Snowbound Read Free Page B

different. Cassidy soaked in the water reflecting on the day. We haven’t even been here one full day and Rick bails. Unbelievable. The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. Honestly, what was that about? It couldn’t really have been about me talking to Daniel . On the other hand, thinking about Daniel helped her to relax. What a nice guy. Looks-wise Daniel couldn’t be more opposite of Rick if he tried. Rick was shorter and stockier, with dark brown curly hair and brown eyes. Cassidy remembered Daniel’s eyes the most. They were such a brilliant blue, cornflower blue. He had a nice smile too.
    Her overall impression was that Daniel was truly a nice guy. He had seemed so concerned when he figured out she was skiing by herself in the poor visibility. Of course, he might have just been concerned that you ran right over him. If it had been Rick he would have freaked out, but Daniel had laughed it off and made sure she made it down the slope safely. She found his attentiveness very attractive and, for the first time since Rick stormed out, she smiled. Hmmm, nice.
     
    * * *
     
    After trying, unsuccessfully, to reach her best friend by phone, Cassidy wandered downstairs to the lobby. She needed to decide whether she should stay at the resort or go home on her own. At this point she was pretty sure that Rick wasn’t coming back. It was past dinner and she hadn’t heard from him. I can’t seem to decide one way or the other . She sighed. Part of her wanted to stay here to show Rick that he couldn’t bully her anymore but another part, the scared little girl part, wanted to run home and make things all right with him.
    Drawn to the fire burning in the fireplace on one side of the lobby, Cassidy chose a wide chair and sat with her feet tucked underneath her. It was so peaceful here. Unlike so many hotel lobbies this one seemed more like a large living room, with oversize chairs and couches covered in dark brown chenille and scattered throughout. The chair she sat in was grouped alongside another chair and a deep couch—they were all arranged around the fireplace. “Penny for your thoughts,” said a warm voice above her.
    Pulled out of her reverie, Cassidy looked up at the woman who had spoken to her. “Oh, I don’t think they’re even worth that much.”
    “You’d be surprised,” the woman replied. “I’m Sandra Johnson. May I sit?” She indicated the chair beside Cassidy’s.
    “Of course.”
    Once Sandra sat down Cassidy was able to take a good look at her. She guessed Sandra to be in her sixties, judging by the gray in her hair and lines on her face. She emanated warmth and seemed very casual which surprised Cassidy. She was aware Sandra ran this resort. With her silver hair tucked into one long braid behind her back, wearing a ski sweater over leggings and her feet in moccasins, Sandra did not resemble the strong businesswoman whom Cassidy expected. She’d read all about Sandra in the promotional material available in each hotel room. “So, how do you like it here?” Sandra asked.
    Cassidy watched the fire twinkling in Sandra’s hazel eyes and tried to decide how to answer. “It’s a very nice place, but I’m not sure I can stay. In fact, I was just trying to decide what to do about that.” Gazing back into the fire, Cassidy tried to find answers within its flames. She hadn’t even gone to the front desk to see what Rick had done as far as checking out. Had he checked them both out? Or just himself?
    “He paid for the room for the entire week… before he left,” Sandra stated, as if reading her mind.
    Startled, she turned back to Sandra and felt the heat of embarrassment touch her face. “How... I mean...”
    “I was at the desk when he checked out. I knew who you were since I saw the two of you arrive—before you headed out to ski. We’re not especially busy right now so I have more time to get to know our guests.” Sandra smiled at her sympathetically.
    Cassidy had no idea what