Downhill

2

"Charlie hates flying, dad," Liz said as she grabbed her bag from her dad's hands as I gawked. "She takes Valium."

"And a few drinks?" He asked with a disapproving look.

"Only two," I defended myself. Perhaps a little too quickly.

"Three," Liz corrected in her Liz-way. "You snuck that third one..."

"After you took my last..." I started before I realized I was tattling on her. Oh well, serves her right.

"Whatever," Liz puffed a lock of blonde hair out of her face as she pointed to a door. "Yours. And mine," she pointed to the opposite door. "What's for dinner, dad?"

Jacob handed me my bag as he tried to understand what just happened between two twenty-something women. Were we fighting? Were we joking around? Good luck figuring that one out, Mr Harris.

"Um. Chinese?" He asked. It was completely obvious that he had no plans.

"Typical bachelor," Liz grumbled. "At least you didn't say pizza. Okay, but nothing fried. My skin is..."

"I'll make pasta," he said as he turned to avoid the explanation. "And salad. Dinner in an hour."

He walked down the hall towards the stairs. It was clear he wasn't used to being around his daughter. Plus, I think Liz likely reminded him of his ex. They looked exactly alike. Except Liz was tall like her dad. And he sure was tall...so dang tall. Like a tree. Like a tree I would love to climb.

***

DAY 2 - Saturday

The next day Liz wanted to ski. I wanted to nurse my headache and sit by the fire. But Liz was nothing if not persistent.

"Dad," Liz pointed her fork at me as we ate our pancakes, her bite partially chewed. "Chuck doesn't know how to ski. Can you help her? Like you did with me when I was a kid?"

"Lizzz," I tried to stop her as I hissed her name. "I'll just get a lesson or find the ...bunny trail... slopes."

"You are a dumbass," she said. "Dad, see what I'm dealing with?"

I looked over to Jacob who was at the stove and his shoulders were shaking in laughter but no noise came out.

"My family didn't ski. It's not my fault," I huffed, poking at my pancake.

"Get her one of those things kids use. Like a tether or leash or whatever," Liz giggled at my growing mortification.

"I know I'm going to fall. You are going to be the reason I die. My death is on your hands, Elizabeth Harris." I gave her the stink eye and a finger poke.

"If I wanted to kill you, I'd have done it already. I know where you sleep, dork," she said, taking a swig of her OJ. "Okay! Time to get ready."

I groaned and picked up my plate to take to the sink. After rinsing and putting in the dishwasher, I washed my hands. "She won't let you not ski," Jacob warned from the stove, not looking at me. "Do you want some help?"

"Um, uh...if you don't mind," I sighed. "I just don't think I can do it. It's a lost cause."

"You are in good hands," he said as he turned to look at me, giving a head tilt. "Now off with ya!"

***

A little later all three of us were in absurdly large boots and clamping into instruments of death. "This is such a bad idea," I mumbled to myself.

"Dad? You got her? I'm going to head down," Liz said, not even waiting for a response. Damn she is spoiled.

Jacob looked at me. I'm sure I had no color in my face from the fear. My palms were sweaty and the idea of this beautiful man witnessing my embarrassment made me nauseous.