Snow Time: Crossing The Divide Short Story Series, #5

By J.B. Reynolds

Sun, sky, and the world's most handsome snowboarding instructor. What's not to like?

When Kate Hensley's husband surprises her with the news that not only are they off to spend a child-free day on the slopes of Queenstown's premier ski resort, but he's also arranged her first snowboarding lesson, she should be thrilled. So why does she feel like something is off? As the morning progresses, a little romantic fantasy proves a welcome distraction, but it can't disguise the nagging sensation that there's more to her husband's gesture than meets the eye…

A titillating tale of love, lust, and alpine activities, Snow Time is the fifth instalment in a series of surprising and darkly humorous short stories. While sharing a linked universe, each story in the saga stands alone and they can be read in any order. If you like relatable characters, amusing dialogue, and action spiced with both comedy and tragedy, then you'll love J.B. Reynolds's Crossing The Divide short story series.

Ready to explore? Then get Snow Time today to begin your next literary journey!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tsubaki Press
• Release date: May 10, 2022
• ISBN: 9780473625429

J.B. Reynolds

J.B. Reynolds lives in rural Northland, New Zealand, where he raises children and chickens. He writes short fiction, and is also working on a novel about a security guard who time-travels back to the medieval past. When not writing, he’s a husband, father, and high school teacher (not necessarily in that order). He likes sailing, cycling, and playing music. He has a big garden and likes getting dirt under his fingernails.

Book preview

Snow Time

J.B. Reynolds

FREE BOOK ALERT!

A gritty and engaging story of human faults, fears, and frailty, What Friends Are For is a prequel short story to the novel, Taking the Plunge.

Get your free copy now and discover where it all began for Kate, Tracy, Evan, and Lawrence.

Find out more at jbreynolds.net

What do you mean, you didn’t bring them? Further along the row of cars, a kea was tearing at the windscreen wipers of a filthy Subaru Legacy. Kate felt some empathy for the creature; she felt like giving Lawrence a good, hard peck herself, right on the tip of his big Greek beak. That would wipe the smirk off his face. And I don’t know why you’re smiling like that. What kind of idiot organises a ski trip but then forgets to pack the skis?

"I never said I didn’t pack the skis. I said I didn’t pack your skis."

You’ve got to be kidding?

Her husband shook his head, still wearing the stupid grin. She fired an icy glare at him, but with the snow and the bright morning sunlight she had to squint and it came off all wrong. The kea was now prying at the wipers with a wicked claw and Kate glanced at her own nails, which she’d painted a lurid shade of pink before going to bed last night. Aside from the colour, they bore a passing resemblance to those of the kea’s and if it turned out Lawrence had left anything else behind, she’d be sorely tempted to scratch his eyes out with them.

You better not have forgotten my boots. There’s no way I’m renting a pair.

"I didn’t forget anything. I left them at home on purpose."

What the… Kate’s mouth fell open, the heat rising in her cheeks. There was no question Lawrence could be an insensitive jerk when it took his fancy, but this didn’t make any sense. Why in God’s name would you—

"Because, my dear, I’ve taken the liberty of booking you in for a snowboarding lesson. Every time we come skiing you keep saying you want to try it. Well, now’s your chance. Surprise!"

The chink in his grin suggested she’d done a better job of the ice-queen stare the second time round.

What? I thought you’d be pleased.

Uh, no. I don’t want to go snowboarding.

Then why do you—

Well, okay, I do… but not today.

Why not?

Because I need some time to mentally prepare myself.

Really? Kate, come on… And his voice took on that condescending tone she hated so much, like he was the father and she the silly child who needed the benefit of his wisdom and experience.