The Book Club Hotel(91)

“You need to steer,” Delphi said helpfully, “then you won’t fall off. I’m going again.” Without waiting for either of them to reply she shot up the slope again, all energy and determination, dragging her sled behind her.

Anna was shaking her head. “What happened to you?”

“According to Delphi, I didn’t steer.”

“I’m not talking about your skill on the mountain, I’m talking about all this laughter. I can’t believe you’re enjoying this. It’s not you at all.”

“I know. Which just goes to show we don’t always know what’s good for us, because I can’t remember when I had more fun.” She held up her arm for help. “Remind me, where is the nearest hospital?”

“You’re in the middle of nowhere. No hospital.” Smiling but bemused, Anna tugged her to her feet. “You’re really having fun? I assumed you’d be fantasizing about shoe shopping in Manhattan.”

“Shoes are nice, but shoes have never made me laugh so much my sides hurt.” Erica tried to brush the bulk of the snow from her jacket but it was a losing battle. “I’m having a good time.”

Anna watched her with a strange look in her eyes. “You look like a different person.”

“No, I’m the same person—just colder than usual. I’m not used to taking lessons on something from a five-year-old.”

“She’s so funny and adorable.” Anna glanced up the slope toward Delphi, who was getting into position for another run. “And you’re great with her.”

“You mean she’s enjoying my humiliation?”

“No. I mean the fact that you were prepared to join in even though this was the last thing you wanted to do says a lot.”

“And the fact that I’m having a good time says a lot, too. It tells me I need to do more of this.” Erica stamped the snow from her boots and Anna looked at her curiously.

“More winter sports?”

“More things that make me laugh.” Erica removed her gloves and shook out snow that had managed to wedge itself inside. “I need to do more things that bring me joy.”

Anna checked on Delphi, gave her a wave and then turned back to Erica. “You mean like spending more time in bed with sexy Jack?”

Despite the snow, Erica felt warmth spread through her. “Maybe. And maybe also time out of bed.”

Anna’s eyes widened and she pressed her hand to her chest in an exaggerated gesture of shock. “You don’t mean—a relationship?”

Erica accepted the teasing. “I enjoy his company, which is the very reason I’ve been reluctant to see more of him.”

“That only makes sense to me because it’s coming from you.” Anna slid her arm through Erica’s. “You’re scared that you might end up needing him.”

“Relationships are scary.” Erica turned to her and shrugged. “I don’t expect you to understand. You make romance look easy.”

Anna’s smile faltered. “I do understand. There are so many things that can go wrong, and when you love someone the stakes are so much higher. And romance—love—is never easy.”

It wasn’t the response she’d expected.

Erica stared at her friend. “Is everything all right?”

“Fine.” She waved at Delphi again, who was positioning herself to attack the slope again. “You struck the jackpot with this place. The views are incredible.”

Romance—love—is never easy.

In all the years she’d known Anna, she’d never heard her say anything like that before.

When it came to relationships, Anna was everyone’s role model.

Erica peered closer and noticed how tired Anna looked. Why hadn’t she noticed it before?

“Are you sleeping okay?”

“Me?” Anna turned. “Fine. You?”

Erica floundered. Anna was usually so open. “Great. Comfy bed.” She knew something was wrong but didn’t know how to encourage Anna to talk about it. Was this how her friends felt about her? She made an instant promise to herself to try to be more forthcoming. But as for Anna, she’d just have to wait and hope that eventually she’d tell them. “It’s a pretty place, although I might need to rethink my clothing if these outdoor activities are going to be the norm. How long does it take for frostbite to form?”

“What you need is a hot bath, and fortunately, you have time for one before dinner.”

Erica liberated another chunk of snow from the neck of her jacket. “A hot bath sounds good. Claudia won’t be joining us for dinner because she’s cooking, but we could meet in the library for a drink before we eat? I know you’ll want to call Pete first.”

Anna said nothing and when Erica glanced at her she saw she had tears in her eyes.

“Anna?” Concerned, she took Anna’s arm. “Tell me what’s wrong.”

“With me?” Anna rummaged in her pocket for a tissue. “I’m not the one that managed to fall off a sled on a baby slope.” She pulled her hand out and her shoulders sagged. “I don’t have a tissue.”

Erica dug into her own pocket and pulled out a packet. “Here. Take the lot.”

Anna sniffed and pulled one out. “You never carry tissues.”