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

what they’d started in the morning, but his stomach growled too loud to be overheard, "How could I refuse an invitation from such a courageous woman?"
    During lunch, he asked her about her plans for the summer, now that the skiing season was almost over.
    Charlene sighed, „The lifts and the skiing school were slated to close next weekend, but a late storm system came through the state earlier last week, dumping multiple inches of snow on the mountains. Our boss just informed us that Eagle Mountain extended the season for week. So it looks like I have to stay here for another two weeks.“
    He kissed her, „I’d love to stay with you until the end of the season, but I can’t. My flight to Chicago leaves early next week. My sponsors have arranged a few events for me, that I have to attend and my family is dying to see me after the long winter season.“
    She slipped her hand into his and he loved the feel of it. „Let’s go for a walk, shall we?“
    That must have been the sweetest thing a woman ever said to me.
    They got up and walked hand in hand through the snow-covered village. If he wasn’t so sad about the imminent separation, he’d definitely enjoy the winter wonderland. None of them had spoken about the elephant in the room, until he plucked up the necessary courage and asked her, „Look I have a just a tiny one-room apartment in Chicago. But after the Sports Star of the Year Gala in three weeks I head to my house in Chestnut Mountain and begin my summer training. Why don’t you come with me and we figure out how to continue from there?“
    She hesitated, „I don’t want to intrude on you.“
    „You don’t. I love you Wonder Woman and I want to spend the rest of my life with you.“
    She leaned into him, „I have to get a summer job, save up money for the children’s ski school.“
    He came up with a brilliant idea how to kill two birds with one stone, „Why don’t you open your ski school in Chestnut Mountain? Then you can move in with me and pursue your dream.“
    “Really?”
    “Yes. If you let me become your business partner, we can start the groundwork this very summer.“
    „But you have other things to do...“ He could see the doubt in her face.
    „Darling, I won’t be able to ski competitively forever and need to start thinking about alternatives. I love your idea of a school for kids, and there’s plenty of room to develop your ideas and turn them into reality.”
    He could see she was overwhelmed by his offer, but after some persuasion, she agreed to at least think about it. She’d fly to Chicago as soon as her season was over to attend the Sports Star of the Year Awards, where he was nominated for Male Winter Sports Star. They’d decide on the rest once she was in Chicago with him.
    When she slowly nodded her head, wanted to high-five himself. She was coming to Chicago to be with him, and he was sure, she’d agree to build her dream together.
    He used his last two days in Eagle Mountain to call his lawyer's, and the businessmen of the family, his brother Douglas, and his father. His father owned a big construction company and Douglas was his right hand man, they would know how to set up a company and build a winter playground. Much to his delight, both of them believed the idea was doable and would prove profitable, even in such a short time. He felt blessed, that he had such a loving family and could always rely on their support.
    ***
    Charlene felt torn. Things with Evan were wonderful and she was looking forward to meeting him in Chicago, but her heart squeezed at the thought of not seeing him for two weeks. 
    She already missed him, and he hadn’t left yet! Just the thought of being without him for such a long time, caused her stomach to churn painfully.
    On their last day together, Charlene found herself working. She had tried to get out of it, but couldn’t.
    Evan had been very secretive this morning as he’d kissed her off to work, but when she’d pressed him for