“It’s fun. Tonight is going to be amazing. You should see the ice carving. Finally, I’ve met a moose that doesn’t scare me.”
“Where is it?”
“They’re bringing it over later. I’m tempted to throw champagne over it and lick it off. We have a fire pit, delicious food and Dana is bringing a dog team over so we can offer short sled rides into the forest. Until I moved to Vermont I thought ice was best in a margarita, but I’m rethinking that. This ice party is going to be great. If it’s a success, we’ll do it every year.”
Brenna checked her phone. She wondered how Tyler and Jess were getting on with Janet. “I’ve spoken to the ski patrol. They’re going to do the torchlight descent before the fireworks start. I hope the weather holds for us. The tree is looking great.”
Kayla glanced upward. The beautiful spruce twinkled with lights, and a carpet of new snow lay in deep folds around the base.
“Jackson and Tyler hauled it over here yesterday. We’re trying to outdo Rockefeller Center.”
“Rockefeller Cent
er doesn’t have the advantage of mountains and forest as a backdrop so I’d say you’re winning.” The cold air wrapped itself around her, and she pulled her hat out of her pocket. “I have to go. I still have things to do before tonight.”
* * *
“JESS? ARE YOU READY?” Tyler bellowed up the stairs and winced as Jess came thundering down, Ash and Luna at her heels. “You had the dogs in your bedroom again.”
“I’m taking advantage of the fact you’re worried about me.” She reached up and hugged him. “Can they come to the ice party?”
“As long as you keep them on a leash. There will be children there.”
“They’re good with children!”
“They behave as if they’re on drugs.”
“Where is Brenna?”
“She’s already there. The ski patrol is doing a torchlight descent.”
They left the house and walked along the trail that led alongside the lake to the Outdoor Center. The snow lay deep, and the dogs pulled on the leash, following their natural instinct to run.
“They want to pull a sled. That’s the next stage of their training. Dad, are you going to marry Brenna?”
“What?” Tyler stumbled and almost fell. “Where did that come from?”
“I wondered. Now that Mom is being so reasonable and all, there’s no reason not to.”
Panic spread through him like a virus. “No need to rush, Jess. These things take time.”
“Dad, you’ve known Brenna for about twenty-five years, which is a little scary when you think about it. How much more time do you need?”
“Scary is the right word. I’m not great at this sort of thing. You know that.”
“But you were the one who told me it’s okay to feel scared. That the thing that mattered was controlling it.”
They’d reached the edge of the path, and the stillness of the winter air was disturbed by shrieks of laughter and excitement.
Jess brightened. “I see Brenna! Come on.” She sprinted across the snow, leaving him to follow.
The next few hours passed in a blur of winter celebration. Tourists and locals mingled together, enjoying the food and the spectacle. Dana was kept busy taking small groups for sled rides in the forest, and Élise and her team circulated with plates of warming snacks and jugs of hot mulled cider.
Brenna had disappeared, swallowed up by the crowd, and Tyler looked around in frustration, searching for her.
They hadn’t had a moment alone since Janet’s unexpected arrival.
Jess was back by his side, munching a slice of pizza when a girl appeared in front of her.