Chapter 6
6
Perisher, New South Wales, Australia
As I watched each of the race club kids go down the course, taking notes on technique and tips to give them when I hit the bottom, the figure dressed in black watching from the side of the course caught my eye. It wasn’t unusual that people watched. These kids were the next Australian national ski team. They had style, and they were impressive to watch. But he wasn’t watching them, he was watching me . Just the way he casually stood made me know he was comfortable on skis. Skiing was one of those sports where people either looked awkward, like a cat on roller skates, or elegant. He was the latter.
As my last kid left the start gate, I watched for the first few gates, then took off down the course after them. The spectator ducked under the marking rope and hit the third gate, taking off down the course.
“Hey! Excuse me!” I called, trying to catch up. The racecourse was for race training only. Members of the public could not enter. It took so long to groom it, get the flags positioned. Besides, it was dangerous if some punter took out one of the kids by being an idiot.
The skier carved around three gates. That style, I knew that style. Straight-lining down the middle of the course to the astonishment of the kids, I hit the finish line when he did. Ejected my skis, and I flew into his arms as he held me to him.
“What are you doing here?” I gasped, barely aware that twelve kids under fifteen were all watching with glee. He lifted my googles and kissed me, knocking the breath from me. Giggles and squeals of delight broke into my consciousness as I regained awareness of my surroundings.
“Kids, can you catch the lift, and we will wait here?” Owen asked. Not knowing this strange man, the kids looked at me.
“Guys, one more run. I need you to focus on your transitions and your weight shift.”
Owen sniggered, and they took off down the hill to the lift line.
“What are you doing here?” I gasped as the last one ducked under the rope and flew down the hill, chasing his friends.
“Well, I would have thought that was obvious,” he drawled. “Summer holiday in Australia. Cocktails and beaches.”
“It is winter here,” I pointed out dryly.
“So I discovered.”
I waited, the pain of leaving flooding back in a torrent. The awful things he said.
“Soph, I am so sorry for the way I treated you. There is no excuse for what I said. I was in pain and facing a life in a wheelchair. I didn’t want you to see me like that. But I was awful, and I hurt you. Can you forgive me?”
“Forgiven,” I said, as he held me close to his chest, the pain of the past five months dissipating in an instant. “How are you?”
“Well, it took me a while to learn to walk again. Skiing took a bit longer. Lots of falling and swearing. I couldn’t let you see me like that. Pitying me. Plus, I was terrified I could never pleasure you again.”
“I loved you. I would have been there for you every step of the way.”
Owen flinched at my use of past tense, but I wasn’t letting him off easy. “I was an idiot. I was wrong, and as soon as you left the hospital, I regretted it every minute of every day. You are my everything Sophie. My life has no meaning without you in it. At the time, I wanted to die, and I didn’t want you to watch me become the shell of the man I was.”
“It didn’t matter to me,” I whispered. “Not being able to help you was the hardest thing I have ever faced. Leaving you destroyed me.” It was true. I could forgive, but I wasn’t sure I could forget.
“I’m so sorry,” Owen said, pulling me into him again.
“Why are you here?”
“First, I want my woman back. Whatever it takes, I will do it. Will you give me a second chance?”
I paused, my heart filled with joy, but scared of being hurt again. “Maybe. What is the second reason?”
“Did you hear Jeff was fired?”
“I saw the standard company email about his retirement and guessed it wasn’t his choice, but didn’t ask why. What happened?”
“There were several complaints received from the female team about fat shaming and other fairly nasty comments he made. One was caught on camera. There were threats to leak it to the media, and the executive decided they didn’t want the negative publicity, so they quietly paid him out.”
“Who replaced him?”
“They are yet to announce their replacement, although they have made an offer.”
“Wow. Who?”
“You are looking at him.”
My mouth dropped. “You?”
“If I choose to take it, you are looking at the new Head Coach for the US Ski Team.”
“Why wouldn’t you choose to take it? This is your dream. Helping people be their best, teaching kids. I don’t understand. Or do you want to go back to the World Cup circuit?”
“My racing days are over. They called when I was in Michigan, flew me over to Vail and made me the offer. It took me by surprise, I can honestly say. But I had one condition. The leadership team agreed instantly. Even the Board of Directors and even the International Ski Federation endorsed the deal.”
“FIS approved? That is a coup. What was the condition?”
“I agreed to take the job under the condition that two people would share it. The other being a woman. It is time to recognize all genders in the sport, and that means a man and a woman jointly hold the position.”
“And she said no? I’m confused. Who did you ask? Jodi? Amy? I would have thought they would jump at the chance.”
“I’m looking at her.”
It took me a moment to process what he was saying. “You are asking me if I would share the head coach role with you?”
“I can’t imagine anyone better.”
My mouth dropped. “Seriously?”
“Think about it. You are a technically strong skier, and a brilliant teacher. Patient, calm and you can break each skill down into teachable steps. You never shame anyone and that is what US Ski and Snowboard want. A coaching team who will promote the sport positively on the world stage and encourage juniors to be their best.”
“But I am Australian,” I stammered.
“Aren’t you a dual citizen?”
I stood on the side of the run, stunned. The kids started to return, gathering around me, awaiting their next instruction.
“What’s wrong Sophie?” Freyja asked earnestly. “You look sad.”
“I’m not sad, sweetheart,” I told her. “I am just surprised.”
They started clamoring around me as more arrived. “What is the surprise?”
Owen looked at me, and I nodded.
Owen took off his helmet, and the kids’ mouths dropped. As soon as the kids saw his face, the look of stunned amazement that a World Cup champion was here with them took hold and they stayed rooted to the spot.
“You are Owen Bartels!”
“I am,” he said, emphasizing his American drawl. “I have some amazing news, and you are the very first people in the world to hear it. But it is a secret, okay?”
“What! Tell us!”
“I am the new head coach of skiing for the US ski team, and, when she has given up racing, the lovely Sophie here has just agreed to be the other head coach.”
“But there is only one head coach,” Odin piped up. “My dad told me so.”
“Not anymore. Now we will have two. And you are looking at them.”
The gasps of awe reverberated around us, leaving me speechless.
Awkward tugging at my sleeve pulled my attention away from Owen.
“What’s wrong Millie?”
“Are you leaving us?” she asked forlornly.
“Not yet,” I assured her. “I will finish up the season here. I promised you I would come to all your races, didn’t I?”
“She will,” Owen confirmed. “Now, can I come for a free ski with you?” Owen asked excitedly. “If your coach says yes, that is. Sophie is in charge.”
The kids all looked at me wide-eyed and I nodded, knowing I would never win this. The kids started jumping up and down on their race skis.
Owen clicked his helmet back on and adjusted his goggles. “Anyone who can catch me, I will treat to a hot chocolate!”
Owen flew off down the slope, leaning into his classic trademark carving turns. With whoops of joy, the kids chased after him, leaving me alone for a moment to ponder my options.
Did I want to trade in my racing career to be a coach? I had one more major assignment and a final exam, and I would qualify as a physiotherapist. It had always been my dream to help others achieve their goals, and while I had always thought it would be as a physiotherapist, maybe it was as a coach? Was that my legacy? Jodi’s words about going out on her own terms resonated in my mind, and I pondered if I wanted another year on the circuit. Was going out on top the ultimate success?
As I pushed off down the slope, my mind whirred as I contemplated what was truly important. Since I had left the States, I had been bereft. Going through the motions, but not living. My heart had been shattered, stomped on, and left in pieces. Several guys had asked me out since I had returned to Australia, but none of them came close to him. In a flash, it all became clear. I knew what I wanted.
“Wait for me!” I called and took off after my man, knowing that life wasn’t predictable, and always threw curveballs. But whatever the future held; I knew we faced it together.