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“I bet you were smart enough to take a lesson.”
“I was,” she said with a smile. She tilted her head. “Were you?”
He laughed. “Not at first, but yes, I did take lessons when I realized it wasn’t as easy as it looks.”
When their morning shift was over and it was time for lunch, Leo and Gracie skied down to the lodge. But before Leo went to the locker room, he took the opportunity to call home to wish his family a Merry Christmas.
As his phone rang, he pictured his mother in her tacky Christmas sweater her grandchildren had given her a few years back. She wore it every Christmas Eve, and he recalled the scents of the roast beef dinner she’d be making.
“Hey, Mom.”
“Sweetie, it’s so good to hear your voice. I can’t believe how much I’m missing you, and I have a few things I’d like to say to Richard and Donna because of it. Are you okay?”
As a warrior, Leo often had assignments he had to keep a secret from his parents. But he hadn’t been told not to share his current one, and his mother knew where he was and why. “I’m fine, Mom. I’ve found my true mate.”
“Oh my goodness! This girl really is your true mate? Tell me all about her.”
“Gracie is amazing, Mom. She’s got the biggest heart, and you should see her with children.”
“Well, that’s good. Does she know she’ll likely be having twins or triplets yet?”
He chuckled, because his mother loved her grandchildren and had pestered him numerous times about providing her with more. “I haven’t told her about that yet. She still doesn’t know about werebear.”
“Oh my gosh.” Concern laced her voice. “However are you going to break that news, Leo?”
“I’m waiting until she’s so in love she can’t live without me.”
“Well, that’s easy. Doesn’t she already feel that way? I know she’s part human, but surely the true-mate attraction is strong for her, too.”
“It is, but —” Worry filled Leo, because while he wanted to believe the rest of his mission would be easy, he couldn’t be sure. He kicked at a chunk of packed snow a grooming truck had left behind, and he watched it break up into small pieces. “Mom, she’s still got the free will to walk away if she wishes.”
“Right. I remember that part.” His mother sighed. “I’m sure you’ll figure it out like you always do.”
“I will,” he said with the confidence of a warrior.
“Good. I expect you to bring her home for a visit the first chance you get. Your father and I can’t wait to meet our future daughter-in-law.”
“I will. Merry Christmas, Mom.”
“Merry Christmas to you too, Leo. Can we call you in the morning? I know your father will want to talk to you.”
“I’d like that.” When he heard skis clattering, he glanced over to the equipment racks to see skis and snowboards were falling down like a trail of dominoes. But more concerning was that it was either Donna or Richard who had knocked them over. “I’m free until eight,” he said to his mother.
“Perfect,” his mother said. “We’ll be on the second pot of coffee by then.” His parents liked to go over to his sister’s house to watch their grandkids open presents.
“I’ve got to go. Love you, Mom.”
“I love you too, Leo.”
As he walked toward the matchmakers, he wondered if they had something to tell him that might ruin his chance to be with Gracie.
Donna said, “Leo, be a dear and help me pick these up.”
Richard was already helping, and it made Leo think it was Donna who had knocked the equipment over. He noticed they were both wearing ski gear. “Are you two skiing?” he asked.
“Yes,” Richard said. “We’ve been schussing down the trail.”
“How are things going with Gracie?” Donna pumped her eyebrows. “Any schussing of your own?”
