After adding lift tickets to each guest folder, I take the stack to the reception area so they’re ready for the instructors to distribute. While filing the last one in the daily organizer, a frigid blast of air rushes past my neck, and I look up to find Carter dusting a few flakes of snow off his shoulder. He steps inside for the first time since I started working here, which has me a little on edge.
I think it’s the suit. I've never liked suits. They seem stuffy.
“Did I forget about a meeting?” I hold my breath as he approaches.
“No. I wanted to see how you’re settling in. Do you have everything you need?” He gives me a warm smile, and my earlier anxiety evaporates.
I pull on my lip as I look around the room, mentally cataloging what’s been done and what’s left to do.
“That doesn’t look good.” His brow furrows as he watches me. “What are we missing?”
“Not missing per se, just things I’d like to add.”
“Such as?” He leans a hip against the counter and crosses his arms in front of his chest, managing to look casual yet authoritative at the same time.
“More adaptive equipment, a resort-issue coat for the instructors, little things that will make us look more professional.”
“You mean the orange vest that looks like it belongs on a construction crew isn’t a good look for the instructors?”
I’m not expecting the joke, so I stand there blinking with my mouth hanging open like an idiot until he speaks again.
“We both know this program is a work in progress. You’ve got a great vision, and I want to help you get there, but I need to show theboard it’s viable before they’ll commit. If there’s something you need to operate, I’ll make sure you have it, but some of the bells and whistles to take this to the next level will have to wait until they agree to finance it.”
“You mean they aren’t financing it?” I cock my head to the side in the universalWTFexpression?“Then how…”
“Let’s just sayIsee this as a good investment. So, how’s it going so far?”
Still a little baffled by that statement, I say the first thing that comes to mind. “Pretty well, all things considered.”
“All things?” He lifts a brow artfully. It makes him look more amused than irritated, which is a good thing considering that probably came off as an insult.
“I just meant we’ve come a long way in a few days.”
“If I remember correctly, the few services we’re offering are just a fraction of what you proposed to initiate. You consider that coming a long way?” The tilt of his head suggests he’s not criticizing, just curious.
“I consider having guests lined up for those services a few weeks after we started advertising them a big step. We went from zero to fully booked almost instantly.”
He glances at the folders lined up on the reception desk. “Six is fully booked?”
“For the size of our current staff, yes.” And by staff, I mean two instructors andme…I won't lie, knowing this program isn’t “board approved” has me feeling less confident about that number than I did a few minutes ago, but that doesn’t change the fact a lot of progress was made in a short amount of time.
Hopefully Carter can’t see me worrying the inside of my lip as I remind myself of that.
“Alright then.” His eyes twinkle as he grins, seemingly pleased with my response. “Oh, by the way. I have a new instructor for you.”
“You do?” I feel my eyes bulge. I mentioned my desire for more instructors in passing on the first day, but it was more of an offhand comment than a formal request. I didn’t expect Carter to act on it, much less so soon. Clearly, his pace is full steam ahead, even when no one else is on board the train. I can relate.
“A snowboarder we sponsor, Ryder, has to do some community service and I volunteered this program as an option.”
My chest deflates before Carter finishes talking.Is he for real, or is this some sort of mess with the new guy gag?
Treading carefully, I deliberately make my voice higher, so I sound mildly interested instead of annoyed. “Why is this person doing community service?”
“He received a DUI a few months ago. First offense. You’ll have him for a hundred hours of work.”
I inhale as discreetly as possible, forcing myself to speak evenly when what I really want to do is roll my eyes and groan. “I’m not sure I like this idea. Some of our guests have lost limbs because of drunk drivers.”
“That’s why I want him here, so he can see the potential consequences of his actions while also getting back on the snow.” Carter’s tone matches mine, courteous with an undertone of caution. I know I’m supposed to interpret that as his final word, but I can’t.
