Page 7 of Christmas for Keeps

Okay, trips down memory lane were apparently out of bounds, so I went with it. “They’re great, thank you. Dad’s still running his business, and Mom’s doing her charity work. She’s having fun redecorating the house and bugging me to get a boyfriend.”

He was silent for a moment before asking, “You don’t have one?”

“A boyfriend?”

He shrugged. “Just curious.”

I shifted in my seat and mumbled, “I’m single. Been that way ever since you and I… stopped.” When he said nothing, I asked, “How about you?”

Shaking his head, he sighed. “No boyfriend.”

Probably wanting to change the subject, he said he should call the roadside assistance company. After he gave them his car’s location, he listened for a moment before saying, “Call me then. I’ll take a cab to the dealership.” He glanced at me after hanging up. “They said it’ll be sometime tomorrow.”

“That’s no surprise. The police have closed the roads.”

“I was figuring on tomorrow. You think it’ll be safe where it is?”

I almost said it didn’t matter, that the car was where it was, but I didn’t think he’d appreciate that much honesty. “Sure. No one will be able to get to it.”

“They’re taking it to the dealership here. Is it far?”

“Right outside town. I’ll take you there.”

He shook his head. “You don’t have to. I’ll get a cab or call an Uber.”

“Whatever, but it could be hard to get one in this weather. Stowe doesn’t have many cabs, so my offer stands.”

“Thanks. That’s nice of you.”

We moved on to other topics. The awkwardness had passed, and we were having a good time again. No matter what, it seemed we’d always been able to laugh together. I’d almost forgotten how much fun it was to let go with someone who got my weird humor.

By the time we arrived at Eagle High Lodge, Connor had agreed to spend an afternoon together and let me show him around Stowe, followed by dinner at my favorite place. He also invited me to go skiing with him one day. We were both trying to navigate whatever this was.

I pulled into a parking space instead of driving to the front entrance. It was still snowing, and Connor gave me an odd look when I turned off the engine. “Take me to the door. No need for you to slog through the mess.”

“In this weather, it’ll be at least another thirty minutes to my house, and I need to use the bathroom first. Plus, we should trade numbers so we can make plans for our get-togethers.”

“Come on, then.”

After retrieving his luggage, we entered an overheated lobby crammed with people. Con got in line at the front desk, and after we exchanged contact information, I went to find the men’s room. When I returned a few minutes later, he was talking to a clerk. His forehead was wrinkled, and his voice carried halfway across the room. “I don’t know how you could do that. I can’t have been the only one delayed by the weather.”

I hurried to him, and the desk clerk showed no emotion. “Sir, you didn’t call, so we had no idea you were delayed. You knew the policy when you paid your room deposit. If you don’t check in or call by four p.m., we can rent the room to another guest.”

“But the weather! Couldn’t you have…” He stopped, and when he spoke again, his voice was softer. “Can you just give me another room, please? I know it won’t have the view, but—”

“There are no other rooms, sir.” She waved a hand. “All these people are waiting too. Don’t worry, you’ll get a full refund.”

“I don’t believe this.” He rubbed the back of his neck and huffed. “How about another hotel?”

The clerk shook her head. “All the hotels in town are full. We’ve called everywhere, and there isn’t a room to be had.” She flattened out her lips in a poor imitation of a sympathetic smile. “Maybe if you tried in Burlington…”

“I already told you I was in an accident so I can’t drive anywhere. Besides, the roads are closed.”

“I’m sorry. If there was anything I could do to help, I would. You’re welcome to stay in the lobby until the storm passes. You could eat in the restaurants, and it would be our pleasure to give you access to all the hotel’s facilities. There are showers in the fitness center. Now, if you’ll excuse me, others are waiting.”

“Stay in the lobby?” he half-yelled. “What the hell can I do in the lobby?”

I put a hand on his arm. “Can we talk for a minute?”

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