Chapter 11
Wynter
“Earth to Wynter. Come in?”
I blink and turn to find Sall beside me, holding out a cup of coffee.
“I—I was just thinking. Do you think the Santa is too close to the building?”
“Girl, it wasn’t Santa’s tight buns you were staring at.” She waggles her brows. “And I think they’re perfect for you.”
Heat rushes to my cheeks.
She sips her drink and squints at me over the rim. “Oh my god. You did it. You really went for it. I’m so proud of you. High five girl—you finally got that jerk out of your system and let your hair down.” She attempts a terrible slide-dance move, and we both dissolve into laughter.
The release feels amazing. “I’ve been wound so tight for… basically my whole life with Mom’s dictates, demands and constant displeasure.”
“Honey, it’s past time you started living for you.”
“What if…”
“No ‘what ifs’. Just enjoy the moment. But the way he looks at you? He could be a keeper.”
“What do you mean, looks at me?”
“Girl, you’re his sun and moon. Don’t overthink it. Just enjoy.”
I take another glance in Nico’s direction and decide she’s right. This is for me. I’m going to enjoy it as long as it lasts.
The candy shop drops off the new order and Sall helps me package everything once the tree is finished.
A little while later Nico strolls in. “Agápi mou, we only have the gifts to wrap now, yes?”
“Yes.”
“And the last additional shipment comes tomorrow?”
“That’s what the confirmation notice said.”
“I need to run up to the lodge, I thought we could see if Ed had some shirts ready. You can talk to the gift shop manager while I have my meeting, then we get dinner. I’ve been curious about their new chef.”
“We have all the gifts to wrap.”
“Chad is going to drum up some extra help for tomorrow. We’ll be fine.”
My phone vibrates in my pocket. The third time in the last thirty minutes. I don’t even look. I’m sure it’s my mother.
“I’d love to go. I’ll call Ed and ask him to have samples ready. But we aren’t exactly dressed for the lodge.”
“Omorfiá mou, you’re perfect. Trust me.”
“Go, go. Have fun,” Sall says practically pushing me out the door. “I’ll lock up.”
Nico helps me into the truck and immediately laces his fingers with mine. I don’t feel the need to fill the silence with him. No awkwardness between us. Just calm.
He breaks the silence as we pull into the lodge parking area.
“I’m meeting with the lodge general manager about the ski instructor position.
I can’t start until my current season is over at the end of March, but they could announce a new instructor arriving next year which would let them start booking. ”
“With your name, they’d be full in a week,” I laugh.
“Maybe, but it would also give the town time to advertise on their behalf as well. The lodge and town council should be working together. You said it yourself, if the town dies, then so goes the lodge with it. No reason to visit if there’s nothing to do.”
“I haven’t been to the lodge in a couple years. Still beautiful, but the parking lot is sadly empty for the holiday.”
“I noticed. I’ve trained here before. And honestly? I think it goes back to what you said about your mayor.”
He parks and insists I wait while he comes around. His hands span my waist he lifts me down, and then he kisses me—slow and sure. I wrap my arms around his neck, kissing him back.
Touching, being touched isn’t exactly normal behavior in my family. I don’t want to stop. Ever.
“Mmm, I needed that all day,” he murmurs.
“Me, too.”
He sets me down, takes my hand, and we walk inside. A tall, older blond man meets us.
“Sven,” Nico says, offering his hand.
“Vasi,” the man replies warmly. “Didn’t know you were in the area. Thought you were down in the Caribbean for the holidays.”
“I’ve been traveling. Sven, this is Wynter Frost. Wynter, this is Sven Johansen. She’s from Frost Haven, the town not far from here.”
Sven gaze sharpens as he nods. “I know the town well. Years ago, we had a very profitable arrangement with them.”
“Years ago? Before the current mayor?” Nico asks bluntly.
Sven glances my way, then nods. “You said you wanted to talk to me about an opportunity?”
“Go have your meeting,” I tell Nico. “I’ll browse the gift shop and wait for you in the bar.”
He kisses my forehead before walking off.
The gift shop is charming. Just fancy enough to feel luxurious while still stocking accessible, impulse-buy items. But their T-shirts are bland and predictable.
Lucky for me, the young guy behind the counter is the manager’s son.
When I show him the shirts I brought, he lights up and immediately calls his father.
We schedule a meeting with Ed for tomorrow.
Feeling good with the enthusiastic reception, I head to the bar.
Three snow bunnies sweep in, settling where they have the perfect view of the entrance.
They’re dressed for attention, not warmth.
This is what comes with dating a professional skier, I remind myself.
Opportunity and options trail behind them like static cling.
Not every man cheats. Not every woman is hunting for a rich husband. Some of us just want an honest, committed relationship.
A few more women join them, and I hear Nico’s name floating across the room. Word travels fast.
I text him to give him a warning.
He replies with a peach emoji and exhale face.
Nico: Go to the front desk. They’ll escort you to Sven’s office.
I motion to the bartender to pay. “No ma’am. Your tab’s already covered. Let me know if you need anything else.”
I’m escorted to a stunning office overlooking the slopes. Nico rises when I enter, guiding me to the couch where fresh coffee waits. Sven stands to shakes my hand.
“Wynter. Vasi tells me you’re trying to save Frost Haven. How can we help?”
“Help?” I glance at Nico.
“I told Sven what’s happening. How the mayor is undermining the town instead of supporting it. Sven says the mayor even tried to shake him down.”
“A few years ago,” Sven says, “the lodge and Frost Haven supported each other, and both thrived. Then new mayor took over and started pushing his own rental properties, undercutting our rates. All it did was hurt both of us.
“Vasi mentioned some of your ideas—and your T-shirts. Yes, we want to carry them. The gift shop manager already called me.
“I also hear you want to renovate the old Ice House skating rink. That would pair perfectly with our lighted romantic trail. Parents take their kids to town during the day, then enjoy quiet time here at night.
“Babysitters,” I blurt out before I can stop myself.
Sven looks between us.
Nico laughs. “I told you she’s brilliant. Go on, explain.”
“The town has plenty of teens and young adults who want jobs. You set the criteria, interview them, and run a shuttle to bring them to and from shifts. Offer ‘in room’ babysitters—fully vetted. Some could even take kids outside to build snowmen. Or the town could have snow building contests in the park. Keep the pricing reasonable so families come for multiple days.”
“I heard about the Ice House” Sven says. “If Vasi can get that up and running, that’s another win. The shops still open in your town are charming—my wife and I stop for chocolate all too often. Working together would boost traffic for everyone.”
He pauses. “What do you need from us for your run for mayor?”
“What? Mayor?”
Nico chuckles. “Easy, Sven. I’ve still got to walk her through a couple of my ideas. Now that you and I have talked business, I’ll spend the rest of my break laying out my ideas for the town with her.
“What is settled is this, this is my last year competing. I am relocating to Frost Haven. And I want the ski instructor position. We’ve got a couple months to sort the details.”
“I want to work with Frost Haven,” Sven says, “but I need a mayor who isn’t going to sabotage everything. Someone I can trust. Ultimately, the lodge and Frost Haven can help each other thrive.”
Sven stands. “Now, our new chef. I want your opinion, Vasi. I’ve reserved a private booth for the two of you. Send me your thoughts afterward.”
Once seated and our orders are placed, I look at Nico.
“What are you up too? What is all this talk about me becoming mayor?”