“Are you trying to discourage me? I will contact the Phoenix office. We can communicate later in the day. It is still very early there. And I know I am older, but I really think I can make five miles.” He smiled with milk chocolate eyes. “Besides, we also have cross-country skis. Do you think you can get us there on skis?”
In the midst of a Midwest blizzard Claire was filled with more warmth and excitement than she’d felt in sometime. Their discussion a week ago had left her uneasy. She didn’t like the way he’d treated her or the way it made her feel, but once it was done she hesitated to revisit the subject. Now he wanted to go to her lake. “I bet it’s prettier in the summer, but I’d love to get out. I know I can find it.” They ate breakfast, and Catherine made them thermoses of coffee. She chided both of them for even thinking about going out in the snow. However, with Tony by her side Claire knew it didn’t matter. She was going to her lake, a place she hadn’t been since her accident.
They dressed in layers, wrapping themselves head to toe, complete with hand and foot warmers, and were out of the house before eight. The wind subsided but the snow still fell.
It had been many years since Claire cross-country skied. However, the motions swiftly returned as the long slender skis and poles allowed them to glide over the twenty plus inches of snow. At first, she worried about navigation. But with most of the ground level obstacles covered it wasn’t difficult, and skiing was much faster than walking. They reached the clearing in less than thirty minutes. Claire told Tony all about the flowers, butterflies, and animals that were there in the heat of the summer. They wore tinted goggles to shield the brightness of the snow, but she could sense his serenity as he listened to her stories.
They arrived at the lake shore approximately forty minutes later. Claire wasn’t cold. She was exhilarated from the fresh air, exercise, and scenery. Green leaves and blue waters were her preference, but the glistening snow that covered the evergreens and ground was beautiful. The frozen lake, covered with peaks and valleys of drifts, reminded her of a large flat cake with vanilla frosting. She felt as warm as if it were August.
Tony was completely intrigued by the glistening vista before him. He’d never taken the time to experience his own property. It wasn’t something he cared about or gave much consideration, until now. As they stood and watched, three deer, one six-point buck and two does, galloped at full speed from left to right across the lake. Tony and Claire stared. If the deer could do it, they could too.
Skiing on the lake was effortless compared to the woods: no hills, valleys, or trees, only open space. The wind and snow had ceased. They were gliding on a white dreamland. Claire imagined that this is what it would be like to ski in the clouds. The farther west they traveled, the more of the shoreline they could see. Everything looked virgin, completely unspoiled.
After the snow ceased, other animals ventured out of their warm homes. They saw foxes and multitudes of squirrels and birds. Tony said he thought all birds went south for the winter. At first, Claire thought he was joking, and then she explained that not all birds migrate. She told him that in Indiana the cardinal is omnipresent. She remembered being excited to see one in winter, it looked so red and vibrant in contrast to the stark gray of winter. Tony continued to ask questions and listen to his wife.
It was almost one when they arrived back at the house. Catherine was elated to see them. She’d been worried. She promised she would send lunch, but first wanted them to get warm. Entering Tony’s suite they found his large fireplace roaring with flames and radiating tremendous heat. Claire laughed as Tony removed his ski hat. His hair was messier than she’d ever seen it and his cheeks were pink and frigid. Her giddiness amused him. He offered to help remove her winter gear. It didn’t take long to realize that Fiji had been a better honeymoon destination. Snow activities required too many clothes.
When their food arrived Tony covered Claire with a blanket from his bed. As Cindy wheeled in their lunch Claire lay on the rug in front of the fireplace with the soft down comforter and Tony wore only a pair of gym shorts. Cindy started to put the warm foods and drink on the table, when smiling at Claire Tony told Cindy she could leave. She thanked him and left the cart. Claire smiled at her husband, bare chested, setting their lunch on the table. “Sometimes I think you are the most amazing man I’ve ever met.”
He poured two cups of coffee and carried them to his wife. Joining her under the comforter he prompted, “And other times?”