3. Griffin

3

GRIFFIN

“ T hat’s it, you’re getting it,” I encourage Destiny as she slowly skis past me.

I was surprised that she asked me for another lesson when I saw her at the lodge this morning. Mrs. Reinhold, the owner, happened to be standing nearby. The older woman’s silver eyebrows flew up to her matching silver hairline and then she gave me an endearing, genuine smile filled with understanding. She knows my policy on private lessons, so she figured Destiny must be pretty special for me to break it.

If Mrs. Reinhold knows about Destiny, it’s only a matter of time before my Gram finds out and tells my aunt and mother. Grams and the owner of Frosted Mountain Ski Resort have been friends since childhood, and good money says they’ve been gossipping that long as well. I don’t mind. The two of them mean well and the sooner my family is on board with me having a wife, the better.

Reel it in , I tell myself. I’ve only known Destiny for a few days. While I’m certain she’s special and precious and everything I didn’t know I was looking for, Destiny needs more time. She’s vulnerable right now and I’d hate myself if she ever felt like I was taking advantage of her.

“I did it!” she exclaims. Destiny looks at me over her shoulder, her bright smile nearly knocking the air from my lungs. After wiping away her tears yesterday, it’s like a balm to my soul to see her express happiness. I’d like to think I had something to do with it.

“I knew you could,” I tell her as I join her at the bottom of the practice hill. “You knew what to do the whole time, you just needed the confidence to do it.”

My girl beams up at me, her cheeks and nose flushed from the cold and the excitement. Her blue eyes are glittering and it takes everything in me not to cup the back of her neck and pull her in for our first kiss.

"Wow, that was a rush," Destiny says as she blows out a breath. "I mean, I know it was like a three-percent incline, and at no point was I in any danger, but, yeah. Still."

I take her gloved hand in mine, apparently unable to keep myself from touching her in some way. “You have every right to be proud of yourself,” I tell her seriously. “You don’t have to downplay your accomplishment.”

“It’s not like I went down an actual hill or mountain,” she argues, once again dismissing her feelings.

“Every great adventure starts somewhere. You only reach the top of the mountain, so to speak, by appreciating every step along the way. Big or small.”

A soft smile graces her lips and I so desperately want to taste it. I somehow restrain myself, instead choosing to tuck a few strands of her dark hair into the adorable hat she’s wearing. It’s pink and purple and has a large pom pom on top.

Destiny nuzzles into the side of my hand as I comb my fingers through her hair. I brush my thumb against her cheek, savoring this sweet moment between us. My girl is hurting and trying to find her way after the loss of her grandma, but beneath it all, I see a resilient young woman who is only beginning to understand who she is. I just pray I’m the lucky bastard who gets to be next to her when she discovers her own strength and beauty.

“I don’t know why you’re being so nice to me,” she whispers before chewing on her bottom lip.

I caress her chin with the pad of my thumb, gently pulling her lip from the prison of her teeth. Destiny exhales, her warm breath tickling my skin and turning my thoughts decidedly dirty.

“Isn’t it obvious?” I murmur. Her brow furrows and she shakes her head no. “I like you, Destiny.” Like isn’t the “L” word I really want to say, but I hold myself back. For now.

“But… why?”

It kills me that she has no idea how beautiful she is. Like her skiing, it seems Destiny needs more confidence in just about every area of her life. Damn right, I'm going to be the man who gives her a healthy appreciation for how incredible she is.

“If you have to ask, then I must not be doing a very good job of showing it,” I say, hoping for a smile. Destiny still looks like she doesn’t believe me, but she doesn’t say anything else. “How long is your trip? I need to know how much time I have to prove myself.”

“You don’t have to prove yourself,” she rushes to say. “I feel like I’m the one who has to earn… I don’t know. Earn my place? Earn someone’s attention? I… I don’t know what I’m saying. I’m sorry. I’m feeling a bit light-headed.”

“Woah there, it’s okay,” I tell her, gently guiding her to a nearby bench. I grab my water bottle from my pack and hand it to her. “Here you go. It’s easy to get dehydrated out here. People think about drinking water when doing activities in the heat, but it’s important to hydrate in the cold, too.”

“Thanks,” she whispers before taking a swig. “I don’t know what came over me. I’m sorry I was rambling. I must have been confused and… God, I’m a mess, huh?”

I wrap my arm around her shoulders and angle us away from the wind. “You’re doing just fine, sweet girl. You’re dealing with some heavy shit. Grief comes in waves.”

“Yeah,” she says softly, nodding against my chest.

I hold her for a few minutes, hoping my presence helps ease the turmoil she’s feeling inside. I wish I could soak up all of her pain, but all I can do is listen and try to understand.

"This whole trip is to honor my grandma," Destiny murmurs after several moments have passed. "I moved in with her when I was just five years old. I never knew my dad and my mom… Well, she wasn't ready to be a mother, I guess." She shrugs and I hold her tighter, my heart breaking for the rough start my woman had in life.

“But your grandma was special, wasn’t she?” I prompt.

“She really was,” Destiny says wistfully. “Grandma Maddy knew everyone in our small town by their favorite cookie, which she made a point to bake on their birthdays. She was fearless in the way she loved people and cared for them, including me. I’ve always been the opposite - I’m shy and have a hard time making friends. In my eyes, my grandma was basically a superhero with the way she could charm anyone.”

“My Grams is similar. I bet they would have been great friends,” I tell her while rubbing my hand up and down her arm for warmth.

“Definitely,” she agrees. Destiny looks up at me with a mix of nostalgia, grief, and a hint of hope.

“I know it’s difficult to talk about,” I say softly. “But healing happens when we let others in. When we share the heaviness as well as the joy. Right now, it all feels like pain. But one day, it won’t hurt to remember. Those memories are your grandmother’s gift to you.”

I don’t know if that was the right thing to say or not, I just spoke from the heart. Destiny curls up into my arms and bursts into tears. She clings to me as gut-wrenching sobs wrack her body.

“I’m sorry,” I stutter out, wrapping her up in my embrace. “I’m sorry if I said something to upset you,” I soothe.

She shakes her head no. “Y-y-you’re r-right,” Destiny sniffles out. “It all hurts r-right now. But my grandma gave m-me so many wonderful memories.”

I tuck her head under my chin and hold her, soaking up her tears and pain. “I’ve got you, sweet girl. I’m right here.”

We stay wrapped up in each other for long moments until Destiny starts to shiver. I loosen my grip on her and stand, offering her my hand. Silently, she slips her hand into mine and lets me lead her toward her cabin.

She’s half walking, half leaning on me for support. I don’t mind. If I didn’t think it would embarrass her, I’d scoop my woman up and carry her the rest of the way.

“Oh, there he is!” a familiar voice shouts. “Sara, honey, he’s over here.”

Not now. This can’t be happening…

Sure enough, my grandma, mom, and aunt are standing a few dozen feet away, pointing in our direction. I knew Mrs. Reinhold was going to tell my grandma about Destiny, but I didn’t expect all three women in my immediate family to show up unannounced.

“Who is that?” Destiny asks.

I lean down, brushing my lips against her ear. "The three most nosey women in all of Colorado," I deadpan. "They also happen to be related to me. I'll distract them and you make a run for it. Unless you're ready to meet the family."

“Oh, I–”

“Don’t you hide from your Grams, Griffin!”

“Or your aunt! My goodness, we should have come here sooner, don’t you think, Anna?”

“Yes, and I told both of you that last week,” my mother says as the three of them shuffle our way.

"Oh, god," I mutter under my breath. I love my mom, Aunt Sara, and Grams. But they could not have picked a worse time to burst onto the scene. Destiny and I just shared a touching and vulnerable moment, and here they are, parading around and eager to meddle in whatever they can.

“I’ll just head to my cabin,” Destiny whispers, slipping her hand from mine. I miss her touch immediately.

“Hold on there, missy,” Aunt Sara calls out.

"Yes, yes, don't run away so fast! We haven't been properly introduced!" Grams picks up her speed, hobbling forward in double time to catch up to us.

“Ladies,” I say with my palms raised as my family approaches. Their faces are painted with excitement and expectation. I know they mean well, but they are a bit overwhelming, even on a good day. I imagine this kind of energy is the last thing someone wants when grieving their own family member. “Destiny has had a long day and was just going to her cabin to rest.”

“Destiny? That’s her name? Beautiful!” my mother coos.

“Perfect is what it is,” Aunt Sara says, nodding in agreement.

“Of course her name is Destiny. The universe knew our Griffin needed an obvious sign that this was the one for him,” my Grams adds. The three of them erupt into laughter, my aunt slapping her knee in time with my grandma’s snorts.

"Um, hi," Destiny says, waving her hand adorably. I'm instantly protective of her but I also want her and my family to get along. I know they're going to love her, they just need to bring the intensity down a notch or ten so she can get used to them.

“Hello, dear. I’m Anna, Griffin’s mother. If you need anything, anything at all, just ask. I’ve also got loads of embarrassing stories and photos of our dear boy whenever you’re ready,” she says with a wink.

“Ma,” I say exasperatedly while Destiny lets out a tiny laugh. It’s small and precious, knowing how much it cost her to fight through her pain to show joy.

“And I’m Aunt Sara,” my aunt is quick to interject. She practically shoves my mother out of the way so she can shake Destiny’s hand. “Oh my, you’re just a dear little thing, aren’t you? I can see why he’s so protective over you.”

“Okay, that’s enough family time for now,” I say, trying to move this along. Destiny is being a champion but I know she’s exhausted.

“Not until I’ve officially met the girl,” Grams announces. She shuffles forward and holds out her hand. Destiny gasps softly and I swear I can feel her tender heart cracking ever so much. She rests her hand in my grandma’s, who simply holds it instead of shaking it. The two share a moment I’m not sure I fully understand, and then my grandma throws her arms around Destiny and pulls her in for one of her famous hugs. “You’re going to be okay, honey. This, too, shall pass.”

My grandma eventually lets go of Destiny, returning her to my care.

“I’ll meet you three at the lodge. Lunch and hot cocoa are on me.” I wave them off and thankfully, they get the hint. Turning back to Destiny, I wrap my arm around her shoulders and tuck her into my side once more. “Sorry about that, angel,” I murmur. “I know they can be… a lot.”

“They’re lovely,” she whispers. “I’m sorry I’m not better company right now. I’m just… I’m tired.”

"You don't need an excuse to feel the way you're feeling, Destiny. Life is a lot right now and you're doing what you can with the resources you have. I get it." We come to a stop in front of her door, and like yesterday, I lean down and brush the lightest kiss on her cheek. "Thank you for being your incredible self today. I'm proud of the work you've done." I hope she knows I don't just mean the time she spent skiing. She's done a lot of work today on herself and her grief. That shit's heavy.

“I’m still not sure why you like me, but… I’ll admit, it’s kind of nice.” Her cheeks turn bright red and I can’t resist the urge to kiss them again.

“Nice? Man, I really do need to up my game,” I tease. “Go get some rest, angel. I’ll check on you in a few hours okay?”

She nods and gives me one last hug before stepping inside her cabin. I stand outside, wiping a hand down my face and mentally preparing for the women waiting for me in the lodge. I’ll do my best to calm them down, but I’m not sure how well that will work. I’m hoping I can convince them to leave and come back next week, but I’d say the chances are slim to none.

Lord, help me.