Daring to Love: A Contemporary Romance (The Armstrongs Book 3) by Jessica Gray Page A

and he’d instantly died.
    At least that's what the rescue team and the police had reconstructed about the accident. Time seemed to wind back and she could now clearly see Graham how he fought to regain control in the air, but fell and tumbled, slithered, down and down. Until she heard a distinct “Crack” when his body crashed into the tree.
    An icy feeling crept into Charlene's body and she shivered. Don't stop. Concentrate. You can do that. Graham’s not here. It’s your imagination.
    Evan caught up with her and shouted, "You are doing great, darling. Keep going!"
    She didn't feel like doing well. Not at all. But she continued to move downhill. Swing after swing. Charlene had to put all her focus on her skis now. Turn left. Don't look down. Turn right. Focus. Turn left. Slow down. Put more weight on the right leg. Slow down. Breathe.
    It took her three more turns until she reached the rock. Devil’s Horn. That’s what they called it. What an appropriate name. The Devil waiting to spear you with his horn.
    Her knuckles must have turned white by now, her fingers were stiff and bloodless from squeezing the ski poles with all her force. Every fiber in her body hurt. Physical pain. Emotional pain. Mental pain.
    She heard the hum of Evan's skis behind her. His presence gave her that pinch of security and strength she needed to go on. Past Devil’s Horn. Down to the tree where Graham had died.
    His parents had placed a small wooden cross besides the tree. Once she reached it, she stopped and flopped into the snow. Taking off her glove, she gently stroked the cross as if it was her friend. Tears filled her eyes and finally the numbness left her and she released all of her pent up tears.
    She wasn’t a quiet crier. She bawled and wept. Her tears had broken through the floodgates and there was no stopping them. Not even when Evan wrapped his arms around her and she leaned back into his chest. After a long while, the sobbing decreased and calmness settled in and around her body.
    She whispered to the area around the cross, "I miss you so much Graham. Every day. You were my best friend. And I feel so guilty. I should have stayed with you that day. I should have stopped you."
    Suddenly she heard a voice in her head, "You couldn't have changed anything. You couldn't have saved me. It was my decision. You need to go on with your life. Please do it for me."
    A heavy burden fell from her soul and for the first time in ages, she felt light. Liberated. At peace. God, I’ve missed feeling like this for such a long time.
    There was no more guilt or recriminations to deal with, just the sure knowledge that the tragedy of two years before was in the past. Where it belonged.
    She turned to face Evan and the worry in his face warmed her heart. "I am fine now. Let's go."
    "Are you sure?" he asked her.
    She nodded and he helped her up without a word. Charlene was thankful for his silence. She wouldn’t have been able to talk about her emotions in this moment. Together they cruised down the rest of the hill. It was almost a pleasant run. Just almost.
    Back at Eagle Mountain village, she was joyful, but totally drained of all energy. It had been an exhausting experience – both physically and emotionally.
    Evan hugged her once again, "I'm so proud of you!"
    Blood rushed to her head. A compliment? That’s what she had least expected. She glanced at her watch. Now that they had arrived in town, she noticed how hungry she was. No wonder, she thought as she shook her head.  It’s way past lunchtime!
    She heard herself say, "Wanna grab a bite? It's on me."
    Evan grinned at her, his mega-watt grin causing her to tingle in all the right places. God, why can’t I handle having him smile at me. He can get me all hot and bothered, just about as fast as he can turn that killer grin in my direction.

Chapter 14
     
    Evan noticed how turned on she was and loved the effect he had on her. He wanted to take her right back to his hotel room and continue