Sheridan was at the Youth Center trying to finish up her community service. She was supposed to be filing some papers, but she was having trouble concentrating. She couldn’t stop thinking about Luis. She couldn’t understand why she was thinking about him all the time and dreaming about him every night. She kept telling herself that she was just grateful to him for saving her life. But that wouldn’t explain why she wanted to touch him and kiss him so desperately. Every time she saw him, she just wanted to run into his arms. She spent half of her time just staring at him. She couldn’t help it, he’s just so amazing, especially those eyes and that smile. She quivered at his slightest touch and totally melted each time his smile came her way. She was remembering how it felt to be in his arms when they were dancing on New Year’s Eve when Luis walked in the door.
Luis: (smiling) “What are you thinking about, Sheridan?”
Sheridan: (blushing) “Oh hey Luis. What did you say?”
Luis: “I asked you what you were thinking about. You had this really dreamy look on your face like you were in heaven or something.”
Sheridan: (still looking dreamy) “Yes Luis I was in heaven. Anyway, what do you want me to do after I finish this filing?”
Luis: (staring intently at her) “I want you to be with me.”
Sheridan: “What did you say Luis?”
Luis: “Uhmmm, I want you to help me order some new equipment.”
Sheridan: (taking a step closer to him) “That’s not what I heard you say the first time.”
Hank walked into the room carrying bunch of bags and some drinks.
Hank: “Hey Guys, what’s going on?”
Luis and Sheridan: (at the same time, unable to stop looking at each other) “I don’t know.”
Hank: “Well, whatever it is can wait. I brought lunch.”
Meanwhile, Miguel and Charity were sitting on a couch at the Book Café. Kay was lurking around behind them stealing glances at Miguel.
Miguel: “Charity, Reese’s parents have a cabin on Snow Mountain, and a bunch of us always go there to ski every January. Do you like to ski?”
Charity: “I don’t remember ever going skiing before. I’m sure I wouldn’t be able to do it.”
Miguel: “Come on Charity, you can do anything.”
Kay: “Miguel, don’t try to force her to do something she doesn’t want to do. Maybe we can take pictures, and if it looks like fun to Charity, she can come with us next year.”
Miguel: “Oh, I wouldn’t want to go if Charity doesn’t go.”
Kay: “Miguel, we always go, besides you’ve been looking forward to it all year. I’m sure Charity wouldn’t mind hanging out with my Mom and Dad for the weekend. She could even spend some time visiting with Tabitha – that’s always an adventure.”
Charity: “You should go Miguel. I don’t mind hanging out with Aunt Grace and Uncle Sam. I’m sure you’ll have lots of fun with Kay and the other kids.”
Miguel: “No way Charity, I want to spend all the time I can with you. Are you sure you don’t want to give it a shot? I’m a really good teacher.”
Charity: “I don’t know Miguel. I’m sure I wouldn’t be any good at it. But, Dr. Russell did say I should try doing new things. Maybe I will go.”
Miguel: “That’s great, Charity. I promise if you don’t like it, we’ll spend the weekend playing in the snow and building snowmen.”
Charity: “Thanks Miguel, you’re so understanding.”
Miguel: “Oh yeah, there is one problem. Last year Reese’s older brother was our chaperone, and now he’s away at college. I’m sure Mr. And Mrs. Bennett wouldn’t let you guys go without an adult. Can you think of anyone we can get to chaperone us?”
Charity: “Well, I don’t know anyone, but I’m sure you’re right about Aunt Grace not wanting us to go alone.”
Kay: (already dreaming about a weekend with Miguel) “We have to figure out something, Miguel. What about your older brother or my Uncle Hank?”
Miguel: “That’s a great idea Kay. Luis loves to ski; I’m sure he’d be happy to go with us. Plus, it will give him a chance to get to know Charity a little better. I’ll go over to the Youth Center and ask him now.”
Miguel walked into the Youth Center and found Luis in his office having lunch with Hank and Sheridan.
Luis: “Hey little brother, what brings you down here? This is the first time I’ve seen you in weeks without Charity glued to your hip.”
Miguel: “Don’t tease me about Charity. We have something really special. Besides you could use a girlfriend yourself.”
Luis: “Okay, I was only joking. Don’t get upset, I’m sure Charity is a great girl.”
Miguel: “She is great, but I didn’t come here to talk about Charity. Luis, don’t you have next weekend off?”
Luis: “Yeah, why?
Miguel: “How would you feel about going skiing up at Snow Mountain. A group of us really want go skiing, and Reese’s parents said we could stay in their cabin for free. We could really use an adult to go with us.”
Luis: “I don’t know Miguel. I was planning on getting some work done around the house. Mama has a whole list of things that need repairing.”
Hank: “Come on Luis, you know you love to ski. And you’re always spending your spare time doing stuff with the kids. This is the perfect time of year to go skiing.”
Miguel: “Please, Luis. It would really mean a lot to me.”
Luis: “Okay, Okay. I guess I wouldn’t mind getting out of Harmony and hitting the slopes.”
Miguel: “Thanks big brother, you’re the best.”
Sheridan: “So, is Snow Mountain a good place to ski?”
Hank: “Yeah, it’s the best place around. Do you ski, Sheridan?”
Sheridan: “I used to ski all the time when I lived in Europe. I haven’t been since I moved back to Harmony. I really miss it.”
Hank: “Well, why don’t we all go skiing next weekend?”
Sheridan: “Oh, I wouldn’t want to intrude on their trip.”
Miguel: “That’s okay, the more the merrier. I think it would be fun if you and Hank came along. It will give Luis some people his own age to hang out with.”
Hank: “What do you say Luis? We haven’t being skiing together in years. I bet I’m still better than you.
Luis: “You were never better than me, Hank. If you guys want to come along, it’s fine with me.”
Sheridan: “Well, I would like to go skiing, but is there enough room for all of us?”
Miguel: “The cabin is kind of small. Usually, everyone brings sleeping bags and all the girls pile in one room and the boys in the other. As long as you don’t mind be cramped for a couple of nights.”
Luis: “I’m sure Sheridan would rather stay in fancy hotel than sleep on the floor of a cabin.”
Sheridan: “Actually, it sounds like fun to me. I do own a sleeping bag, Luis.”
Luis (grinning, thinking about Sheridan sleeping on the floor): “Okay, whatever you say.”
It was finally time to leave for the ski trip. Everyone was really excited, but for the most part the trip up to Snow Mountain was uneventful. As soon as they arrived, everyone ran toward the slopes. Miguel and Charity went to the bunny slope to teach Charity to ski. Kay followed along claiming she wanted to help Charity too, but she really just didn’t want Charity to be alone with Miguel.
Hank led the way for himself, Sheridan, and Luis. Luis was almost embarrassed for Hank because it was obvious he was trying to show off for Sheridan. Hank and Luis were experienced skiers, but not graceful like Sheridan.
Luis had to admit his skiing was suffering because he couldn’t take his eyes off Sheridan. All of Hank’s antics started to really get on his nerves, and he couldn’t stop thinking about Sheridan. She was really amazing, both on and off the slopes. He had to get her out of his head; the problems was deep down he didn’t really want to. He kept remembering the way he tingled all over when she brushed up against him. How could a woman, and a Crane at that, make him feel that way.
Sheridan was having a good time. She really had missed skiing since leaving Europe. She always felt so free from everything when she was flying down the side of a mountain. Luis and Hank were pretty good skiers too. Luis looked a little distracted, but he looked really good in his ski gear. Of course, Luis would look good in anything, she thought. Hank was acting a little crazy, trying to outdo Luis at everything. He came off looking pretty silly, but who was she to judge. She had not had the opportunity to ask Luis again about what he had said to her at the Youth Center the other day. She thought she heard him say that he wanted her to be with him. What could that mean? Oh, what was she thinking, she was the one having fantasies about him, not the other way around. It was probably nothing.
Later that evening, back at the Cabin, everyone was sitting around talking about the day’s adventures. Miguel was bragging to everyone about how well Charity did. Kay was pouting because she hadn’t been able to get Miguel alone for a single minute. Charity was thinking about how many bruises she was going to have the next day. Sheridan and Luis were sitting there with everyone else, but were in their own worlds dreaming of each other. Hank thought it would be fun if everyone played a game. So, he divided everyone up into teams, and they played Family Feud. Everyone complained at first, but ended up having a good time. At around midnight, Luis announced that they should probably get some sleep since they had to be up early the next morning. Everyone was exhausted from the day, so there were no complaints. They all piled into their sleeping bags and fell fast asleep.
About an hour later, Sheridan woke up feeling a bit claustrophobic. She wasn’t used to having so many teenaged girls lying all around her. And to be honest, she certainly wasn’t used to sleeping on the floor. She got up and went to get a glass of water. On her way back, she looked out the window and noticed how clear the sky was and how beautiful the stars were. She grabbed a blanket off the back of the couch and went outside. It was freezing, but she was mesmerized by all the stars and how bright they were.
Luis was having quite a dream. In the dream, he was in his bed at home. All of the sudden, he heard someone come into his room. He jumped out of bed and reached for his baseball bat. He turned on the light and saw Sheridan Crane standing there. He asked her what she was doing there in the middle of the night. She told him she had been shopping that day and needed a man’s opinion on one of her purchases. She took off her coat. There wasn’t much too it – it was black and skimpy. Luis stood there staring with his mouth wide open. He couldn’t speak. She came toward him. She grabbed his hands and put them on her. Oh wow, he thought, she’s incredible. He was still speechless, he couldn’t even think. She put her hands around his neck and pulled him toward her. All of the sudden, he was wide awake – thanks to Miguel’s snoring. He tried going back to sleep quickly, he wanted desperately to get back to his dream – to Sheridan. It was of no use, the dream was over. As a matter of fact, he couldn’t get back to sleep at all. His heart was still racing. He really needed a cold shower to “cool himself down”. He didn’t want to wake anyone, so he decided to just go throw some water on his face. Maybe that would bring him back to reality. He looked out the window as he was walking to the kitchen. What was Sheridan doing outside at this time of night?
Luis: “Sheridan, what on earth are you doing out here?”
Wow, she really looked adorable all wrapped up in that blanket, and she sure looked great in that dream he just had.
Sheridan: “Umhhhh, I was just getting a glass of water, and I decided to check out the stars.”
Luis: (looking up at the sky) “It is a beautiful night. I don’t know how long it’s been since I’ve seen that many stars.”
Sheridan: “Anyway, what are you doing up, Luis?”
Luis: “Well, I had a strange dream and then I couldn’t fall back asleep.”
Sheridan: “Oh, what was your dream about?”
Luis: (turning red) “I was dreaming about…….well, actually I was dreaming about…..”
Sheridan: (interrupting Luis) “Look, Luis it’s a shooting star. Do you see it?”
Luis: “Yeah, yeah I saw it. Wow, I’ve never seen one before.”
Sheridan: “Me neither, it was amazing.”
Luis: “You get to make a wish.”
Sheridan: (still in awe) “What?”
Luis: “Haven’t you ever heard of making a wish on a shooting star?”
Sheridan: “Yeah. Maybe I will make a wish.”
She thought for a minute. The only thing she really wanted was to kiss Luis and to be in his arms. Nothing felt better to her than being in his arms. She could only imagine how kissing him would make her feel. She definitely wanted to find out. She didn’t know why she was bothering to use her wish on something that would probably never come true. But, she couldn’t help wishing.
Luis: “So, what did you wish for, Sheridan?”
Sheridan: “I can’t tell you or it might not come true.”
Luis: (giving her that killer smile) “Okay. Well, I hope your wish comes true no matter what it is.”
Sheridan: “Thanks. Luis, you must be freezing. I can’t believe you didn’t bother to put any clothes on before coming out here.” (not that he didn’t look incredible standing there in his boxers).
Luis: “Oh yeah, I guess it is pretty chilly out here. I wasn’t planning on going outside, but then I saw you out here, and I wanted to make sure everything was okay. So, do you mind sharing that blanket?”
Sheridan smiled and held the blanket open for him. He stepped toward her and wrapped them both up in the blanket. They were standing so close now, glaring into each other’s eyes. She couldn’t breathe. No one had ever made her feel this way before – not even close. She wanted him, she couldn’t deny it. She knew it was crazy – they were barely friends, yet she was thinking about going to bed with him. He moved slightly, and their hands touched. She shivered.
Luis: “Sheridan, you’re shivering. Are you cold?”
Sheridan wanted to scream that she was shivering because he touched her, and that’s how much she was affected by his touch.
But, she said: “Yeah, maybe a little cold.”
Luis put his arms around her and pulled her to him. Oh boy, he thought, she felt so good. He didn’t think he would ever be able to let go of her – he didn’t want to. The look in her eyes – it was so intense, so loving. He wanted to kiss her more than he had ever wanted anything in his life. He looked down at her lips; they looked soft and inviting. He slowly bent down, never breaking eye contact, and kissed her gently. She sighed as his lips touched hers. The kiss was magical. Neither of them spoke. They just looked at each other, both amazed at how such a simple kiss could make them feel the way they were feeling. Luis couldn’t resist, he kissed her again, this time passionately. He needed to catch his breath, but he couldn’t stop kissing her. Sheridan knew she was kissing the man of her dreams, the man she was in love with. She couldn’t believe how incredible it felt. Finally, they pulled apart. They were both panting. Luis started to speak, but he just couldn’t find the words to express how he was feeling. Sheridan starting kissing his bare chest and then moved up to his neck. He was holding her so tight, he was afraid he was going to hurt her. She kissed her way back to his lips, and he responded hungrily. They were devouring each other. The blanket wrapped around them fell to the ground. All they felt was the heat radiating between them, not the cold air. Luis noticed that Sheridan looked just as sexy in her flannel PJ’s as she did in that black outfit she was wearing in his dream. Their hands were everywhere, exploring each other. Time flew by.
They laughed together as they realized they were supposed to be chaperoning a group of teenagers, and they were the ones who were making out in the middle of the night. Sheridan looked up at the sky and saw the sun starting to come out.
“Oh, Luis look it’s almost daylight. I can’t believe we’ve been out here all night.” Luis smiled at her and kissed her forehead.
Sheridan: “I guess we should go inside and try to get some sleep before the kids start to wake up.”
Luis: (gently stroking her back) “Yeah, we probably should, BUT I’m not ready to let you go yet.”
Sheridan: “Trust me Luis, I’d rather be here in your arms than any other place in this world.”
So, they stood together and watched the sun rise. It was so romantic.
Luis: “Sheridan, as much as I hate to say this, I think we better get inside now.”
Sheridan: “Yeah, maybe we can catch a quick nap before everyone is up.”
Luis held both of her hands in his, and said,
“Sheridan, I know there are a lot of things we need to talk about. I don’t want to get started now, but I just want to say that being here with you tonight…Well, besides being amazing, it really meant a lot to me.”
Sheridan: “Oh, Luis. I know there are a lot of things to work out, but being with you means everything to me.”
He smiled at her and gave her one last kiss. They walked inside hand in hand.
As they were about to go their separate ways, Sheridan leaned in and whispered,
"By the way, Luis, my wish already came true.”
THE END