by Linda West
She was feeling the twinge in her back much less frequently too, and she allowed herself to dream of the crowds at the Olympics, of the commentators calling out her name. She imagined getting on that podium and taking the Gold Medal, waving to the crowd as the national anthem swelled around her. All of Kissing Bridge would be so proud.
Her dream come true.
Except the part where Brody would be standing next to her...
Not hearing from Brody was becoming unbearable. The only thing that stopped her mind was to move her body. She began training harder then ever to squeeze out all the thoughts that tumbled over and over inside her. It had become her new habit to train all day, sun up until sun down. She knew she was pushing herself way too hard but she was determined to stay busy. That way she would be exhausted and able to fall asleep without thoughts of her and Brody bubbling up to consume her.
It was a beautiful day on the mountain. The new snow the night before had left it in perfect powder conditions. Breathing in deeply at the top, taking the cold mountain air into her lungs, Kacey committed to the toughest series of stunts she’d ever attempted. She had been working on a new trick when she had hurt herself and had not had the guts to try it again. Today was that day. After all, she had nothing to lose. She had already lost the love of her life.
Whoosh, she was off.
First, a front side lipslide. Done.
Then a Japan Air. Perfect, even if she did say so herself.
Next, a Backside Rodeo 720. Yes!
Power Method. Hit it perfectly.
Then a Cannonball, a Tailfish, a KB, then a mammoth backside Rodeo Flip off the jump at the bottom of the slope.
Yes! Yes! Yes! Her heart was beating like crazy as she drifted onto the flat. She’d never managed to perfect such a series before.
She felt exalted.
All her hard work, all her deceptions had been for this;
this perfect moment, this perfect flow, and ultimate connection. It was what she was born for. She knew she was ready for the Olympics, right then and there.
As soon as showed the coaches how well she had healed, she’d be back on the circuit. That way Brody couldn’t ignore her.
It had taken all her strength not to pick up the phone and call him, but she’d banned herself from doing so, just like she’d banned herself from saying ‘I love you’ first. He’d have to make the move if he was interested.
But there, standing next to him in the Winners’ Circle, he wouldn’t be able to put her out of his mind.
She’d throw down the best new big air trick ever, and he’d remember why they were perfect for each other!
She jumped back on the lift to make one more trip down.
She was ready to try it. She felt in better shape then ever and she couldn’t wait to bust this out on the snowboarding crowd. Her creative grab and the “Anderson Twist,” as she called, it had never been seen before.
The difficulty was off the charts.
The first time she had done it was by sheer accident. Then it had become her dream, and nemesis. She had practiced it over and over.
It had, in fact, been what she was doing when she herniated her disk in that fateful fall.
But that wasn’t stopping Kacey Anderson.
She had to get her signature flip perfected.
Then she’d be unbeatable.
Then she’d have everything she wanted.
Chapter 14
When she’d come down the third time – again, hitting the “Anderson Twist” perfect – she came face-to-face with Tanner.
He looked handsome in a black Patagonia ski coat and matching black cap. Kacey was taken aback by his presence. She had thought he had left yesterday with the rest of the camera crew.
“Hey, didn’t think you’d still be hanging around Kissing Bridge.”
Tanner eyed her mischievously.
“Are you trying to get rid of me?”
Kacey blushed. “No, I …just thought—”
He kissed her quickly it was as if it never happened.
“You’re so cute. That was amazing! I wish I could have got that on camera. I thought you might be hungry after all that riding. You want to catch some lunch at the Lodge?” he asked her.
Kacey was still caught off guard by the kiss. She didn’t know what to think about that, but her stomach was growling for certain.
She smiled shyly and conceded, “Okay. I am awfully hungry.”
Soon they were by the fire, eating huge plates of meatballs and spaghetti—one of Earl’s specialties. The fire light flickered off the walls and Tanner’s deep dark eyes danced with the mirror images of the flames. Kacey was entranced by how deeply they drew her in. He leant forward and looked deeply into her grey eyes across from his.
“I’m so glad you are training Kacey. That trick was amazing. I see a great future ahead.” he said. Although, by the intensity of his stare, she knew he was talking about something much deeper than that moment.
A fluttering in her heart made her look down at the plate, concentrating on cutting a meatball in half.
“Kacey, look into my eyes.” His deep voice was gentle, but commanding.
She looked up into them and almost lost herself there. Her own voice sounded far away to her. “Yes?”
He glanced around to check that no one else was in the room. They were alone.
“I am falling in love with you, Kacey.”
Suddenly everything in her mind was thrown out of orbit.
“I know we’ve just met, but I’m leaving Kissing Bridge so soon, and it made me realize I don’t want to lose you,” he said. “So I’m asking you to come with me.”
“Wow,” she said, leaning back in her seat.
Her mind was going a mile a minute and her heart fluttered at those three little words that he had just said. How much she had hoped Brody would say those words... She hadn’t expected this.
“Where are you going?”
“To the Maldives,” he said. “Filming more about climate change, and taking this thing to a whole new level. The Maldives are the first casualty of the rising temps and we need to be on the forefront of how it’s affecting the people on the ground.”
“Wow,” she said again. The Maldives had always been a place she’d wanted to go, but… “It’s the middle of the season, Tanner. I can’t just go off to an island right now. I’m training.”
Suddenly, that passion that she so admired in him spilled out in his voice. He reached across the table and took her hands in his.
“I’m not a little boy like your other boyfriends, Kacey. I’m not looking to do underwear commercials to fill my pockets. I’m trying to change the world for the better.”
She sucked her breath in with the reference to Brody.
Tanner looked at her with love.
“I believe in you, Kacey. I believe you can help me make that difference. There are really only two kinds of people in this world—those who care about making it a better planet, and those who care about themselves. Which one are you?”
Kacey’s head was spinning.
She knew he was right.
In the end, history would look back and ask why her generation hadn’t done more to help. She began to wonder if she had been going the wrong direction her entire life. Tanner seemed so sure of himself, so righteous, so empathetic. She had never met anyone quite like him. Maybe he could change the world.
He saw her confusion as her grey eyes went stormy with conflicted thoughts.
He softened his approach. Tanner lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it gently.
“Medal’s are souvenirs. We’re talking about our children’s future here, Kacey.”
“Children?” Kacey was taken aback. “Was that a hypothetical child, or are you—”
Tanner’s eyes blazed. “I’m saying I want to save the world with you. I want us to be a team. Partners. In our work, and in our life. What do you say?”
Kacey looked down at her hands, her heart in a knot.
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She loved snowboarding, and couldn’t imagine giving it up, even if it was for the beauty of the Maldives. She’d spent her life, it seemed, preparing for those medals, preparing for that Olympic moment. Maybe she could do both. Maybe she could have it all.
But…maybe she couldn’t.
Maybe like Brody, if she didn’t stay with Tanner, she might lose him—as she had lost the connection with Brody.
Tanner was talking forever. To save the planet, which truly needed help, to work together to change a dying world, and to do that for the good of all people… What a beautiful, important calling. She imagined herself flying around the world with their children, fighting against big business corruption. His words cut into her reverie.
“I want to marry you someday, Kacey.”
This was so sudden. She wasn’t even over Brody. But Tanner loved her. He loved the world and wanted to help. He didn’t need a break.
“Will you come with me and think about it?”
Kacey gulped, then nodded.
Tanner wrapped his arms around her and kissed her tenderly.
Kacey hugged him back, and felt a surge of emotion fill her like never before.
She also felt divided.
She had loved Brody so much, but he had broken her heart.
Now God had sent her this wonderful man with this beautiful proposal for a new life. She should be jumping for joy.
After her horrible fall, and loss of love, it seemed like everything in her life might be turning for the better. The Olympics were a moment, but she and Tanner would be forever.
“I’m just going to compete in the US Open and then I’ll go with you, Tanner. We’ll fight this together, forever.”
Chapter 15
Kacey felt a new lease on life, like the very air she breathed had a different taste. So what if she still had feelings for Brody? He obviously didn’t hold any for her anymore. Maybe time away on a far-flung island with the world’s most handsome and passionate activist would do her some good. There’d be nothing there to remind her of Brody and her heartbreak—no colossal mountains, no snow.
Once she’d got the US Open down, she’d be on a plane to a faraway place, where her heart could mend and she could leave the troubles of the past behind.
Of course, she’d have to face Brody there. She looked down at her marriage finger.
Tanner had promised her a ring but had not picked it out yet. She was happy she wouldn’t have to explain a ring to the press or to Brody—not that he’d care.
Kacey planned to put her full heart into training.
She might not be crazy in love, but she felt safe knowing that there was something on the other side for her. She didn’t have to worry about her future anymore.
*******************
Kacey headed back to the slope early the next morning, determined to get her big final jump prepared. She knew her signature trick the “Anderson Twist” would be something so spectacular, that everyone would gasp. Being unique was the most coveted quality of a snowboarder. Kacey knew she had invented a move like nothing the world had ever seen before. Not only was the move insanely cool, but Kacey was likely the only boarder who had the athleticism to pull it off.
Okay, maybe Brody, she conceded.
She smiled at the thought of “98” she couldn’t help but adore him. He really was an enigma—even to himself.
Kacey surveyed the run. It looked perfect. She stretched her arms above her head and twisted her body in a quick warm up. She felt good. She felt strong.
She set off down the shorter slope approaching the ridge, grinning, when she imagined Tanner’s face when she showed off her perfected version to him.
And as soon as she hit the ledge, she tried to twist and turn in just the right way, but she couldn’t hit it the way she wanted. Gosh darn it. Her body was not cooperating! Her back still wasn’t healed all the way but she knew she could work around it. She had been training hard and doing yoga daily. She was supple and limber and ready.
Cursing herself as she skidded to a halt, she set off back to the top again, telling herself she just hadn’t gotten enough momentum. The second time would be better, definitely.
The next try was a little better, the twisting just a bit more satisfying, but it wasn’t at all what she’d imagined.
Darn it.
It was so frustrating having the perfect image in her head and not being able to match up to it.
It had been months now.
She should be back to top shape.
The third try, she told herself she’d do it.
Third time lucky and all that. This is it, she psyched herself up, as she stood at the top. She willed success to come her way. If she nailed this, it would be a sure sign she was ready to go back and start training with the team full time. They couldn’t deny her ability when they saw this. Inside, she was full of hope that Brody would be impressed as well. He had always told her that the girls just couldn’t meet the men in height and difficulty in big airs, and she meant to prove him wrong.
Zoom! She was off, and then she was in the air—twist, turn, twist, turn, twist, turn….she went for the board grab, but it slipped out of her hand. She tried to right herself, but it was too late.
Kacey fell from the sky in a tangled mess of legs and boards and snow that sent her reeling in a topsy-turvy tumble down the hill at a dizzying height and speed.
“Oh no, no..” Kacey thought as she fought to get her board under her for a safe landing. But to no avail. She fell hard.
There was a horrible snap.
Suddenly, everything went black.
Chapter 16
“Oh my goodness,” Dodie whispered. She looked back to see the horror on Jason’s face, and her heart twisted with sick worry.
Tubes streaked in and out of Kacey’s face and hand. One side of her head and face was black and blue. Her eyes were closed, and the doctors had told the family that she was unresponsive. She looked like a little girl—not like the tough snowboarding champ she was.
When she had found out from Jason that Kacey had been brought into the hospital from a fall, she had assumed it was a sprain or worse—a broken ankle. Looking at her now, she realized things were much worse.
The Anderson parents stood by her bedside, their faces clouded with concern. Dodie could not even begin to imagine what was raging in their hearts.
The Anderson family had another, perhaps much bigger, problem to worry about.
Jason’s phone rang and he stepped out in the hallway to take it. He came back after a few seconds, his face white.
“Well, the VIP’s checked in with Earl at the lodge two hours ago, but Brad still hasn’t come back to home base. That’s a ten-minute flight in good weather.”
“What about bad weather?” Mrs. Anderson asked, clutching her husband.
Mr. Anderson asked for clarification. “So Jason, are you saying that Brad should have been back hours ago?”
Jason nodded. “I didn’t want to worry you until he had time to make it back or until I heard from him.”
Dodie’s heart sank into her feet.
A sudden late blizzard front had started to move in to Kissing Bridge that morning and the whole mountain had been on stand by with extra provisions and supplies to wait it out. People had been warned to stay home and only emergency and state vehicles were allowed on the road. It had been all over the news. With Kacey in the hospital they all had been granted access.
“I’ve got to go look for him,” Jason said.
Mrs. Anderson started to cry. It was all too much.
Jason comforted her. “Don’t worry, Mom. I’m going to get the whole of Kissing Bridge out looking for him, if need be. At this point, we need a search team.”
He shook his head in disbelief. “I know him. If he changed plans, he’d have called me.”
Mrs. Anderson was beside herself. Mr. Anderson held her closely.
“It’s a bad time, Annie, but we’ve gotten through bad times before. W
e’ll get through this too.”
He dried her tears. Mrs. Anderson nodded and kissed him sweetly on the cheek.