Chapter 1

One

JANUARY

T ears prick my eyes as I watch my best friend exchange her vows with her fiancé. My heart warms seeing the two of them so into each other. The crowd lets out a collective laugh when the minister says Ben can kiss his bride and he grabs her in such a tight embrace she almost falls.

“It’s so romantic,” I whisper to the older woman sitting next to me, and she smiles politely in return.

It’s a shame I don’t know anyone here, other than the bride, Winter. And now her new husband. But I start work at Grant’s Ice Inn Bed & Breakfast on Monday, in two days. Hopefully, then I’ll get to know co-workers and people around town more.

Crystal Frond is adorable, with its little main street shops and bustling ski activities. A place I’d like to call home. But I should return to college in February, after this month is over. I don’t want to. But my father will tan my hide if I don’t go back. Or make some type of plan for income.

“You’re an adult now, and you’ll pay for yourself like an adult,” he told me when I said I was going to spend the month of January here with my best friend. So, I picked up more shifts waiting tables to get a train ticket, and here I am!

The wedding coordinator ushers us into the gorgeous wooden hall dripping with beribboned boughs of greenery. It still smells like Christmas in here. Maybe the town doesn’t have many activities, but there are a lot of people here. Not many of mine and Winter’s group, though. Most couldn’t make it because of the distance and being poor college kids. Then there’s the added stress of classes starting next week. Fortunately, I can do most of mine online.

At the edge of the dance floor, the happy couple waltzes with hearts in their eyes. Sipping my cocktail, I smile and envision what type of wedding I would want. Probably something less fancy. I don’t need it. My parents were too busy earning money to raise me, so I mainly grew up on a farm with my grandparents. Taught me a lot about hard work.

A giant, attractive older man bumps into the tall table where I’m peacefully people gazing. Some couples filter onto the floor as the DJ cranks up the tunes. He sets his drink down for a moment and loosens his tie as if irritated with it. As he downs his drink, he scratches his black beard, then slams the glass on the table before hunching over it. His shoulders are broad and his frame must be above six-foot-five. A heavy sigh departs his lips.

My eyes notice his bare ring finger, and a small hope that he’d ask me to the dance floor rises in my gut. He’s probably got someone. Or thinks I’m too young. Attempting to make small talk, I ask, “This is a lovely wedding, isn’t it?”

His brown eyes flick to me for a moment as if he didn’t realize I was even standing next to him. With a sneer on his upper lip, he grunts. The deep resonance of his voice makes all the hairs on my body tingle. Thinking he didn’t hear me, I repeat it louder. “It’s a lovely wedding, don’t you think?”

“Look, snowflake, I just came to drink my whiskey and am hoping to slip out of here as soon as I can without making a scene. Can you just let me enjoy my drink alone?”

I’m flabbergasted. No one has ever been this rude to my face before. Gripping my glass, I snatch my purse off the table and turn on my heel. Then I swiftly spin around and face him again. “Why did you even come here if it was such a burden to you?”

His long, dark lashes lift as he gazes out on the dance floor as if seeing something that isn’t there. It’s almost inaudible above the loud bass of the music, but he murmurs, “I don’t know.”

Then he pulls his suit coat together and buttons it. Giving me his broad back, he leaves in a hurry.

My jaw hangs open.

Quickly, I scan the crowd of dancers, but Winter is still having a good time. Nobody else is leaving yet, so the grump’s departure shouldn’t be noticeable.

Feeling completely awkward, and snubbed, I shift on my heels and wander around, not knowing what to do with myself. Surreptitiously, I smell my armpits, but I’m still fresh. Maybe people here aren’t as friendly as I thought.

Just when I wonder if I can slip out without my best friend seeing, she spots me and beams an enraptured smile. “January!” She hurries to me and grabs me in a warm embrace. Ben stands just behind her shoulder and nods at me. We’d met the day before, and he seems like a very nice, protective man.

“I have someone I want you to meet!” Tugging me by the hand, she pulls me closer to the dance floor and my heart leaps into action, hoping it’s someone like Ben. Older, established… and someone fun . “Your blue dress looks fantastic on you, especially with your shorter hair.”

“Oh, thank you!” I tuck some of my shoulder-length waves behind my ear. It used to be as long as hers, but I cut it shorter just for this trip. New year, new me.

The bleach blond boy she tugs me to is handsome. Especially with his rows of earrings and tattoos peeking up through his dress shirt… But he’s not my type.

“January, this is my friend Blaze. Blaze, this is my very best friend January. She’s just up here for a month. Thought maybe you could show her around town.” She gives me a wink and his grin broadens.

“Yeah, definitely. Heard you like to party.”

Shrugging, I smile. “I do love a good shindig. A soiree, perhaps.”

“Rad. We’ve got a lot going on down at the lodge. Are you free next week? We usually hang out at our place on weeknights, but there’s a rager going on next weekend.”

Ben pulls Winter toward the cake table, and she gives me a small wave while wiggling her eyebrows at me knowingly.

“Oh, that sounds fun. I’m not sure how much free time I’ll have. Going to start working at the Ice Inn.”

His smile fades. “Yikes. With Justin Grant?”

“Uh… yeah. I think that’s what Winter told me. Ben got me the job. I’m supposed to show up on Monday on the mountaintop. Why?”

“He’s just a dick. I mean, he hasn’t been around town in several years, but when he did stop by to see his parents, everyone had some type of run-in with him. And it was never pleasant.”

Suddenly, I’m reconsidering my plans for the month. Maybe I should have thought this through more. I guess I could always quit and go back home early. But, I’m no quitter.

“Well, I’ll make the best of it. Maybe he’s just misunderstood.”

“Doubtful.” He grimaces like he’s recalling a particularly bad memory. “Can I get your number? For the parties, of course. Or… if you want to go out sometime.”

Some anxiety lessens in my chest and we bump phones to exchange info. A giggle escapes at his goofy profile picture, flicking off the camera, and he shrugs. “Yeah… I guess that’s what I’m known for. Do you want to get out of here? Go back to my place?”

My eyes widen at his forwardness. I can picture it. Probably smoking some weed along the route to his stinky apartment. Maybe he has roommates. And dirty socks in his bedroom corner. Just like the frat guys back home. There definitely won’t be any toilet paper. We’d make out, and then I’d put a stop to things because I’m waiting for the right one to come along…

And Blaze isn’t it.

Perhaps he’d get annoyed with me, but I’m sticking to it. I’d gone pretty far with my college boyfriend last semester. But not all the way. It’s why he broke up with me. And then I decided I wouldn’t date unless I knew it would mean something. That the man would cherish me. My grandmother always said if a boy can’t respect my boundaries, he’s not the one for me.

“No, thanks. I want to stay until the end for my best friend. And then I’ll probably be so tired I’ll want to just sleep until Monday!”

His blue eyes crinkle with a smile. “I’m down to stay. Let’s dance instead then.” Biting his lower lip, he grips my hand and pulls me into the center of the floor as I giggle. And we have a great time the rest of the night.

I even catch the bouquet that Winter tosses. Maybe true love is waiting for me…

Blaze kisses my cheek and bids me goodnight as the newlywed couple depart for a honeymoon in a limousine. The elderly lady I sat next to for the ceremony pats my shoulder as she passes me on the way to the parking lot. “It was romantic, I agree.”

My rental car takes forever to get warm and is barely blowing tepid air by the time I reach the Langford Motel, where I checked in yesterday. It’s just on the outskirts of town and affordable. Fortunately, I’ll only be staying one more night. With its mildew smell and hard mattress, I was hoping for something nicer at the bed-and-breakfast I’ll stay and work at for the month.

Winter offered me a place at their gorgeous house, but it would be way too awkward to stay with them while they are busy getting busy. They need their privacy, and I don’t want to walk around embarrassed.

On Sunday, I familiarize myself with Main Street. Breakfast at a local diner is fantastic. Coffee in a corner shop is also stellar. I find some local trinkets for my parents and little brother. After a day of shopping, I visit the lodge, but don’t ski. It’s too expensive for a lift ticket and I haven’t been before. I’d like to go before I leave town, though.

By the time Monday morning rolls around, I’m up and eager to get started at my new place, despite the tales of woe from Blaze. Everyone deserves a clean slate and a fresh start.

Fluffing my wavy blonde hair in the mirror, I forgo makeup, other than a little pink gloss on my lip and mascara. I choose jeans over thick boots and a warm white cable-knit sweater. Underneath is my new tourist Crystal Frond T-shirt. My puffy coat and gloves keep me warm as I attempt to start the cold engine of the rental. Tossing my suitcase in the trunk, I wait for a bit until the heater finally warms up enough for me to drive away without shivering.

My phone’s navigation system directs me along a winding narrow road, twisting around Mount Topokai. Icicles dangle from the bare branches, creating prisms in the pale morning light. The car’s tires barely cling to the slick asphalt by the time the two-lane turns to one, and the altitude takes my breath away.

All that’s around are evergreens and a large drop off the side of the mountain. My heartbeat races until I reach the drive toward the inn. A ramshackle wooden gate crosses over the gravel drive, where it seems a fancy iron arbor once stood. Perhaps something gorgeous once covered it, welcoming guests to a cozy cabin.

Along the tree-lined driveway, my car dips into cavernous pot holes, but makes it to the front of a dilapidated, but breathtaking view.

Across an ice pond stands a log and stone manor house with large windows overlooking the mountaintop. When I get out and peer over the land, my breath catches in my chest as my eyes heat from emotion. The beauty and calmness are awe-inspiring. Sure, the place definitely needs work, but I can see the potential in every timber.

A blast of heat warms my face when I open the glass front door and step inside. Scrubbing my boots on the large rug, I knock off as much snow as I can, then glance around the wide foyer for where to go next. There’s no sound of anyone else here, and I call out, “Hello?”

Wandering to my right, I find an open area with a tall counter that contains an old cash register and an open guest log. This must have been where people had checked in previously. The room was probably quaint and still has lots of cushy chairs and side tables. A large bookcase filled with old paperbacks takes up one wall.

While my back is turned, footsteps approach, and I startle as someone calls, “Can I help you?”

Spinning, my eyes behold the rude man from the wedding reception. The bearded giant that snubbed me harshly. “M-Mr. Grant? I-I’m your new employee.”

His shoulders slump as he scans me over, then his jaw tightens with recognition. “Oh, fuck.”