Free Listen to Your Heart by Mona Ingram

softened. “You know, I
think they scared off just about every boy who came to the house when I was in
high school. It’s no wonder I’m still single.”
    “Can I ask you something?”
    “I can’t promise I’ll answer, but sure,
go ahead.”
    He set down his glass. “Are you and Rob
an item?”
    Dammit, why did the mere mention of his
name make her heart race?
    “Rob?” She pretended not to understand.
    “I guess that means yes.”
    “No it doesn’t.” She hated talking about
this. Especially when she wasn’t quite sure how she felt about him.
    “I’ve seen the way he looks at you.” He
hesitated. “And I heard him say something about you being up top together.”
    “Are you jealous, Adrian Zimmerman?” She
emphasized his last name.
    She was instantly sorry that she’d goaded
him. But he leveled a look at her, and she was impressed by the way he held his
own.
    “We weren’t together.” She took a quick
sip of wine. “Not in that way, anyway. I went up there on my first day to look
around and he was there to meet someone for a lesson.”
    “Okay.” A faint smile touched his lips.
“I just want to know where I stand, that’s all.”
    “What about you?” She tilted her head,
challenging him. “Do you have someone at home?”
    He hesitated for a moment before
answering. “Not really.”
    She deliberated about letting him off
the hook, but to her surprise she found that she wanted to know. “That’s not
much of an answer.”
    He toyed with his wine glass and she regretted
pushing him; he looked miserable. “It’s complicated,” he said finally, then
drained his wine. “Shall we go and find something to eat? Just a hamburger,
then I’ll drive us both home.”
    “Sure, I’d enjoy that.” She took the
hand he offered and got to her feet. He looked into her eyes for a moment, and
then released her hand. She was tempted to slip her hand back into his. It had
felt safe there.
    The mountain rose above them as they
walked back to the hotel. Illuminated for night skiing, it seemed to come
alive.
    “It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” Morgan
paused to look up.
    “Ya.”
    She was beginning to know him well
enough to be aware that when his accent thickened, something was bothering him.
He wasn’t looking up. She decided not to press him; they’d shared enough
revelations tonight.
    “I understand there are some great
trails for cross-country night skiing.” She nudged him playfully. “Would you
like to try it sometime?”
    He smiled, but it looked forced. “I
didn’t think you brought your skis.”
    She shrugged. “I didn’t. But I can get
kitted out. Did you bring your gear?”
    He nodded. “Yes.” He raised his head
slowly and there was no mistaking the pain in his eyes. “I did it to please my
father.”
    “I don’t get it.” She really didn’t.
“Why should he care?”
    His gaze roamed slowly over the mountain
and paused at the gondola. “I stopped skiing a couple of years ago.” His eyes
glittered behind his glasses. “I tried again just before I came over here. It
was too soon, but I could see how much it pleased my father, so I made a big
show out of bringing my skis.” He guided her toward the ramp leading down to
the basement. “One of these days I’ll try again.” He smiled at her and this
time it was a real smile. “When that day comes, I hope you’ll go with me.”
    She could see how much the conversation
had cost him. “I’d be honoured,” she said quietly.
    He led her to a Range Rover that was
parked in a Reserved spot.
    “I’m impressed,” she said, climbing in.
“These parking spots are like gold.”
    “There has to be some advantage to being
the owner’s son,” he said, tucking her coat in beside her. He stopped, one hand
on the open door. “Thanks for coming out with me tonight, Morgan. I enjoyed
it.”
    “Me, too.” And she had. Maybe too much.

Chapter Ten
    “You didn’t bring your gloves?” Chance
took Dale’s hands in his and tried to