Page 75 of Chasing Kaylee Kringle

The gondola started up again, and Kaylee realized that Rick had been trying to distract her so she wouldn’t have a full-blown panic attack.”

“Thank you,” she said.

“For what?”

“For trying to distract me.”

“Was that what I was doing?”

Kaylee huffed in frustration. “Never mind, no thank-you for you.”

Josie rolled her eyes. “I don’t know how I’m gonna get through an entire lunch with you guys bickering like this.” She looked straight at Rick and said, “Just so you know, I’m buying the most expensive thing on the menu after this little fiasco and for giving up my seat.”

“And I’m going to order whatever I want because I’ve been kidnapped and didn’t even get a choice to sit in the good spot,” Colin said, folding his arms over his chest and smirking.

“Deal,” Rick said.

Kaylee gave them each a suspicious look. “Why do I get the feeling that you planned this and I never stood a chance?”

They all stared at her innocently, but it was Colin who spoke. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Rick

They reached the mountain summit, and when they stepped out of the compartment, Rick was greeted by a breathtaking panoramic view of the surrounding mountains and valleys. Each was snowcapped and gorgeous, while the lush green at the bottom and in the distance was a stark contrast. The ski resort restaurant, View from the Top, was a dark, wooden building with a wraparound porch. A sign was added to the end of the moniker that read gift shop.

“Who’s hungry?” Rick asked, leading them up the steps and through the front door. The hostess greeted them and escorted them to their table, and when they sat down, lunch passed pleasantly while they all chatted, even Kaylee. Colin and Kaylee ordered burgers, while Josie got pub nachos and Rick ordered a Philly cheesesteak. It was good—probably not as good as what the bill cost—but Rick had been managing his own money market account since he was eighteen and had done quite well for himself. He was a big saver and hardly ever took vacations, but if he got to splurge a little bit and spend time with Kaylee, it was worth it.

They finished eating, and Josie suggested they go into the gift shop. Colin opted to go outside for some air. As they walked around, Rick noticed Kaylee in front of a Christmas ornament, fingering it lovingly. It was a blown-glass guinea pig that resembled Pumpkin, with antlers wrapped in Christmas lights.

“That’s cute,” he said.

“Yeah, but I don’t know if I wanna pay that much for an ornament.” She flipped over the tag, and even Rick’s eyes widened.

“Damn, is it made of gold?”

She laughed, letting it fall back onto the branch gently. “Must be.”

She moved on to something else, and when she joined Josie out of sight, he pulled the guinea pig off the branch. Josie was buying a pair of slippers that read lava mountain ski resort, featuring a brown mountain spewing red, orange, and yellow lava from its sides. They looked like they belonged in Hawaii, rather than here, but she seemed tickled by them. When they paused at the door, he told them he’d be out in a minute and bought the guinea pig, wincing a little at the price when it popped up on screen. Even though he’d been prepared for it, it was still rough to spend that much on something that came out of storage once a year.

“Is this the gift for someone special?” the clerk asked.

“Yes, it is.”

“Would you like it gift wrapped?”

“How much is that?” he asked.

“It’s free with your purchase.”

“Sure, thanks.”

She wrapped the guinea pig in a small box with lots of tissue paper, then placed the top on and taped it closed, creating a festive bow of reds and greens. She set it gently into a paper bag and handed it to him.

“I hope whoever it’s for loves it.”

“I’m sure they will.”