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“Well, you picked a solid place to land and pick up the pieces. I grew up here, but there are lots of people who fall in love with Aspen Ridge and just never leave.”
“Yeah, I’ve visited a few times, and it always seemed like a great place to raise a family. Small town, but big enough to feel you’re not missing anything. Not to mention a world-class ski resort in your backyard. My kids have never been skiing, but they’re already looking forward to learning.”
James smiled widely at that. “Well, you couldn’t pick a better place. We have great instructors here—of course my kids have been on skis practically since they could walk. Liam actually switched to snowboarding last season, and now Ava wants to switch as well. But if you need a hookup for an instructor, just let me know. We’re all family here. We take care of each other.”
A cinder of warmth spread through my chest. “Thanks, man, I appreciate it.” I offered my hand for another shake and he gripped it firmly, his expression far more open than a few minutes ago.
“Of course, anytime. Not that she has a lot of enemies, but if Ellie likes you, you’re good people in my book.”
I tried not to read too much into the statement ‘Ellie likes you’ and followed silently while he led me into the barn.
* * *
The phrase ‘back in the saddle’felt rather ironic, in more than a few ways. I rode a horse a few times, long before I joined the Air Force and definitely before I had kids. The handler walked us through some basic horse info and made sure everyone had a good seat before we took off up the trail. Olivia attacked horseback riding the same way she approached everything in life: with single-minded, fierce determination. Ava rode beside her and gave her friendly pointers like only one kid could teach another.
Ellie rode beside me, and I was extremely grateful she offered to take Ethan on her horse. There wasn’t a ton of room in my saddle and my horse seemed a little skittish, while hers plodded dutifully along. Ethan had a firm hold of the reins and was one-hundred percent convinced he was all that stood between them and certain death. Ellie kept him from over compensating and we enjoyed a pleasant ride along the wide, smooth trails that wove through the mountains.
When our tour was over, the kids asked to visit the other events together. James and Ellie agreed to meet us at the festival entrance. During the short ride between locations, I enjoyed listening to Ethan and Olivia chat excitedly about the horses.
When we arrived, James immediately offered to take all four kids around to play lawn games while Ellie gave me a tour of the festival. I could hardly say no, so while the kids ran off to start a game of corn hole, Ellie led me up a wide aisle of booths.
When she said the town participated, I didn’t really understand what she meant. But now I was quickly grasping the importance of Aspen Ridge Resort to the community. There were dozens of booths, each with a sign proclaiming their business, but all hosting some sort of carnival game. Some were simple games for kids–like Go Fish, where the child could cast a line over a wall and someone behind would attach a small prize to their ‘hook’. Others were more games of skill or chance, and all free to play. A local coffee shop, Bear Paw Brew, offered fresh coffee and tea. Crowds of employees shuffled between the booths, visiting friends and enjoying the festival atmosphere.
“This is pretty epic,” I commented, and Ellie grinned.
“Thank you. I think it gets better every year.”
“It’s like…” I searched for the right words to describe my feelings. “It’s like an eighties movie.”
Ellie barked a laugh. “I can’t say that’s what I was going for.”
Heat rushed to my cheeks. “I just mean there’s this warm, ‘welcome home’ feeling to it. It reminds me of watching an eighties movie.” When I saw her one-eyebrow raised side-eye, I gave up. “Ignore me. I’m not making sense.”
“It’s an interesting description for our little Fall Fest, but I think I understand where you’re coming from. I love eighties movies too, and this certainly evokes a feeling of nostalgia.”
“Yes, nostalgia, thank you. There’s something very nostalgic about it.”
“I agree.”
We walked in silence for a moment while I struggled for something to say. Ellie didn’t seem bothered. She beamed around at the people enjoying the celebration she had put together, seemingly just appreciating the results of her work. A few people passed and offered their thanks, and Ellie accepted graciously.
“The ride went well,” she commented eventually.
“Oh, yes, the trail ride. It did! It’s been awhile since I’ve been on a horse, but I think I did okay.”
“I meant for the kids, but yes, you did a great job, too.” Her voice turned indulgent with a hint of sarcasm, and I flushed deeper.
“Of course. I hope Ethan behaved for you. Thanks, by the way, for redirecting him when he got upset. I’m still learning how to manage it, but you seem to be a pro.”
“Liam was like that, at his age. Super quick to blow his top over the littlest things. I think it helps to have an outsider redirect, since I seemed better at it than James, now that I think about it.”
“Or maybe you’re just great with kids,” I suggested, bumping her shoulder with mine. “It’s okay to own it. I’m not offended that you might be better at handling my kids than I am. I’m working on it, but let’s just say it’s not something I consider myself naturally gifted at.”
Ellie’s smile widened. “I do like kids, but I’m not sure I’d say ‘gifted’. Sometimes it’s just easier to go with the flow, try to bolster their little egos instead of crush them.”
“You think I was crushing his ego?”
“Well, yeah. You said he’s seven, right? And Ava is six, she’s obviously younger, but she sits a horse herself. So with her older brother watching—Liam being a giant nine year-old, you know–Ethan couldn’t be caught dead needing help.”
