“To not be a quitter?” she suggested.
He smiled. “You’re not a quitter. I mean, not if you put on a pair of skis and slide down one trail with me. Green. Bunny. You can take Cora’s Loop for all I care.”
She chuckled at the mention of the tiny hill at Snowberry Lodge that her Grandma Cora used to take her on when she was about two years old.
“I’m not ready, Dad.”
“You don’t have to be. But I’ll come to Snowberry, I’ll do the sleigh rides, I’ll dress up like Santa, if that’s what it takes. If you let me help you reclaim something that used to make you feel so happy and free. There’s no joy like skiing, Nic, and you know it.”
“None?” she asked on a laugh.
“Well, love,” he said with a sad smile. “The old kiss at Bluebell Crossing.”
Her heart practically stopped. Hedidstill love Mom. And she…yeah, Mom never stopped regretting her divorce.
If Dad came back for a month and they rekindled that romance? Wouldn’t Nicole doanythingfor that? Saving Snowberry would just be icing on the cake.
She stared at him for a long time, weighing the pros and cons. The lodge, her parents, a miracle Christmas versus…ice-cold fear.
“Let’s go see Grammy tomorrow and go home on Monday,” she whispered as the plan formed. “You can stay with me Monday night and we’ll surprise everyone Tuesday morning.”
A slow smile pulled. “Surprise your mother, you mean. Instead of getting talked out of this insanity.”
She laughed. “I think we want the element of surprise on our side, Dad. Is that a yes?” she asked, feeling hope rise. “You’ll come to Snowberry for the whole month?”
“You’ll put on skis and do one day at DV with me?”
Finally, with her heart pounding and her palms sweating, she turned her hand and threaded her fingers through his.
She nodded. “Yes.”
He threw his head back and pumped a victory fist, making her realize just how much this meant to him. Then he looked at her, faking a frown. “Start with Centennial?”
She smacked his still-raised fist. “Shut up.”
Main Street in Park City sparkled like a snow globe in the afternoon sun, with the brick buildings trimmed in twinkling lights and fresh garlands ribboned around the streetlights. A gentle snow drifted through the crisp mountain air, dusting the sidewalks where bundled-up shoppers ducked in and out of boutiques, art galleries, and toasty cafés.
As Cindy navigated the hill toward Sugarfall, she inhaled the scent of roasted chestnuts mingled with woodsmoke. She threaded her way through clusters of tourists fresh off the slopes, snapping photos beside two-hundred-year-old buildings that captured the charm of a historic mining town.
It was festive but not frantic with a unique alpine magic that she loved even more during the holidays.
Pulling her jacket tighter around her waist, Cindy glanced at the shop windows filled with happy shoppers—so Park City was enjoying a good season.
It was only Snowberry Lodge that felt “light” this year. Light, but not…finished.
After her conversations with MJ and the girls, much introspection, and no small amount of calculations, she wastrying to be optimistic about the future. Everyone from Benny to Dad had made it their top priority to “come up with a solution.”
In fact, Gracie had implied that’s why she wanted Cindy to come to the bakery today—for a conversation she insisted be in person. Turning onto the small side street, she paused in front of her niece’s utterly adorable—and also packed—bakery, Sugarfall.
With a smile, she pulled open the heavy glass door and stepped onto the black and white hexagon tile floor, greeted by the aroma of buttery crusts and delectable chocolate.
She never tired of this precious place, a comfy and nostalgic bakery that had become a favorite with tourists and locals alike. Under a white-painted tin ceiling, pastry cases and marble countertops beckoned anyone who had a hint of a sweet tooth.
Behind thick glass, croissants, scones, tarts, and citrus bars were on display with soft lighting that just made them all more irresistible.
Cookies, cupcakes, macaroons, and Gracie’s signature creampuffs were front and center, with an entire massive case filled with cakes decorated in holiday colors. In the back, a revolving warming case with seasonal pies turned under soft lights, and the walls were lined with special candies, baking supplies, and trademarked souvenirs.
Along the frosted front windows, bistro tables and cane-backed chairs were nearly filled with guests enjoying coffee and delicious treats.
