Page 56
Maya flipped her hair. “Why, thank you. Brodie, isn’t it?”
He nodded, his smile widening.
“I usually teach the kids’ class, because they’re more my mental age.”
Brodie laughed. “Will you be covering all week?”
“Not sure yet. Depends on whether Aileen recovers.”
“I hope not.” His eyes widened. “Shit. I didn’t mean that the way it sounded.”
Maya raised her eyebrow. “Poor Aileen. Don’t jinx her recovery.”
He shot her a “yikes” expression and she laughed.
“I wish her well. I’d just like it if you could take the class a bit longer, that’s all. I’ve learned so much today.”
Pride swelled in her chest. She loved helping people develop their skiing. It was fun, mindful, exhilarating, and relaxing all rolled into one.
The two of them climbed off the lift and skied around the corner to the top of the run. It stretched before them, the sun glittering off the sparkling white path ahead.
Maya pulled her goggles down as the rest of the class arrived. “Wipeouts, assemble!”
She always got her classes to name themselves, and this lot had picked the name Wipeouts after a couple of spectacular crashes from the two cockiest guys in the collective.
“Okay, team. With great powder, comes great responsibility! Remember your pointers, and go.”
They started off, the main wipeout culprits in the lead.
Carving through the class on the way down, she focused on each one in turn, calling out encouragement and constructive criticism on the way. With the wind whipping through her hair, the sun warming her face, and absorbing the excitement from her students, Maya felt freer than she had in years.
Toward the end of the run, she turned and skied backward ahead of the students, eliciting a cheer from the group as they came to stop at the bottom.
Maya took off her helmet and goggles to shake everybody’s hand as they left. All of them thanked her, and she received hugs from a couple of the women. Even the two cocky guys were on good form, giving her a high five on the way past. Sometimes she had trouble with those male personalities in the group, thinking that they knew more than her due to their possession of a pair of testicles. Luckily, she hadn’t had to utilize any of her heckler put-downs with these guys. She could do it if required; it was a lot easier than confronting those she loved. But as with any sort of conflict, it gave her palpitations. Another reason that she preferred the kids’ groups.
With a sigh, she wished that she could do this full-time and forever. The thought of that coupled with the idea of never having to return to her desk brought her so much delight she could almost taste it. But she couldn’t face alienating her father, and her sister by default, in choosing a career they didn’t approve of.
Lost in those thoughts as she wandered over to the terrace, it took her a moment to realize someone was calling her name. Looking up, she spotted Brodie waving her over to one of the outside tables. “Can I get you a coffee? If you’ve time before your next class?”
Maya checked her watch. “Sure. I’ve got time.”
She stuck her skis in the snow at the edge of the terrace and took a seat next to him, sliding off her gloves. Katie came past and they ordered a couple of coffees.
Maya turned to face her student. “So, Brodie. What’s the lowdown? The word on the street?”
He laughed. “Word is, you’re the best ski instructor in town.”
Flashing him a grin, she leaned back. “Seriously. How’s it going? Are you enjoying it?”
“It’s amazing.”
He had that light in his eyes, the one that only came from carving through perfect powder. “I moved here earlier in the year and knew the basics, but figured I’d need to up my game to get the most out of being a Glenavie resident.”
“Absolutely.” She held a hand aloft for him to high-five, and he took the opportunity. “Where did you live before?”
“Glasgow.”
“Hey,” she said, spreading her palms. “Same.”
