“We brought him along ’cause he’s a veterinarian,” Gabe said. “If we break anything, we’re covered.”
“Good to know, but I’ll do my best to make sure that doesn’t happen.” Elle turned to the next man in the semi-circle.
“Jack Chance.”
“Ah. So you decided to join your brothers, after all.” Even semi-isolated at the resort, she’d heard of Jack Chance, oldest of the brothers, part Shoshone and acknowledged spokesman for the Chance family in Jackson Hole.
Jack’s dark eyes flashed with humor. “I blame tequila shots and my potential ex-buddy Nash Bledsoe here.” He glanced over at the cowboy standing next to him. “We have a sizable bet riding on my ability to stick it out this morning.”
“I see.” This lesson was shaping up to be a memorable one.
“I’m Alex Keller,” said a fair-haired man.
“You’re the one with some experience,” Elle said.
“A little. I’m no expert.”
She’d believe that, since he’d chosen to dress in jeans like the rest of them.
“And I’m a total beginner,” said a freckle-faced cowboy who looked like the youngest of the group. “Jeb Branford, at your service, ma’am.”
“It’s great to meet all of you.” She smiled at them. “But I have to ask, why the jeans and cowboy hats?”
Alex glanced around the circle. “Told you guys she’d wonder about that.”
“We don’t own skiing gear,” Gabe said. “Seemed kind of silly to buy it for one time.”
“True, but you could have rented something.”
“That’s what Watkins did,” the freckle-faced guy named Jeb said. “Mary Lou made him. But the rest of us agreed that those ski pants and puffy jackets look sort of...unmanly.” Then he flushed. “I mean, the outfit suits you, ma’am, but we’re...we’re cowboys.”
“Fair enough.” Elle bit back a smile. “You should be fine for the bunny slope, but—”
“Damn, is it really called the bunny slope?” Jack looked pained.
Nash clapped him on the shoulder. “’Fraid so, Jack, old boy.”
“I was hoping that was just you being cute, Nash.”
“It is, in fact, the bunny slope,” Elle said. “If any of you graduate from the bunny slope, you might want to rethink your outfit. Wet denim can get pretty uncomfortable.”
“Which will only be a problem if we fall down,” Jack said.
Alex, the one who knew better, smiled. “Good luck with that, Jack.”
Jack gazed at him, his expression serenely confident. “Time will tell, won’t it? When this is over, we’ll compare butts and see who has the dry one.”
Elle ducked her head so they couldn’t see her expression. If Jack, or any of them, thought they would stay upright throughout this lesson, they were in for quite a surprise. She might have to put on a ski mask so they wouldn’t catch her dying of laughter.
“All righty!” She glanced around the group. “After you’ve signed the form, go on over to the bench and put on your skis. I’m about to put mine on, so if you want to come over and watch how it’s done, you’re welcome. I’m also sure Alex can help you with that.”
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