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CHAPTER 13
History repeated itself—henever called. My anger toward him mounted as the days passed.
I immersed myself in work. I posted promotions for the calendar on Instagram and tagged all the athletes so they could repost. Pre-order sales were even higher than expected. Comments on Instagram were filled with fire emojis.
Every few days, snow fell by the inches creating high snow berms along the roadways.
I continued to work at the Foundation while I slowly built up a possible client list of riders for the spring.
A few days before Christmas, I’d walked into the square to get some lunch. Dark, gray clouds hung heavy in the sky, ready to burst with more snow.
After lunching on minestrone soup and thick artisan bread at my favorite café, I walked through the square, window shopping for gifts.
When I reached Brooks Outfitters, I tried to covertly peek in the windows to see if Jacob was working.
“He’s not here.” I jumped. Caught in the act.
Cody was sitting on a bench around the corner. “Oh, you startled me. I’m admiring your winter mannequin.”
“Uh-huh.” He sipped a coffee.
I took a seat next to him. “What are you doing outside?”
“I’m counting fake furs.” A small smile curved on his lips.
I glanced at him sideways, shaking my head. “And butt-draggers?”
He laughed. “Snowboarders ruin it for us skiers.”
The winter snow and approaching Christmas holidays were bringing in the uber wealthy and ski bunnies, concerned only with looking good.
I pulled my Sherpa jacket tight around me. “Really, what are you doing outside?”
He glanced sideways at me. “Just chillin’.”
Expensive SUVs cruised through town on the way to mountain homes.
Cody and I sat together in silence, watching the crowds stroll by on the wooden planked walkway.
After a few moments, I asked quietly, “Where is he?”
He was quick to respond. “He said he had to go back to California for a few days. He’s driving back with his parents for Christmas.”
“Hmm.” I mused.
“I suppose you’re spending the holidays with them?” he asked.
“Most likely.” I told him.
Cody was always so private, I wondered if he had family nearby. I worried that maybe he was lonely. I asked, “Do you have plans for the holidays?”
He shot me a crooked grin. “I think I might hang out with some of the butt-draggers.”
“They seem like just your type,” I teased, and he laughed out loud, making him cough.
“Yep, just my type.”
A companionable silence settled between us as we continued watching the tourists stroll by.
