Snowbound Summer by Veronica Tower Page A

What had she really expected everyone to do at a ski resort for the weekend?
    “Are you sure you're up to it, Kara?” Kitten whispered to her. “Ron really did have you keeping up all night, you know.”
    Kara dropped her head in her hands in embarrassment. “I can't believe you just said that.”
    Kitten laughed. “And I can't believe you have that much stamina,” she told Kara. “I'm impressed!”
    “Impressed about what,” Hanna asked, making Kara cringe at the prospect of Kitten delightedly explaining their conversation to her.
    Fortunately, Kitten didn't do that. “Lost so much weight, Mom,” Kitten lied. “Doesn't she look great? How much have you lost since we first met you?” Kitten asked.
    Kara took her head out of her hands, grateful to Kitten for covering for her. “It's only one dress size,” she said, “eleven pounds.”
    “You didn't need to lose any weight,” Ron told her. “You've always looked great! Still do, of course.”
    “She probably felt she had to,” Hanna said, “since she's dating a younger man and all.”
    Kara had to fight the urge to glower at her. “I watch what I eat, of course, but I wasn't really trying to lose any weight.”
    Hanna's expression suggested she didn't believe that, “Oh, I think every woman is always trying to lose a little weight.”
    Before Kara could comment, Kitten saw an opportunity to tease Kara and come to her defense at the same time. “She didn't have to try, Mom,” she said. “She's so much more active with Ron, I'll bet the pounds just melted away.”
    Both of Kitten's twins snickered, while the other adults except Hanna and Howard smiled.
    Kitten professed her innocence. “What's so funny? They are more active! Ron's got Kara going skiing, hiking, swimming, biking...”
    As Kitten's voice trailed off, Kara stepped in to fill the void before someone could suggest something less innocent.
    “We do a lot outdoors,” she agreed. “My last boyfriend liked watching football, but now that preseason has started, Ron likes to run outside at halftime and pick up a game.”
    Kara had never really felt that athletic herself, but she'd toned her muscles since she started dating Ron and she had to admit that she liked the new look. She also appreciated that Ron never made her feel bad about being less physically fit than him.
    “You look great!” Anne told her. “I mean, not to push the age thing, but we're peers and I don't look half as good as you.”
    “Of course, you do,” Gene told her. “You look awesome, and Kara hasn't had three children.”
    “Yet,” one of the kids added in a stage whisper.
    Everyone thought that was absolutely hilarious.
    Everyone but Hanna, that is.
    “Do you want to have children, Kara?” she asked. “I don't want to be insensitive, but you are getting past normal child bearing age.”
    “Mom,” Ron said with exaggerated patience, “this isn't the dark ages anymore.” He didn't say it but that the implication was clear— back when you were having kids. “Women can safely have kids a lot later than they used to. If you're really afraid you're not going to get some grandkids out of Kara and me, then that's something you can stop worrying about.” He covered Kara's hand with his own. “If we do get married one day, you'll have some little Millers to carry on Dad's name.”
    “Oh, that is so sweet,” Kitten said in her best mocking tone. She might actually have thought it was sweet, but she never passed up an opportunity to tease someone.
    “Ron is very sweet,” Kara agreed. “He's everything a woman could ask for in a boyfriend.”
    Despite the public surroundings, she leaned over and kissed him on the cheek.
    Ron actually blushed, which made Kitten and the others laugh some more. His fair coloring showed embarrassment much better than his family's darker looks.
    “I think we've done enough talking,” Ron said. “Why don't we all hit the slopes again? Are you coming, Dad? With a little effort,