Looking For You All My Life Part 183

worn out by now."

"Nah, I'm fine. And I want to show you something."

By the time they reached the bottom of the slope, she

couldn't believe how greatly he'd improved. He only fell

twice! And even then he recovered himself so quickly, hardly

losing any momentum at all as he pulled himself from the

snow to an upright position on the board and continued.

"That was fantastic, Spence!" she exclaimed. "Did the

instructor sprinkle you with magic dust or something?"

286Melody Carlson

"No, he just gave some good tips, and it all started to sink

in." He shoved his hat to the back of his head and wiped his

brow. His face was flushed from both excitement and the

exercise. "Want to get a soda before we head for home?"

"You go ahead. I want to check on something and then

we can meet at the car." While he headed to the snack bar,

she slipped downstairs and quickly purchased him a season

lift pa.s.s as an early Christmas present.

Jed and Maggie tried several times to get together on

Monday, but everything was so busy with the paper and last

minute holiday preparations, plus Jed had his shop and was

trying to fill some rush orders, that between the two of their

schedules it was impossible to schedule anything for more

than a few minutes. Maggie honestly rea.s.sured him that she

wasn't the least bit worried, and that when the time was

right, they'd work it out and get together. Town was so

packed with tourists and shoppers that she figured Jed had

better make the most of these eager holiday customers. It

wouldn't be long until this mad rush quieted down some,

and there would be plenty of time to talk' then.

On Tuesday she decided to avoid the additional traffic in

town by staying home and helping Audrey get things ready

for their soon-to-arrive Christmas guests. Besides, she told

herself, she was supposed to be on something of a vacation

right now, which she probably needed far more than she

realized.

The Christmas edition of the Pine Cone came out

Wednesday as planned, and she sat by the fire in her library

carefully examining each page. All in all, it was a paper to

be proud of. Scott's collage had turned out to be charming,

and the stories felt positive and uplifting. Even Greg and

Rick should find no fault with this paper!

Spencer, afraid he might forget all that he learned about

s...o...b..arding, talked her into returning to the ski resort Looking for You All My Life287

again on Thursday. She agreed to go up for the afternoon,

but only if he helped her thoroughly clean the kitchen and

then put fresh sheets on the beds in the guest rooms. He had

this all done long before noon. And after she parked her car

in the ski resort's crowded parking lot, she turned to him and

handed him an envelope containing his surprise Christmas

present.