Kristen took the presents from Tasha’s arms and put them into the big box. “Lots of gifts to open on Christmas morning.”
Tasha forced a smile. “Yes.”
“You need to go home and sleep.” Phoebe gave her a mom-look. “We're having breakfast at the inn. Please join us. Say nine o’clock?”
Tasha wanted to sayyes, but she glanced at Kristen first.
Kristen appeared sheepish. “I’d like for you to join us.”
Tasha sucked in a breath. “Are you sure?”
As Kristen’s eyes gleamed, she nodded. “Please. I’d love to catch up. And Mom’s a good referee if it comes to that.”
Phoebe beamed. “I am, but I also know when to let things play out on their own.”
Tasha had nothing to lose, right. “Sure. I’ll be there.”
* * *
The next morning, Tasha entered The Huckleberry Inn. Instrumental Christmas music greeted her. The interior of the Victorian was decorated from top to bottom. The large foyer which doubled as a lobby contained a Christmas tree. A lighted garland hung from the front desk.
A sign pointed to the dining room.
She didn’t know if Phoebe and Kristen were already seated or if Tasha had been the first to arrive. She took a step in that direction to see Savannah walking toward her.
Savannah held a cup of coffee and an orange. “Do you have a minute?”
Tasha had no idea what the woman would want to talk to her about. They’d never been friends, and the skater had kept her distance when she became Drew’s partner. “I’m meeting Kristen McCallister and her mother for breakfast.”
“I saw them in the dining room.” Kristen had competed at the regional level so would know Savannah, who glanced over her shoulder as if double checking. “It won’t take long.”
Tasha wanted to get this over with as quickly as possible. “Go ahead.”
“I didn’t see you after the show. Drew wanted to get out of there.”
Tasha thought that was understandable, given what had happened.
“I wanted you to know you skated beautifully last night,” Savannah continued with an unexpected compliment. “And I’m sorry what happened with the ice show in Seattle. Drew used me as the excuse to get you fired, but it wasn’t me. I wanted you to know.”
Tasha wasn’t sure what to sway. “Um, thanks.”
“You should keep skating. Drew…”
A closer look at Savannah showed bags under her eyes and her face was haggard without all the makeup she’d worn at the dress rehearsal and show. She also was thin. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.” The words rushed out. “Hungry.”
Huh? Savannah had been coming out of the dining room. “Didn’t you eat breakfast?”
Savannah glanced at the orange but said nothing.
Warning lights flashed. “When I skated with Drew, he was always on me about my weight. No matter how much I lost, he claimed I was too heavy.”
Savannah’s wide eyes locked on hers. Tasha knew she had to speak up. Even though she had spoken to Drew, the guy could be pulling the same stunts with his current partner, who was also his fiancée. At one point, Tasha had been the guy’s girlfriend.
“I did everything I could to lose weight,” Tasha admitted. “Sometimes, I didn’t eat enough. It wasn’t healthy, and it effected my ability to perform at the level I needed to. You’re a world-class athlete. You need protein and carbs. You’re in perfect shape. Don’t let him tell you differently.”
Savannah bit her lip.
