Guilt settles over me. “Hale. I know you want to go skiing with your friends. But that means real lessons. With a professional. Otherwise, it’s not safe. You can use Gran’s this year, get used to being on skis, and next year?—”
“But.” Haley’s face drops. “I thought we were building the mountainsoI could join ski club.”
Aware that Ronan is watching this whole interaction, shame mixes with guilt. Just as he’s saying what a good mom I am…
“What’s this about ski club?” Ronan asks, more to Haley than me.
“All my friends are doing it,” Haley tells him. “We go to Stowe once a week after school, and everyone gets to ski for three hours. Plus, we get dinner at the lodge, and there’s a big party at the end of the season. Since I don’t know how to ski, I would have to take lessons. But Mom says they’re not in the budget this year.”
“They’re not, honey.” I feel awful saying it, but it’s the truth. “But you can have fun at home. And next year I’ll figure out a way to make it happen.”
“But I can learn here,” she insists. “That’s what the mountain is for.”
This could go back and forth for ages, which I’d rather not subject Ronan to. So I switch into myfirm-momtone and say, “We’ll talk about this later, Haley. Why don’t you go back into the living room and I’ll bring out the hot chocolate in a minute?”
Am I attempting to bribe my child with chocolate? Yes, I am.
Haley looks like she wants to argue. Then she lets out a sad sigh and turns to leave the room. “Fine.”
Once Haley leaves the kitchen, Ronan touches my arm. His voice lowers. “I could give Haley lessons. If you wanted.”
I stare at him in surprise. “What?”
“Lessons. I’m not a pro, but I have to be pretty decent for my job. So I could teach her.”
Hope leaps. But a second later, it crashes back down. “That’s really nice of you to offer. But she still needs equipment and lift tickets and…” My voice goes small. “I can’t afford that. Especially not with Christmas coming up.”
Ronan glances at Haley, who’s moving at the approximate speed of a turtle as she trudges into the living room. “I get free lift tickets through work,” he adds quietly. “And I know the guy who manages the ski shop. I bet he’d give a big discount on the equipment rental. He might even do it for free.”
“That’s too much, Ronan. You’ve already helped with the lights, and the snow?—”
“I don’t mind. Back in college, I used to do lessons part-time, and I really enjoyed it.” He hesitates, and concern darkens his gaze. “Unless… Am I being presumptuous? Maybe I shouldn’t have said anything.”
“Yes!” Haley races back into the kitchen. “Yes, I want lessons!” She shoots me a pleading look. “Say yes, Mom. Please?”
Ronan grimaces at me. “Sorry. I thought I was keeping my voice down.”
“It’s okay. Someone”—I emphasize the word—“was eavesdropping when she wasn’t supposed to.”
But my daughter isn’t bothered in the least. “Can he? Give me lessons?”
How can I say no?
And really, do I want to?
Smiling at Ronan, I say, “If you’re sure you don’t mind.”
He smiles back at me, and my heart jumps again. “I’m sure.”
CHAPTER 5
RONAN
I’m only stoppingby Blissful Brews to get something for dinner.
After all, it’s easier than finding something in the house to cook. And better tasting than whatever I’d end up making, since my typical dinner at home is either spaghetti with jarred sauce or a frozen pizza. Healthier, too, since most of the soups from Blissful Brews include some kind of vegetable and far fewer preservatives.
And if Angel happens to be there?
