I pull out a notebook and create my list of events: a sledding event, Santa’s Village for the kids, the tasting Pinebrook tour, a town-wide snowball fight, the Christmas festival in town, and a big Christmas party at the Lodge.
Six events in the next month.
I plant my hands on my hips. He didn’t tell me how much he’s paying me for this, but it better be worth the work I’m going to put in.
I mean, getting me away from the bakery is a big bonus, but he’s asking for enough to keep me busy all season.
I need access to the decorations he mentioned.
Making my way out of my new office, I head back to the front desk and stumble into it when I see Gabe manning it.
“What are you doing here?” I ask.
“I work here.”
“Since when?”
He lifts his gaze to mine. “Last five years.”
Five years? “And you didn’t think to tell me?”
“You didn’t ask.”
That pierces my heart because he’s right. We didn’t share much more than a hello mediated by my mom after I left.
“What are you doing here?”
“I work here.” I pause, shifting on my feet. “Planning the holiday events.”
Gabe gathers a stack of papers in a file and closes it. “What are you doing afterward?”
“I haven’t figured that out yet.” I shrug when his gaze flicks up again. “What do you do here?”
“I’m the manager.”
I blink at him in surprise. “Didn’t you want to do something more with your business degree?”
“Where else was I supposed to go? This is home.” His brow furrows, and he frowns. Instincts make me step closer.
“Could always start one of your own…”
That cracks the tiniest smile at the corner of his mouth. “Got to pay the bills in the meantime.”
I pout at him. “Does that mean you’re working on something?’
Gabe leans back in his chair, facing me a little more. His sweater is stone gray and shows off the lanky shape of him. “I have a few ideas.”
“Good.” I twist in place and prop myself against the counter. “Would you know where the decorations are? Where I can find supplies for events?”
He picks up the phone on the desk and hits a few buttons, watching me when whoever picks up the line. “I need you at the front desk.”
After a pause, he hangs the phone up in its cradle.
And we’re in a staring contest.
It’s been a long time since we had one of these.
Usually, this is how he prods me into talking about whatever bothers me.
