“People aren’t coming up the hill to take advantage of the snow or to book a winter adventure,” he said, that sinking feeling in his stomach intensifying. “They’re coming here to write their own.”
The uneasein the pit of Lance’s stomach didn’t subside all evening, even after he’d taken two chewable antacids, hoping it was just indigestion from the spicy peppers in the quinoa.
Of course, he knew deep down it wasn’t something he ate, but rather, something he’d discovered.
Sarah’s success came at the cost of the rental shop’s.
There was only one real option for outsiders to stay in Snowdrift, and with it fully booked for the week for the writer’s retreat, the winter sports shop would undoubtedly suffer. Sure, they would have a handful of reservations from groups that tookdaytrips to the mountains, but the good majority of their clients opted to stay overnight. It just made more sense. Sometimes their customers even booked multiple days of activities.
If the Inn had no vacancies, then where were their clients expected to stay if they came to Snowdrift?
It was a reality Lance wrestled with throughout the duration of his shift and even on the car ride to the Hart’s cabin.
He knew the two dreams weren’t mutually exclusive; his to have a thriving winter excursion business and Sarah’s to expand the literary community within Snowdrift. The small-town deserved access to popular authors, and the library could totally use the publicity. But one of the downsides of small-town living was the lack of accommodations, something Lance never considered when it was solely his own business bringing people to the mountain.
His face must have reflected his concern because when Zeke Hart opened the door with Laney on his hip, the man immediately frowned. “Well, that’s not the face of someone who’s about to hang out with the sweetest little lady on the planet. Something troubling you, son?”
Lance scrubbed a hand down his jaw and stepped into the cabin, discarding his shoes in the entryway before following Zeke into the family room. A cartoon displayed on the big TV, but the speakers were on mute, and the frame was frozen on a picture of a big bear wearing a tutu.
“Sorry. I don’t mean to show my emotions so plainly, but yeah, you’re right, something is bothering me,” he admitted because he knew how obvious his disappointment was. Zeke was a perceptive man. There was no covering it up.
Lance wasn’t sure how much he should confess to Zeke. The man had always been a father figure to him, especially when his own had been absent in recent years. And as the dad of his verybest friend, Zeke was the closest kin—Nana Jo excluded—that Lance had.
Zeke placed Laney onto the big rug in front of the fireplace where a stack of colorful blocks awaited playtime.
“Something with the retreat?” The man smoothed his fingers over his handlebar mustache. “Haven’t heard from Sarah all afternoon, so just assumed—and hoped—things were going well. Is that not the case?”
“No, it is. I was able to pop in for lunch. It’s going great.”
Zeke took a cross-legged seat next to his granddaughter and passed her a red block but kept his focus on Lance. “The knee, then?”
For once, that wasn’t the current thorn in his side. “Not the knee. The shop, actually.”
Zeke’s mouth flattened into a line. “Holden had mentioned things were a little slow lately. Sorry to hear, and to be frank, surprised, really. You guys always seem to have that calendar stacked.”
“We do, when there’s a place for our customers to stay.”
“Ah, the Inn.” Zeke’s revelation came much faster than Lance’s, which was almost comical. How had Lance not put the pieces together sooner? Maybe it was because deep down, he hadn’t wanted to acknowledge what he subconsciously already knew to be true. “Sarah’s got the entire place rented out, huh?”
“She does, and don’t get me wrong. I’m not complaining about that. Honestly, Zeke, her success is all I care about. Truthfully. We’re just going to have to pivot if she’s planning to host more retreats there, that’s all.” He shrugged, hating the way the last few words sounded coming out of his mouth, as if he had a right to the entirety of the accommodations at the Snowdrift Inn anyway. Reservations were fair game, and to be totally honest, it was the ideal spot for exactly the type of retreats Sarah intended to host. An even better fit for her guests than theadrenaline seekers who sometimes said the place was actually a little too prim and proper for their tastes.
“I know you’re walking a thin line, Lance, trying to choose your words carefully. But I know your heart, and I know you only want the best for my daughter.” Zeke rolled onto his side, spreading out so he could play with Laney while also giving Lance his attention. “There’s got to be some compromise here. Have you talked to Sterling about any of this?”
“I haven’t. I only put two and two together this afternoon when Holden brought our low number of bookings to my attention.”
“I know there are a few short-term rental cabins in the area, but those tend to book up quickly, too. I can put some feelers out to the guys at the station to see if they know of any hookups. Maybe a friend of a friend sort of thing. I’m sure there’s something.”
“Appreciate that, Zeke.” But they both knew that would only serve as a Band-Aid until they could lock in better accommodations.
“It’ll all work out.” Zeke nodded confidently. “Both you and Sarah are exactly where you’re supposed to be, doing exactly what you’re supposed to be doing. I’m a firm believer that life shakes itself out when you’re living your calling.”
Lance believed that, too. Or at least he tried to.
“Until then, what do you and Laney have planned for the evening?”
“Nana Jo texted on my way over saying Doodlebug could use some scratches and snuggles, and that she could use company for dinner. So I was thinking I’d take Laney over to the ranch. We’ll be back before bedtime, though. Promise.”
“Not worried about curfew, son.” Zeke’s thick gray brow dipped with a wink. “You two have fun and tell that grandma ofyours hi for us. Jill and I need to carve out some time to visit the ranch again. Always loved that place.”
