Read Online Snow One Like You by Kate Angell - Free Book Online Page B

and Rhys’s names. It was her small
way of thanking him for such a big opportunity. She’d yet to tell
him. She hoped to do so tonight.
    She looked at herself in the mirror,
pleased with her appearance. A black cashmere sweater and matching
wool slacks. Her mistletoe necklace safe against her skin. Low dark
boots. Her brown hair flirted with her shoulders before flowing
down her back. A hint of mascara. Lip gloss. ‘Less was more’, her
mother always said. She kept it simple.
    She slipped on her hound’s-tooth
winter coat. It had seen a few winters, but remained in good shape.
She had no reason to buy a new one. She was cost-conscious. A
person could only wear one coat at a time, anyway.
    Shortly thereafter, she drove her
Cherokee up-mountain. Overcast skies hung low on the peak; the
ridge was barely visible. Her tires splashed slush onto the deep
drifts.
    Snowflakes began to fall, and the wind
swirled. She turned on her windshield wipers. An incoming front was
forecast, but not for a day or two. The weatherman wasn’t always
right. She hoped to visit Rhys and return home before it
worsened.
    Reaching the lodge, Allie slowed for
valet parking. A stretch limousine took up three spaces ahead of
her. The private driver awaited his passenger. A person could live
in that limo, Allie thought, as she stepped from her SUV and handed
the valet her keys. A moving van, ramp down, was visible in the
parking lot.
    The summer staff had shifted to winter
employees. Allie nodded to the few she recognized. A doorman stood
ready. She entered the lodge. Familiarity washed over her. The
interior was a mélange of old and new, rustic and romantic.
Interchanging natural Vermont woods and stones, thick birch bark
columns. Furnishings ranged from overstuffed sofas to leather
chairs. Low glass tables. The patterns, textures, and hues were as
vibrant and warm as the flames in the fireplace. Fiery earth
tones.
    A resort calendar posted events near
the reception desk. Upcoming, a symposium dedicated to spring and
summer activities. Nature walks, hiking, a nine-hole putting
course, outdoor theater. Allie walked down the main hallway,
wanting to locate her shop. She passed a small florist. Fresh
blooms brightened snowy days. Rich chocolate wafted from the next
doorway. An international chocolatier. The chocolate-covered
strawberries in the window looked delicious. As did the champagne
truffles
    Surprisingly, the door stood ajar on
her designated store. She’d expected it to be dark. It was not.
Overhead lights captured boxes, stacked high. Being unpacked by two
young women, pencil thin and designer dressed. There were rows of
assorted dress racks. And a floor-to-ceiling gilded mirror. The
lady in-charge spoke to a workman about pushing back a wall for the
dressing rooms. An electrician was rewiring for a
chandelier.
    Allie studied the woman’s
profile, reflected in the mirror. Her blond hair was sleek, bobbed.
Her long, leather coat and stiletto boots, stunning and expensive.
Recognition hit, and Allie’s heart sank. Victoria George . The New York
designer had returned to Snowbound. Allie took a step back, just as
Victoria turned. They’d been introduced, once. Victoria stared
rudely, but couldn’t seem to place her. She saw Allie only as an
intruder. Allie saw Victoria as someone taking over a shop promised
to her.
    “ I’m not open for
business.” Victoria waved her off. “Come back in two
weeks.”
    Allie’s throat closed. She could
barely find her voice. “This is your shop?”
    “ Boutique.” Victoria eyed
her sharply. “Who else’s would it be? My assistants. My garment
boxes. My designer apparel. High-end sportswear to my luxury
collection.” Her lips pursed. “Who are you?”
    “ Allie Hartley.”
    “ Ah…yes.” She snapped her
fingers. “Hartley’s General Store. I bought blueberry preserves
from you mother last fall. Sour, and tasted…old.”
Insulting.
    Old? Products moved quickly. Everything sold was well within