Snow Falls by Gerri Hill Read Free Book Online Page B

request a helicopter rescue. There’s a search and rescue team in Gunnison,” she said. “The bill would be hefty, but in an emergency, we could do it.” Ryan took a bite of her taco, and Jen was pleased by the audible moan she heard. “This is great,” Ryan said around a mouthful.
    “Thanks. It should really have some green chilies, but I made do with some of the red pepper flakes you had.” Jen was about to take a bite, then paused. “So if there was no medical emergency but I was willing to pay, they would send a helicopter up to get me?”
    Ryan nodded. “Technically, you’re a stranded traveler. A consequence of the avalanche.”
    Jen smiled. “I thought you were going to say, a consequence of me being an idiot.”
    “I’m sorry I called you an idiot.” It was Ryan’s turn to pause. “Do you want to get rescued?”
    Jen considered the question carefully. If it had been posed to her the first day, the answer would have been a resounding yes . She’d have wanted to be rescued and taken back home to Santa Fe, the workshop forgotten. But now, on the sixth day, the answer wasn’t quite as conclusive. Do I want to get rescued? She supposed, ideally, the answer would be—should be—yes. If for no other reason than that she was infringing on Ryan’s space. She decided to flip the question to Ryan.
    “Do you want me to get rescued?”
    Ryan too seemed to consider the question fully. Jen was pleased by the slight smile that formed. “No. That would mean I’d have to go back to cooking my own breakfast.”
    “But if I was rescued, you could go back to being a hermit.”
    “That’s true.”
    “And you wouldn’t have to share your bed with someone.”
    “Well, it’s been awhile since a beautiful woman has shared my bed. Certainly never up here. I can’t complain about that.”
    Jen met her eyes briefly, then looked away as a blush threatened. It was an innocent statement meant to tease, yet Jen knew the underlying meaning. Ryan lived alone, in all aspects of her life. She had no...lover. That thought brought the blush wholly to the surface, along with multiple questions.
    “Why?”
    “Why what?”
    “Why are you alone? I mean, I know the hermit thing, but why are you alone ? You’re so...so beautiful.” She shook her head, hearing how that sounded. “I mean, attractive.” She rolled her eyes . Is that any better? “Pretty.”
     Ryan laughed, seeming to enjoy her discomfort. “Are you asking why don’t I have a lover?”
    Jen nodded and Ryan’s smile left her face.
    “I told you, my family is wealthy,” Ryan said. “I found that anyone who wanted to get close to me did so because of my family name, nothing more.”
    “You really believe that?”
    “I know that.”
    “That’s sad if you truly believe that, Ryan. I hope that people aren’t really that shallow.” Jen took a sip of coffee. “Besides, I’m sure you have much more to offer than just your family name, whatever that is. You did, after all, rescue me.” Jen rested her elbows on the table, considering Ryan’s excuse. “It would be hard to find someone who wanted to live isolated like this, I suppose. But I think you fell in love with someone, and you got hurt. It’s easier to lump everyone in the same category then. That way, you won’t stand the chance of getting hurt again.” Jen met Ryan’s eyes, noting the slight flash of anger there, but she didn’t pull back.
    “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
    “I believe I do.”
    Ryan pushed her plate away and got up. Jen thought she’d crossed a line and was about to apologize when Ryan held up the coffeepot in a silent offer. Jen nodded. She watched the thoughtful expression on Ryan’s face as she poured, wondering if Ryan was about to share some elusive memory with her.
    “Her name was Megan. I thought...I thought she was the one, you know.” Ryan glanced at her with a smile. “I was young and stupid. Barely twenty. I wanted to offer her the