Don’t Fall for a Fugitive: Strong Family Romances

by Checketts, Cami

  “You’re great. Okay, first time down, we’re going to do it like we did on the magic carpet.” He glided her forward with his hands and then came around behind her, pushing her skis together and placing his outside of hers.

  “Um, Heath … I’m all for snuggling close to you.” She blushed, but she’d admitted to worse to him, telling him repeatedly how handsome he was. “But what if I get my skis crossed again and I take you out going down that …” She glanced over the snow-packed dangerous descent. “Serious slope.”

  “This is not a serious slope. You’ll be fine.”

  She didn’t appreciate him dismissing her concerns. If this wasn’t a serious slope, would she ever graduate to real skiing? “Not a serious slope for someone who’s skied since they were an ankle-biter in knickers.”

  Heath chuckled. “I never wore knickers and only bit Gav’s ankles. I think we’ll be good.”

  “How do you know this is going to work, with you holding me between your skis like this?”

  “It worked on the magic carpet,” he reminded her.

  “Yeah, but that wasn’t a steep slope like this.” She didn’t care what he said; this was no easy run.

  “This is how my papa taught us and how Gavin and I taught Austin.”

  She angled her head back to look at him. She was all covered up, but his goggles were still strapped onto his helmet. His dark eyes seemed sad. Wouldn’t skiing with his family be a good memory? “What’s wrong?”

  “I just wish Papa could still ski.”

  “Why can’t he?”

  “I haven’t told you? He was paralyzed from the waist down ten years ago in a skiing accident.”

  Hazel sucked in a breath. “Yet your entire family owns ski resorts and lives on the slopes? That’s pretty brave.”

  He shrugged. “You have to buck up and get back on the horse.”

  She decided that must be a Western expression.

  “Except Papa really can’t,” he said.

  “You two okay down there?” The lift operator had stepped out of his shack and was staring at them.

  Heath waved at him. “We’re good, thanks.” He muttered under his breath, “With-it employee there. We’ve been standing here for ten minutes.”

  Hazel laughed. “I suppose one of your employees would never be so lazy.”

  “No, ma’am. Higher standard on my mountains.” He winked at her. “I guess we’d better go before he actually has to put his phone down and come check on us.”

  He pushed her forward and then kept his hands at her waist, gently guiding her with his hands and his skis to the right side and then the left side of the wide ski run. The edges of the run were framed by those glorious, tall pine trees she loved so much, and though she was still nervous, Heath taking them side to side like that made for a nice, slow descent.

  Before she knew it, they’d reached the ski lift. “I did it!” She punched both fists in the air and shimmied her hips.

  Heath laughed. Releasing her, he came around to her side and took her hand again as he guided her into the line for the lift. He didn’t remind her that he’d done all the work, though he probably wanted to.

  They rode up the lift and down twice more with her between his skis. She was proud they didn’t even crash coming off the lift either time. As he guided her down, he explained how to put pressure on the outside of the skis and leaning into the turn each direction, and how to put more pressure on both skis as you turned to stop. She could sense what he was demonstrating but doubted she could do it on her own.

  The next time up, he said, “Okay, I hate to say it, but I don’t get to snuggle you this time. You’re ready to go down on your own.”

  “I don’t know. I …” Hazel’s unease gave way to resolve. She was going to ski. When she’d come on this trip, she hadn’t thought about how hard it would be to learn. She’d simply been excited to ski. The thought of Brigham or even Jamison teaching her was revolting. She was grateful she was here with Heath, no matter the circumstances. He was patient, fun, and just blinding beautiful all around. “I’ve got this,” she said with a lot more confidence than she felt.

  Heath still had his goggles resting on his helmet, probably because they hadn’t been descending fast enough to need the protection from the wind. His deep-brown eyes gave as much approval and reassurance as his smile. “Yes, you do.”

  The end of the lift approached. She stood and glided down the slope then. Trying to show how confident she was, she kept right on going. Her speed increased, and so did her heartbeat. She tried to turn, putting pressure on the outside of her right ski. Miracle of miracles, she turned and skimmed across the packed snow to the left, but she was going fast, faster than she had imagined she would.

  “You’re doing great,” she heard Heath reassure from somewhere behind her.

  She tried to put pressure on her left side so she could turn again as she approached the trees. Maybe she didn’t put the pressure on quick or hard enough, or had Heath said something earlier about leaning, or bending her knees, or what was it? She sped off the side of the run into the powdery snow. White fluff poofed into the air, her skis slowed suddenly, and she flew forward, rolling in the powdery snow. Her skis both popped off and she stopped just short of hitting a pine tree.

  “Hazel!” Heath’s cry came from behind her.

  She rolled over onto her back with a groan and stared up at the blue sky framed by green pine trees.

  Heath’s face appeared above her. “Are you all right?”

  “Yes.” She laughed and pushed out a breath. “I’m horrible at this.”

  “No. You’re just getting started; you’re doing great.” He held out his hands and tugged her to her feet. Hazel popped up, but her boots sank into the snow. Heath tugged her out, then swung her around to where the snow wasn’t so fluffy and deep and had been packed down better. He climbed up next to her. He must’ve kicked his skis off too. They stood at the edge of the run, shadowed by the tall trees, and it felt like they were in their own little world.

  Heath stared down at her. He was successful, fit, and handsome, but he was also patient, kind, and fun. She wished she wasn’t in this awful situation and could just enjoy this holiday with him. He leaned closer and wiped some snow off her cheek with his glove. Hazel’s breath caught as he stared at her. Slowly, he lifted her goggles up. “I missed seeing those beautiful green eyes,” he said softly.

  Hazel smiled. “I like your deep brown much better.”

  Heath leaned in closer. Their helmets tapped together, and they laughed. Heath cupped the side of her head with his gloved hand and tilted her face slightly so if they got closer their helmets wouldn’t bump. Was he going to kiss her? Her heart was thrumming out of control in her chest, and the snow clothes she was wearing were working too well, as sweat was forming everywhere.

  “I’m so impressed by you,” Heath murmured.

  “By me?” she asked in surprise.

  “Yes, Hazel Longhurst, you are incredible. You’re in an unfamiliar place, trusting near strangers, being framed by a loser, learning a new sport—” He smiled. “—and you do it all with a smile, the teasing quips, and your irresistible accent.”

  Hazel felt fuzzy and warm. “What a blinding beautiful thing to say, Heath Strong. You’re the impressive one. So strong, brave, smart, successful, handsome, yet kind enough to take the time to teach a newbie to ski and be patient and sweet about it.”

  “Thank you. Since we’re both impressed …” He leaned in, and she was more certain than ever that he was going to kiss her. She pressed closer to him, wishing they weren’t wearing layers of snow gear.

  A shower of snow hit her squarely in the face. Hazel sputtered and pulled back.

  Heath turned quickly and scolded, “Austin!”

  “Sorry, bro.” The little boy sounded a little bit repentant, but not nearly enough for interrupting that kiss. “It was just too good to pass up. You’re still with the hottie?” His eyes narrowed. “Hey, you look like so
mebody I saw on TV, I think. Where did I see that pretty lady who looks like you?”

  Hazel hurriedly put her goggles back on. Heath had told her about her appearance in the news that first night.

  “Yeah,” Heath said. “Hattie is actually a famous soap opera star.”

  Soap opera? Hazel kind of choked.

  “I don’t watch soap operas,” Austin said with disgust.

  “I know, but maybe you saw a commercial or saw her on a magazine or something.”

  “Maybe.” Austin screwed up his nose. “How’s the skiing going?” he asked Hazel.

  “Not great,” Hazel admitted. “It was easy when I skied between his skis, but on my own, I’m pretty horrible.”

  Austin tilted his head to Heath. “Why don’t you get a pole? She hangs on to one end, and you ski backwards and guide her down with it. That’s what Gav did for me when I was little.”

  “I thought we taught you by putting you between our legs.”

  “Only when it was really steep and I got scared. I don’t remember too good, ’cause I was teeny.” He put his hand almost down to the ground. “But I’ve seen lots of pictures. Gav mostly taught me by me holding the pole or a rope or something around my waist, and then he’d go behind me. But she’s probably too big for that. I’ll bring you a pole.” He pushed off. “Oh, and Mama wants you to bring your girl for lunch at one in the lodge.”

  Hazel’s stomach dropped. She wanted to meet his family, but it was smarter for them to not see her face and get involved in this mess. “I’ve actually got to go somewhere at one,” Hazel called after him.

  “Our loss.” Austin grinned and whooshed down the hill.

  Heath turned back to Hazel. The romantic moment was lost, and he had a grim smile. “I guess I’d better meet my family at one.” He checked his watch. “It’s only ten-thirty, so we’ve got plenty of time to ski until then.”

  “That’ll be good. I’ll probably be sick of crashing by then.” She loved it out here, but if they’d only been going for a little over an hour, she could imagine she’d be wiped out by one.

  “Sorry. Apparently, I’m not teaching you correctly either.”

  “Wait a minute. You own four ski resorts?”

  He nodded guiltily.

  “And you don’t know the best method for teaching beginners?”

  “I’ve never taught a ski lesson,” he admitted, sheepish. “I hire people to do that.”

  “Oh.” She laughed. “Mr. Powerful Businessman hires people to do the boring work.”

  He laughed with her. “Sorry. I thought it would be easier to teach. I learned so young, I can only remember skiing between Papa’s skis and just taking off and flying down the hill. But you know little kids—no fear.”

  “True. Austin will come back with a pole, and everything will be great.”

  “Austin to the rescue.” He helped her to her skis, and Hazel determined she would figure this out … somehow.

  * * *

  Heath made it into the lodge by one-thirty and found his family at a table in the restaurant. There was a cafeteria that was open during the busy season, attached to the ski shop next door, but his mama preferred the nicer restaurant and sitting down together.

  Hazel had done pretty good skiing. With him guiding her down, skiing backwards while she held on to the pole, he could instruct her and help her more. Austin was right: it had been a lot more effective teaching method than having her ski between his legs, though he preferred the latter. She’d been tired and ready to take a bath when they’d gotten back to Gavin’s house. He’d offered to get her some food, but she’d kept claiming she wasn’t hungry. He’d hated to leave her there alone, but he needed to be with his family.

  “There he is,” Ella called out. “The family ditcher.”

  Heath bowed. “Thank you, thank you very much.” He took a seat that had a plate of food waiting for him: one of his favorite steak and gorgonzola pasta dishes. “Thank you, Mama,” he said, knowing only she would order for him.

  “It’s probably cold,” she said.

  He took a bite, loving the creamy sauce and the hearty steak. “No, it’s perfect.”

  “Where’ve you been?” Stetson asked, swallowing a drink of his water. Everyone looked well into their meals, but at least they weren’t finished.

  “I told ya,” Austin hollered, “Heath found him a girlfriend! She’s a soap opera smoochie star!”

  Everyone stared at Heath in shock. Had they ignored Austin or not believed him? “You said you were staying behind to work but somehow … met a girl?” Ella asked.

  Heath smiled smoothly. He’d practiced what to say, but it wasn’t easy to lie to his own family. Gavin gave him an encouraging nod. At least his brother knew the truth and was on his side. That felt good. The two of them had either been inseparable or at each other’s throats when they were younger. He liked the former.

  Mama’s eyes narrowed as she looked from him to Gavin. “What’s going on, Heath?”

  “I did stay back to finish some work.” He’d actually woken at four a.m. to catch up on any emails and deal with issues so he could spend the day with Hazel and his family. He’d even bypassed his morning workout to finish up. He hated lying to his family, especially Mama, but didn’t see how revealing Hazel’s identity would be good. They didn’t need the burden, and she didn’t need the risk of someone slipping and revealing her location. “Then I ran into a friend and skied some runs with her. Sorry to miss out.” He shoveled some food in so they wouldn’t have to wait for him. “What run are we hitting next?”

  “The Waterfalls!” Austin yelled, referring to the falls that Angel Falls Retreat had been named after. The water was frozen in the winter, but the hiking trails and ski runs on its edges were steep, picturesque, and some of Heath’s favorites.

  “Yes!” Heath put out his fist, and Austin bumped it.

  “What friend?” Mama said, obviously not done with him ditching his family all morning when he was supposed to be spending the holidays with them.

  “Hattie … Loveless.” He hid his own smile at the lame name. “Though I think that might be a stage name. She’s a soap opera star. I met her at my resort in Targhee last year.”

  “So she’s skied before?” Mama asked.

  “Yeah.”

  “Nuh-uh,” Austin interrupted. “That lady I saw you almost smooching has never skied a day in her life.”

  Heath took a drink of water, trying not to appear ruffled. This lying stuff was a mess. Maybe they should just tell the family so he didn’t look like the jerk who was ditching everybody and he didn’t have to lie to everyone, but if Hazel’s location somehow got out … That would be risky. “Well, she told me she’d skied when I met her in Targhee. I met her at one of my restaurants, but you’re right, Austin, she wasn’t very good. I’ve been trying to teach her all morning.” He smiled to himself. He hadn’t minded it at all.

  Mama raised her eyebrows. “I’ve never heard of Hattie Loveless.”

  “Do you watch soap operas?” Heath asked.

  Mama rolled her eyes. “Like I’d have time for soap operas.”

  His mama had never been a big fan of television. She loved to read and had a stack of romance novels on her nightstand at all times, but between Papa’s care and trying to help Gavin with the resort and be a good mom to Austin, she had very little spare time. If only Heath could go sneak a few romances for Hazel. He smiled, remembering how they’d teased about him teaching her a thing or two about romance. He wished.

  “All I know is she was beau-ti-ful,” Austin drawled out. “Hottie Hattie.”

  “Austin,” Mama scolded.

  Heath kept eating as other conversations picked up around him. Gavin gave him a slight nod and started talking with Trey about an upcoming trip; they were planning for Gavin to visit Trey and Ella in Kauai a month after their wedding. Heath ate quickly and tried to avoid anyone’s eye, but he noticed Mama was giving him long looks. She knew something was up, and it was near impo
ssible to hide anything from Mama.

  Chapter Twelve

  Hazel enjoyed a quick sandwich for lunch and a long soak in the huge tub in her suite. Heath had been incredibly patient teaching her to ski all morning, and she loved being with him. The afternoon stretched too long once she got out of the tub. She had no books to read without turning on her phone to use her Kindle app, and there was nothing else to do. With too much time to think, she got stewing about her family. Were her parents beside themselves wondering where she was, if she was okay? Had the American police or media gone after them? She was so tempted to turn on her phone and simply call them, but what if that led Brigham or the police to Gavin’s doorstep? Her poor mum and dad.

  She loaded the few dishes in the sink in the dishwasher and swept up some crumbs in the kitchen, but the house was surprisingly clean for a bachelor’s home. Gavin was an impressive guy and she liked the mischievous Austin, but nobody topped Heath for her. She sighed just thinking about leaning against the strong muscles in his chest, evident through his thin coat, as his equally impressive arms guided her down the slope. Scrummy.

  Puttering around in the house, she wandered into the office and found some 39 Clues books, the Harry Potter series, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, and then a whole stack of books on marketing, business, and religion. She wrinkled her nose. Gavin and Heath were more alike than either of them seemed to want to admit. She settled into a comfortable overstuffed chair, pulled a blanket over her, and opened the first Harry Potter book. She’d never read them, as she wasn’t really a fan of children’s books or fantasy. It had always been romance for her.

  Time passed quickly as she became engrossed in the story. She fell in love with the characters and found herself cheering for Ron, Hermione, and Harry, giggling at Fred and George Weasley, and wishing Dumbledore had been her headmaster at the boring public school she’d attended. She squinted, realizing the house was growing dark as the sun was setting. The family would probably be home soon. Yawning and stretching, she stood and glanced out the large front windows. Two sport utility vehicles pulled up to the house. One went around to the garage, but the other pulled right up front.