He opened the door to ski patrol headquarters, and Shelby barked at them from her kennel at the back. Lily retrieved her, Scott locked up, and they headed outside again.
Hunter jumped out of the sidecar to greet Shelby, and the two dogs danced around each other. “Let’s go, Hunter,” Scott commanded.
The Lab hopped into the sidecar and looked up at Scott expectantly. “Get in, Shelby,” Scott said.
Shelby looked up at him and wagged her tail.
“She doesn’t know that command,” Lily said.
Scott bent and scooped the dog into his arms. “Move over, Hunter,” he said, and deposited Shelby in the sidecar next to Hunter. “Stay.”
Shelby settled down next to Hunter, alert, but not upset. “Good girl,” Lily said.
They mounted the bike again and set off. Shelby took her cues from Hunter and sat still, panting and glancing around her. Lily was less relaxed, the rumble of the motorcycle engine vibrating through her. Scott drove faster out on the highway. Lily tried to keep her balance by holding on to the seat, but ended up with her hands on Scott’s waist, the rest of her pressed against his back.
The Ridge condos had been constructed ten years previously as affordable housing for workers. Most importantly, the complex allowed pets. Lily had been lucky to snag a vacant unit, though it was a single-bedroom space on the third floor. Still, she had great views and no upstairs neighbors, and it was enough for her and Shelby. “Which building are you in?” Scott asked as he slowed and turned the bike into the main entrance.
“Building Two,” she said.
“I’m in Building One.” He stopped the bike in the parking lot for Building Two. Lily dismounted, and Shelby sprang out of the sidecar after her.
“Thanks for the lift,” Lily said.
“You did a good job today,” Scott said. “With Shelby. If I didn’t say so already. I’m not always good about that. Giving praise where it’s due, I mean. I’m trying to do better.”
“Um, thanks,” she said. “That means a lot.”
She started to turn away, but he called after her. “Don’t forget my helmet.”
“Oh. Sure.” She fumbled again to unfasten the buckle, but her fingers seemed to have lost all dexterity.
Scott reached out and gently pushed her hands away, then unfastened the buckle himself. He lifted the helmet off her head, then reached out to smooth her hair.
The gesture was unexpected, almost tender, and sent a shiver of awareness through her. Which just proved how exhausted she really was. She took a step back. She had learned some things about Scott tonight—that he cared more than she gave him credit for. And that she was more attracted to him than she wanted to be.
THE NEXT DAY—Saturday—was the usual mixture of crowds and chaos. Lily scarcely had time to exchange a few words with the rest of the crew between morning meeting and heading up the slopes to begin work. She responded to three minor injuries before noon. She was starting up the mountain for a last run before lunch when she heard a familiar voice hail her as she waited to board the lift to Top of the Mark. Jackson Endicott skied up to her. He was dressed in black pants, a blue jacket and a black helmet plastered with stickers form the various resorts he had skied. “Can I ride up with you?” he asked.
“Sure.” She moved over to make room, and they skied forward when the liftie waved to them.
“How’s your dad doing?” Lily asked when they were on the lift chair.
“Have you seen his eye?” Jackson swiveled toward her.
She pretended ignorance. “What happened to his eye?”
“He tripped and fell coming out of the restaurant last Friday. He’s got a black eye that looks like something out of a horror movie—all green and purple and yellow. I told him it would make a great Halloween costume.”
“Is he okay?” she asked.
“Oh yeah. He’s here somewhere.” He waved a hand to take in the resort. “I’m supposed to meet him for lunch.” He turned back to her. “How’s Shelby?”
“Shelby’s great. She passed her Level B certification test yesterday.”
He frowned. “Is that like, a math test or something?”
“It’s a test of how well she can find people buried in the snow. She had to find two people within twenty minutes, and she did it.”
“That’s great. If I was buried in the snow, do you think she could find me?”
