Nicole was a ball buster, but she was exactly what Mike needed. I’d never met a ski instructor who insisted on wearing Hawaiian shirts and flip-flops in the middle of winter.
“It’s less than twenty-four hours before her family invades for Christmas Day and she’s convinced it has to be perfect.”
“They get in okay?”
“Yeah. Thankfully, they beat the storm and are already settled in at the Inn.”
“That’s good.”
“Now, if she and her mother don’t kill each other, we may just survive the holidays in one piece.”
“They that bad?”
“Nah. They’re both just used to getting their way so I’m steering clear of the kitchen tomorrow at all costs.”
“Smart move.”
“You sure you don’t want to come over? You know there’s always a spot for you,” Mike invited.
Even if I didn’t have Noelle and Holly waiting for me at home, I didn’t want a pity invite. Besides, Mike can navigate the whole wife versus mother-in-law thing on his own. I didn’t need to get caught in that drama.
“I’m good,” I promised.
Mike looked down at my cart, and when he lifted his head again, I could see the questions. “You got friends over for the holidays, Chris? Or should I say ‘friend’?” he asked, using air quotes.
Fuck it!
I’d almost managed to dodge the bullet of this conversation, but it didn’t look like I was getting out of it.
“Don’t make a big deal out of it,” I started, knowing Mike was a bigger gossip than his wife, and that was saying something. “I’m just helping them out.”
“Them?”
“Holly and her daughter, Noelle.”
“Oh-kay. And where did Holly and her daughter Noelle come from?”
“I picked them up out on Highway 87.”
“You literally picked them up?”
“No. I mean, they had an accident on the way up to the resort.”
“There’s no getting up there,” Mike pointed out. “They’re completely cut off. Will be for days, I reckon.”
“Yeah, we figured that out when I tried to get them up there.”
“So, they’re staying with you?”
“Just until the storm clears. The Inn is full.”
“Overflowing is a better word for it. Nicole’s phone hasn’t stopped. Seems the storm’s rolling in and knocking out people’s power already.”
“Shit!”
“Yeah.”
“I better get my ass moving then.”
