The BIG Birthday

In March, my husband turned the big 50. I asked him what he wanted for his birthday, and after thinking it over he said, "I want to go skiing."

"What?"

Okay, back up a minute. Let me tell you a little about myself. I grew up in Florida. I've never even seen that much snow. Oh, did I mention I have never been on snow skis?

After a deep breath, and a lot of prayer. I said, "Sure hon, let's go."

We packed up the family and headed to Steamboat Springs, Colorado. First impression was that it was soooo beautiful! I LOVED the scenery. I was also excited since I am working on book II of the McKinnie Mail Order Bride series, Love in the Rockies, which is set in Colorado. Win. Win, right?

Suuure. Well, until I had to face skiing. With my chin up and my determination firmly in place, I sent my husband off to ride some greens and blues while I went to Ski School.

Day one:

I gained confidence. I skied down that bunny slope like a world class athlete. I had this.

Day two:

My instructor told me to skip from level one to level three. I proudly marched over to the flag labeled with a three and joined the upper ranks of ski school...for about twenty minutes.

You see, level three headed straight up that lift to a green style slope. Did I mention that the snow was melting, then froze overnight? It was like sliding down a glacier.  I slid and slipped like a baby learning to walk all while doing a monkey dance. Anyone see what's coming? Yep, the epic fall. Not so much a fall, it was more of a mixture of stunt man meets Forest Gump. I somehow managed to ski up the embankment into the air and do a half flip, tumble, tuck, and twist all at the same time, landing with one ski stuck in the ice in one direction, and the other under by backside in the other direction. Yes, the bruises are still healing. LOL

People on the chair lift overhead were yelling down for someone to help me as I lay there, not so gracefully. My instructor, who-shall-not-be-named, yelled up that I'd figure it out eventually. Oh, let me just tell you that when I finally managed to detangle myself, dislodge my ski, and tumble down the rest of the hill, I was about done with that man. He kept saying, "Okay, let's go again." Did I mention that this is the same instructor that didn't want to tell me how to get out of the chair lift?Instead, he wanted to lift me out by the arm. When I refused his help, and fell at the start of this epic slide down the hill, he looked down at me and said, "I told you that you'd fall if I didn't help you. You really should take help when it's offered."

When the instructor nudged me toward group three, I put my boots into my ski clips and headed to my group two. My tail might have been between my legs, but at least I made it through the week of skiing without any broken bones.

Day five:
I skied greens with my family. :)

Ciara Knight is a USA Today and Amazon Bestselling author who writes 'A Little Edge and A Lot of Heart' that spans the heat scales. Her popular sweet romance series, Sweetwater County (rated PG), takes readers into small town romance full of family trials, friendly competition, and community love. 

Her latest release, Love on the Prairie, is book I of a brand new mail order bride adventure.

Abigail McKinnie refuses to allow her sisters to be dispersed across the nation as mail order brides. Despite the fact the union soldiers took everything from them during their march through Atlanta-their lands scorched, house burned, food stolen-she won’t give up. With a plan in place, she sets out for Kansas to her second cousin under the guise of marriage. But instead, she plans to convince him that the seven of them can help run the homestead for him. Her plan is full proof, until she makes the arduous journey to discover he’s dead.

Owen Baker vows to never have a woman in his life again after the death of so many in his life, but when Abigail McKinnie struts onto his land claiming ownership on behalf of her dead cousin, he’s dumbfounded by her drive and beauty. Despite her abilities and their attraction, he vows to throw her over his horse to deliver her to the first train home the minute she recuperates from her trip