Page 36 of Wilder

“Would kids with a skill level similar to Layla and Amelia be okay?”

Lexi nodded. “Even a little less skilled would be alright.”

“How about costumes?” Charli asked.

“I think we’d just have them go with a Christmas color shirt and maybe white pants,” Lexi said. “So red or green or even gold would work. I don’t want it too complicated because we don’t have the time for that. And I also want the kids comfortable as they skate.”

“We might not have many kids from the church as they’re also practicing for the children’s program there,” Charli told them.

Kayleigh sighed. “I wish I understood why Alexander was so determined to have this. It’s such short notice.”

“Did he say he wanted a program with a bunch of kids and such?” Hudson asked as he rubbed his hand on his wife’s back.

“Not specifically,” Kayleigh said. “But what else could he mean?”

Hudson glanced at Lexi. “Maybe he just wants to see you skate.”

Lexi frowned. “Just a solo program?”

Her stomach twisted at the thought of performing by herself. It was like a horrible reminder of what she’d lost. She’d rather deal with the hassle of a program with a bunch of kids than skate by herself.

“Maybe you could still use Amelia and Layla,” Charli suggested.

Hudson leaned back in his chair, though he kept his hand on Kayleigh’s shoulder. “I’m not sure why Alexander is so set on this ice skating rink. I think he’s done it for you, to be honest.”

Lexi frowned. “Me? Why?”

“He hadn’t mentioned anything about building a rink here until after everything happened with your dad.”

Lexi managed to keep from wincing at his words. “I never really knew him, though. So why would he care?”

“You are his goddaughter,” Hudson said with a shrug. “And from what he said when I questioned him about the rink and hiring you, he said that he thought the rink would add value to the resort. When he told me he’d hired you, he mentioned that your mom had been worried about you and what your future would look like. She said you’d been struggling to find a way to support yourself.”

Lexi felt like she was being stripped bare emotionally. How pathetic did she appear that she’d needed her mom to try to find a job for her? And on top of that, he’d spent a bunch of money on something to create a job just for her.

She was so confused and had no idea what to say to these people.

Glancing at her husband, Kayleigh then gave Lexi a sympathetic smile. “We’re not saying you don’t deserve the job or that Alexander shouldn’t have built the rink. Alexander has helped several of us over the years. Wilder and I, especially. We’ve worked hard to make sure he doesn’t regret the opportunities and money he’s invested in us.”

“I can tell you that as far as Alexander is concerned, you don’t owe him anything more than your best effort in the job,” Hudson said. “That’s all he wants from any of us, even those he’s taken a special interest in.”

While this dinner may have gotten her out of the stress of planning the program, it had left her with a tangle of emotions that made her feel vulnerable in front of virtual strangers.

“I’ll clarify with Alexander exactly what he wants,” Kayleigh said. “Because I don’t want to waste your time and energy, Alexandra, if he’d settle for a performance by just you. If you’re willing to do that, of course.”

Lexi really didn’t know if she could handle working on a program that was to be a solo piece. Even if Layla and Amelia were there, she would still feel like she was skating alone.

“Perhaps we should have clarified that with him last week,” Wilder said. “So we didn’t waste Alexandra’s time.”

Lexi looked over at him to find that he was frowning at his sister. She wasn’t surprised, as it had wasted his time as well.

“You’re right,” Kayleigh said. “I just didn’t think about how much work it would require. I apologize for that, Alexandra.”

Lexi’s eyes widened. “You don’t need to apologize.”

“Of course I do. If I’d followed up with Alexander right away, it’s possible we could have avoided all of this.”

“What’s the worst he’ll do if he wants a full-blown performance, and we don’t give him that?” Hudson said. “He’s not going to fire all of us.”

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