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Etching in the Snow

By Robin Densmore Fuson

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Chapter One

“Garrett, how would you like to take a train ride through the mountains of Colorado?”
“Sounds intriguing. When?”
Ashley Applegate frowned and clamped her lip between her front teeth. She readjusted her cell phone on her shoulder to make sure he heard her. “Thanksgiving week.”
“I thought we were spending Thanksgiving with my folks?”
“Well, that was the plan, but my mom and dad invited us and your parents to join them for the week. You see, they were given a gift of a lifetime. My parents are visiting all their supporting churches in Colorado. A couple from Glenwood Springs, my home town, gave them a place to stay in their magnificent house. They can use it for a few weeks as a base to visit other churches on the western slope.
“The house is ginormous. Do you think your parents would like to come? We fly into Denver and catch a ride on the train that winds its way up the gorgeous Rocky Mountains. I hear the train and the views are magnificent. I’ll send you links of the house and the train. It’s one of those owner vacation homes. The couple is paying for all of our passage to Glenwood on the train. Incredible, isn’t it? What do you think?”
“Wow. Slow down and catch your breath.”
“Okay.” She took a huge breath and slowly exhaled. “There’s one more thing. I told mom you were great at negotiations and would call your parents. I know how your mom and dad were looking forward to us spending the day with them. Your parents see us regularly and I haven’t seen mine for four years. My mom will call and give them an official invitation later this week. In that way, when my mom calls out of the blue they will be expecting it.”
“I’ll call my folks and ask if they can switch gears.” His voice lowered and slowed. “And take a trip west instead of a quiet gathering with my small family, alone, on the quant hills of Tennessee?”
Ashley giggled. “You know you want to go. Our parents would love to spend time together. What better way for them to get more acquainted? Think about it, mountains, snow, skiing…” She deepened her voice. “And snuggling by the fireplace?”
“Okay. I got the picture. I’m in. Now to sway my parents.”
Ashley heard the smile in his voice and responded with one of her own. “That’s what you’re good at. Their only answer will be yes.”
Garrett Hartman chuckled. “I’m planning on seeing them later today and I’ll call you tonight with their reply. What about our siblings?”
“Just the six of us. I thought Brandon had other plans? I thought he intended to play on the river with his friends?”
“Yeah. One of his friends got a new boat. What a way to spend Thanksgiving. I think he may be avoiding the family.”
“Why?”
“Not completely sure. What about yours?”
“Alex’s baby is due soon. Mom is planning on spending time with her after the baby is born. Ryan would be like a fifth wheel…or really a seventh.” She laughed.
“Okay. Sounds good. Love ya.”
She allowed a grin to grace her face. “Thank you. I love you too. Bye.” She tapped the cell off, and slid it into her Coach bag Garrett had given her for her birthday. She rose from her kitchen table and grabbed her teacup. At the sink, she rinsed the cup and the glass containing the remnants of her protein shake, and placed them in the dishwasher.
On the way out the door, she checked her makeup and added lip color. Green eyes probed her appearance. Satisfied, she smiled. A blonde strand fell as she leaned over and slid on a pair of black flats that had seen better days. After tucking back the erring tress, she grabbed an umbrella, and slipped a bag containing her lunch and other necessary articles over her shoulder. Rain had been pelting the window all morning. Her small Honda sat in the parking garage of her apartment building. Thankfulness swelled up in her again for the protection it allowed.
The drive downtown Nashville to the office, where she is director of marketing, took her the normal twenty-two minutes. The open umbrella kept her dry as she navigated her way inside the four story building. After entering, she closed and shook the umbrella, and shrugged off her jacket. She swiped at any undetected droplets from her black skirt and red blouse. Out of her bag, she pulled black heels and stepped into them. She tucked her worn ones in plastic and placed them in her bag.
The elevator carried her to the third floor and her office. Once settled, she sent an email to her boss asking for the extra time off. She shot another to Garrett with the links of the house, train, and “Things to do in Glenwood Springs.”
The prearranged morning meeting didn’t go as smoothly as she had hoped. A new Bible Study video and lesson materials had hit her marketing team with a deadline for the week before Thanksgiving. She gave out the assignments. “We’ll be putting in long hours in the next few weeks. Please don’t hesitate to call or email with any questions or problems which might occur. Tuesday, we will meet and hash out what we have ready. Thanks, everyone.”
Later, in the break room, she enjoyed a green salad with grilled chicken she had heated in the microwave, and chatted with a close friend and co-worker, Sierra.
Sierra snagged the chair next to her and flipped her long brunette hair over one shoulder. “What do you and Garrett plan on doing this weekend?”
“I want to look for a new suitcase. Mine is old where she is director of marketing, took her the normal twenty-two minutes. The open umbrella kept her dry as she navigated her way inside the four story building. After entering, she closed and shook the umbrella, and shrugged off her jacket. She swiped at any undetected droplets from her black skirt and red blouse. Out of her bag, she pulled black heels and stepped into them. She tucked her worn ones in plastic and placed them in her bag.
The elevator carried her to the third floor and her office. Once settled, she sent an email to her boss asking for the extra time off. She shot another to Garrett with the links of the house, train, and “Things to do in Glenwood Springs.”
The prearranged morning meeting didn’t go as smoothly as she had hoped. A new Bible Study video and lesson materials had hit her marketing team with a deadline for the week before Thanksgiving. She gave out the assignments. “We’ll be putting in long hours in the next few weeks. Please don’t hesitate to call or email with any questions or problems which might occur. Tuesday, we will meet and hash out what we have ready. Thanks, everyone.”
Later, in the break room, she enjoyed a green salad with grilled chicken she had heated in the microwave, and chatted with a close friend and co-worker, Sierra.
Sierra snagged the chair next to her and flipped her long brunette hair over one shoulder. “What do you and Garrett plan on doing this weekend?”
“I want to look for a new suitcase. Mine is old one?”
“I know, I’ve got to make up my mind. Texts came in from a few stores who said they have new inventory. Are you up to going again? I’ll buy you lunch.” Ashley threw on a huge smile.
“Can we go after all the holidays? With the extra work we won’t have energy to wade through silk and lace.”
They laughed.
“Thank you, my sweet friend. Yes, that should give us enough time to have everyone fitted and alterations completed.”
A shrill alarm startled the ladies. “Oh no! Fire alarm.” Ashley shrugged and they both headed for the stairs and joined others from the office. Near the bottom, Ashley turned. “My purse!”
Her boss turned her around. “No time to worry about your personal items. Don’t you smell the smoke?”

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