“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.”
