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“I can’t stay on and watch him destroy everything!”
“What if he…makes it better?” Holly says. “If he’s willing to show you a few ideas, it sounds like he’s open to your feedback. And general manager! That would be just as good as owning it, right?”
“No, general manager is doing all the work andnotowning it, which is what I’ve already spent my whole life doing.”
“That’s fair. But is it also fair to say that if you did own it, you’d still be doing all the work anyway?” Holly says, lifting her eyebrows. “Like you said, Landmark Mountain Lodge is about family and community…and that hasn’t changed, no matter who the owner is.”
I don’t say anything, choosing instead to take a long sip of my drink. I close my eyes and savor the flavors. Pierre’s is the best. Finally, “I hate it when you make sense.”
She laughs. “You hate it when I’mright. Give him a chance, Scarlett. Maybe he’ll surprise you.”
“I’m tired of being disappointed, you know?” I sniff, trying to ignore the tears trying to gather. “And I’m not used to being all over the map. You guys know me, I’m not so…” I lift my hand and wave it up and down in front of my face.
“You need a vacation. You’re the most levelheaded person I know,” April says.
I blink quickly and clink my glass to theirs. “Enough about me, what’s going on with you?”
“We don’t have to be done with this topic. You never let us dwell on you. I kinda like not being the one with the most drama,” April says.
I laugh. “Well, it’s making me itchy.”
“Okay, well…there’s this guy that’s making it almostimpossiblefor me to not break my tourist fast,” April says. “He walked by a few days ago when I was shoveling the walkway in front of Toyland and ended up taking the shovel and finishing it for me. He’s come in the shop every day and before he leaves, he asks me out to dinner.”
“He sounds worth breaking your fast for,” Holly says.
“I don’t know. I thought that about all the others and look how they turned out,” she says. “He’s so hot too, you’d be proud of how I’ve kept it locked.” She shakes her head. “But I’m so close to caving.”
“What’s his name and how long is he staying?” I ask.
“Well, that’s the other thing.” She makes a face. “His name is…” She glances around like she’s afraid he’ll pop out of the woodwork. “Barney.” She winces again. “I’d almost go by Barn if I were him instead of invoking that purple monstrosity every time I said my name…”
We all laugh and the appetizers are set in front of us.
“Anyone ready for another drink?” Pierre asks.
“Yes,” Holly announces for all of us, holding up three fingers again. “What? We all walked…you did walk too, didn’t you?” she asks me.
“Yes. But only one more,” I say. “I can’t stay too late and it’s cold out there tonight.”
“If you decide to become general manager, can we go to Bali to celebrate?” April asks.
“I’m not sure I’d have the time if I became general manager…see? Another good reason why I shouldn’t do it. What’s got you thinking Bali?”
“Barney went to Bali last year and said it was amazing,” she gushes.
This makes Holly and I lose it and when our second round of lemon drops come by, we’re a lot lighter than when we started.
CHAPTERTWELVE
FOUR-LEGGED SURPRISES
JAMISON
After being inside most of the day and still feeling keyed up after that conversation with Scarlett, I decide to take a walk before calling it a night.
I’m still putting on my coat when I step outside and then I blow air in my hands to warm them up and head toward the twinkle lights. Every colorful shop and restaurant is covered with white lights, making it the quaintest, most charming little town I’ve ever seen.
I’m not sure how late everything stays open around here, but it seems at least during this time of year, the restaurants and bars are still going strong. I’m tempted to get a beer somewhere, but it feels too good to walk, so I wind through the streets, enjoying the crunch of snow beneath my feet and the sounds of people laughing and enjoying themselves.
