Fernie was the kind of place that corny Christmas romance movies were shot in. In a movie they would've called this place something absurd like Crystal Falls or Snow Valley, but this wasn't a romantic movie. This was an active ski town just over Alberta's border and I could not be more in love with it.

It was the opposite of the busy city I was used to. The snow here was actually white instead of brown from all the dirt and all of the buildings on the main street were quaint, holding old charm instead new sleek lines. There was no litter to be seen and hardly any cars were on the road. Instead, people were brave enough and active enough to face the cold with winter jackets and heavy boots. And everyone was smiling. It seemed that I had left the bustle far behind me now.

I got to the town early as I had never been there before and I was delighted when I discovered a little shop that only served bagels. After one too many bagels and a hardy cup of strong coffee I ambled to my hotel room and checked in. The accommodations were wonderful considering I didn't have to pay for them. Rush didn't put out money like Connor's hockey team had, but the room was large enough for me to spread my gear out and it was clean. I couldn't ask for more than that.

When noon rolled around I was set up to try my hand at videos and made my way up the mountain.

Hudson was waiting for me which was a surprise. No, he had never been as late as he was the first time, but he certainly wasn't someone who liked to work on other's schedules. He enjoyed ambling in when he pleased, even if it made me grit my teeth together. And to top it all off he was in a great mood.

But the best part: no Shawna. After her sharp words last time I wasn't sure I could handle seeing her face again so soon. I could pretend that I was over Connor, but the reality was that I had lost so much when I lost him. and even knowing that he had cheated on me didn't make me want to stay away from him. I knew it was foolish but I was so desperate to be loved.

"Okay, so what we are going to hit the wedge and go to the step down. I think it'll give me the time I need to perfect the trick and land properly," he explained with a bright smile. And, as always, I was struck by how joyous he really was.

I glanced away, trying to read the white snow behind him in hopes that I could understand what he was talking about. I had no idea what a step down was and all the jumps seemed like one form of wedge or another. The only wedge I knew was a kind of heel.

"If you could just point to where you want me to stand that would be great," I said, not able to meet his eyes. I spoke hockey lingo fluently. I'm sure that if I had the stomach to turn on an NHL game I would know all of the players on the ice by their first name and be able to make half of the calls before the ref did. But here, on the snow, I was a novice.

"There." He pointed to a jump. For a moment I just have to marvel. I knew these guys were good at what they did, but if I ever had to hit a jump like that on skis or a snowboard I was sure I was break several bones and murder my pride. "Then," he continued, now pointed to a rounded rail. "We are going to hit the rainbow rail. Last time I posted a trick video kids went crazy. I want that hype again."

"I'll do my best," I assured.

"You'll kill it," he promised, giving me an encouraging thump on my back. I wish I could carry his confidence.

As the day progressed I felt like I was doing the opposite of killing it. in fact, I felt like I was being killed instead. Sure, photography required a fair amount of movement, but for some reason videoing seemed to need more. And god there was a lot of fumbling. I constantly was asking Hudson to repeat his runs, but he could never get them exactly the same which meant that I only scrabbled more. After my four hours on the hill I was worried that I wouldn't even have one good video.

"I think that's enough for one day," Hudson announced, coming towards me with slow carves into the hill. And when he got close enough I thought he would bend over and undo his binds like he always did. Instead, he fell backwards onto the snow, splayed out like he was about to make a snow angel with his board still clipped on.

"Are you okay?" I asked, carefully approaching him.

"I think you're trying to kill me," he laughed, pushing his goggles on top of his helmet. I could see the sweat gleaming off his skin.

"I'm sorry, I just wanted to get good shots," I said, my voice soft and weak. Sometimes I got so comfortable behind the camera that I forgot that I was still on thin ice with this company.

"Don't be sorry. I'm sure my fitness coach would be over the moon with how much you made me do today."

"I'm just thankful that you're done because I'm freezing," I complained, wiggling my numb fingers under my thin leopard print gloves.

At that he propped himself up on his elbows. One dark eyebrow was raised as he appraised my long jacket and skinny jeans. "When are you going to dress for the weather, princess? You keep forgetting that you're in the Canadian mountains."

"There is nothing wrong with this. it's a cute, functional look," I defended, but I knew it wasn't true. Functional was a stretch.

"Right, that's why I had the pleasure of watching you slip and slide all over the run. You'd probably do better work if the rest of you was set up for it. you know, like proper boots," he mused.

"I do wonderful work."

"Sure, sure, but it would be better if your fingers were icicles half way through the day."

I almost snapped, telling him that I could exactly go on a shopping spree for a new wardrobe after the ugliest break up I had ever had. But there was too much riding on this and I didn't want to give him more fuel to mock me with. God forbid he told Tyson because then it would never die. Connor had enough influence over my life already.

"This is all I brought so this is what I have to deal with," I bit out, narrowing my eyes. And, at this point, I was making the choice between keeping warm on the mountain and getting a new apartment.

"Well, you'll be delighted to know that Rush gave me a credit card for the weekend. It's not a lot of money, but it'll be enough to get you a new jacket and a decent pair of gloves."

"Are you serious?" I asked, feeling hope swell in my chest.

"Of course, but I do have one condition," he bargained. "You also have to go out for supper with me."

***I love writing sweet guys and this book is full of them. Next update at 5 votes :) ***