Page 30 of Just One Chance

"I'm being serious," I said carefully.

"Why would we need a snow room in Colorado?"

"In the summer, guests might want to experience it. It would be a talking point, a reason guests can't stop raving about Hart Inn."

"So you're saying it would only be used a couple of months out of the year? But it will be all the rage?"

I walked around the space, envisioning how it would look. "You could build the benches and the trees for the room. I would talk to an expert who's created these before. They're all the rage in warm weather cities, like Miami and LA."

"I think the entire idea is crazy. Why have a room full of snow when you can just go outside and enjoy it?"

"In Miami, there's no snow on the ground. And you don't always want to travel. The snow room is perfect for a quick reprieve from the heat."

"Well, it's winter here now, and we don't get that hot in the summers. I don't think that makes sense for us."

I blew out a breath. "You said yourself you don't have room for an indoor pool and the weather doesn't support an outdoor one. You already have hot tubs in the suites. You could make this a fitness room, but that's kind of boring. Every place has one of those. But a snow room is different. It's like your brew bath; people want to check it out. They talk about it. You get word-of-mouth reservations," I said as my voice picked up the pace due to my excitement.

"This is Colorado. You can go outside and see snow."

I shrugged. "It's a novelty thing, even here in Colorado. Sure, it's expensive. But it's worth it. I think you should do it."

He crossed his arms over his chest. "I don't know how anyone would take that idea seriously."

His words felt like a physical blow to my chest.

Once again, my ideas weren't good enough. Why did I think that I could convince him to take me seriously?

9

BOONE

The idea of a room filled with snow was a ridiculous waste of money. Who would even use something like that when you could just walk outside?

"It's perfect for the summer. That's when you'd get the most use out of it. But I bet it becomes a place where couples spend time during the winter too. Inside, you're protected from the elements, like wind. If someone wants to propose, this will be the ideal location. A snow view without the discomfort."

"We're building a snow room so that couples can get engaged in the winter without worrying about wind?" I asked.

"That's one of the uses for the room." She pulled out her phone and started scrolling. "Look."

She showed me a room that was all windows with log benches to sit on. There were a few small trees, but the focal point of the room was the snow that covered everything and continued to fall from the ceiling. "These are growing in popularity."

"This isn't Miami."

She sighed. "I still think this could be amazing. This space is just sitting here unused. And you said yourself, you're skilled with wood. You can make the logs and trees."

I wasn't even considering the idea as a serious suggestion. It was an absurd waste of time and money. My parents would never go for it. "My parents hired you to change the decor. Think picture frames and furniture."

"Oh, that's easy. You hire a local photographer to take pictures of the property. The mountains, the inn, and the brewery. Those are your new artworks on the walls."

I liked that idea, but I still didn't know why we had to hire her to come up with it. "Is there anything else you needed to see?"

"Let's talk to Malcolm. I want to get a feel for what he's doing in the restaurant."

"What does he have to do with the furniture in the rooms?" That was the remaining item left we had to figure out.

"I like to get a complete picture." She tucked her phone away.

"Fine." I led the way out of the room, hoping she'd forget all about her snow room idea. We went downstairs to the restaurant, which was just off the lobby. I approached the hostess. "We're here to see Malcolm."