Page 96 of Touch of Class

“Anything I can do to help—” Gillian’s offer came up short as Izzy burst through the waiting room door, alight with excitement.

“We’re getting a snow day tomorrow!” she blurted. “They haven’t sent out the message yet, but Monica’s mom works at the school, and they already told the teachers, so it’s official. My first Buffalo snow day!”

“What a joyous occasion!” Hugh jumped right in. “Is a Buffalo snow day very different from a Syracuse snow day?”

“Probably.” Izzy bounced on the balls of her feet, and, for a second, everything else in the room faded away as Daphne relished the rare occasion when her daughter seemed younger than her age instead of older. “I bet people here have different things they do.”

As if on cue, everyone turned to Gillian expectantly.

She shook her head. “Um, on snows days I switch some clients over to telehealth for online sessions.”

Izzy stared at her, confusion edging toward disappointment in her expression, and for once, the great Gillian DeGarmo faltered.

“I don’t suppose that’s the answer you were hoping for. I think there are probably more suitable winter activities, possibly fun things for children in the snow, and while I do not know what they are, I … well … let’s see … Robin!”

“Robin?” Izzy asked.

“Robin will know.” Gillian pulled out her phone. “And Sawyer. Let’s shoot them a text.”

Daphne watched her tap her phone screen, brow furrowed as she sprung into fix-it mode, because, on the off chance Gillian didn’t know an answer, she’d find it. The quality used to annoy her, but now it felt more earnest and endearing, though Daphne did her best to pretend it was only because she was employing the trait in service of Izzy’s happiness.

The phone buzzed almost immediately, and Gillian smiled one of those smiles that made Daphne’s knees wobbly. “Toboggan chutes in Chestnut Ridge Park.”

“Toboggan chutes?” Izzy asked hopefully.

“Yes.” Gillian continued to read. “Apparently, there’s a place near the city where they have big, old alpine sleds, and they run them down a ramp, so you go fast.”

“Yes!” Izzy did a dance of pure joy. “That’s so Buffalo. Can we go tomorrow, Mom? Papa, can we? The storm is supposed to stop by noon. Maybe we can go after?”

Hugh shrugged. “I have some meetings with buyers, but I don’t suppose your mother can move her clients to telehealth.”

Daphne shook her head. “No, my work isn’t transferable. Besides, a snow day is a holy thing, like the universe declaring, ‘no work today.’ It seems wrong for me to argue with the universe, so I suppose tobogganing is in order if the roads are clear by late afternoon.”

“What a triumph,” Hugh declared. “We’ll sleep in all morning, then after my intrepid adventurers return, I’ll have a hot meal waiting, and we can hear tales of your glory. In the evening, we’ll have a family movie night with hot cocoa and popcorn. Does that sound like an apt celebration of abundant snowfall?”

“Totally,” Izzy declared, only he hadn’t directed the question at her. Instead, and much to Daphne’s surprise, he’d arched an eyebrow in Gillian’s direction.

She seemed startled, too. “Me?”

“Of course. You’re the Buffalo expert. Do you think a day of pajamas, snow sports, hot meals, and lowbrow cinema offers a fitting tribute to whatever winter deities send storms across the great lake?”

“It’s certainly more apt than any offerings I’ve ever made on the lake effect front.”

“It must be up to snuff then,” Hugh declared. With a flash of side-eye to Daphne, he added, “I have it on good authority you never do anything halfway.”

Daphne’s chest seized, and she struggled to breathe, much less formulate a response to such a brazen comment, but Hugh had no such issue finding words to keep spilling out.

“And since you’ve helped us construct our plans, you must join us, Gillian.”

“Yes!” Izzy piled on. “It’d be so much fun.”

“Oh, I don’t know,” Gillian said quickly. “I’m not much a of a winter-fun kind of woman.”

Hugh laughed. “From what I hear, there’s a first time for everything.”

“Okay.” Daphne found her voice. “Let’s not pressure anyone to agree to anything rash here. Gillian’s a very busy woman, and she already said she has clients tomorrow.”

“Everyone should come.” Izzy absolutely ignored Daphne’s discomfort. “Let’s invite all of your friends, and all of my friends, and whoever can show up will show up.”