Merrillee Whren - Montana Match

“Hey, wait up.” Parker skied up beside her. “You’ve taken to skiing very well.”

Brittany basked in his praise, then wondered why. She shouldn’t need his approval. Moving closer to the lift, she tried not to think about it. “That was fun.”

“Ready for another ride on the lift?”

Brittany joined Parker in the line that waited to take the lift to the top of the ski run. “Yeah, I think I’ll get it right this time.”

While they waited, Parker made very little attempt at conversation. She worried that he was bored silly being with her and skiing on these easy slopes when he could readily conquer the difficult runs. She wanted to tell him that he didn’t need to hang around with her, but she feared he would take it the wrong way.

So she spent the rest of the afternoon skiing on the easiest trails, either following Parker’s lead as he showed her something or having him follow as he watched her. Occasionally, he gave her a simple tip or complimented her on her progress. She had to admit that he managed to keep a perfect balance between instruction and praise. Heather was right. He was a good teacher.

At the end of one of their runs, Parker stopped her as she headed for the lift. “You’re going to wear yourself out. Don’t be surprised if every muscle in your body is sore tomorrow.”

“Really?”

Smiling, he nodded. “You’ll discover muscles you didn’t know you had.”

“That doesn’t sound very encouraging.”

“Just letting you know what to expect.” He glanced toward the lift. “It’s almost four o’clock. They close the trails on the mountain at four, so we ought to head back to the lodge.”

“Sure.” Despite her worries, Brittany had enjoyed herself.

When they reached the lodge, Brittany began removing her skis and boots, all the while keeping an eye out for Heather. As Brittany unbuckled her boots, her cell phone buzzed, indicating a text message. She pulled it out and glanced at it. Max. She’d completely forgotten about him. Heather’s plan was working.

Max wanted to know where she was. Too bad he hadn’t been that concerned these past couple of years while they’d been dating. He’d been too engrossed in his studies to bother with her. Now he didn’t seem to get the message that their relationship was over. Maybe he’d finally figure it out if she didn’t respond. Frowning, she shoved the phone into her pocket.

When she glanced up, Parker was staring at her. “Problems?”

Brittany sighed, wishing Parker hadn’t noticed. “Yeah. Someone I didn’t want to talk to.”

Parker’s brown eyes studied her face. “That old boyfriend?”

Brittany nodded and lowered her gaze, hoping to avoid any other questions about Max.

“I didn’t mean to pry. It’s none of my business, but I couldn’t help noticing your frown.”

“That’s okay.” Brittany shrugged. “Thanks so much for spending your afternoon with me. I appreciate your help.”

Parker gave her a wry grin. “You’re welcome. I enjoyed our afternoon together. You have the makings of a good skier.”

“Thanks, but I don’t plan to take up skiing, especially since I don’t have a regular job.” Brittany wondered whether Parker was just being polite, or whether he’d really enjoyed her company. What difference did it make? After this weekend, she’d probably never see him again. For some reason that thought made her sad.

“You can head to the lodge to meet Heather, while I pick up Rose and Jasmine.” Parker gathered his boots and skis. “Tell Heather that you guys can go ahead to the house. I’ll see you there.”

“Okay, thanks again.” Brittany made her way to the lodge while she contemplated meeting the mysterious female duo.

When Brittany arrived, Heather was already waiting. She hopped up from her chair. “Did you and Parker have a good time?”

Brittany shrugged. “We survived.”

“What’s that mean?”

“It means that I managed to stay upright most of the afternoon, and Parker tolerated boredom while skiing on the easy trails.”

“I’m sure he had a good time. He loves to teach.” Heather gave Brittany a cheesy grin.

“You’re right. He was very patient with a bumbling beginner.” Brittany tried to ignore Heather’s speculative grin. “He told me we should go ahead to the house while he picks up Rose and Jasmine.”

“Okay.” Heather opened the door and headed toward the parking lot. “You’re going to adore them.”

As Brittany followed, she decided the time had come to ask Heather about them. “You keep talking about them, but you’ve never told me who they are.”

Stopping, Heather looked at Brittany. “I haven’t?”

“No.”

“I’m sorry.” Heather shook her head. “I don’t know why I thought you knew. They’re Parker’s six-year-old twin daughters. To tell you the truth, those little girls are all that keeps him from completely turning his back on the outside world.”

As Brittany walked across the parking lot, her mind spun with the information. His daughters? How totally wrong her thoughts had been. “But you said he’s a bachelor.”

“He is. He adopted the girls when they were babies after their mother died.” Heather pulled her keys from her pocket. “She was killed by her stepfather while trying to protect her mother.”

“Oh, how terrible.” Brittany placed a hand over her heart. She didn’t know what else to say, though her mind was full of questions. Did Parker have some connection to the deceased woman? Why didn’t her family take the children? Why would a bachelor adopt two little girls? But surely it would be rude to ask.

Finally gathering her thoughts, Brittany looked at Heather over the top of the car. “Your uncle certainly has a compassionate heart.”

“Yeah, he does, and it’s caused him nothing but trouble.”

After that, Brittany couldn’t contain her curiosity. “What kind of trouble?”

“It’s a long story. And a sad one.” Heather opened the door to her car.

Brittany slid into the passenger seat.

The hum of the motor filled the silence while Heather drove toward the main road. She glanced at Brittany, who waited as patiently as she could for her friend to collect her thoughts. “I think you should know the story. Then you’ll understand why Parker has become a recluse.”

“Are you sure he wants you talking about him? After all, it’s his life, and I’m a stranger. You don’t have to make explanations to me.”

Heather shrugged. “But I want you to understand Parker and like him.”

Brittany knit her eyebrows. “You aren’t trying to push the two of us together, are you?”

Heather chuckled. “That would be rather presumptuous of me, wouldn’t it?”

“Yeah, it would.” Brittany took in the little smile that curved Heather’s mouth. Her expression didn’t ease Brittany’s suspicions. “So what were you going to tell me?”

“Sydney, Rose and Jasmine’s mother, was one of Parker’s students.”

“He’s a teacher?”

“He was a teacher, but he’s not now because of what happened.” Heather was quiet for a few seconds, then glanced Brittany’s way. “Parker was a very dedicated teacher. He spent lots of extra time helping students. Sydney was one of those kids. He was helping her study for her college-entrance exams, so they spent a lot of time together after school.”

“Was that a problem?”

“Not until Sydney turned up pregnant. Once her pregnancy was evident, someone started a rumor that Parker was the father. It spread through the school like a cattle stampede and wound up in the ears of the school board and the superintendent. Despite Parker’s and Sydney’s adamant denials, he was suspended from his teaching job. The woman he was dating ended their relationship. People in the community condemned him—even people from his church.”