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Category:
Romance
Publisher: Smashwords.com
Type: Fiction
Pages: 295
Copyright: May 3, 2013
ISBN-13: 9781301174324
Price: $1.99 (eBook)
This novel is a good read for people who like sweet romance in unexpected places.
Jennifer Robertson was a Navy brat. Her life was shaped by generations of Navy family members. She married a handsome Navy pilot and thought they would live happily ever after, raising Navy brats. Shocked when her husband kicked her to the curb after 7 years of marriage, she was childless and looking for a new direction. Then came Matteo Soldati, a handsome Italian ski instructor. During ski season, he teaches in Davos and St. Moritz, Switzerland. Divorced from his model wife, he lives with his son and his parents in a tiny Alpine village in Italy between ski seasons. Jennifer loves San Diego and hates cold weather. Matteo loves the rugged snowy Alps. They seem to be an unlikely pair. The barriers of culture and distance appear to be overwhelming. Their story will lift your spirits and take you to beautiful places in Europe.
Excerpt
Jennifer stepped inside the rental shop. She was shivering from her brief trek from the lodge at Heavenly Mountain Resort. What was she thinking when she agreed to meet Brooke here for a quick girls weekend in Lake Tahoe?
A tall man behind the counter asked, “May I help you?”
“I hope so,” Jennifer said. She released her long red hair from her black knit cap and gave her head a vigorous toss. She brushed the hair back from her face. Laughing, she said, “Now I remember why I don’t go skiing very often. It’s too much trouble to stay warm.”
He watched her, struggling to get out of her jacket. He stepped from behind the counter and helped her peel off layers of shirts and vests. She finally got down to a green turtle neck sweater that matched the color of her eyes.
“Thanks,” she said.
He paused a few seconds. She didn’t mind his discrete head-to-toe approving appraisal before he turned and went back behind the counter.
“I need to rent everything. Boots. The works. I hope I’ll know what to do with the stuff. I just hope I haven’t forgotten everything I used to know about skiing,” she said.
The tall good-looking man said, “I know more about skiing than I do about renting equipment. I’m Matteo Soldati. I’m a guest ski instructor. I am licensed to teach skiing in the U.S., Italy, and Switzerland.” He held his hand out across the counter.
She shook it and smiled at him.
“My friend Josh will be back in about 5 minutes. He’s the rental expert. I was just…what do you Americans say…holding down the fort for him.”
Jennifer admired his rich Italian accent.
She said, “I’m Jennifer Robertson from San Diego, and I know a lot more about tennis than skiing. I truly hate the cold, and I may need your help to get through this weekend. Do you give lessons to just anybody?” she asked.
He laughed. “You are not ‘just anybody.’ You are Jennifer Robertson, and I would be honored to give you a lesson if my schedule permits. I have time for one or two private lessons this weekend,” he said.
His reserved, but warm smile lit up his dark brown eyes.
“Good. I’m feeling really unsure of myself. Can you give me a lesson early tomorrow?” Jennifer asked.
Matteo checked the calendar on his smart phone. “I could do one at 7 o’clock. Nothing after then,” he said.
Jennifer said, “7 o’clock it is. Where shall I meet you?”
“At the ski school. Don’t worry. There’s a sign. First thing we will do is a quick equipment check to see if your skis are on properly, and that sort of thing.”
“Absolutely, I need a total refresher. I’m really nervous about skiing again,” she said.
“That’s natural, if you haven’t skied in a while and if you’ve never skied very much. Don’t worry. It will come back to you. I’ll help you,” he said.
His smile and gentle tone reassured her.
Jennifer said, “So, you’re a guest instructor here. Where do you usually teach?”
“In Davos, Switzerland, and sometimes in St. Moritz,” he said.
“Wow, you must be really good. I’ve heard about the black diamond trails in St. Moritz, playground of the beautiful people.”
Matteo shrugged. “The rich and famous may have expensive clothes and gear, but they have to work at skiing just like everyone else,” he said.
Jennifer said, “I never thought of it that way.”
He smiled warmly at her. “The Alps have a way of humbling people from all backgrounds,” he said. “The mountains help us put ourselves and our lives into perspective.”
“Did you grow up in Switzerland?” she asked.
“No, I grew up in the Italian Alps. Same wonderful mountain range, regardless of the politicians who divide it and imagine they own it. Politicians come and go. The mountains and Alpine people endure. The mountains have taught us to respect the beauty and power of their wind and snow. Living in the Alps requires self-confidence and self-reliance. Getting snowed in for long periods is a way of life. My family has lived in a tiny village near Saluzzo for generations.”
Jennifer studied this man. He had the grace and presence of a professional dancer and the assurance of an athlete, and his candid opinions were disarming. What an interesting, unusual person.
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