thirteen

Emma couldn’t understand the change that had come over her normally snooty friend, but it seemed that Gillian had suddenly decided West was just great. “He’s even going to teach me to ski tomorrow,” she proclaimed from the foot of Emma’s bed.

“That’s nice,” Emma said groggily. “But if you don’t mind, it’s pretty late, and I’m sleepy.”

“Well, we just got home. And I was so excited I had to talk to someone. I wanted you to know that I was totally wrong about West. West . . . isn’t that a cool name?”

“Uh-huh.” Emma yawned, leaning back into the pillows and wishing Gil would take the hint and go to bed.

“And we had so much fun dancing tonight. He’s a good dancer. I get the feeling he’s really into me, Emma. I just wanted to make sure you understood about that. You know, in case it was a problem for you. But you did assure me—just this afternoon—that your only interest in him was as a ski instructor, right?”

“Uh, yeah, right.” Emma wanted to take her words back but knew it was pointless to dissuade Gillian from whatever it was she was trying to do. If Gil was determined to win West’s attentions, let her. Emma felt pretty sure that a grounded guy like West would have little interest.

“Okay then.” Gillian stood. “Good night, sweetie pie. Sorry to keep you up so late.” She turned off the light and slipped out the door. But now Emma was wide awake—wondering if that conversation had been real or just a weird dream. Was Gillian seriously interested in pursuing a relationship with West—the caretaker? It made absolutely no sense.

Emma got out of bed and went over to look out at the snow-covered mountains, where a three-quarter moon illuminated them in an incredibly beautiful way. How would she feel if Gillian had fallen for West? And why wouldn’t she? Emma certainly had fallen for him.

But had she really? Emma felt so confused. What was going on here? She ran this strange scenario round and round in her head, but she could not figure it out. Maybe Gillian was playing some sort of game with Emma, trying to get her to confess to having feelings for the caretaker so that Gillian could set her straight. It wasn’t out of the realm of possibilities when it came to Gillian. Still, it made no sense.

After a restless night, Emma eventually fell asleep—and didn’t wake up until nine-thirty. She hurried to dress then went downstairs to talk to Gillian. Somehow she had to get to the bottom of last night’s very strange conversation, which she felt sure must’ve just been a bizarre dream. But Gillian wasn’t in her room. So Emma went down to the main floor where Grant was having coffee in the kitchen.

“Where’s Gil?” Emma asked him.

“Brace yourself. My ski bunny sister got up early to go skiing.” Grant shook his head in disbelief. “At least that’s what Mom said. I still can’t quite believe it.”

“Seriously—skiing?” Emma blinked.

“Yeah, and listen to this if you really want to blow your mind. She went skiing with West—aka the caretaker.”

“Wow, that’s definitely weird.” Emma slowly filled a coffee cup. So it wasn’t a dream. Gillian had flip-flopped on the social status of their caretaker.

“You’re telling me. Remember the lecture Gil gave us yesterday. What do you think happened to her? A head injury? Alien abduction and brainwashing?”

“Well, if Gil wants to learn to ski, she couldn’t ask for a better teacher.” Emma tried to sound nonchalant.

“Maybe so, but it’s still bizarre.”

“What’s bizarre?” Harris came into the kitchen, reaching for a coffee mug.

“Well, it’s bizarre that it looks like you’re barely able to walk, old man.” Grant laughed. “West sure took it out of you yesterday.”

“I’ll be okay.” Harris stood straighter. “Just need to do some stretching and a little more time in the hot tub.”

“But you’re not skiing today?” Emma asked.

“I don’t know. Maybe I am.” He filled his coffee cup.

“How about you?” Emma pointed to Grant. “I know you’re not skiing, but what are you up to?” She still felt a bit guilty for his broken arm.

“I’d kinda like to spook around town.” He lowered his voice. “Mom and Dad are heading out to do some Christmas shopping, which reminded me I don’t have anything for—”

“Hey, Gillian explicitly said no gifts since we were supposed to pack light for this trip.” Emma felt worried now—what if Christmas turned into a great big gift exchange? Mrs. Landers could be pretty extravagant sometimes.

“Yeah, that’s what Dad told us, but you know how Mom always changes the rules. Anyway, I want to get a few things.” He held up his cast-enclosed arm. “But I can’t drive with this stupid thing.”

“Want me to take you to town?” she asked halfheartedly.

His eyes lit up. “Would you mind?”

“Nah. Might be fun.” She finished her coffee, setting the mug in the sink.

“Mind if I come too?” Harris asked hopefully.

“I thought you were going skiing.” Grant frowned at him.

“Well, I still might go . . . later.” Harris glanced at Emma. “Maybe you and I could ski this afternoon after we take our disabled buddy Christmas shopping.”

Grant growled, holding up his cast like he planned to bean Harris, but Emma stepped between them. “Now, if you boys can’t get along, no one will go shopping today,” she teased in a maternal tone. “If I’m driving you, let’s get going. I’d like to get in at least a couple hours of skiing this afternoon.”

“Me too,” Harris agreed. “How about if we finish up shopping in time to grab some lunch at the lodge? Then we’ll be set to ski.”

“What about me—what am I supposed to do then?” Grant asked.

“Maybe it’s your turn to be the snow bunny today,” Emma teased. “You can sit in the lodge looking all sweet and cute with your broken arm, sipping hot cocoa.”

His eyes lit up. “Hey, I like that.”

“So let’s get this show on the road.” Emma set her coffee mug in the sink. “Because I really do want to get in some skiing.” Even more than she wanted to ski, she wanted to see Gillian and West with her own eyes. Then maybe she’d be able to make sense of this crazy new development.

West still didn’t know how it had happened, how the Ice Princess had maneuvered to get him to give her ski lessons first thing this morning, but here they were on the bunny slope. “I thought you said Emma was going to join us,” he told her after several runs, where she’d proved herself to be more coordinated than her brother.

“Well, I thought that was the plan.” Gillian beamed at him as they boarded the chairlift again. “I’m sure that she and Harris were coming, but I haven’t seen them anywhere. Have you?”

“No, but I know Emma was determined to get up here today. I can’t understand why she’s not—”

“Maybe she changed her mind. You know, it’s a woman’s prerogative.” She laughed. “I do it all the time.”

“But Emma said how much she loves skiing, and I was going to give her more lessons.”

“Well, you are definitely a good ski instructor.” She patted his shoulder.

“Maybe we should text them.” West pulled out his phone.

“Let’s do this run first.” She pointed ahead. “It’s almost time to get off.”

“No problem.” To prove this, he tucked his poles under his arm, texting Emma as he skied off.

“Oh, West.” Gillian giggled. “You’re such a show-off. If I tried that, I’d land on my face.”

“Yeah, I don’t recommend texting and skiing for anyone, particularly beginners.” He continued to ski into position without the use of his poles. “But I’m being careful. My biggest concern here is having a novice skier plow into me.”

“You mean like me?” She jutted out her lower lip.

“You’re actually catching on pretty well. Let’s see how you do on this run and then try to catch up with Emma and Harris.” He tipped his head to her. “Okay, you go first.”

“I’ll try to remember everything you told me.” She fluttered her eyelashes. “You really are a great ski instructor, West.”

“You mean for a caretaker?” he taunted. “Or a ski bum?”

“Oh, West, I thought you’d forgiven me for my pettiness.”

“Yeah, yeah. Okay, Gillian.” He pointed to an open spot on the slope. “Your turn. Do your stuff and remember what I told you.” He watched as she started down then checked his phone to discover Emma had already texted him back. Her response was a curt shopping in town. Nothing more. Almost as if she were giving him some sort of hint. But why? She’d seemed so friendly last night. He pocketed his phone and, keeping a safe distance from the beginners, zipped straight down the gentle slope, spraying snow as he reached Gillian at the bottom.

“You look like you know what you’re doing,” she teased. “What are you doing on the bunny hill?”

“Yeah, I’m wondering that myself.” He scowled.

“What’s up with you?” She blinked her big blue eyes like she thought he’d be impressed. “You look like you just lost your best friend.”

“It’s nothing.” He held up his phone. “Except that I promised to call my family today.”

Her brow creased. “Oh, are you planning to spend Christmas with them?”

“I’m not sure. But I promised to call them before noon. And you’re right, I’m getting a little tired of the bunny slope. I need to hit a more difficult run—clear my head and stretch my legs.” He forced a smile. “In the meantime, you go ahead and take a couple more runs here. You’re doing well, but it’ll be good practice for you to do it alone. We can meet up at the lodge later.” And before she could protest, he skied off.

As he rode the lift up, he called his mom, and this time she answered. “What is going on?” she demanded. “I thought you’d be here by now, West.”

“I’m sorry, Mom. Something came up.”

“I know. That’s what you keep telling me, but I’d like to know what it is that came up. Why aren’t you here? Are you upset about the house switch?”

“No . . . not exactly.” He gazed up at the mountain.

“What then?”

“Well, there’s this girl.”

“Oh? A girl?” Her voice suddenly softened. “Well, why didn’t you say so sooner?”

“Because I wasn’t sure about it. Everything happened pretty fast. And to tell you the truth, I’m starting to question it. I think she’s giving me the cold shoulder.”

“Well, then she’s a very stupid girl.”

“Oh, Mom.” As he rode the lift, he told her about his scheme of playing caretaker and how Emma seemed so sweet.

“She sounds lovely. I wish I could meet her.”

“She’s a musician too.” He shook his head. How’d he get in so deep—so soon? This wasn’t a bit like him.

“And you’re absolutely sure she doesn’t know who you are, West?”

“I don’t think so. But I’m not so sure about her friend.” He told her about Gillian.

She laughed. “Sounds like you’ve got your hands full. Well, just do what you think is best. If you want to stay there, everyone here will understand. I just want you to be happy, West, and to have a good Christmas.”

He wasn’t sure that was even possible, but instead of admitting that, he thanked her and promised to keep her updated. As they said goodbyes, he got off the chairlift. Standing at the top of the slope, he said a silent prayer. If this thing with Emma was the real deal—and meant to be—he prayed that it would work out.

Flummoxed wasn’t a word she normally used in everyday conversation, but that’s how Emma felt as she explored the charming Breckenridge shops on Main Street. For starters, she still didn’t know what to make of Gillian’s sudden interest in West. That alone was enough to boggle her mind. But then there was Harris. For some reason he was acting completely different today. Very kind and thoughtful. Not just toward her but Grant as well. He smiled as he politely opened doors and didn’t mind waiting when Grant wanted to poke around the shoe store. He was even carrying Grant’s purchases.

Emma was buying gifts too. But she was trying to keep her items small enough to be tucked into carry-on bags for their trip home. She found some lovely handcrafted earrings for Mrs. Landers and Gillian, an Audubon book for Mr. Landers, and attractive handmade pens for Grant and Harris. She also bought a handsome embossed leather journal for West as a thank-you for teaching her to ski. Or, if the climate between them was too much changed, she would simply keep it for herself.

Emma was standing outside, waiting for Harris and Grant to finish looking at the sporting goods shop, when she got a text from Gillian, informing Emma that she was having a great time with West. Then, without sounding overly interested, she inquired about what Emma was doing. Emma texted back about taking Grant shopping—and that Harris had come along too.

So no skiing for you guys today? Gillian texted back. But Emma made it clear that she and Harris would be there before one, suggesting they all meet up for lunch in the lodge. Gillian responded with: Sorry, we already have plans. Emma wanted to ask what kind of plans but was too frustrated. Well, if West and Gillian didn’t want company, fine!