Sisters in Love (Snow Sisters, Book One: Love in Bloom Series #1) by Melissa Foster

necklace, and own your imperfections. Because, Michelle,
that is more attractive than the fear those other kids are
wearing.” Now, if only I could take my own advice .

Chapter
Fourteen
    Monday morning rolled in with a flurry of
snow and blustery wind. Blake rolled out of bed and walked groggily
to the bathroom. He leaned over the sink wearing nothing but a pair
of black Calvin Klein boxer briefs. His lean, muscular body moved
stiffly. He stretched his arms above his head, gearing himself up
for returning to AcroSki; Dave’s absence had settled into his bones
and muscles like a dull ache.
    He splashed cold water on his face, then
patted it dry with a towel, mentally ticking off his agenda for the
day: Coffee and egg whites, open the store, more coffee. He
wondered if he’d see Danica at the coffee shop. A hint of a thrill
ran though his chest. He lifted his lips into a smile. He’d made it
through the night without the company of a woman and without
falling apart. That had to be a good sign. He’d take things day by
day. He wondered if, while he was working out of his womanizing
ways, he’d be like a heroin addict, begging to get laid.
    He had an appointment with Danica later that
morning. Dr. Snow , off limits, he reminded himself.
After seeing her, he would call Sally and talk about Rusty. He felt
guilty for not telling her about his ditching sooner, but every
time he picked up the phone, he remembered Dave’s recollection of
the basketball practices. Something wasn’t right, and he didn’t
want to open a can of worms he couldn’t handle. He hoped Danica
would have solid advice on how to handle that situation.
    He turned on the shower and pulled off his
boxers, flexing his thighs reflexively. Feeling the tension build,
then release. He repeated it again, enjoying the rush of adrenaline
as his muscles came to life.
    He continued his daily to-do list: Hire
someone to do some of the work that Dave handled, and think about
finding a hobby. A hobby . What was there besides women
and skiing? He’d wondered, right after the accident, if he’d
ever ski again; then he’d quickly realized that skiing was not
something he’d ever want to give up, and he was sure Dave wouldn’t
have wanted him to, either. He’d certainly take more care and fewer
risks. He couldn’t ski every day. He had quickly adapted to that
change in lifestyle when he’d gone from being a ski instructor to
owning a ski shop. He’d given up a lot of freedom, but it had been
the right thing to do. Financial freedom was not overrated.
    He stepped into the shower and stood beneath
the flow of water, letting it roll down his face and back. He
closed his eyes, feeling the strain in his muscles ease. Blake
turned around and set his palms on the ceramic shower wall. The
water beat the tension from between his shoulder blades.
    One day at a time. He could do this.
     
    AcroSki came to life at ten o’clock. After
Alyssa, the part-time employee, showed up, Blake set a sign on the
counter in the hopes of avoiding multiple inquiries about Dave. It
read: Dave Tuft, co-owner of AcroSki, passed away this past
weekend. He will be deeply missed. Please send condolences to… ”
followed by the address of the church Sally attended. Blake longed
to hear Dave’s taunts and stories about his family-filled weekend,
although now Blake wondered how much of them were true.
    Blake had looked over the files on Dave’s
desk and realized just how much Dave had taken care of. They’d been
so in sync with each other that dividing and conquering had become
natural. Now he’d have to sort out the dealings of the inventory,
accounting, and staff schedules. Anxiety prickled his spine. He
needed a few minutes to regroup before he dove into Dave’s
desk.
    “I’m gonna grab a coffee. Would you like
one?” he asked Alyssa.
    Tall and lean, with a skier’s muscular build,
Alyssa turned her ponytailed head in his direction. “Nah, I’m cool.
Go ahead. I’ve got