The Billionaire Athlete’s Christmas Fling - Leslie North Page 0,3

the gaggle of children to get level with her before she tipped forward and pushed off with her poles. They were catching on quick, but not too quick. One of the girls shot out ahead of the pack and Tana reacted without thinking. She straightened her skis and sped down the hill. It was a very long hill—the longest bunny slope she’d ever seen—but the first lesson she tried to teach the kids was to stay in control.

She came up alongside Sadie, who didn’t look uncomfortable in the least. Her poles were pointed straight back, and with a perfect bend in her knees, the girl continued down the hill.

“You’re doing awesome, Sadie,” Tana called. “Now show me your side-to-sides.” She took a deep breath to calm herself. “If you ever race, you’ll have to know how to do the slalom. Side to side.”

It worked.

The little girl slowed her pace and made a wide loop to the left.

Tana stopped and looked back up the hill. The other four kids in the group were cautiously making their way down through the snow. Plenty of proper pizza stances. It had been, all in all, a good lesson.

She waited for them in the middle of the hill where she could also keep an eye on Sadie. Man, she’d lucked out. Taking the ski instructor gig at Elk Lodge had put her right where she needed to be to make a better life for her daughter. And she didn’t mind the work—another bonus. She liked the kids and most of their parents, the pay was decent, and the hours were good.

But Tana wanted more. And this winter, she just might get it.

The Elk Lodge was hiring a new ski program director, and Tana had put her name in for consideration. The new position was on her mind as she turned and went down the hill with the last of the group. Speculating on what might happen wouldn’t do her any good, but she just couldn’t help it. The program director’s job would be a perfect fit for her. And she would be so great for it. With the full-time salary and benefits, she’d finally be on the right track.

She came to a gentle stop with the kids on their skis chattering happily around her. “Great job, everybody. Remember—make big turns, side to side, and make a pizza. Those two things will get you down the hill when you’re out on the slopes with your parents, okay? What should you remember?”

“Side to side and make a pizza!” The kids shouted the phrases in a burst of glee.

Grinning, she watched them scatter in different directions. Their parents stood in various places by the entrances, most of them waving enthusiastically as their children approached. The job definitely had more highs than lows.

Tana pushed forward with her poles and moved smoothly toward the lodge. She’d make sure all the kids met up with their parents or nannies and then take her break. With another lesson coming up in an hour, there was just enough time to get a cup of cocoa in the cafeteria and take her boots off for a few minutes. As much as she loved teaching ski lessons, it was a bit taxing on her body. Another silver lining—she’d be in great shape when she got the program director’s position. When, not if. That was the attitude she needed for this application.

A flash of color out of the corner of her eye brought her up short as she watched a man approach. He crunched through the snow on winter boots, the sound reminding her of Lindsey chomping on cornflakes with an open mouth.

“I’m Ace,” he called out when he got closer. “If you have a second, I could give you a couple of pointers for your lessons.”

Uh, no. Tana did not have a second to listen to advice on how to do her job from some random scruffy man with sandy curls peeking out from underneath a fitted beanie. Especially one named Ace. Stunned, it took her a bit to figure out a reply without being rude.

“Kids like that girl who headed out in front of you. It’s better to take her down for a few solo runs before class if you can fit it in. Kids with that kind of courage can get away from you. Don’t want that. And I’d practice a few more turns with the rest of the group up top, while you still have time left on the slope. A few