MEANWHILE, RICK AND Donny were getting to know each other a bit better.
“Retired Navy? Wow. Thanks for your service, man,” Donny said.
Rick smiled. “It was an honor. So,” he said. “I hear you’re an Olympic skier.”
“Was,” Donny confirmed. “I blew my knee out right before I was supposed to leave for Nagano. Sucked, too, I had a strong chance to medal that year.”
“Sorry to hear that,” Rick replied. “Do you miss competing?”
“I thought I would, but no, not really,” Donny said. “I still ski for fun, but I don’t miss all the training and practice. I sure as hell don’t miss the injuries either!”
Something about the way Donny kept glancing to the back of the store where he’d last seen Lizzie clicked in Rick’s mind, and he decided to play a hunch and see if he was right.
“So,” he asked, makin
