At noon, Josh was waiting outside the restaurant at the base, anxiously scanning the slopes for a sign of Charlie and Jace. He waved when he spotted them.
“How did he do?” he asked Charlie.
“He was great! We’ll stay on greens today. But he’ll be skiing parallel by tomorrow, and then he’ll be ready to move on to some easy groomed blues.”
“Did you like skiing?” he asked Jace.
“It was fun!”
“I can take him this afternoon, so you can get some runs in,” Josh told her.
“Why can’t Aunt Charlie ski with us?”
“She probably wants to ski some challenging runs we’re not quite ready for. Don’t you want her to have some fun?”
“But she likes skiing with me. She told me she does.”
“I’ll catch up with you this afternoon and ski some more,” said Charlie. “Right now, I’m gonna hit some moguls and tree runs.”
“You’re not coming in for lunch?” Josh asked. “Everyone else is inside already.”
“I’ve got a granola bar and Snickers in my pockets and water in my Camelback. I’m good to go until supper.” She skated off toward the lift, calling over her shoulder, “Tell Emily I’ve got my cell phone on, and I’ll meet up with them after lunch.”
“Aunt Charlie’s a really great skier, isn’t she?” Jace said, watching as she skied toward the lift. “Is she better than you?”
Josh grinned. “I don’t know, but I intend to find out.”
ANNE LOOKED UP AS JOSH and Jace approached the table. “Hey, Jace. Are you having fun skiing?”
“Yes ma’am.”
“You can call me Grammy.” She pointed at Steven. “And this guy, you can call... What do you want to be called, Steven?”
“I’m not sure I’m ready to be called Grandpa,” he chuckled. “I’ve barely gotten used to being a dad.”
“How about Papa?” said Emily.
“I like it,” Steven smiled. “Papa Steven sounds fine. Where’s Charlie?”
“She took off by herself to run some blacks,” said Josh.
“Josh, if you want to, you can leave Jace with us, so you can catch up with her,” Grace offered.
“I bet Josh is looking forward to skiing with Jace,” said Anne. “But I’d feel better if she weren’t skiing alone. Derek, you seem to be a great skier. Would you be willing to ski with Charlie for a while?”
“Absolutely,” he grinned, standing up and pulling on his coat and gear. “I’ve already eaten my sandwich, and we’ve got a little friendly competition planned anyway.”
“You probably won’t be able to find her.” Josh scowled.
“Doesn’t she have her cell phone?” asked Derek.
“I don’t know. She probably doesn’t have it turned on,” said Josh.
“Yes she does,” Jace chimed. “Remember, Uncle Josh? She said to tell Emily she had her cell phone on.”
“I guess that means she wants to ski with Emily,” said Grace. “Maybe Emily and Spencer should go instead of Derek.”
“Do you want me to wait for you guys?” Derek asked Emily.