Page 46 of Stuck on the Slopes

“It’s great! We should be ready to open early next year. Juniper and I are hoping for January, assuming we get some solid candidates from the job listings.”

“That’s wonderful. You know, a lot of folks on this side of the mountain think he’s a total recluse. He treating you okay?”

I wanted to tell her I wouldn’t still be here if he wasn’t, but I wasn’t entirely sure how true that was. We had a rocky start, and I’m glad I stuck it out now that I knew him better. But given my track record at my last job, combined with my stubbornness, it was hard to say if I would have stayed or left had we gone down that road instead of the one we did. So, all I said was, “Juniper’s a little rough around the edges, but he’s great.”

“My husband’s like that. Everyone thinks he’s mean at first. But I’ve never met a kinder man. Fiercely loyal, too.” From the playful tone to the way she grinned when she said it, I knew Nora was prying. Part of me wished I could take the bait, but I’d have nothing to say.

“He’s an excellent boss and friend. I know I’m in good hands working there.”

“Handsome hands, too, I bet!”

“Of course!” I blushed and didn’t bother to hide it, hoping it would be enough to satiate Nora. “I think one of the few things the world agrees on is that Juniper’s handsome.”

“Well, when you get married, I’ll make your cake.”

I gasped. “Nora!”

“I’m just saying! You’ll be calling me about that eventually, honey.”

“Well, if I do find myself needing a wedding cake, you’ll be first on my list.”

“Are you suggesting…?”

“We plan on hosting weddings at the lodge, too. You’re on my list of recommended vendors.”

Nora laughed. “You had me for a second there, Rachel!”

I waved as I left. “I like to keep you on your toes.”

The moment I stepped outside, settling the two bags to hang on my left arm, my phone rang: it was Jack. I realized how long it had been since I spoke to him, feeling some guilt settle at how quickly I’d forgotten my old life.

“Jack, hi! What’s going on?”

“Hey, stranger! I wanted to see how your new life in Colorado has been since someone hasn’t posted once on their Instagram since moving almost three months ago.”

I snort-laughed. “When you quit your marketing job, you take the opportunity to unplug a bit. Don’t worry, though, I’ve got tons of pictures. I’ll upload eventually, I’m sure.”

“How’s the lodge?”

“Breathtaking. Once it opens, you gotta burn through your PTO here.”

“I heard they offered you your job back, by the way. Word spreads around the office fast. I also heard you told them to shove it.”

“I wish I’d literally said that, but I did so as professionally as possible, sure.”

“How’s your new boss treating you? Some snowboarder, right?”

“Ex-snowboarder, yeah. His name’s Juniper.”

“I thought that was a girl’s name.”

“Eh, either way, it suits him.”

“Oh? What is that supposed to mean?”

“I dunno. It’s hard to explain. It does, I guess.”

“Oh my God, you like him.”

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