“You bet. I’ll meet you down by the skis.”
Liv paid the bill, refastened her boots, and put on her helmet and gloves. She walked toward the door, looking down to make sure she didn’t trip on anything with her clunky ski boots, and bumped into someone.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t…” Liv tilted her head and looked up at the man she bumped
into.
“Ben! Oh my God.” She gasped and started to fall backwards. He caught her and righted her on her boots. Liv couldn’t take her eyes off him—here he was. She longed for this and dreaded it at the same time. Now what?
“Liv,” he said softly, “there’s a couple of people I want you to meet.”
His boys, she’d recognize them anywhere. They were such beautiful boys, like their father.
“Olivia Fairchild, I’d like you to meet Jacob and Lucas Rice.” Liv extended her hand and both boys shook it. They were polite too, just like their dad.
“It’s very nice to meet you both,” said Liv.
“You too, ma’am,” they said in unison.
“Ready, Mom?” Renie said adjusting her helmet and goggles. “Oh! Hi, Ben.”
“Hi, Renie, it’s nice to see you,” Ben answered. “These are my boys, Jake and Luke. Boys this is Liv’s daughter, Renie.
Renie took her helmet back off and tossed her head around to fix her hair. “Helmet head,” she said, and both boys laughed. “Bet you’re in here for hot cocoa. Am I right?”
They nodded, and Renie motioned for them to follow her.
“Wait,” said Ben, trying to hand Renie money.
“Don’t worry, I got it.”
He watched them walk away, and took a deep breath before he turned toward Liv.
“Hi,” he said.
“Hi.”
“I’m always bumpin’ into you.”
“I never watch where I’m going.”
Ben touched the side of her face. “It’s so good to see you.” Someone else bumped into Liv, and he realized they were standing in the doorway.
“Come with me,” he said. “Let’s get out of the way.”
Liv took her helmet and gloves off and followed him. He motioned for her to take a seat on the couch next to the fireplace. Liv waited until he sat down, and then sat next to him.
“Good to see you’re back out on the slopes.”
“It’s great to be back. I just told Renie, I hadn’t thought about whether I’d be able to ski. Not until Christmas morning.”
“Did you have a nice Christmas?”
“It was okay, how about you?”
“Not the best, but Christmas is always fun with the boys.”
“So they were with you then?”