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“Distraction is my middle name. And lucky for you, cereal is one of my favorite pastimes, so I have a lot of content to work with,” Beth says with a mock air of authority. “You leave it to me.” She turns serious then. “You sure?”

Staring at her, I really am. It sounds like talking to the Kells is going to be uncomfortable for Beth, and I want to be there for her when she does it—enough that I’m willing to chance death by gondola orb.

And at least if the little glass death traps fall to the ground, I’ll fall to the depths with Beth.

“Yep. Let’s do this.”

Chapter 13

Beth

I climb into the gondola lift first, picking up the knit blanket and scooting over to make room for Gabe. His jaw is clenched and his shoulders are stiff. He takes his seat next to me and closes his eyes. He’s vibrating with nerves.

“I’m right here,” I tell him. “Tell me what you need me to do to make this easier for you.”

“Just talk to me. I like hearing your voice.”

I tell myself not to read into that. He likes hearing my voice because it calms him. Right now. In this moment. Nothing more. Nothing less.

“Poetry,” I say. “We need to come up with a clue for this place. Wait until you see the ballroom up there. It’s gorgeous, and Lorissa already has it decked out for the holidays. According to their online booking calendar, it’s not reserved for the day of the Dash, so hopefully she’ll let us use it.”

Gabe swallows. “So head North with us/ But it’s not the pole you seek/ The final leg of the Dash/ Is happening now at Valley Peak.”

I nudge his shoulder. “Look at you go! It’s like you do this for a living.”

This earns me the hint of a smile, and Gabe blinks his eyes open. I watch him, holding my breath as I gauge his reaction to our surroundings. We’re about a quarter of the way up the hill already. The gondola takes its merry time . . . Lorissa’s attempt to give people a chance to enjoy the view from all angles, or so she’s said.

“You alright?” I ask when he doesn’t say anything right away.

Next to me, his shoulder relaxes, and his arm brushes against mine. “The view really is something from up here.”

I almost tell him that we’re not even halfway up but restrain myself. Because I’m a genius.

Instead, I say, “It’s kind of wild that all this is right here, tucked into little Dasher Valley.”

Gabe agrees, and we spend the rest of our ride up Valley Peak tossing ideas for the clue back and forth.

“How about ‘A glittery night awaits you/ After your efforts of a long day/ Dress for the occasion in your holiday finest/ and come join us to eat, drink, and let the music sway.’”

“Very fancy,” Gabe says with a shaky grin.

“I’ll wear my sequin reindeer antlers, just for you.”

He laughs.

“Look. We’re almost to the top.” I point ahead as the North Building comes into view. If Gabe was impressed by the renovated lodge at the base of the hill, then this is going to blow his socks off.

Lorissa designed the building based off of her favorite ski lodge in the Alps. It’s got a log cabin vibe, with towering ceilings and oversized glass windows on every side. There’s a wraparound porch that’s lit by sconces on the exterior walls of the building. Standing heaters are placed at even intervals and directed at the tables and chairs positioned around the perimeter. Two oversized wreaths hang from either panel of the double front door. A few morning skiers are out and about.

The gondola orb comes to a lurching stop.

Gabe stands and launches himself outside. “I could kiss the ground right now, snow and all.”

“Don’t let me stop you.” I wink at him. “Gosh, I hope we have a white Christmas. Everything looks so much more beautiful, don’t you think?”

“Yeah, I guess.” He shrugs. “I’ve always liked the snow. Definitely don’t see as much of it in Tennessee.”

We keep skirting around his music career. As we set off for the front doors of the North Building, I decide to try to satisfy some of my curiosity.