Page 1 of Stuck With Mr. Frosty

CHAPTER 1

MIA

I’m finally home, Mom.

All right, maybe the ski resort wasn’t home, but when I think of Mom, this is the only place I can picture her.

And right now, more than ever, I need to be able to connect with her. To be in the place where her spirit lingers. To talk to her about the way my life feels like it’s spinning out of control.

I take a deep breath and grab the hot-pink duffel bag and the matching case with my ski gear.I can do this.

The other volunteers are gathered outside the resort, laughing as snow falls down around them, their breath coming out in white puffs of air. They all gather their supplies, looking like they don’t have a care in the world.

And then a dog comes bounding through the snow, its tongue lolling out of the side of its mouth.

The Bernese Mountain Dog comes to a skidding halt in front of me, rooting through the drifts of snow, its black tail waggingback and forth. I smile and watch the dog, longing to run my fingers through its silky black fur.

It looks up at me, the two tan patches above its eyes looking like eyebrows. The long black fur and the white patches remind me of a paint-by-number kit of a similar dog I did as a child. The dog cocks its head to the side, letting out a low whine.

“Honey!” a man says, his tone sharp as he claps his hand to his thigh. “Come here.”

She turns without a second thought and races through the snow, leaping at the last moment and throwing herself into the man’s arms. Even with his puffy black jacket and what has to be ninety pounds of dog flying at him, he catches her with ease.

I stare at the two for a moment, considering going over and saying hello. It would be good to make friends here before the season starts. I’m sure most of my time will be spent on the slopes, teaching people how to ski for the first time or trying to make sure it goes smoothly for them.

Mom’s favorite part of the job was teaching people to ski.

The sun glints off the massive log resort coated in a powdery dusting. The windows still have the same shine, revealing the giant Christmas tree that has been decorated in golden hues. The lights twinkle.

For a moment, it feels like coming home.

I’m here, Mom. I came back to see you.

“You must be new,” a woman says as she picks up a bag near me. “We best get going inside to the orientation.”

“I’m Mia.” I follow behind her toward the long steps that lead up to a massive front porch with fire pits and wooden chairs. “And not entirely new. I used to come here with my mom. She was one of the instructors.”

“I’m Rosie.” Her brown eyes lit up with glee. “Is your mom here now?”

“Um. No.” I force a smile even as a sharp pain sits in the center of my chest. “She died a little less than a year ago.”

Rosie pauses, tucking her chocolate-colored hair behind one ear. “I’m sorry to hear that.”

“Thanks. Anyway, what’s this about the orientation?”

“We have it every year.” Rosie hauled her bag higher up on her shoulder, studying me for a moment. “You’re Heather’s daughter, aren’t you?”

My cheeks feel like they’re on fire as I nod.

Rosie smiles, her eyes turning glassy. “You have the same eyes; like the color of the valley in the spring. Same smile, too. I used to work with her when I first started working here. Didn’t get to spend too much time with her, but she always seemed nice. Not like some of the other instructors who are going to see you as a threat to their jobs.”

“Perfect. Just what I need.”

Laughing, Rosie nods to the group in the center of the lodge, a man standing on the front counter. “Looks like Jerry’s ready to start the meeting.”

More people filter into the room, forming a half-circle around Jerry. I set my bags down at my feet, rolling my shoulder to ease some of the pain from the duffel bag’s thin strap cutting into it.

“It’s good to see you all back for another year,” Jerry says, projecting his voice through the room. “We’re going to take the next couple hours to get to know each other and to get settled into the cabins.”

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