“I told you, I’d never let go.” He clicked out of his skis.
The announcer called out our time and the scoreboard standings changed. Nutmeg was in first place. The crowd cheered and Nutmeg stomped her hoof. She seemed to know that the fuss was about her. “Nick, do you see that?” I pointed to the screen and then jumped into his arms, wrapping my legs around his waist. He spun us around. “You won, Evie.”
“We won.” I kissed him. “Nick.” My lips lingered on his.There was a crowd of thousands of people around us. It was too soon, but I didn’t care. “I love you.”
“I love you too.” Tears streamed down his face then both of his hands were on my face as he kissed me again, this time hungrier. “You’re the best Christmas present ever.”
“You did it!” Clementine wrapped her good arm around me. GJ followed behind with Rocky. She let go of his leash and he ran to us, jumping up on Nick.
“Evie, you rode like the wind. Nick, I thought for sure you were a goner after she dragged you over that last jump.” GJ kissed me on the cheek.
I furrowed my brows at Nick. “You fell?”
“For a second. It was a close call.”
GJ hugged me and then turned to Nick. “You’re lucky that Logan Brush told me what happened, or else…” She shook her finger at him. Nick’s face blanched. “Are you going to join us for lunch? I believe there’s a dish named after you.”
“I’d love to.” The color returned to Nick’s face. GJ opened her arms and then hugged him. “You treat that granddaughter of mine well and you are always welcome at the inn.” The subtle threat didn’t go over Nick’s head. His Adam’s apple bobbed as he gulped.
“I would do anything for Evie, including getting dragged down the street behind a horse.” He gestured to the racecourse.
GJ gave a nod of approval and walked away.
“She’s a tough lady.” Clementine laughed. “Don’t worry if she sounds like an angry old bat. She invited you to brunch, you’re back in her good books.”
We watched GJ head up the stairs to the inn. A man in a vintage Bobcats jersey and a cowboy hat approached her and held out his hand.
“Who is that?” Nick asked.
GJ shook his hand.
“I have no idea.” I watched the scene play out in front ofme like a movie. The man took off his hat. GJ seemed to freeze, then wrapped her arms around his neck. The man squeezed her tightly. It was the kind of hug reserved for two people who cared a lot about each other.
“Clementine, is that…” I watched as GJ and the mystery man lingered in their embrace.
Clementine tilted her head and squinted at the two of them. “It can’t be. I think that’s… Clarence.”
The man took GJ’s hands into his. I wished that we could hear what he said to her, because my stoic grandmother started to cry. Then he kissed her hand and the two of them disappeared into the inn.
EPILOGUE
Epilogue – One year later
The gondola rocked gentlyin the wind as it carried us to the top of the mountain. Evie was wearing modern day ski gear and was able to sit on the seats without sliding onto the floor. “Have you heard from GJ?” I asked.
Evie smiled. “Last I heard, they were in Idaho. Clarence had to put the spare on the RV, so they’re stopping to get the tire repaired, but they should be here in time for Christmas.”
For the past year we had been getting weekly updates as GJ and Clarence traveled across the country together. Clarence was a lot more tech savvy than GJ, and ran their Instagram account SecondChanceRapidians, and he sent us weekly photos of their adventures. They were mostly hiking trips, but they liked to throw in a few wild cards like zip-lining and white-water rafting.
“That’s great. I can’t wait to see them,” I said. “Did you hear they are doing another exhibition game before the Christmas Classic?”
Evie lowered her goggles from the top of her helmet. “Ohno.” Evie sighed. “They’re replacing the kiddos? Everyone loves them.”
I zipped up my coat and prepared for the gondola to arrive at the station. “They would never replace the little guys, but they’re bringing in some Bobcats Alumni, Clarence is going to play a shift, so is Logan.”
“No way.” Evie smiled. “That’s going to be interesting. I sure hope there’s no contact in the rules. From what I hear, Clarence was quite a bruiser back in the day. Logan might be in trouble.”
I laughed. Clarence was in excellent shape, but only committed to a couple of minutes on the ice. “It’s more of a photo opp than anything.”
