"He rear-ended me, technically." I hug her back hard because it's been two months and I have missed her face. "Okay, this place, Holly. This place."
She pulls back, and her expression does the thing it does when she's proud of something she built and is trying not to look too proud of it. She’s trying to look humble and fails completely. "I know," she says.
"It's extraordinary."
"I know."
"How many rooms?"
"Eighty-two suites in the main lodge, sixteen private mountain cabins, and the ski-in chalets open in two weeks. Come on, I'll give you the full tour before Justin finds you and makes you taste-test the tasting menu. He's been at it for three days. I think he's developed a whole thing with the pastry chef."
"Justin is engaged to you."
"I know. That's what makes it complicated." She links her arm through mine and steers me toward the corridor. "She made him a homemade chocolate croissant and I think he actually teared up."
The tour takes ninety minutes and I have my phone out for all ninety of them. It’s a good thing I have unlimited Cloud storage because the number of photos I’ve taken would have frozen my phone without it.
The ski slopes are immaculate; three levels, a gondola with glass floors that doubles as a sightseeing experience, views that make me understand viscerally why people move to Colorado and never leave. The spa occupies the entire east wing because, sunset of course. It has thermal pools, treatment rooms, and a meditation suite with a mountain view that feels almost aggressive in its beauty.
The boutiques stop me completely.
The biggest one isnota gift shop. Not a resort gift shop with keychains and logo mugs. An actual curated retail experience containing fine jewelry, a Colorado artisan collective, high-end outerwear that I am absolutely trying on later, a wine and spirits room where a sommelier is currently arranging bottles with the focus of someone performing brain surgery.
"I'm buying things in there," I tell Holly.
"I know. I factored it in; you’ll get the employee discount."
The restaurants are three in concept, completely different from each other: a casual ski lodge bar, a mid-level restaurant I'm already mentally writing a review for, and a twelve-table fine dining room that Holly says has secured two pre-opening reservations from a publication my travel-blogger brain immediately recognizes as a very significant get. There are of course a few bars and coffee shops easily accessible throughout the entire resort.
And then we reach the petting zoo.
It's in a covered area off the east garden. It’s spacious, clearly designed around the animals' comfort first and aesthetics second, which somehow makes it more beautiful. I love animals. Sometimes, my little comes out and I can’t help but squeal in delight. This is one of those moments. When I see the animals, I squeal in pure happiness.
Miniature horses. Alpine goats with impractical levels of charm. A pair of llamas who are regarding all of this with theair of people who have seen it all and remain unimpressed. I swear the female was judging me and my outfit choice. A rabbit enclosure that Holly physically has to redirect me away from. They are so fluffy and cute, and I feel what can only be described as cuteness aggression looking at them. I want to snuggle every single one of their furry bodies to me.
"Maya. We're almost done."
"They're so small, Holly —"
"The reindeer are literally right there."
That gets me moving.
There are six of them in the back enclosure. Real reindeer. I’ve never seen reindeer before in real life, only the cartoon version. Actual Rangifer tarandus, which I know because I once planned an Arctic Circle trip for a family and spent a week deep in reindeer research. They're smaller than I expected, compact and weirdly graceful, a couple of them still in partial antler growth.
One lifts its head when I approach the fence and gives me a look of complete philosophical indifference.
I love this animal so much.
I start photographing immediately and don't stop for approximately four minutes.
"Anthony handles all of this," Holly says, in the careful voice she uses when she's trying to sound like she's making casual conversation. "The petting zoo, the vet contracts, hiring of staff, the reindeer. He and Justin have been friends since college. He's here most days. He’s incredible with the animals. Patient, kind and just the right amount of firm."
"You’ve mentioned him a few times now."
"Did I? Hm."
"Holly."
