“It’s no trouble.” Jay wanted to say more, but now wasn’t the time.
“So how did you find me?” She shrugged off his coat and handed it back to him. “With that fire, I’m getting overly warm.”
“God directed me. I was about to give up for the night when I saw a footprint in the light snow under the trees. Then I thought of this old cabin. The farmer picked up stakes and headed further west before I arrived in Plymouth. When I saw the smoke at the cabin, I knew it must be you.” He had offered God a few vows that he would have to honor for finding her safe and in good health.
“I sent up a bunch of prayers as well.” Laura’s face grew somber. “There’s no more wood. How will we survive the night?”
“By going home.”
Laura stood and ran to the door. She pulled it open and looked outside. “But it’s still snowing.” Cold wind whistled through the door as if to emphasize her point. She pushed it closed.
“It’s light snow. We can see well enough.”
“But where’s your horse?” She looked to the right and to the left. “He’s not here. Did he run away?”
“No, I don’t have a horse here. I came on the wagon with you, remember?”
She pulled the door shut and stared at him. “Then how are we getting home?”
She would hate his answer. “We have the perfect way to get back, especially now that the moon is lighting the way.”
“How?” She blinked. “Oh, no, you don’t mean …”
“The campfire area is less than a mile in that direction. You walked almost all the way around the hill top. If you had kept going, you would have found it. We have our choice of the best toboggans to be found in all of Plymouth.”
“No.” She took a step away from him. “Absolutely not.” She took another step, then another. “You know what happened the last time I was on a toboggan.” She backed into the corner.
The soft approach would take days, and they only had a few hours before they ran out of logs. He decided to go straight forward.
Walk calmly, unafraid. Keep your eyes on hers. It worked with soldiers before battle, and it worked with Laura. He walked slowly, his eyes fixed on hers. When he reached her, she allowed him to put his hands on her shoulders. “Laura. You had one life-changing experience with a toboggan.” He smiled. “Tonight will change you again. For the better.” He lifted her chin with a finger. “Do you trust me?”
“Yes.” Her voice quivered.
“Then trust me in this. By God’s grace, and my skill, we’ll be fine.” He half-turned, then faced her again. “Come with me, Laura.”
There was a long pause. She swallowed and nodded twice. Then, she leaned forward and planted a quick kiss on his lips. “I will.”
What just happened? Stunned, Jay didn’t move.
Laura tugged on his arm. “We need to get going.” Laughter brightened her eyes.
Jay used a compass to keep them on target, and they arrived at the stack of toboggans within half an hour.
Laura stared at the many toboggans, unmoving.
“Come on over. Tell me which one you prefer.” Jay was determined to help her overcome her fear.
“No. You choose it, and I’ll ride it.”
Riding down the hill on a toboggan with the woman he loved—Wait. Loved? If they survived this test, love, yes. Tobogganing was the most romantic sport that winter had to offer, and Laura was terrified.
Each of the toboggans in the stack had worked perfectly last winter. He checked them for any possible damage and found none. Laura waited, mittened hands balled on her cheeks, only her eyes hinting at her determination to overcome her fear.
If a toboggan ride was their best way to get down the hill, only the best would do. He chose one with red paint bright against the snow. It stood at seven feet, long enough for them to ride in comfort with their feet against the lip and a firm hold on the reins. He ran his hands over the rope for fraying and found none.
“This is the one.” He removed it from the rack and laid it out.
~
Laura slammed her eyes shut after Jay touched a red toboggan, then schooled herself to trust him. She imagined what it looked like perched at the top of a snowy hill. The scene could grace a Christmas card.
Unfortunately, the beauty filled her with dread. Bile rose in her throat, threatening to rid her body of the ham sandwich.
“We need to go soon.” Jay made no move to rush her.
His calm demeanor allowed her to speak the truth without fear of anger. “I know I must. But I don’t know if I can.”
He gathered her in his arms, and she felt a sense of peace. He brought his lips close to her ear and whispered. “I could list all the reasons why this trip will be perfectly safe. But I won’t. Your experience frightens you against all facts. But I will promise you this: I would give my life for yours.”
“You can’t. If there’s an accident, we’ll both be dead.” She mumbled the words into his coat. She knew she was being irrational, even mean. Why was she treating this dear, kind, brave man so badly? Her dreams of a future with him came down to this moment.
He took a step back but kept his arms around her waist, looking at her face. “Don’t you know by now I would walk from here to Maine if you needed my help? Haven’t you figured out I love you?”
He said a few more words, but Laura didn’t hear them. Jay loved her. A smile grew from the inside out. She slipped her arms around his waist and met his gaze, which caressed her as if in warm chocolate. All her doubts melted in the warmth of his gaze. “Why would you love someone like me?”
“Let me show you.” He bent slowly forward, brushing her lips with his. She waited, longing for another kiss, but he stepped back.
“The moon is out. Just in time.” Before she lost her courage, she gathered her skirts and settled on the sled. Jay lost no time in climbing behind her, keeping her snug and safe.
“When you look at the hill, remember how easy the trip up was, how the horses pulled a wagon full of hay and people as if they were treading on level ground. There is just enough snow on the ground for a smooth ride.”
Jay’s reasons didn’t help her fears. But she did have faith in God—and in Jay—to bring them home safely.
Laura twisted around and put a finger on his lips. “There is only one thing you need to know before you shove off. I love you too.”
Jay’s arms covered hers, folding their hands together. “God, You’ve already performed a miracle here tonight. Now we ask that You bring us safely down this hill. Amen.”
“Amen,” Laura whispered.
Jay’s arms disappeared from her waist. His hands dug in the snow and inched the sled forward an inch—a foot—until momentum took over. His arms touched her waist as he handled the ropes in front of her.
After a few yards, the road ahead disappeared as the slant outran the moonlight. Instinctively, she closed her eyes and ducked, ready for low-hanging tree branches to find her head. But none did.
Wind whipped her cheek and whistled in her ears. Snow hissed where the toboggan dug a path, and every breath of air coated her throat with ice. Conversation was impossible.
In spite of the speed and the cold, Laura felt protected in Jay’s arms. He remained steady, the toboggan veering neither to the right or the left, holding the rope with just enough tension to control their descent.
When it seemed they must have reached the bottom of the hill, Laura opened one eye, then the other. Snow kicked back on the sides in an ark, creating a white rainbow. Jay’s arms, clad in his blue woolen coat and matching mittens, outlined the dark night contrasted by the rope. With him guiding the sled, she felt—almost—safe.
The toboggan flew straight and true but trees came closer and receded, always too far away to threaten any harm. They approached a small incline, their speed too great to stop. When they passed the crest, the meadow surrounding the town came into view.
The toboggan slid into the meadow at full speed, slowing bit by bit u
ntil they came to a complete stop.
Jay helped Laura to her feet, his eyes searching her face. “Are you all right?”
She hesitated for a moment, just long enough to tease him. “Can we do it again? In the daylight, next time?”
With their arms linked together, they walked toward town. One night on the mountain had changed things forever.
~
A Thanksgiving spread fit for President Grant filled Aunt Minnie’s house. All Laura had contributed was cranberry sauce she’d brought from Maine. Cranberry blogs didn’t exist in Nebraska. Aunt Minnie had cooked for days, while Laura and Eliza spent every possible minute with Jay.
That wasn’t difficult, because Jay spent any time not occupied with other patients working with Eliza. The progress they had made in six short weeks seemed impossible. When Jay was elsewhere and Eliza was cooking, Laura holed herself in her room, writing the book she had always dreamed of. Coasting down the mountain with Jay had given her the courage to start.
Today’s gathering was fairly small. In addition to Laura, Eliza, and Aunt Minnie, Jay and his father would join them. Of course, Jay ate with them frequently. Dr. Andrews said he never refused a meal he didn’t have to cook.
Even though she hadn’t cooked much, Laura did have one special contribution to make to the day’s activities. She called everyone together before the meal.
“We are going to write a Thanksgiving poem together.”
“Nonsense.” Aunt Minnie shook her head. “I’m no poet.”
“Don’t worry.” Eliza wheeled herself to the living room. “Laura always has interesting party games.”
“I read Psalm 136 the other day. Almost every verse ends with the phrase, ‘for his mercy endureth forever.’ We’re going to do the same thing: mention one thing we are thankful for, and the rest of us will say ‘for his mercy endureth forever.’ If you can’t think of something, you’ll have to pay a forfeit.”
The first three rounds went quickly—salvation, family, animals, new friends. Dr. Andrews started off a round with a hint of humor. “I’m thankful for no medical emergencies.”
“Yet.” Jay said.
Amid chuckles, they repeated, “For his mercy endureth forever.”
“I’m thankful for that Jay has helped me learn how to do more for myself,” Eliza said.
“Amen,” Laura echoed. “And I’m thankful to be thankful.”
“Hey, you skipped the refrain. ‘For his mercy endureth forever.’”
“And that wasn’t what I wanted to say.” Laura looked straight at Jay. “I’m thankful for—toboggans.”
“For his mercy endureth forever.”
“And that God brought you both home safely,” Aunt Minnie added.
“For his mercy endureth forever.”
Everyone looked at Jay. “I have to forfeit.”
Laura was puzzled. Surely Jay had a long list of things to thank God for. “What should your forfeit be, then?”
He crossed the room to kneel in front of her. “That I should love and serve you every day for the rest of my life, if you are willing to marry me.” He opened a box with a perfect opal set in white gold.
The question made Laura lightheaded with happiness. She managed to say, “‘for his mercy endureth forever.’ With all my heart, Jay, my answer is yes!”
Their hands touched as he slid the ring on her finger. He stood and took her in his arms. He looked at her face a moment before his lips reached her. “Only God knew a toboggan could lead to a forever love.”
The End
Other books in the Love’s Sporting Chance series:
Love Over Par
The Reversal
Lured by Love
The Skiing Suitor
On Thin Ice
Tobogganing for Two
Taking the Plunge
Love by the Reins
Take a Peak
Forbidden Dance
The Steeplechase
For more great stories visit www.forgetmenotromances.com
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Darlene Franklin’s greatest claim to fame is that she writes full-time from a nursing home. She lives in Oklahoma, near her son and his family, and continues her interests in playing the piano and singing, books, good fellowship, and reality TV in addition to writing.
Ms. Franklin is a graduate of Northeastern Bible College and Southwestern Baptist Seminary. Her devotionals have appeared in sixteen books and five magazines. It Is Well with My Soul was written and compiled by Ms. Franklin.
Ms. Franklin has also written more than thirty works of fiction. You can find Darlene online at http://darlenefranklinwrites.com/
https://www.facebook.com/Poet.Darlene.Franklin
http://www.amazon.com/DarleneFranklin/e/B001K8993A/
The Reformed Cowboy in The Cowboy’s Bride Collection, Barbour, 2016
A Bride’s Rogue in Roma, Texas, in Brides of the Old West, June 1, 2015
The Face of Mary in A Texas Christmas, September 1, 2015
DRESSED FOR DEATH SERIES
Gunfight at Grace Gulch
A String of Murders
Paint Me a Murder
MAPLE NOTCH SAGA
Maple Notch Brides
Prodigal Patriot
Bridge to Love
Love’s Raid
Maple Notch Dreams
Hidden Dreams
Golden Dreams
Homefront Dreams
Maple Notch Days
Saving Felicity
Small-Town Bachelor
Miss Bliss and the Bear in Preacher Brides
Priceless Pearl in Homestead Brides
COLORADO MELODIES SERIES
Romanian Rhapsodies
Plainsong
Knight Music
Colorado Melodies
Love’s Raid in New England Romance Collection
It Is Well With my Soul
Calico Brides
Angel in Disguise in Texas Brides
Merry Christmas, With Love in Postmark: Christmas
A Bride’s Rogue in Roma, Texas
Pride’s Fall
TEXAS TRAILS SERIES
Lone Star Trail
First Christmas in Christmas at Barncastle Inn
Face of Mary in A Woodland Christmas
Beacon of Love
Seaside Romance
A READER’S JOURNEY SERIES
A Reader’s Journey through Matthew
HOLIDAYS OF THE HEART SERIES
Christmas Visitors,
My Candy Valentine
Love’s Glory
An Apple for Christmas
THE SKIING SUITOR
By Niki Turner
Dedication:
To my wonderful daughter, for faithfully reading whatever I write and offering constructive criticism, even though it’s not her preferred genre. To my Inkwell Inspirations sisters on the sixth anniversary of our group blog: Your unflagging support and encouragement is more precious to me than you can possibly know. And added thanks to Anita Mae Draper, Debra Marvin, and Gina Welborn for their assistance with this story!
So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view.
Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer.
2 Cor. 5:16 NIV
1
Steamboat Springs, Colorado—1926
Dr. Warren Kelly pressed his forehead against the chilly glass of the train window, marveling at the walls of snow—as high as the train in some places—piled beside the tracks. On one side a nearly vertical mountain reached as high as he could see through the window. On the other side (he knew, because he’d sneaked over to an empty seat to peek), the same steep incline dropped hundreds of feet to a river that sparkled like a strand of Christmas tinsel at the bottom of the valley. It was like nothing he’d ever seen.
And that was why he’d agreed to take over the med
ical practice of a retiring family physician in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. The terrain, the climate, and the lifestyle were guaranteed to be completely different from anything he’d known growing up on the plains of Iowa. He needed different. Against his father’s wishes, he’d gone to medical school in St. Louis and gotten his degree, fully expecting to start his own practice, marry the girl of his dreams from his hometown, and begin a family that would be the polar opposite of the household he’d known growing up. He’d had everything planned—because everything Warren did was orderly—only to find that the girl he’d hoped to marry (though he hadn’t asked her), had bobbed her hair, started smoking, and moved to Louisville to work as a singer on one of the riverboat speakeasies.
His orderly plan had been deconstructed in less than two weeks. And so, for the first time in his life, Warren Kelly had done something wild and unpredictable. He’d gone back to the apartment he shared with three other med students, packed his bags, and started looking for a job somewhere far, far away. The advertisement for the Steamboat Springs position had been buried on the bottom of page six of the Kentucky Kernel weekly newspaper. He’d considered it a godsend.
Warren leaned back and reached into his pocket for the letter of welcome from Doc Eby. That was how the man signed his name. They’d spoken on the phone, and Warren guessed the man had to be in his eighties if he was a day. He was retiring to Florida, getting “out of this dad-burned cold weather,” he’d said.
Doc Eby didn’t bother waiting for Warren to get from St. Louis to Steamboat. He high-tailed it out of town as soon as Warren accepted the position, explaining in a telegram that he wanted to beat the “deep snow.” That had been two weeks earlier. Warren peered out at the snow again and raised a brow. If this wasn’t the deep snow, what was? The train had come around a corner just outside of town and screeched to a halt, a small avalanche blocking the track.
According to the letter, when Warren arrived he would find the key to the doctor’s office and further instructions at the general store. Warren could finish out the six-month lease on the office and adjoining apartment above the store and then decide if he wanted to stay.
“If you make it through a whole winter in the ’Boat, you’ll have a better idea what you’re in for,” Doc Eby said when they spoke over the phone, his voice crackling into something that could have been laughter.
Love's Sporting Chance: Volume 2: 5 Romantic Sporting Novellas Page 13