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Unsure if I’d heard her correctly, I replied, “Did you say you weren’t that crazy?”
She didn’t hesitate to respond. “Yes.”
I took a moment to try to consider what she thought would be crazy about spending the day out on the mountain in near-perfect conditions to snowboard. Then it hit me what she must have been thinking.
“I realize we just met not even twenty-four hours ago, Indy, but I promise I’m not some serial killer or anything like that,” I insisted. “You won’t need to worry about your safety. I really will just teach you how to snowboard.”
A look of horror marred her features. “Oh, Griffin, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to insinuate that I thought you were a bad guy. When I said I wasn’t that crazy, I meant that I don’t exactly like doing risky things. I can think of nothing riskier to do right now than me attempting to learn how to snowboard.”
My lips twitched. For the first time since I sat down with her, I felt like I’d gotten this intimate detail about her, and I liked having it.
“Not even on the bunny hill?” I asked.
She cocked an eyebrow. “I’m not convinced they have a bunny hill on a mountain of this size.”
“There’s a spot that’s meant for beginners. It’s very tame,” I assured her.
“That’s good for those who are willing to take the risk,” she returned.
I couldn’t stop myself from letting out a laugh. “My mother would love you,” I blurted. When I realized what I said, which happened right around the same time Indy gasped, there was no choice but to backtrack and try to explain myself. “Sorry. That came out wrong, didn’t it? I just meant to say that my mom isn’t exactly thrilled with the idea of extreme sports and insists that I’m some kind of daredevil.”
For some strange reason, my attempt to alleviate Indy’s concerns had failed. If anything, she looked more concerned after I’d provided her with an explanation. And I found that to be strange.
Then again, I was a grown man sitting across from a woman I’d just met talking to her about how much my mother would love her. It didn’t matter how innocent it was. There was no question it could be considered creepy.
Seemingly feeling pressured to respond, Indy returned, “She sounds like a smart woman.”
“There’s no question about that, but she’s still terrified of far too much, in my opinion,” I returned. When Indy didn’t respond, I hadn’t wanted things to get any more awkward than they already were. So, I smiled, gave her a nod, and said, “Alright, so I’m getting the distinct feeling there’s nothing I can do to convince you to change your mind about snowboarding.”
“You would be right about that,” she noted.
“Fair enough,” I replied as I stood. “I’ll get out of your hair then. It was nice talking to you, Indy.”
“Yeah, you, too. Have fun snowboarding today, Griffin.”
With that, I turned and walked away, feeling utterly humiliated.
What had I been thinking?
That was just it. I hadn’t been thinking.
There was something so mysterious about Indy, and I was drawn to that. Every time she spoke or the look on her face changed, it was clear she was holding something back. It struck me as odd that I was even interested in knowing what it was.
Worst of all, despite embarrassing myself the way I just had, I told myself I wouldn’t let it get me down.
I’d go out and spend the day riding today.
The access road wouldn’t be opening any time soon, and since she wasn’t going to be hopping on a pair of skis or heading out on a snowboard, I’d have the opportunity to see Indy again later.
Maybe next time I’d have better luck and could redeem myself.
After all, I had a successful career, because I chose to never give up, even when the outlook was bleak.
If I could do it out on the water, where the sharks could have been chasing me, I could certainly do it while stranded on a snowy mountain with a beautiful woman.
SIX
Indy
