A Winter Wonderland (Seasons in Montana: Winter)

Chapter 1

1

J essa stepped off the plane at the small airport outside Wintervale, Montana. The airport was small enough that they had to take stairs off the plane and down to a concrete pathway that led inside the airport. The cold air bit at her nose, and she pulled in a deep breath. This would be exactly what she needed.

Megan, her best friend, stepped up alongside her and tipped her head back, pulling in a deep breath, just as Jessa had.

“Oh my gosh! That fresh air!” Megan said, her eyes still closed as other passengers deplaned and walked past them.

“It’s amazing, isn’t it?”

“Yes. This town was a good pick.”

They rolled their carry-on suitcases behind them and followed the other passengers inside the small airport. It took only a few minutes to get to baggage claim and get their checked luggage.

Jessa pulled out her phone and opened up her Uber app. She requested a car and only one vehicle showed up on the map across town with a ten-minute wait. She snort-laughed and held her phone out to Megan.

“Looks like the town is busy.”

Megan raised an eyebrow. “Only one vehicle? How is that possible?”

Jessa shrugged and requested the ride. Just as she did, she heard the people next to her swear.

“Shit. It just jumped up to twenty minutes now,” the woman said.

The man looked at the phone she held out. “Think we could just walk?”

She huffed out a laugh. “No.”

Jessa looked at Megan, who only shrugged, before leaning forward.

“Are you waiting for an Uber?”

The woman turned toward her and sighed. “Yes, but the wait is long.”

“We are too. Where are you heading?”

“Wintervale Resort.”

“Same as us. You’re welcome to just ride with us. I think we booked the Uber before you,” Jessa said.

Relief crossed both their faces, and they pulled their luggage over to where Jessa and Megan stood.

“I’m Katherine, but you can call me Kat. This is my boyfriend, Chris.”

“I’m Jessa. This is Megan.”

“Are you here for work or pleasure?” Kat asked.

“A bit of both. We work remotely, so we like to travel around to different places,” Megan said.

“What kind of work do you do?”

“We’re in HR for a large corporation. Lots of online meetings.”

Kat nodded. “We are here for fun. We saw a photo of the resort and thought it might be a great place to ski.”

“It sure is beautiful, isn’t it?” Jessa said.

The four of them stood and stared out at the view. The snow-capped mountains in the distance were the most beautiful sight.

A gray minivan pulled up in front of them and an older man got out, smiling widely.

“Jessa?”

Jessa looked down at her phone to see the man standing before her was Larry, their Uber driver.

“That’s me.”

“Heading over to the resort? Let me help you all with those bags.”

“We are.”

Larry opened the back of the minivan and began expertly stacking all the bags that Jessa was sure would never fit. One large suitcase ended up in the backseat, but overall, he got them all inside. Color her impressed.

The four of them piled into the minivan as Larry got into the driver’s seat. “Welcome to Wintervale! I’m Larry, and I’ll be your driver today and likely anytime you need a ride. There aren’t too many of us drivers around here. Plus, everyone loves me, so why would you need anyone else?”

They chuckled as he smiled widely and drove them out of the airport and onto the road. The town was filled with snowcapped trees between and around buildings, snowmen lined the roads, and wreaths were hung on light poles. The resort came into view and Jessa filled with excitement over the view of the gondola going up the mountain.

Larry drove into the parking lot and in front of the lobby entrance before hopping out and opening their doors. Then he opened the back of the van and began unloading their bags.

Jessa stood in front of the lobby entrance to the resort with a smile plastered to her face. A small town winter getaway was exactly what she needed to feel refreshed once again. Work had been incredibly busy lately, and even though she was taking work with her on this trip and would still take conference calls, it was a nice change of pace. She and Megan had spent a lot of time in tropical places, and Jessa felt like they needed a reset with cold weather and hot drinks.

“Thank you, Larry,” Megan said, the group echoing their thanks. He saluted before getting back into his van and driving away.

“Thank you for letting us tag along,” Chris said. “Let us pay for half the ride.”

Jessa held up a hand. “There’s no need. We were going to take the Uber, regardless.”

“Thank you again,” Kat said.

Megan and Jessa waved goodbye as Kat and Chris walked into the lobby. Jessa did a spin in place and pulled in another deep breath.

“Isn’t it just stunning? This is exactly what I needed.”

“I’m not fond of the cold, but I’ll give you this. It is breathtaking,” Megan said.

The women grabbed their suitcases and rolled them inside the lobby of the resort. Kat and Chris were already checking in at the desk, and several more people milled about the lobby. People in snow gear carrying skis and snowboards were heading out the door toward the gondola to take them up the mountain. Others were sitting on the couches near the fireplace. Several more people were entering or leaving the restaurant.

By the time Jessa and Megan walked up to the desk, Kat and Chris were walking toward the elevator bank.

“Hi, are you checking in today?” the lady behind the desk asked.

“We are.” Jessa gave her her name and glanced around at all the activity going on. “Are you always this busy?”

She nodded as she typed on the computer. “Usually. More so right now because of it being New Year’s Eve.”

They received their keys to their room just as a man stepped up to the desk. Jessa’s eyes locked with his, and she froze. He had the most stunning bright blue eyes she had ever seen. He smiled and a small dimple appeared in his cheek.

“Hello,” he said.

“Hi,” she said.

She remained motionless, just staring at the man until Megan pushed a finger into Jessa’s back, causing her to step forward and breaking her out of her trance. Jessa shook her head and smiled at him before hurrying toward the elevator.

“Just trying to save the embarrassment,” Megan said, giggling.

Jessa’s face flamed. “How long was I staring?”

“Long enough.”

Jessa dared a glance behind her and found him watching her walk away. He smiled and waved before turning toward the lady at the desk.

Megan bumped Jessa’s shoulder with her own once they were riding in the elevator to the fourth floor.

“So, he’s cute.”

“I didn’t notice.”

Megan laughed. “My ass you didn’t.”

Jessa cracked a smile and followed her friend out of the elevator when the doors opened. If that man was what Wintervale, Montana had to offer, she never wanted to leave.