A Sweet Alaskan Fall

by Jennifer Snow

  Her parents’ expressions said it all.

  Mike must have felt the tension loom over the room like a storm cloud because he chose that moment to duck out. “Going for coffee. Anyone want...? I’ll just bring some extras,” he said, letting the door close behind him.

  “You’re BASE jumping again?” her father asked.

  “No. I’m teaching others,” Montana said, moving to grab a brochure from the desk. She held it out to them, but neither reached for it. They blamed the sport entirely for her accident. They couldn’t understand that she took the risk, and that despite all her training and knowledge and safety precautions, shit happened sometimes.

  They used to get it, but then her sister’s death had made them afraid of every new adventure. It made Montana sad to think about all the opportunities that they were letting fear hold them back from experiencing.

  She tucked the brochure back and pointed to the enlarged poster of her on the wall. “This is the new jump site—it’s at Snowcrest Peak. Remember, Dad? We found that place together years ago on a trip here.” He had to remember that day. They’d hiked all day and had discovered the gorgeous peak almost by accident. He’d claimed it was the most beautiful scenery on earth.

  He did remember. She could see it on his face, yet he shook his head. “No. I don’t. So, you’ve started a partnership?”

  “That’s right.”

  “What about the bar?” her mother asked.

  “I sold my half to Tank,” she said. She’d basically given him the bar for a dollar. She’d invested in it years before, and Tank had more than repaid her the initial investment. She’d signed the legal-sale papers months ago to sever that particular tie between them so Tank could move on with his life with Cassie. But her parents wouldn’t get that.

  Her father looked annoyed. “You signed the papers, even though our lawyers advised against it?”

  “That was years ago when I wasn’t of sound enough mind to sign them.” According to them, she thought. “I’m fine now.”

  Her father scoffed.

  Eleanor placed a hand gently on his arm. “William...”

  He turned to look at his wife. “What? She’s obviously not fine if she’s up here in the middle of nowhere making a ton of life decisions without even discussing them with us.”

  Wow. Nothing had changed. They still talked about her like she wasn’t even in the room. “It’s my life, Dad.” She may have needed their help before, but she was okay now. They had to see that.

  “A life you almost lost several times. Lost in the woods? A shooting? You can’t be serious about feeling safe here,” her mother chimed in. Her tone was gentle but authoritative.

  “I do feel safe here. And happy,” she said. That would be the hardest part for them to get. But it shouldn’t be. Her daughter was here. She had a great career opportunity here.

  Eddie was here.

  Eleanor sighed. “Okay, well, what about your treatments? You haven’t really been keeping us updated.”

  Meaning they didn’t have full access to her medical reports anymore. “I’m seeing a specialist here and a support group—”

  “We think you should come home,” William said with finality, obviously not wanting to hear anything she had to say.

  No beating around the bush or sugarcoating their reason for being there.

  “I don’t see how going home is going to help,” Montana said calmly. “The doctors there have done all they can.”

  “Exactly. And you’re obviously still not well enough to be living out here on your own,” her father said.

  “I got lost in the woods, Dad, not in my own kitchen,” Montana argued. “And it was a simple mistake that could have happened to anyone in that part of the outback.”

  “But it didn’t happen to anyone,” he said.

  Her mother stepped in. “Honey, we are only trying to do what’s best for you.”

  “No. You’re trying to stop me from living my life, and it’s time you both admitted this isn’t about me. It’s about Dani,” Montana said.

  Her mother’s face paled, and her father stared at the floor. “Your sister’s death could have been avoided,” Eleanor said quietly. “She should never have been in the pool that day...”

  “Alcohol and drugs only made the problem worse, but she was always so reckless...” Her father’s voice was angry, but also full of remorse.

  Montana’s chest tightened. She hated talking about her sister. It always made all three of them feel horrible, and she couldn’t imagine how hard it must be on her parents to have lost a child. As a parent now herself, she got it. But she refused to continue living in the shadow of her sister’s mistakes. “Well, I’m not Dani, and I survived my accident. Accidents happen for a reason. I still have a purpose, Dad,” Montana said, touching her father’s shoulder gently.

  “Opening a BASE-jumping location? That’s what you think your purpose is?” he asked.

  “No. Being here for Kaia. I can be in her life now.”

  “That’s what you thought before,” her mother said gently. “And look what happened. You put her in danger.”

  “But that was—”

  “No. You made the right choice for that baby’s sake years ago, and I trust, if you care enough about her now, that you’ll make the same choice and not put her at risk by being here,” her mother said.

  Montana’s mouth dropped. They were using Kaia and Montana’s guilt to force her to leave? That was a new low, even for them. “Do you really think I would put her at risk?” she said, her own annoyance and determination not to be manipulated rising.

  “Yes, darling. We do,” Eleanor said, gentler now.

  “Coming back home doesn’t mean you can’t still stay in contact, but think of Kaia and what’s best for her,” William said.

  Montana squared her shoulders. Her strength returning. “Me being here is what’s best for her. And it’s what’s best for me. I’m not going back to Denver.” She hoped she sounded as resolute as she felt. She wasn’t a child anymore, and she wasn’t unable to make her own decisions based on her injury anymore. Her parents needed to realize they couldn’t continue to run her life. “I’m glad you’re here. Stay and see for yourself,” she said.

  Her father looked ready to argue, but the front door opened, and the three of them turned toward it as Lance entered.

  “Fuck my life,” Montana muttered under her breath. This had to be the worst timing ever. And what the hell was with everyone and their surprise visits? Lance wasn’t supposed to be back in Wild River until Thanksgiving.

  “Hey,” he said, glancing between her and her parents. Obviously he sensed the awkward tension between them.

  “Hi, Lance. What—what are you doing here?” she asked, tightly.

  “I had a break in training for a few days, so I thought I’d come back...”

  Her parents were staring at him in awe.

  Shit. Of course they recognized the Olympic snowboarder. They may not hit the slopes much themselves anymore, but they were huge Olympics fans.

  Lance turned to them. “Hi. I assume you’re Montana’s parents?” He stepped forward and reached for her father’s hand. “I’m Lance—”

  “Baker,” her father said, nodding enthusiastically. “I know who you are.” His demeanor had completely changed as he pumped Lance’s hand. “I’m William Banks, and this is my wife, Eleanor.”

  “Pleasure to meet you both,” Lance said.

  Montana felt uneasy watching the exchange. Of course her dad would be impressed by Lance. And unfortunately, Montana had yet to end things with him, which made this all very awkward.

  “How do you know our daughter?” her mother asked, sending her a sidelong glance.

  Lance smiled. “We’re dating,” he said.

  Both of her parents turned to look at her. For the first time since
they’d walked in, their expressions weren’t ones of disapproval or annoyance.

  They looked impressed.

  Shit. Her argument that she and Lance were just friends died on her lips.

  “Montana, why didn’t you tell us?” her mother whispered, moving closer to her as her father and Lance immediately started talking about snowboarding.

  Montana hesitated, looking at them, then turned her attention back to her mother. “Because we aren’t really dating. Not anymore. And we were never serious, anyway.” But for some reason it seemed that if they were, her parents might be a little less reluctant to get on board with her being there. Her father looked starstruck as he questioned Lance about his training and the upcoming winter games, and her mother looked like if only she was a few years younger... It was a complete one-eighty from the people who’d been trying to convince her to leave Wild River two minutes ago.

  “He’s even better looking in person,” Eleanor said. “Taller. Definitely more muscular.”

  Oh, God. “Look, Mom, I told you on Skype the other day that I’m kinda seeing someone else... Eddie, remember?” Montana whispered. She didn’t want Lance finding out this way, and she really hated to burst her dad’s bubble, but things with Lance were over.

  As soon as she told him.

  What a mess. She should have broken that dating rule of not ending things over the phone or by text. But he’d only sent her that one lame-ass message in two months, and she’d assumed he’d already moved on as well.

  She took a deep breath. Well, she’d just have to explain all of this to her parents and introduce them to Eddie right away. Then they could see for themselves.

  Her stomach knotted at the thought.

  Would they be as warm and friendly to the man who’d saved her life?

  * * *

  HE WAS MEETING the parents.

  Officially.

  And he was freaking the fuck out. Eddie stared into his closet knowing no matter what he wore, all the Bankses would notice was his wheelchair. Better than being invisible to them like he had been in the bar. They’d spoken to Tank and had barely acknowledged him. He’d been tempted to introduce himself, but they were tense and awkward enough being around Tank for the first time in years. Besides, he hadn’t known exactly what to say.

  Montana’s text asking him to join them all for dinner that evening had him panicking. The Bankses had once been hell-bent on convincing Montana to return to Colorado—were they still on that mission? Was dinner an attempt at a reverse intervention?

  He’d be joining her, Tank, Cassie and Kaia at the steak house on Main Street in an hour, and he was desperate to make a good first impression. He couldn’t exactly launch into a confession about how much he cared about their daughter at the dinner table, but somehow he had to prove to them that he was worthy of her affection. It was important to him.

  Montana inviting him was a good sign. She’d told him she wanted him to meet her parents, so obviously having them show up unexpectedly hadn’t changed how she felt about him.

  He reached for a dress shirt and black pants and gave himself a pep talk before heading out. Still, he was nauseous as he scanned the steak house twenty minutes later. Spotting them near the window, he hesitated. Three small steps led up to the platform of tables along the window overlooking the view of the mountains. The best seats in the house.

  Ones he couldn’t get to quite so easily. He didn’t see a ramp anywhere. Damn, he knew he should have taken the crutches instead.

  Montana saw him and waved and everyone turned his way. She looked slightly flustered and desperate but happy to see him. Cassie and Tank looked relieved to see him, too. No doubt they expected him to be in the hot seat that evening, taking the pressure off them.

  The Bankses just stared at him. He didn’t know them well enough to decipher their expressions. Unfortunately, judgment was easy to recognize.

  Kaia got up from the table and hurried toward him as he headed their way. “Hi. Want some help?”

  “Uh...” He surveyed the steps. “I was thinking I’d just go get the crutches,” he told her.

  “I can get them. Are they in the van?” Kaia asked.

  “They’re at home,” Eddie said.

  “Why don’t we just move to a different table?” Cassie asked, standing.

  Oh, Jesus. “No, no. I’ve got this,” Eddie said, shooting Tank a look when the guy stood up to help.

  Tank sat his ass back down.

  Reaching for the railings on either side of the stairs, Eddie propped himself up and hopped up the three small stairs with ease. He sat on the edge of the seat next to Montana and reached down to grab the chair, hoisting it effortlessly up onto the platform, placing it against the wall and as out of the way of waitstaff as possible.

  “Impressive,” Tank said with a grin.

  Montana’s expression echoed the sentiment, and Eddie squeezed her knee gently under the table. She’d never have to worry about him embarrassing her. Being with her, his confidence was quickly returning, and he was determined to show the Bankses he was man enough for their daughter.

  “Mom, Dad, this is Eddie Sanders, the guy I was telling you about. The man who saved my life,” Montana said. “Eddie, my parents—Eleanor and William.”

  Eddie shifted uncomfortably. He knew what she said was meant to be flattering, a compliment, but he would have preferred if she’d introduced him as her boyfriend—or friend at least. She made it sound like she was dating him because he’d saved her life, and while he knew that wasn’t true, her parents would no doubt think it was her motivation.

  He refused to let it bother him as he extended a hand. “Nice to meet you both,” he said.

  “Yes, it’s a pleasure,” her father said, reaching for the drink menu. “Anyone care for a whiskey?”

  “I’ll join you,” Tank said.

  Eddie hesitated. He wanted to connect with the man, but he was driving. “I’ll have to pass. I’m driving.”

  Montana’s mother stared at him. “You can drive?”

  “Mom...”

  Eddie laughed. “It’s okay,” he told Montana. “I actually still have feeling in my right leg and eighty percent mobility.” Discussing his injury wasn’t what he wanted to do, but it was obviously an issue for them, and he wouldn’t shy away from it. He had a disability. They’d have to accept that.

  “He has a cool van,” Kaia said, sending a wide smile his way.

  Cool and van seemed like an oxymoron, but he was grateful for Kaia’s attempt.

  “Speaking of cool vans,” Eleanor said, “Cassie, I’ve noticed several tour vans throughout town this afternoon with the name of your company on the side. Business must be doing well.”

  Cassie nodded, and Eddie was grateful that the attention was on someone else for the moment. He picked up his menu and scanned it.

  “Yes, and I actually have Montana to thank for that,” Cassie said. “It took me a while to get on board with the BASE-jumping idea, but she was right. We are now able to offer adventure packages that our competitors can’t.”

  “Competitors like North Mountain Sports Company?” Mr. Banks said, flagging the waitress.

  “Exactly,” Cassie said. “When they first opened this year, I’ll admit I was worried they’d put me out of business.”

  “Still, they have a pretty impressive spokesperson,” William said.

  Eddie glanced at Montana at the mention of Lance. She shifted in her seat and avoided his gaze. Had she told her parents that she’d dated Lance? She hadn’t told them about him, and he knew they were a lot more serious than she and Lance had been.

  “That depends on your viewpoint,” Tank chimed in.

  “I think a gold medalist is impressive no matter your viewpoint,” Mr. Banks said.

  Obviously the man couldn’t read a room. No one at the table appreciated Lanc
e’s involvement with the big chain company that had almost run SnowTrek Tours out of business.

  “Agree to disagree,” Tank said, wrapping an arm around Cassie, and settling deeper in his chair, obviously choosing to evacuate the awkward conversation.

  Eddie hoped someone would change the subject, but unfortunately the Bankses thought Lance Baker was the most fascinating thing in Wild River. They talked about the guy’s achievements and how excited they were to see him in that year’s winter games.

  Montana remained quiet, looking more and more uneasy, while Eddie bit his tongue. This was the guy who’d gotten their daughter shot at. Had they forgotten that? Or maybe Montana hadn’t given them all the details. She was definitely acting weird that evening. He couldn’t read her at all.

  “We actually had the pleasure of meeting him this afternoon,” William said.

  Eddie’s head swung toward Montana. “Lance is back in town?” Could anyone else hear the jealousy in his voice?

  Montana nodded, sucking in her lower lip. “Apparently, he had a break in training, so he came home for a few days,” she said. Her gaze met his and silently pleaded with him to understand, to not get upset and to see the odd predicament she was in.

  Eddie looked away. She hadn’t ended things with the guy. If she had, he wouldn’t have gone to SnowTrek Tours to see her. And why hadn’t she mentioned it to him? His gut twisted, and he couldn’t wait for dinner to be over.

  He sat back and tried his best to act normal for the rest of the evening, but inside he was slowly closing off. The longer the dinner went on, the more obvious it was they weren’t connecting. They talked to Tank about the bar, they talked to Kaia about school, they even discussed the possibility of a Christmas snowmobiling tour with Cassie, but their lack of interest in him was clear to everyone at the table.

  And unfortunately, there was nothing he could do to gain the Bankses’ approval if they thought Lance Baker was a better fit for their daughter.

  And their approval normally wouldn’t matter—except now, worry was slowly seeping in that Montana might agree with their opinion.