A Hot Holiday Collection

Extra Epilogue

EXTRA EPILOGUE

“ R eady to hit the slopes, my beautiful ski bunny?”

I grinned up at my husband, who somehow looked sexier decked out in ski gear than should be humanly possible. Looking at him, nobody would know that he’d only learned to ski last year. “Are you sure you don’t want to stick to the bunny slopes with the kids?”

“Nah, your dad and Amelia have them covered.” He shook his head with a grin. “And they’ll have Julia, Zack Junior, and Lydia around to help.”

“Good point.”

I didn’t mention that my half-siblings were better equipped to pitch in if our son or daughter ran into a problem since they’d been skiing longer than him.

“Let’s go.” Tugging on my arm, he led me toward the door. “Before the kids realize we’re hitting the green trails while they’re starting out on the bunny hill.”

Normally, I would start out on more difficult trails, but Danny wasn’t at the same level as me. For most people, skiing wasn’t the first thing that came to mind when they thought about Las Vegas. But I’d spent a lot of time on the slopes growing up.

I was only four the first time my dad had taken me to the bunny hill at Lee Canyon. Living in the desert, I’d never seen snow before, and I had instantly fallen in love. Since it was less than an hour drive from my childhood home, we went back often. Ski season only lasted four or five months each year, but I put that time to good use and knew all of the trails like the back of my hand.

But I’d barely been on the slopes since I left for college almost sixteen years ago. My trips back home during winter break never seemed long enough to head to Lee Canyon, especially with how often my dad got my stepmom pregnant. I loved my baby brother and sisters so much, but by the time they were all old enough to hit the slopes, I was the one who couldn’t go because I was pregnant. The same was true the next ski season. Then our babies were too young for me to even consider the short trip to the mountain.

Danny and I went for the first time just last year, which was why I was so surprised when he planned this family vacation to Winter Falls. We arrived at the ski resort this morning, taking up two large suites that faced the black diamond ski runs. Between my dad, Amelia, my half-siblings, Danny, Dexter, Dana, and me, we needed lots of space. The suites, each with a living room and kitchen between two sleeping rooms, were perfect for us.

“Lead the way,” I quickly agreed, happy to try out slopes I’d never been on before.

As we walked through the lobby, I waved at Raven, the owner of The Snowed Inn and Lodge. She’d been patient with my husband when he’d booked the trip, answering all of his questions. Then she went through it all over again with my dad when Danny asked if they wanted to join us. And the cookies and hot chocolate the kids had enjoyed while we checked in had immediately won me over.

Lifting her hand to return my greeting, she accidentally knocked over the cup of pens next to the computer. “Oh, sugarplums.”

Her idea of a swearing made me giggle, but my laughter dried up when the cold air outside hit my lungs. “Brrr, it’s chilly.”

Danny winked at me. “We can head back inside, and I’ll get you as hot as you want.”

I was sorely tempted by his offer. “I just might take you up on that…once the kids are on the bunny hill with my dad.”

Even though the bedrooms had an entire room between them, our kids would definitely come looking for us in the middle of the day. No sexytimes would be had unless they were out of the suite or sound asleep.

“Speaking of the bunny hill,” he muttered, changing direction when he spotted a man leaning against the sign for the ski school.

I wasn’t surprised that he wanted to quiz the guy about his experience since we were putting Dexter and Dana into their care tomorrow. Danny was just as protective of our children as my dad was with my half-siblings and me.

I thought he looked familiar but didn’t realize who he was until he gave Danny a chin lift and said, “Hey, I’m Lincoln Granger, the head ski instructor. How can I help you?”

I gasped and nudged Danny’s side. “He’s way overqualified to teach Dexter and Dana. He’s won an insane number of pro snowboarding competitions.”

Danny’s eyes narrowed. “But are you good with kids?”

“I better be.” Lincoln gestured toward a little girl, racing down the bunny hill like a pro, who only looked a year or two older than Dana, who was five. “Lana is my oldest, but I have another daughter, and my wife will be delivering our third any day now.”

Lincoln’s answer eased Danny’s fears, so we said our goodbyes and headed toward the nearest ski lift. Once we were at the top of the mountain, we hopped off and skied to the nearest green circle trail. As we got ready to tackle the slope, I grinned up at my hubby. “First one down gives the other a full-body massage after the kids fall asleep tonight. With a happy ending.”

The challenge wasn’t fair for him since I was the better skier, but that didn’t stop Danny from accepting it. Or following through later that night, making me bite my pillow to stop myself from screaming too loudly.