Snowblind by Michael Abbadon Read Free Book Online Page B

here, Einstein?"
    Josh glanced at Kris. "Yeah," he said. "Over here."
    Lorraine walked over, stopped in front of them with her hands on her hips. "I thought you said she'd be racin' the slalom when you were through with her, Josh. What's a matter, she not fallin' for your sweet talkin'?"
    Josh didn't answer. He glanced at Kris, who looked suddenly vulnerable and uncertain.
    "Oooohhh... I get it," Lorraine said. "She has been fallin' for it." She turned to Kris. "Careful, honey. You may not of noticed, bein' blind and all, but this boy's a wolf ."
    Kris turned away, blushing.
    "Forget about Einstein here with his radar gun. There's only one way to learn and that's the hard way, so get your butt back up on that hill and let's get crackin'."
    She headed off.
    Kris stood numbly. Josh looked at her, then looked toward Lorraine.
    "No," he said.
    Kris raised her head. Lorraine spun around. "What?"
    "I said 'no.' She's going to learn my way. With my equipment."
    Lorraine put her hands on her hips, bobbing her head. "And who the hell crowned you king of the bunny hill?"
    "Me," said Kris, suddenly piping up. "I've switched instructors."
    "Oh, you have, have you? Girl, you're talkin' crazy. You either stick with the program or you're outta here."
    "Just give her a chance, Lorraine," Josh said.
    "Huh! With you?"
    "It's been going well so far."
    "Oooh, yeah, I can see that, Prince Charming. She comin'
right
along." Lorraine headed for the exit. "I'm not gonna forget this, Josh!" She whipped open the door just as Andrea and Linda were coming through.
    "Lorraine? What's wrong?" Andrea asked.
    Lorraine huffed, marched off down the hall without a word.
    Andrea and Linda entered the room. "Josh? Everything all right?"
    "Fine. Just a little difference of opinion."
    "You wouldn't believe this headpiece Josh made, Mom. It's almost like I can see things!"
    Linda put her arm around her daughter. "We were watching you from the window, honey. Looks like you're doing great."
    "She's a natural," Josh said. "I can't believe how quickly she's picked it up. She's skiing like a pro."
    "How'd you like to try it out this weekend?" Andrea said. She told her about the skiing weekend and invited her along.
    "Oh, I don't think so," Kris said. She seemed to be looking away from Josh. "I've only just started, really."
    "It'll be a good chance to practice," Linda said.
    "We can do some cross-country, too, if you like," Andrea said.
    "It's nice of you to offer, Mrs. Parks, but... I don't want to be any trouble."
    "You wouldn't be any trouble at all. We'd be happy to have you. And you and Erin will get along great."
    Again Josh noticed her looking away. "No," she said. "I... I think I better just practice here, if that's okay."
    "I think you ought to go," Josh said. Kris turned toward him. "Sounds like a lot of fun to me. In fact, I've got some free time on Sunday. If it's all right with you, Andrea, I'll fly up and join you for the day. Give me a chance to see Kris use the equipment out in the real world."
    Kris lit up. "Really? You'd come up?"
    "The more the merrier," Andrea said. "What do you say, Kris?"
    Kris smiled. "Long as Josh will watch out for me."
    Josh laughed. "I promise you, Kris, I will."
    "Oh great!" Linda said, and gave her daughter a big hug.

16.
    The DC-3 was losing altitude fast. Jake was close to panic. "Got a monkey on my back, Donny! Raisin' hell with the airfoil."
    "Take it easy, Jake." Donny peered back anxiously at the white layer of ice building on the wing. He looked down. Snow obliterated the view. Then, a glimpse of something dark. Trees? "We can't go down, Jake. Not here."
    "We don't got any goddamn choice!" The plane suddenly hopped upward, buffeted by powerful winds. "We're in a goddamn williwaw!" Jake said.
    "Might be able to ride the warm air up and out of this mess," Donny said. "Just gotta drop some payload."
    Jake glanced at his copilot's overflowing belly. "You gonna volunteer?" he asked.
    Donny glared at him and unhooked his