Chapter Ten

Brent

As soon as I get in the elevator to go to my room, I realize I should've at least offered to make sure she got to her own okay. It's easy to get turned around if you're not familiar with the layout of the property. Security does a great job keeping an eye on things here, but it would've been the gentlemanly thing to do. Women like those sorts of things—opening their doors, stepping to the side to let them pass.

I forgo taking a shower tonight and crawl in the bed. It's been a trying day, but I'm grateful for the way things ended up. Staying here at the hotel turned out to be not so bad after all. As soon as my head lands on the pillow, I fall fast asleep.

I wake the next morning and see a sliver of daylight peeking through the opening in the curtains. I fear I've slept longer than I planned, but when I glance at the clock on the nightstand, it's not nearly as late as I originally thought. Seven may not be all that early for everyone, but I know some people like to sleep in, especially when they're on vacation. Yeah, it's a tad early to call Annie about breakfast.

While I wait, I go ahead and make myself a cup of coffee. It's stronger than what I normally drink, but I'm not complaining. I walk over to the window and pull the cord to slide the curtains back so I can take in the winter wonderland. I'm not used to seeing things from this viewpoint and when I lean forward, pressing my nose against the glass, the lake is simply stunning. The water is even bluer with all the white snow surrounding it.

I can't stop pacing the floor as I try to get enough courage to call Annie. And by a quarter til eight, I finally give in. She picks up on the first ring.

"Good morning. I hope I didn't call too early."

"I've been up since a little after five," she admits. "I worked on a few lesson plans for the new year."

"Have you had a chance to look outside yet? I'm not sure what the view is like from your room, but I can see the lake from mine. Pictures doesn't do it justice."

"I'm looking out at it right now. Is it true that the lake doesn't freeze? Because I'm having a hard time believing that right now. My phone says it's five degrees outside, with a wind chill of minus ten. Please tell me this isn't true. Do people really get out in all this?"

"Of course they do. As soon as the gondola opens this morning, it'll be packed with skiers waiting to ride to the top."

"Brrr, that makes me cold thinking about it," she says.

"They have special suits you can wear that help to protect you from the cold. It'll warm up some as the day progresses, but I doubt it makes it above freezing." I don't point it out, but ten degrees feels the same as thirty degrees. It's the wind that makes it almost unbearable.

"Did you still want to meet up for some breakfast?"

"I was just about to ask you the same thing." I avoid looking in the mirror but I'm quite sure the grin on my face stretches from ear to ear.

I take a quick shower, throwing on the same clothes I wore last night. Under normal circumstances, I'd wear something more…me, but the Chihuahuas will have to do for now.

Annie is already waiting for my by the time I make it down the elevator. "I'm sorry if you had to wait," I apologize.

"I was already ready. Figured I'd come on down and check out a few slot machines. Seems kind of crazy to stay here and not play at least one machine. I'm not much for gambling, but I did win ten dollars." She laughs and pulls a paper ticket from her coat pocket for me to see.

"Not bad," I admit. "You should hang onto it for a souvenir."

"You know, I just might do that," she says and slips the ticket into the side compartment on her purse. "Now where's these cinnamon rolls you raved about?"

As crazy as it may seem, I grab onto her hand and lead the way towards another set of escalators. "Come on, let's go."

"Wait a minute. Where does this come out?" she asks, her curiosity piqued.

"There's another casino and hotel across the street. It's not wise crossing several lanes of traffic with all of the snow and ice buildup, so this tunnel provides a safe way to get from one location to another. There's a couple gift shops and this huge arcade too."

"Ahh, cool. It's neat they thought to design it this way."

"It really is." I give her hand a squeeze.

Thank goodness there's only one person in line ahead of us when we finally reach the restaurant for breakfast. There's a couple empty tables across the way and I ask her to grab one while I pay for our food. Thank goodness she doesn't put up a fuss like some women. My father would never allow my mother to pay for their meal, and well, I feel the same way. Old school, maybe? I'd like to think I'm just a good guy with manners.

We spend the next hour devouring two cinnamon buns—hers with cream cheese icing and mine loaded down with caramel and chopped pecans. Our hot chocolates are pretty yummy too.

Talk comes easily between us and for that I'm grateful. There's nothing worse than forced conversations where both parties are struggling to find something to talk about. I'm not one of those who believes in love at first sight or anything like that, but I'm well aware when two people are compatible. It's a shame Annie's from Texas because I'd definitely consider asking her out.

When I return from the restroom, double checking that I don't have any caramel stuck to my chin, I find her staring longingly out the window.

"Care to walk outside and see the snow?" I ask.

"I don't know. It looks really, really cold."

"Come on, what do you say? We won't stay too long." I give her arm a nudge and step towards the set of sliding doors.

A brisk wind is blowing between the hotel and parking garage, making it feel colder than what it actually is. She turns her back to the wind and immediately pulls her coat tightly around her.

"You lied to me," she teases and kicks her boot at a pile of snow.

"It won't be so bad once we get in the sun. Trust me."

"I don't know, it's pretty cold," she says between chattering teeth. "I'm not sure how much of this I can stand."

"Turn around and look behind you."

The expression on Annie's face is priceless. "Wow!"