Page 55 of Entwined in Norway

‘That looks like fun,’ he said.

Ida shuddered. ‘Not my idea of fun.’ She pulled the water from her backpack and handed it to him.

He laughed. ‘You’re not a daredevil.’

‘And happy not to be.’

‘Hey,’ A guy they’d walked past a few minutes ago was standing behind them, looking at him. ‘This is going to sound weird, but are you Erik Anderson?’

Erik got to his feet. He was used to this happening, not outside of Canada, and not for a while, but he wasn’t as surprised as Ida.

‘Yes. Good to meet you.’ He shook the guy’s hand. ‘You a snowboarder?’

‘I’m a coach with the Norwegian ski team. I saw you compete at the Worlds last year. Saw you land that backside 2340. Man…’

Erik grinned. ‘Thanks. Yeah. That was a good one.’

‘Were you in Bulgaria this year?’

‘No. Injury.’

The man gave a sympathetic nod. ‘Double ACL’s took me out of competing a few years ago but coaching’s the next best thing.’

Erik nodded like he understood, even though he couldn’t fathom how being around the people still able to do what you love when you can’t wouldn’t hurt like hell. And he wasn’t about to ask.

‘Great to meet you.’

‘You too.’ The man went back to his partner who was waiting for him on the path.

‘Was he speaking English?’ Ida said.

Erik burst out laughing. ‘Want a translation?’

‘Yes!’

‘He saw me compete at the World Championships last year. I landed the most difficult jump in snowboarding and won the gold.’

‘No wonder he remembered you. You’re famous in snowboarding circles.’

‘I guess.’

‘Erik,’ she said, leaning into his side and trying to push him over. ‘Don’t be modest. Not snowboarding anymore doesn’t mean all of that never happened.’

He nodded. ‘But that’s exactly what it feels like. Or like it happened to someone else.’

‘Have you thought about coaching?’

‘Honestly? No.’

‘Maybe it’s too soon. You probably need more time to come to terms with what’s happened.’

‘There isn’t enough time in the world for that to happen, Ida. I know you think you’re going to break my heart but it’s already a little broken.’

‘I know.’

‘But being here has helped. Somewhere different with something different to concentrate on.’

‘You’re less grumpy than when you got here.’