomfortable.”


Chapter 13