Life Seems Downhill All the Way
Lucas begs Katie to hit the slopes one time before the snow melts
Record snows had pushed Lucas Winrock’s hopes higher than the treeline above Sky Pines. He had longed for holding Katie Tillis’ hand up the ski lift and laughing with her over the moguls and showing her his moves on the pipes.
But late spring temperatures were finally turning the historic snows into slush and time was running out.
“Come on, Katie.” He didn’t think he’d have to plead with her and tried to stay quiet as people ordered coffee, scones, and chocolates.
“I got to work.”
“Ask for a morning off.”
“That’s the busiest time.” She sounded defeated.
“Then get off early.”
“I had agreed to clean up and close down.”
“For cryin’ out loud, it’s a coffee shop, not a hospital.”
Katie Tillis bit her lip and brushed her brunette hair away from her eyes. The Sweet Toothe was a special place to work. “Marianne needs me.”
Construction crews were rolling through to repair roads damaged from the heavy snows and recent rains at the lower elevations. Bad roads meant reduced traffic and tourists. The town needed the early summer music…
