Holiday Blog Part 3

Sarah E. Stevens takes over from Rebecca Grace

"What brings me to town?" Paul repeated. He looked at Cammie over the rim of his coffee cup as if judging how much to tell her. Setting the cup down with a decisive move, he said, "I'm meeting with Brad McMillan to discuss the possibility of a business partnership."

Cammie's heart thudded. Somehow, she hoped for a different answer. Paul infuriated her--the casual way he'd swooped into the lead during their race, his confident bearing--yet she couldn't deny she wanted to rise to this challenge, wanted to get to know him better. Wanted to give him the chance to prove he was more than a rich, corporate, white guy who thought he had the right to disrupt their local resort. He probably came from family money and never had to work to get where he was.

Cammie, on the other hand, worked her tail off in school to earn straight A's, high test scores, and scholarships to Washington State University. She'd graduated summa cum laude with a double major in Accounting and Hospitality Business Management. She could have chosen to work anywhere, but she wanted to come home to Leavenworth and be near family. Especially now, with her mom so sick.

Cammie averted her gaze from Paul's blue eyes, so startling against his black eyebrows and crew cut. Cute, giant guy. She wanted to hate him.

"A business partnership?" she said.

"I'm guessing you must be Cammie Zhang."

"Excuse me?"

"I don't arrive for important meetings without doing my homework, Cammie. And while I never expected our first encounter to be on the tubing hill, I did think I'd meet the key staff at Cascadia Family Run. Accountant and event specialist, right?" He grinned at her.

"Right," she said. She took a long sip of coffee to cover her confusion, then drew on her most professional self to continue this conversation. "I believe you're meeting Mr. McMillan at nine, yes? You arrived quite early. Would you like me to give you a tour of the facility while you wait?"

"I like to be early. Like to get the feel of a place by observing the people and the grounds."

"Absolutely." She gave her polished, interview smile. "I'd be happy to escort you around the property until Mr. McMillan can see you."

"I'd like that."

Cammie stood up and gestured. "As you can see, this part of the Fun Center serves as our cafe. We have a full-service coffee menu, including several types of specialty hot chocolates which are a great hit with kids and their parents. Our best seller is the Cascades-of-Chocolate, in honor of our mountain range. It's a mixture of milk, dark, and white chocolate syrups, topped with chocolate whipped cream and sprinkles."

"Sounds decadent."

"We also have a lunch and breakfast menu full of options for the whole family."

Paul nodded, staring at the posted menu thoughtfully.

Cammie led Paul across the eating area. "Over here," she said, "we have our indoor play area. Little kids get really cold after a while. We have licensed and bonded babysitters in this area, so parents can check their kids in before heading back onto the slopes. All kids ten and under are welcome."

She and Paul climbed the stairs into the more traditional lodge area. Here, there was another coffee bar and an adult area that served alcohol. Three fireplaces already roared warmth into the morning air, ready for the crowds to come. Couches and cozy chairs dotted the open spaces. Rows of coat hangers stood near a door leading the deck--the perfect place to keep snow gear as people warmed up.

Cammie and Paul walked out onto the deck. The morning air immediately brought a rush of color to their cheeks.

Cammie pointed. "This chairlift leads to the top of the ridge; the chairlift on the other side brings people to the lower slopes. We have 1,800 acres of property with ski trails of all levels. You've already checked out the tubing runs. We also have a sledding range, plus trails for snow shoes and cross-country skiiers. Cascadia Family Run has something for everyone in the family! During the off season, we host mountain bikes, hikers, and nature-lovers."

Paul nodded, his gaze wandering over the property. His breath came out in little puffs of fog. Cammie could hear cars making their way up the mountain, turning into the lot. The lodge wouldn't be quiet for much longer.

"Yet even with all these options, the property is operating at a loss," he said.

Cammie took an inadvertent step away from him. "Our revenues were up 15% last year and we predict business will be even better this winter."

"But you're still not operating in the black," Paul said. "That's how I can help."


What should Cammie do next? Should she: 

A) snap at Paul in anger? Who is this guy thinking he has all the answers?

B) smile politely and ask if he wants to ride the chairlift to see the slopes?