Love on the Lifts Read Free Page A

reason I didn’t want him around. He thought he was the boss of me. I didn’t want Brad to see me as a kid. He’d lose all interest.
    â€œWe’re staying,” Sam continued. “And it’s childish to deny us a bed when they’re available.”
    It was childish. I knew it was and his pointing it out made me seem even more childish. At that moment I hated my brother, but I tried to look on the bright side. Brad hadn’t taken his eyes off me and he was still grinning. I just didn’t know if he was grinning because he liked watching me or he thought I was having a totally moronic conversation with my brother. Where was my confidence when I needed it?
    â€œAllie can move into my room,” Leah said. “I’ll even let her choose the upper or lower bunk. That’ll leave one whole bedroom for the guys to use.”
    Okay, this could work if Brad took the couch. He’d be upstairs with me while everyone else—
    â€œI’ll take the couch,” Joe said, and I hoped my face didn’t reflect my disappointment.
    â€œGreat!” Sam said. “We’re all set then. We’ll haul in our stuff and leave you girls to finish playing with your snowman.”
    Sam was still chortling like one of the three stooges as the guys disappeared into the condo. I wanted to kick my brother for his arrogance and for always making me feel so stupid. Frustrated, I spun around and drove my bootedfoot into our snowman.
    â€œHey!” Leah said, slapping at my leg. “Don’t destroy my creation just because you want to destroy your brother. Besides, this is great!”
    Had her brain totally frozen in the cold?
    â€œWhat’s so great about it?”
    â€œ Brad ?” She gave me a pointed look. “Staying with us, sleeping with us, eating with us.”
    I shook my head. “Not with Sam here, too. You see how he treats me.”
    â€œForget about Sam. Focus on Brad. You wanted him to notice you. This is the perfect opportunity for you to get to know him. And better yet, for him to get to know you. No ski instructor for you, girlfriend. You get to have the real thing!”
    Â 
    â€œI can’t believe you invited Sam. And I can’t believe you didn’t tell me that you’d invited him.”
    Leah might have thought our present situation was great, but I was not yet convinced. Not as long as Sam was in the picture. I’d trudged down the hill to the main part of the village where my aunt had her bookstore—A Novel Place.
    â€œKatie, sweetie, I couldn’t make the offer to use the condo to you and not to him,” Aunt Sue said.
    â€œSure you could have,” I muttered.
    â€œBesides, I thought I told you he’d be here,” she said, totally ignoring my previous statement.
    â€œNo, I would have remembered if you’d told me something as horrible as sharing the condo with my brother.”
    I was sitting on a stool at the hot chocolate counter, sipping on some comforting mint chocolate. My mug matched Aunt Sue’s. It showed the backs of four cowboys sitting on a fence and below them was written HOT BUNS AND COCOA TO START THE DAY . Like Leah with the snowman, Aunt Sue appreciated the fine shape of a man.
    In addition to the hot chocolate counter and the bookstore area, A Novel Place also had a little area in the front where people could curl up in plush chairs or on loveseats with a book and something warm to drink. It drew in the crowds when it was really cold outside, which was at least half the year.
    A fire was dancing in the corner fireplace nearby, the scent of burning cedar filling the air. The huge window looked out over the town and the mountains. It was a breathtaking view.
    Aunt Sue placed her elbows on the counter and leaned toward me, her long gray braid draped over her shoulder. She’s always reminded me of a gypsy, a free spirit, the complete opposite of my mom even though they’re sisters.