Linda Hudson-Smith - Forsaking All Others

www.millsandboon.co.uk

This novel is dedicated to the loving memory of

Michael Bruce Randolph, my friend of 40 years.

Michael, your warm and loving presence will be forever

missed by all of us who love you. May you rest in peace,

safe in the hull of God’s unchanging hands.

Sunrise: August 28, 1951

Sunset: March 18, 2007

This novel is dedicated to the latest addition to

the Smith family; a sweet little bundle of joy.

Our 6 thgrandchild and 2 ndgranddaughter.

Synia Justice Smith

Born: May 1, 2006

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Stunning twenty-five-year-old Jessica Harrington couldn’t believe the beauty of the Aspen, Colorado, resort areas. She and her parents, Roman and Sahara, and her older sister, Jennifer, and her husband, Samuel Ellington, were actually spending the Christmas and New Year holidays in this wonderland. The other family members had been to Aspen several times, during different seasons of the year, but Jessica’s acrophobia, her fear of heights, had kept her away.

Jessica had finally learned to conquer her fear of heights and close spaces. There was no place or tight space on earth she wouldn’t now dare to venture to. Flying in an airplane had never been a problem for her. Driving up into the mountains and dealing with heights had been a major one, though, for as far back as she could remember. Just getting up on a six-foot ladder had once scared her silly.

The plush condominium/town house resort of Snowmass was located in the heart of Snowmass Village at Aspen. Base elevation of Snowmass Mountain was 7,870 feet, with a vertical rise of 2,030 feet.

Not so long ago those were heights Jessica wouldn’t have even considered taking on. Now, she couldn’t be happier to have made the trip to this winter paradise. She could hardly wait for all the festive holiday events to begin.

The Harrington family was joining up with Roman’s lifelong best friend, Jacque Chamberlain, his wife, Sandra, and their only son, twenty-six-year-old Weston. The two families would share separate three-bedroom town houses across the corridor from each other.

Jennifer and Samuel had leased a two-bedroom condo in the same resort, in the opposite building. A couple of other families were also joining the small group, good friends of the Chamberlains, who were not due to arrive in Aspen until the day after Christmas. The Carlyle and Holloway families and their two teenagers, a boy and girl, had also leased town houses at Snowmass.

Sahara stepped out on the balcony and lowered her arm around Jessica’s shoulder. “Isn’t it breathtaking way up here? Are you okay with the heights?”

Jessica reached up and patted her mother’s hand. “I’m fine. It’s a wonderful vision to behold. The stark whiteness is near blinding. Haven’t decided to try skiing, though. That may be a little too much bravery for my first trip up such a high mountain. Sledding sounds more interesting to me as an alternative to skiing. I think it’ll be fun.”

“Everything we do will be fun. The Chamberlains should be here any minute. Are you nervous about seeing Weston? You guys haven’t been together since your teens.”

Jessica shrugged with nonchalance. “Nothing to be nervous about. He’s probably the same nerdy guy he was back then. We never did see eye to eye. I don’t expect a different outcome this trip.”

“Oh, Jess, I hope you don’t act nasty with him. Pulling hair is what most boys do at that age. Are you still holding the pigtail incident against him?”

“Incident, my foot! He nearly scalped me, pulling my hair so hard. But I don’t hold it against him.” Jessica sighed. “Hope I meet an interesting guy up here, but there won’t be anything happening between Wes and me. That’s Dad and Mr. Jacque’s dream. Not ours. I’m only here out of all the guilt you guys made me feel about going away with my girlfriends for Christmas.”

“Guilt was not our intent. That’s nonsense. We’ve never been apart for Christmas. We’re not starting now. Just concentrate on having a good time. Don’t put restrictions on yourself. I’m going in to wake up Dad. He wants to be up and dressed when Jacque and Sandra arrive. Jenny and Sam will be over any minute. We’ll all go to dinner once everyone gets here. Besides, you and Wes might find something in common. Who knows?” Sahara kissed her daughter’s cheek before stepping back indoors.

“Fat chance,” Jessica mumbled under her breath. The only thing she and Weston had in common was their intense dislike for each other. She hoped he had at least grown up some. His immaturity had gotten on her nerves the last time they’d seen each other in Ocho Rios, Jamaica.

Jessica shivered as a blast of cold air hit her head-on, her hazel eyes watering at the shock. “Wow!” She didn’t waste another minute getting back inside where a warm fire roared in the stone fireplace. She hadn’t been used to this type of cold weather where she grew up, although California did get lots of snow up in the mountainous areas.

The Christmas music playing on the CD player was so nice. Jessica loved Nat King Cole’s mesmerizing voice. Her parents always played songs by him, Johnny Mathis and other singing greats during the holidays. This was the season her family practically lived for all year long. They had never visited a ski resort area at Christmastime because Jessica had only recently conquered her fear of heights. Seeing the beauty of the mountains had her repeatedly thanking God for what He had helped her accomplish.

While Jessica warmed her hands by the fire, rubbing them together vigorously, she enjoyed the blazing show of colors. The oranges, yellows, reds and warm blues helped to further light up the romance of the candlelit room. Her mother had set out most of the candles she’d brought along from home soon after they had checked into the resort. Sunset had occurred over thirty minutes ago.

The sound of a key being inserted into the door caused Jessica to jump involuntarily. She figured it had to be Jennifer and Sam. Sahara must have heard the key, too, because she had just come running into the room.

It always gave Jessica a warm feeling when her mother was affectionate with her and Jennifer. Neither of their parents had ever failed to show unconditional love for the girls. Sahara and Roman also thought of Samuel as a son, not just a son-in-law. They had wanted at least one male child, but they still felt incredibly blessed to have had such beautiful, healthy daughters.

Jessica had light hair and was fair-complexioned like her father. Jennifer had the same olive skin color and dark hair as her mother. Everyone knew they were sisters despite their hair and skin coloring. Two years apart in age, both Jessica and Jennifer had sparkling hazel eyes and full-dimpled smiles.

“Hey, Jess,” Jennifer sang out, “how you doing with the heights so far?”

“So far so good. It hasn’t bothered me yet.”

“Then it probably won’t.” Samuel crossed the room and gave Jessica a warm hug. “Proud of you, sis.”

“Thanks, Sam. I’m proud of me, too.”

“We’re all proud of you,” Sahara said, smiling brightly at Jessica.

The hard knock on the door caused Jessica to speed from the room. This time she was sure it was the Chamberlains. She had intended to comb her hair and put on fresh makeup long before they had arrived. Her face felt naked and a tad raw. For sure, she would have to keep her face moisturized against the cold weather. Sunblock protection was also a must. The cold air outside had done more than freeze her tail off.