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CHAPTER 1
LAURA
Ahigh-pitched squeal pierced through the lobby, grabbing my attention. I twisted on my heel, nearly slipping as a little girl darted out of the lodge, bounding over the threshold like a fearless mountaineer. My eyes remained locked on her, marveling at her tiny legs as they darted across the snow-covered terrain until she hit a patch of ice and lost her balance. I sprang forward, swooping her up into my arms before she hit the ground. “Whoa there, little one! You almost took a tumble.” I held her tightly in my arms, right over my hip, the way I’d seen mothers do.
Her dark wavy hair blew in the gentle breeze and she looked up. Her brown eyes stretched wide as she took in my outfit. “You’re pretty.” She smiled. “Are you Santa’s helper?”
“No, but I am part of the Christmas team. I’m a nutcracker.”
“From Mr. Tchaikovsky’s story?”
She pronounced the last name expertly, and I leaned back.
“That’s right. How do you know about Tchaikovsky?”
“I’ll go get Mrs. Silver.” Allie interjected. We were working security detail for the Silver family and guests, but partnering with my best friend never felt like a job.
“I saw the play. The girl in the story becomes friends with the nutcracker to fight the evil Mouse King.”
I’d honestly forgotten the story until she brought it up.
“And does she run outside and slip on ice?” I tickled her ribcage.
She giggled.
“No. Did you know fifty-six percent of kids slip on ice and fall?” she asked.
“Those are some big numbers for your size. How old are you?”
She removed her mitten and spread out all of her fingers, stating, “Five.”
My heart clenched inward.
“Kensi? Kensi, where are you?” Teresa Silver called from the inside.
I walked indoors with Kensi in my arms.
Allie returned to our post.
“There you are. Kensi, you’re gonna get sick before Santa arrives.”
Kensi wiggled to get down before addressing her grandmother, . “I wanted to see the snow. And daddy will be here soon. He promised a snowman.”
Mrs. Silver smiled with kind eyes.
“Daddy never breaks promises, but he won’t be happy if you catch a cold. Thank you so much for finding her, Ms....”
“Laura Young.”
“Aha, that's right. Welcome to the Silver Lodge. Make yourselves at home, ladies. I need to get this little muffin hot tea with lemon and honey before she catches a cold.”
She gave Kensi a mock-stern look, and the little girl giggled.
“Thank you for having us.”
Teresa Silver headed toward the kitchen with Kensi, and I returned to my post outside.
“Here they come,”I whispered to Allie.
