Chapter One
Natalie Bergman suppressed a sigh as she fluffed yet another pillow on the plush sectional sofa. The Christmas decorations were up, and the fireplace warmed the spacious great room of Pine Creek Lodge, but it did little to lift her spirits. Outside, fat snowflakes drifted lazily past the floor-to-ceiling windows, blanketing the Rocky Mountains in a fresh coat of white. Any other year, the sight would have filled her with childlike wonder. This year, it only served as a reminder of what she was missing.
"I can’t believe I’m working over Christmas," she muttered to herself, straightening a throw blanket for the umpteenth time.
The thought of her parents and sister gathering at their cozy home in downtown Aspen, decorating the tree and baking cinnamon buns without her, made her sad. But the extra money from this holiday booking would go a long way toward saving her parents' struggling bakery. She couldn't let them down, not when they'd sacrificed so much for her over the years.
Nat glanced at her watch and frowned. The Holloway family was due to arrive any minute, and there was still so much to do. Ten guests for two weeks over Christmas and New Year's – it wasby far the biggest job she’d been booked in for over the years. The tip alone would be great if she played her cards right.
"Okay, Nat, focus," she said, giving herself a little pep talk. "You've got this. Make the Holloways feel welcome, then you can wallow in self-pity later."
She did one last sweep of the great room, making sure everything was perfect. The twelve-foot Christmas tree sparkled with white lights and hand-blown glass ornaments. Garlands of fresh pine and twinkling fairy lights adorned the exposed wooden beams. On the massive stone hearth, ten knit stockings hung in a row, each embroidered with a different Holloway family member's name.
Satisfied with the great room, Nat moved through the rest of the lodge's common areas. She checked that the hot tub on the porch was heated to the ideal temperature, the sauna was stocked with fresh towels, and the game room's pool table was immaculate. In the gourmet kitchen, she made sure the welcome basket was overflowing with local delicacies – artisanal chocolates, Colorado cheeses, fresh-baked bread from her family's bakery, and several bottles of wine from nearby vineyards. She’d already prepped dinner for tonight, just in case the Holloways would dine in, and that alone had taken her hours.
The distant rumble of an engine caught her attention, and she hurried to the front window just in time to see a sleek black SUV winding its way up the private drive. This was it. Game time.
Nat smoothed down her crisp white button-up shirt and adjusted the navy blue apron embroidered with the lodge's logo. She pulled her long chestnut hair back into a neat ponytail and pasted on her most welcoming smile. With one final deep breath, she opened the heavy wooden front door and stepped out onto the covered porch.
The SUV came to a stop, and Nat's smile faltered slightly. There was only one person in the vehicle. Perhaps the rest of the family was in a second car? She watched as the driver's door opened, and a woman emerged.
Nat's breath caught in her throat. The woman was stunning – tall and lithe, with porcelain skin and shoulder-length black hair that contrasted sharply with the snowy backdrop. She wore a tailored charcoal gray coat that probably cost more than Nat made in a month. Dark sunglasses obscured her eyes, but there was no mistaking the set of her jaw or the rigid line of her shoulders. This woman was not in a good mood.
Pushing aside her confusion, Nat descended the steps and approached the vehicle. "Welcome to Pine Creek Lodge, Ms. Holloway. I'm Natalie Bergman, and I'll be taking care of you during your stay. May I help you with your luggage?"
The woman regarded Nat coolly for a moment before removing her sunglasses, revealing eyes the color of smooth whiskey. "That won't be necessary," she said, her voice clipped. "I can manage on my own."
Nat blinked, taken aback by the brusque response. "Of course. Please, allow me to show you inside while we wait for the rest of your party to arrive."
"Oh…" Ms. Holloway paused. "There's been a change of plans. It's just me."
Nat's mind reeled. Just one guest? For two weeks? In a lodge designed to sleep twelve? What about tips? What about all the preparations she'd spent days on? “Okay. Well, that’s not a problem at all. Please, come inside and warm up. I'll have some hot cocoa ready for you in no time."
Ms. Holloway moved to the back of the SUV and popped open the trunk. "I don't do chocolate," she said flatly. "Coffee. Black. No sugar."
"Of course." Nat forced her smile to stay in place. "I'll have that ready for you right away."
She watched as Ms. Holloway effortlessly lifted a large suitcase from the trunk. Nat stepped forward to help, but the look Ms. Holloway shot her made it clear that assistance was neither needed nor wanted.
As they made their way inside, Nat's mind raced. How was she going to make up for the lost income she'd been counting on? The Holloway booking was supposed to be her family's Christmas miracle. Now it felt more like a lump of coal in her stocking.
Once inside, Ms. Holloway set down her luggage and slowly turned in a circle, taking in the grand entryway with its soaring ceilings and antler chandelier. For a moment, Nat thought she saw a flicker of appreciation in those whiskey-colored eyes, but it was gone so quickly she might have imagined it.
"All rooms are made up, but I can recommend the first room on the second floor," she said, gesturing to the sweeping staircase. "It's the master suite with the best views of the mountains. Would you like me to show you up?"
"I'm sure I can find it," Ms. Holloway replied. She glanced at the row of stockings on the fireplace, her jaw tightening almost imperceptibly. "You can take those down. I'm not here to celebrate Christmas. I'm here to ski, work, and to be left alone. Is that clear?"
Nat swallowed hard, willing herself to maintain her professional demeanor. "Crystal clear, Ms. Holloway. I'll remove that right away. Is there anything else I can do for you?"
Ms. Holloway was already halfway up the stairs, pulling her suitcase behind her. "My coffee," she called over her shoulder. "And a rundown of the local ski trails. Black diamond runs only. I'm not interested in bunny slopes."
"Right away," Nat replied to the retreating figure. As soon as Ms. Holloway disappeared down the upstairs hallway, she allowed her shoulders to slump. This was not at all how she'd envisioned the next two weeks going. She’d expected excited children, a happy family…”
With a heavy heart, Nat made her way to the kitchen to prepare Ms. Holloway's coffee and fired off a quick text to her boss, explaining the situation. The response came almost immediately: "What’s the problem? Less work for you, so it should be a walk in the park. Keep the client happy at all costs."
Nat sighed and pocketed her phone. Easy for him to say. He wasn't the one who had to deal with a Grinch in human form for the next fourteen days.
She poured the coffee into an elegant mug and placed it on a silver tray along with a folder containing detailed maps of Aspen's ski areas. She carried it carefully up the stairs, rehearsing what she would say to Ms. Holloway in her head.
