Chapter Ten The Ice Queen
Dex.
Carly’s perfume hit before her voice did. It was something expensive, sharp, and faintly floral. She smiled as if the world was her stage and I had been caught off script.
“Surprise,” she said, then leaned in to kiss my cheek and thread her arm through mine. The gesture was practiced, polished, and entirely deliberate.
Lucy stood a few feet away, half turned toward the door as if escape were still an option. Her smile was steady, but the muscles in her jaw gave her away. She wasn't impressed.
“Hello,,” Carly said, her smile all warmth on the surface and frost beneath. “You must be the Lucy I have heard all about.”
“You must be Carly,” Lucy cooly returned.
“Guilty. I was checking on the ski-lodge investment up the ridge. The investors wanted a progress review, and when I realized I was so close to the little project Braxton had told me about, I thought I would surprise the both of you by coming to have a look,” Carly happily told me as she kept hold of my arm.
“You could have called,” I said, keeping my tone even.
She looked up at me, lashes fluttering just so. “Where would be the fun in that?”
Lucy stepped aside, her voice perfectly calm. “You should come in. It’s freezing out here.”
Inside, the inn glowed with soft lamplight and the faint savory scent from Kitty’s cooking. The foyer was small but warm, every corner whispering human effort. Helen looked up from the reception desk, delighted. “Oh, we have company! How lovely.”
“Carly, this is Helen Bennet, one of the owners of the inn. Helen, this is Carly Hale, Braxton’s sister,” I automatically introduced them as manners dictated, even though inwardly I felt this was a bad idea.
Carly’s heels clicked on the wood as we moved forward. “Mrs. Bennet, what a beautiful property. It feels so authentic.”
Helen beamed. “We wanted to keep it homey.”
“Homey,” Carly repeated, as though tasting something rustic before giving an insincere smile. “You have captured that unpolished charm perfectly.”
Helen took it as praise, smiling wider. “Thank you. We like to think the Inn speaks for itself. We have been doing all the work ourselves.”
Carly glanced at Lucy, turning toward me again. “Dex always admires a woman with initiative. Isn’t this Lucy the same one who used to be your secretary? I hardly recognize her with the casual clothes and less refined hairstyle.”
Lucy’s hand automatically came up to touch her hair as she frowned.
Before I could redirect, Braxton’s voice came from the hallway. “Carly? What on earth are you doing here?”
“Little brother, are you still rescuing stray projects?” she said fondly, finally relinquishing my arm to step forward and kiss Braxton’s cheek.
He laughed, unaware of the sting. “Something like that.”
Helen was already bustling toward the kitchen. “You must stay for dinner. We never turn away family . I’ll get Meri to set another plate.”
Carly inclined her head. “How generous. It has been ages since I experienced a less than five star meal.”
Lucy’s jaw clenched harder.
“Why don’t I take you on a quick tour before dinner?” Braxton offered.
“Oh, what fun!” Carly grabbed Braxton’s arm. “Dex, will you be coming with us?”
“In a moment." I waited until Braxton had Carly’s attention, taking her to the reception room. I turned to talk to Lucy, but saw her just before she disappeared into the kitchen.
Sighing, I slowly followed Braxton and Carly.
Less than an hour later, we were in the dining room, sitting at the large scarred table with the family and honeymooners.
Carly looked around as if assessing a property for sale. “I adore what you have done with the restoration. It is so bravely rustic.”
“We wanted to preserve the original craftsmanship,” Lucy mentioned.
“How courageous. Most people would have replaced it to remove the imperfections,” Carly noted.
“Some imperfections tell the story,” Lucy said lightly as she passed a basket of bread rolls.
Carly’s smile held. “Story is everything in hospitality. That's what sells.”
“We think the inn is beautiful,” Mrs. Honeymooners complimented.
I stepped in. “Carly, why do I suspect this visit has more to do with work than family?”
Her attention pivoted instantly. “You know me too well. The Hale Group is expanding the local ski lodge. I want your firm to design the new wing.”
“Braxton and I are already booked through spring,” I replied.
She waved a hand. “Braxton can manage the office. You, on the other hand, have vision.”
I felt my pulse climb. Carly was always like this, pushing in and wanting things her way while subtly insulting her brother.
I was just about to reply when Carly started speaking again.
“Come up this weekend. Tour the site. We will finalize everything over dinner at the lodge. You know how these things work. Show them the plan, charm the financiers, and walk away with the contract.”
“I will think about it.”
“Of course you will." She smiled.
I used to say yes just to keep the peace. Right now, I wasn’t so sure.
“Sounds like an ambitious undertaking,” Kitty mentioned.
“Absolutely. Our last project opened two months ago. Eighty suites, a spa, and a rooftop restaurant. It was exhausting but worth it,” Carly mentioned.
Lydia tilted her head to the side as she typed in her phone. “Have you thought about using an influencer to expand your reach? You could easily double if not triple your business.”
Carly looked at her blankly. “And you are?”
“Lydia Bennet. I’m the TalkTasticGirl. I have five million followers,” Lydia boasted.
“Oh. I have over sixty million followers. Plus the press gives me free advertising. I don’t think I need an influencer when I am one,” Carly gave a thin smile.
“Well, we all start somewhere,” Braxton tried to help with his comment, but really didn’t.
“This gravy is delightful,” William mentioned. “It pairs so well with the potatoes.”
“Simplicity is its own luxury,” Carly said, her tone syrupy
Across the table, Lucy’s knuckles whitened around her fork. I wanted to say something but she beat me to it, her voice steady. “We find joy in the small things.”
“Admirable. Modest goals are so brave to some people,” Carly replied.
My stomach tightened. Helen, unaware, began asking about Carly’s travels. Carly painted scenes of private planes and champagne meetings while Lucy sat silent beside her mother, eyes down as Kitty got up to grab dessert while Jane refreshed our coffee cups.
When Carly turned to Braxton, her tone softened. “You aren’t planning to stay here all winter, are you? The firm needs you back in the city.”
“I’m happy to help here,” Braxton said easily.
“But the projects are piling up,” she chastised.
“I can manage from here. Dex and I brought our laptops. We have been able to do a lot remotely,” Braxton replied.
Jane reached to refill his coffee, her sleeve brushing his hand. Carly’s gaze caught the movement, and I could practically feel the chill radiating off her.
Carly shifted to Lucy again. “Did you study hospitality?”
“No. I studied business,” Lucy answered evenly.
“How refreshing. That explains the… authenticity. It feels very domestic having dinner with your guests,” Carly commented.
Mr. Honeymooner was quick to reply. “We really like it. It’s nice to dine with the family.”
Lucy’s answering smile was slow and polite. “We do what we can on a real-world budget.”
Helen clapped her hands, oblivious to the duel. “Carly, you must try Jane’s cobbler. It is her grandmother’s recipe.”
“So nostalgic,” Carly murmured.She ate one small bite and set the spoon down neatly beside her plate.
“It’s very good, Jane,” I managed to say but I was annoyed and it came out stilted, making the compliment fall flat.
“I love it." Braxton took another spoonful.
When dinner finally ended, the relief in the air was palpable.
“I suppose I should get going,” Carly announced. “Dex, walk me out, would you?”
Out of politeness, and the need to see Carly leave, I walked her to the door. Snow was falling soft sheets outside. She turned toward me. “We’ll talk tomorrow about the lodge. Bring your laptop. The investor packet is in your inbox. Don't say no.”
From behind me came Lucy’s voice, calm and even. “Carly, thank you for visiting. Drive safe.”
Carly looked past me, smiling with sugar and steel. “Of course. You have done wonders here, Lucy. It must be gratifying to achieve so much with so little.”
Lucy’s tone was pure composure. “It is. We are proud of our endeavor.”
“Adorable." She kissed my cheek again. “Goodnight, Dex.”
I watched her drive off, the taillights glowing red through the snow until they vanished around the bend.
Lucy was still at the door. “Old friend?”
“Business acquaintance. And Braxton’s sister.”
Her brows rose. “That explains the confidence.”
“She means well,” I said automatically, knowing how false it sounded.
“Does she?”
“She can be… direct." It was the best polite word I could come up with at the moment.
“She offered you a job.”
I nodded.
“Congratulations,” Lucy murmured.
“It isn't that simple.”
“It never is. Goodnight, Dex." She turned back toward the kitchen, shoulders straight.
I wanted to stop her, to say something that would soften the distance between us, but the words didn’t come. The door to the kitchen closed quietly, and I was left in the faint echo of her apricot scent.
Later, I sat at the small desk in my room and opened my laptop.
Carly’s email waited, subject line crisp: Project Elevation Proposal Materials.
I clicked it open. Renderings of glass and steel filled the screen.
They were beautiful, perfect, and soulless.
The kind of project that paid too well to refuse and meant nothing once it was done.
Downstairs, muffled voices floated up through the floorboards.
Helen and Jane cleaning up, Kitty laughing at something Braxton said, Lucy’s voice steady among them.
The inn breathed around me, alive in its imperfections.
I could still picture Lucy standing in the doorway, chin lifted, refusing to let Carly’s words land.
She had looked so composed, so stubbornly human.
I closed the laptop slowly. The glow from the screen faded, leaving only the reflection of the window and the steady fall of snow outside. The world Carly offered was success measured in awards and signatures.
I leaned back and listened to the quiet heartbeat of the house, and the sound of wind against the eaves.. For the first time in a long time, ambition felt heavy.