On Thin Ice

by Bernadette Marie

  “So why Chris?”

  “Because he offered. Because he had the money. And because things picked up here drastically when he came along in August.”

  Harvey tapped this pencil on the desk then stood to pace behind it. “He took over the squirt teams. He coaches both of them. We have more players than we’ve had in ten years. He runs a clinic that has people coming from an hour away. He’s one talented SOB.”

  “And temperamental,” she reminded him.

  “Not with the kids he’s not.” His eyes leveled on hers. “He’s not the same kid who pissed you off so many years ago. Maybe you’d find that out if you weren’t picking fights with him.”

  Malory chewed the inside of her cheek.

  “I’ll try harder.” She thought of the ice dance they had shared the night before and the gentle touch he’d placed on her arm that morning. Yeah, she could try harder.

  “Maggie told me she has a house coming up in the next few weeks. She said you were looking.”

  “Yeah, thought if I made a home for myself, I’d be more likely to settle in. And if Esther decides she’ll take my money for the bakery, I guess that’s what I’ll be doing.”

  “I couldn’t be more pleased that you’ve come home. With all my heart, Wil, I’m sorry that your marriage didn’t work out. Alan was a fine man.”

  That caught her in the chest. He was a fine man and there wasn’t a person who didn’t think the world of him, including her.

  Harvey walked around the desk and laid his hand on her shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze. “There are at least three of us in this town who would love to talk when you’re ready,” he offered as he left her alone in his office.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  November was colder than she’d remembered. Then again, she hadn’t spent much time in Colorado during the winters in fifteen years. The minute she set off for Santa Barbara she knew she’d stay. The one thing she’d never counted on was returning to Aspen Creek as more than a visitor.

  Malory sat on the railing of her father’s deck and looked out over Aspen Creek Lake. There couldn’t have been a more picture-perfect backdrop in which to settle a town. In the next week the entire town would transform into a quaint Christmas village, and a beautifully lit Christmas tree would be lit in the center of what had been deemed Christmas Island.

  How many times had she heard the legend of Christmas Island? It was still amusing. That poor lost man who had gone west to seek riches in gold, but quit walking too soon. Gold was plentiful twenty miles both south and east of where he stopped and made his home. Those who quit their travels too soon stayed in the beautiful valley and soon a town grew. Over one hundred fifty years later it was still quaint, but was home to thousands more. But as the legend continued, the miner, distraught after finding out that he’d missed the gold rush by mere miles, swam out to the island in the center of the mountain lake. He died there.

  A few years later a tree began to grow. An evergreen tree. When it was big enough, the people of the town would lavishly decorate it at Christmas in honor of the miner, prompting the name Christmas Island. Around 1960 someone ran conduits across the lake bottom so there would be electricity on the island. Since then the island sparkled like Rockefeller Center. Traditions grew, and festivals would bring thousands through the town in the next few weeks.

  It would be an amazing time to get the word out about the bakery, if she secured it.

  Absentmindedly she took the charm from around her neck and slid it back and forth on the chain as she thought about promoting the bakery. There were four restaurants in town that she could possibly supply bread and pastries to. She could also open for breakfast and serve donuts and pastries, though it sounded like Mindy’s did that. Cakes were her specialty. She’d need to acquire all the birthday parties and weddings in town to make it all work.

  It wouldn’t be like her bakery in Santa Barbara. She wouldn’t be doing three wedding cakes a week, but that would be okay too. She’d thrown herself into her work over the years so she hadn’t noticed at the time that she spent more time with baked goods than she did with Alan.

  It was meant to be that way, she decided. Things had only gone bad after she’d noticed they weren’t compatible. When she’d taken time from her schedule to spend with him and he’d forgotten they had plans, she knew he was married to his work and not to her. When she realized how unimportant she was to him, she began to crave attention.

  She looked at her watch. It was eleven thirty. Maybe Maggie would appreciate some help during her lunch rush and Malory could collect more insight on how to approach Esther.

  Malory knew she’d shown up at just the right time. A tour bus had stopped in Aspen Creek for lunch and it had pulled up in front of Maggie’s. Every table was filled to capacity, and she was still short the help of Samantha.

  Malory darted through the door and hung up her coat. She threw on an apron and headed out to the floor where Maggie was taking orders. “I’m here to help and it looks like you need it.”

  “Thank you. I called Chris a few minutes ago.” Malory’s heart hitched at the thought of brushing by him as they had years ago during one of Maggie’s many rushes. “He should be here soon too. But I could use you both.” Maggie tucked her pen behind her ear. “They usually call if they’re going to make us a stop. They forgot.”

  “Well, help is here. Where do you want me?”

  Maggie gave her instructions and Malory went to work. Fifteen minutes later both her father and Christopher walked through the door.

  Harvey went about clearing tables, and Christopher took over the grill. He winked through the window as she put up orders.

  “You’re not supposed to flirt on the clock.”

  He grinned. “Free labor. That means I get to flirt all I want.”

  “Well it isn’t going to get you anywhere.”

  “We’ll see.” He flashed that sexy smile, and her insides twisted. She went back to serving food and did all she could to ignore him.

  They managed to pull together and feed two hundred people in a span of two hours. As the restaurant emptied out, Maggie dropped her tired body into a booth in the back and stretched out. Malory filled water glasses for the last few patrons and Christopher took the time straighten up the kitchen.

  “I can’t remember the last time I had a rush like that.” Maggie leaned her head back against the wall and closed her eyes.

  Malory sat down in the booth across from her. “Oh, I remember us doing that a few times when I was in high school.”

  “Yeah, but you were younger then and so was I. It wipes me out now.” She laughed. “But I sure do love it.”

  Malory looked around the dining room. “Must have sent your regulars away. Esther Madison didn’t come in today.”

  “You’re right. She’s not one for crowds. You might catch her at the store though. She always goes back and cleans the bakery after lunch.”

  Malory looked at her watch. She had hoped to get a bit more insight into Esther Madison and her business before walking in on her. But it looked like she’d be going in to discuss business without much of a plan.

  “I’ll let you know what happens.” She quickly climbed from the booth, slid her coat on, and headed out the door.

  Christopher walked out of the kitchen to see the door shut behind Wil. “Where’s she going?”

  “She’s going to try and corner Esther Madison at the bakery.”

  He nodded. “She’ll get it. That woman hates being in business.”

  “I know she will. Wil always gets what she wants.”

  “Looks like she’ll be staying, then.”

  “Looks like it. I have half the duplex coming up for rent next week. I think I’ll offer it to her.”

  He focused his stare on his mother. “Does she know?”

  “She will when she moves in. Your choice to ruin my surprise or not.”

  Oh, he’d let it be a surprise, but he knew Wil well enough to know his mother’s little surprise
was bound to piss her off.

  Malory pulled up in front of the bakery and sat in her Jeep. The building was situated on the opposite end of Main Street from Maggie’s restaurant. Why the thought nagged at her she wasn’t sure. There was a comfort having Maggie nearby. But it was Aspen Creek—everything was nearby.

  She laughed at her thought. It wasn’t as if the street was too long. It didn’t even make three miles from one end to the other.

  Malory gathered her courage, turned off the Jeep and started for the door. She could see Esther Madison inside mopping the floor. She took a deep breath and knocked.

  Esther lifted her head and stared at her though the window. For a moment Malory was sure she wasn’t going to let her in. Finally, she propped the mop against the wall and walked toward her.

  “We’re closed.”

  “Mrs. Madison, I’m Malory Wilson. Harvey Wilson’s daughter.” She waited for the recognition.

  Her eyes widened then quickly narrowed as her brows drew together. “Oh, yeah. You spilled coffee on me once.”

  Yep, she was sure she’d remember that. “Yes, ma’am. I’m really sorry about that.”

  She lifted her brows and her expression softened. “I heard you might come by. Come on in.”

  “You heard I’d come by?” She cautiously stepped over the threshold.

  “Yep, Maggie Douglas said you were looking to set down some roots. She said you were some hotshot bakery owner in California and looking to start all over again

  “I had a successful business there. But I’m back here and running a bakery is what I do best. I realize that in a town this small two bakeries wouldn’t survive.”

  “Are you looking at putting me out of business?” Esther crossed her arms over her chest.

  “Oh, no. To be honest with you, I came by to talk to you about acquiring your business.”

  “Acquiring? You are big city, aren’t you?”

  Malory smiled. “Not at heart.”

  “If you were to acquire my business, what would you do with it?”

  Malory ran her words through her head first. She knew well enough she needed to praise what the woman had built before delving into anything else she might have planned.

  “I would of course keep the integrity of the business you have built in this town. Everyone comes to you for their restaurants and parties and weddings. They trust you.”

  “And why would they trust you?”

  “Because I grew up here. Because I am Harvey Wilson’s daughter. And because my business partner is Maggie Douglas.”

  “I see.” Esther walked toward the back of the bakery where her prep tables were set up. “Have a seat on the stool. I’ll make us some coffee.”

  “You were cleaning to leave. I can come back at another time if you’d like to consider my proposition.”

  “Sit. I’m considering it.”

  Malory sat down and watched as Esther gathered two mugs from a shelf and set out to make the pot of coffee.

  Malory scanned her eyes over the sparsely decorated building. It was obvious that all of Esther’s business went straight out the door. No one lingered to enjoy the environment. There wasn’t anywhere for a happy engaged couple, and the nosy mother-in-law, to sit and pick out cakes and enjoy eating all the samples.

  Esther set two mugs of coffee on the table and occupied the stool on the other side. She looked Malory over, and then rested her arms on the table. “Listen, this bakery has been in my family since Aspen Creek’s main streets were dirt roads. I’m not one to give up on family tradition.”

  Malory felt as thought she’d had a bite taken out of her. This is what she got for not being prepared to talk to the woman.

  Esther sat up. “I’m also not one to work until I die behind this table. The doctor says I should be in a warmer climate.” She shrugged. “Arizona does have its calling, but I can’t see letting this place go.”

  “I understand. Thank you for talking to me. I should let you go about finishing your day.”

  Malory stood to leave, but Esther’s hand came across the table and caught her.

  “I didn’t say I was done discussing.”

  Malory sat back down and took another drink from her mug.

  Esther’s lips pursed and the creases on her forehead deepened. “If you had this place as yours, what would you do with it?”

  This time Malory figured she had nothing to lose. Esther didn’t want her there anyway, and there wasn’t enough business for two bakeries. She might as well give the woman her plan and think of something else to make ends meet.

  “I’d service the restaurants you currently serve, but I’d broaden my offerings. Pastries and donuts, not those brought in from a mass producing factory.” She looked at Esther for approval or disapproval, but her face was static so Malory continued.

  “I’d set up a nice place for a bridal display and tastings. Maybe even a place for birthday parties. Or work with the ice arena to have skate parties and design your own cakes.” Ideas were flowing into her head and she was getting excited. But then when she looked at Esther’s face it all drained out of her. She couldn’t, in good consciousness, open a competitive business against the woman.

  “Sounds like you have a good head for business.”

  “I’ve held my own.”

  “And Maggie is your partner?”

  “Yes.”

  Esther bit down on her lip. “That carries a lot of weight in this town.”

  “She’s quite a businesswoman.”

  “I can’t let it out of my family.”

  “I understand.”

  “So, if you want this and you want to make it all those wonderful things, then the only way I see this working is if I’m your partner too. From Arizona that is.”

  Malory took a breath to thank Esther for her time and then realized what she’d said. She lifted her head, and the shock on her face must have been evident, judging by the expression of humor on Esther’s.

  Partnerships were as fatal to Malory as marriage. And now she had two women who wanted to be partners in business with her. Really, was this such a good idea?

  She figured she might as well just walk out of the bakery and get in her Jeep and move to Denver. At least in Denver she could find a job and not be responsible for the demise of someone else’s bank funds.

  Esther stood and rinsed out her mug. “So, what do you think?”

  What did she think? She thought she was poison, that’s what she thought. But she looked around the bakery and realized it was established. That was something she didn’t have to do. The equipment was in working order and she wouldn’t have to buy new. And, if she took on the partners, she could afford to move on with her recovery plan and settle into Aspen Creek as a permanent resident with her own house and her own business.

  Esther glanced at the clock on the wall. “You don’t have to decide right now, but if I don’t get home before the four o’clock news, my husband sends the police over here to see if I’ve died.”

  Malory gave it one more thought. It would be a good way to start over. “Mrs. Madison, I would like to acquire your business and be your business partner.”

  “Well then, it looks like we’ll both get what we want.”

  Energy pulsed through her and she had to share her excitement with someone. When she’d concluded her business with Esther, she drove down the street to Maggie’s, but it was well after five. Maggie was long gone. Her car wasn’t outside her house either.

  Malory sat in her Jeep and huffed out a breath. She’d head to the ice arena and tell her dad the good news.

  The lot was full. She hopped out of the Jeep and hurried inside. She hoped she could catch the last part of the game in progress.

  She’d specifically stayed away from the sport after high school so that it wouldn’t remind her of home and the many hours she’d donned the gear and stood in the crease to protect the net. Once she heard that Christopher Douglas had signed his first NHL contract, she never followed anoth
er game. She didn’t want to see his face or hear his name.

  Malory stopped herself before she headed to the stands. He’d hurt her a long time ago; why did it still sting? Because she’d loved him, she realized. She’d always loved Christopher and she’d given him her friendship, her heart, and her innocence.

  Reaching for the medal around her neck, she rubbed it between her fingers. She’d never taken it off since he’d given it to her. Obviously, she never wanted to forget him.

  The joy over the bakery faded and was replaced by a bubble stuck in her chest. It was heavy and uncomfortable, filled with guilt and doubt. She’d broken Alan’s heart and he walked out of their marriage. Would he hate her forever too?

  Malory made her way to the stands and found a seat. The game was a blur until she heard the unmistakable voice of Christopher from the bench.

  “Get the puck!”

  Malory shifted her eyes to see him intently following the game. Then she noticed the players weren’t the same as the other night. These were older kids, around twelve and thirteen.

  “What are you doing?” he yelled at the players. “Pass the puck.”

  The player moved down the ice between all the others, pushed the puck between the feet of an opposing player, and caught it on the back side. Each of the other players from Aspen Creek stood center ice and watched the player, surrounded by opposition, take the puck to the net and score just as the final buzzer sounded.

  The crowd cheered, the team high-fived, and Christopher paced behind the bench before walking out onto the ice with his team to shake hands with the other team.

  Malory walked around the end of the rink. He’d won the game and she’d scored a bakery. Maybe they could celebrate together.

  The thought bounced in her head and she looked out over the ice to see him walking back toward the bench. It had come full circle. They’d both moved back home in search of something. Maybe it was a sign, and she’d be foolish not to accept it. He’d made his mistakes and she’d made hers. Maybe it was time to forgive, forget, and see what was between them.