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Gracie certainly had the time considering the fact she hadn’t had to wait on her mother that morning. The engine of her car hummed when she turned it on to warm up. The glove box clicked shut when she closed it after grabbing a multipurpose tool she stored there, and she plodded through deep snow into the field to cut branches. She smiled to herself as she gathered enough winterberry to fill her arms. There would be plenty for Tracy, and there was plenty left to cut later for Gracie’s new house, wherever that might be.
She hoped Henry still had room in his rental. He had offered her the loft earlier that season, and because it wasn’t as private as a room with a door, the cost was low enough Gracie could easily afford it. She placed the winterberry branches in the back of her car and headed to work.
Gracie’s happiness continued as she drove. She did spend a moment worrying about her mother, but rent had been paid until the end of January, and there was plenty of food in the pantry to keep her mother fed. She also knew the woman had a nice bank account she refused to touch, claiming the money was for emergencies. Margo would be just fine until she found a job, so Gracie let the joy of her new freedom take over.
She nearly skipped into work and greeted everyone she saw with a smile as she carried an armful of winterberry branches to Tracy’s office. Tracy glanced up from her computer screen, and a smile grew on her face as she removed her glasses. “You are full of holiday cheer today, Gracie,” she said as she stood up, “This is the version of you I love to see. What has you smiling?” She gave Gracie a coy look.
“Exactly what you think,” Gracie said as she opened her arms to let Tracy take the branches from her. “I have a date for the holiday party with Leo.”
“Excellent. I’m so glad you’re going this year.”
“Me too.”
Tracy grabbed half of the winterberry. “Goodness, these are lovely. Thank you.”
“You’re very welcome.” Gracie was in such a good mood that when she walked into the locker room she went over to where the pretty girls kept their things. “Would any of you like some?”
Fiona scoffed, but Carla reached out for a bough. “I’d love them. Where did you find winterberry?”
“Behind my house. There is a huge field of them.”
“They’re so pretty,” Maggie said as she took a branch and inspected it. “These are going to look so nice on the railing.” The three girls lived together in a condo on the mountain that belonged to Carla’s family.
“That’s what I was thinking!” Carla said.
Maggie nodded. “Great minds.”
“And this is why we’re friends,” Fiona piped in as if she hadn’t balked at first. She reached out and snatched the rest of the winterberry from Gracie, and her tone was syrupy sweet when she said, “You’re a dear, Gracie. Thank you.”
Her sarcasm didn’t do a thing to ruin Gracie’s mood, and she grinned as she walked over to her locker. The door clanged when she tugged it open. She was on courtesy patrol that morning, which meant she would be skiing in a bright green jacket that identified her as guest services, and she’d be helping anyone with questions or retrieving equipment for fallen skiers. In the afternoon she’d be dressed as Vixen for her shift on the beginner’s trail.
She was sliding into her ski pants when she heard Leo from behind her. “Looks like we’re skiing together today.”
“Really?” she asked as she turned to him.
He smiled. “The perks of this job are pretty great.”
She chuckled and noticed Henry had walked into the locker room. “Hold that thought. I need to talk to Henry for a minute.”
She walked over in her stocking feet to where his locker was. “Hey. I’ve got a question for you.”
Henry set his backpack down on the bench with a thud. “Shoot.”
“Is the loft in your house still available? Because I think it’s time I moved.”
He frowned at her. “Is everything okay?”
“Yeah, fine. But I’m ready to live a life without my mother being privy to everything I do.”
“Ah. Privacy for you and Leo. Got it.” Heat rushed to Gracie’s face, but Henry quickly said, “Lucky for you, the loft is still open. When do you want to move in?”
Gracie wanted to say immediately because she was not looking forward to Christmas Eve with her mother. But she knew she should spend it with Margo, so she said. “Day after tomorrow?”
“No problem. But if you don’t have plans tomorrow night, we’re having Christmas dinner after work and we’d love to have you.”
Many of the younger employees at Sugar Mountain didn’t celebrate the holiday with their parents since the resort needed them, and they’d take days off to see family when the vacation week was over. “That sounds fun,” Gracie said as she wondered what Leo was doing. “Can I—"
“I invited Leo earlier.” Henry grinned at her. “There’s already a bed and bureau in the loft. Need any help moving your things?”
