Christmas At Prescott Inn. Cathryn Parry

to me.”

      “Well...I’m not sure we can do that.”

      “What do you mean?”

      “Emilie, I’m not sure all of the skaters have visas to work in the States,” Lynn said gently.

      That would mean Katya. And Sergei. Possibly half Emilie’s team, if she counted all her international skaters.

      “Well, can you check, please?” Emilie said firmly. “I don’t want to leave anyone behind.”

      “Emilie, we may have to.”

      “In all my interviews, I talked about how the troupe sticks together. How would it look if that only meant the skaters with paperwork?”

      Lynn sighed. Emilie knew Lynn was worried about bad publicity.

      “Let me call you back,” Lynn said. “I need to speak with Donnie.”

      Donnie. The president of their production company.

      “Thank you.” Emilie hung up the phone and sat down to wait at the end of the quiet corridor, arms curled around her knees. She didn’t have to wait long—just ten minutes until her phone buzzed.

      “Yes, Lynn?”

      “Emilie. Congratulations. We’re fortunate that all your skaters are covered. Your team has a contract.”

      “That’s fantastic!” Emilie leaped to her feet.

      “Don’t celebrate quite yet. Because here’s the thing—this job is going to be a lot more responsibility for you personally. We don’t have any support teams to send you. You might have to reconfigure the show choreography somewhat depending upon the size of the local facilities.”

      “But that’s perfect for me! You know that I want to be a choreographer with the company someday!”

      “Yes, we know. But you’re aware we don’t often have openings. That said, if you can make a really great show that a lot of people are excited to come see, then I’ll keep you in mind for further opportunities. Donnie would prefer two separate shows, if you can swing it. It could be a big deal for us if you’re successful. Donnie’s eyes are on this project.”

      Emilie swallowed. The phone was actually shaking in her hand, Lynn’s promise was so exciting to her. She would get to keep her team’s jobs for Christmas and have the opportunity to audition for her own dream job.

      “Don’t worry,” Emilie promised. “I’ll make it a success. What’s the next step?”

      “We’ll arrange for a van to take you to the airport. I’ll email you your tickets and itinerary shortly, so keep checking your inbox. From Miami International, I imagine you’ll be flying to Boston’s Logan Airport and then driving up to New Hampshire by shuttle bus.”

      “Wait? We’re going to New Hampshire?” Emilie suddenly felt nervous. Nathan Prescott lived in New Hampshire.

      But he would never... She shook her head.

      “Yes,” Lynn was saying, “New Hampshire. Is that a problem?”

      “No, no,” Emilie said quickly. “Sorry. I just assumed we were going to a rink someplace sunny. With artificial ice.”

      “I’m told it’s a seasonal rink with natural ice. Rather old-school.”

      “Okay.” She could adapt to that.

      Scratch that, she had to adapt to that. Whatever it took to keep the team together and to secure their new jobs.

      “Emilie, are you still on board with us?”

      “Oh, yes!”

      “Then the van will meet you at the arrival gate and take you all to the resort in the mountains. The place is called Prescott Inn.”

      Prescott Inn! It was Nathan who’d hired them.

      Emilie felt as if the wind had been knocked from her. She slid down the wall until she was sitting on the carpet. It was suddenly hard to breathe. Or maybe she was hyperventilating.

      “Are you there, Emilie? I heard a strange noise.”

      Emilie nodded. “I’m here,” she managed to croak, hand over her chest.

      Her mind was whirling. She was going to Nathan Prescott’s inn!

      But why? Thoughts of him made tears spring to her eyes. He’d chosen his inn over her. Why would he want to see her now? And at the same inn that he’d shown her was more important to him than she was.

      Did this mean he was second-guessing his decision? Did it mean he still cared about her?

      They really had been in love, she thought wistfully.

      Or maybe she was jumping to conclusions. His contract with them could just mean that Nathan simply wanted to help them out. He’d been on the cruise ship once, too, so he understood their predicament. Even if he’d only been a consulting accountant for the cruise line, he knew what the cruising life entailed. He got how serious a ship sinking was. It was a terrible, frightening experience, and even though they’d been lucky enough that no one had been seriously hurt—

      “Hello? Emilie? Can you hear me? I think I’ve lost you.”

      Emilie cleared her throat. “I’m still here.”

      Sort of. She was having trouble processing her own scrambled and upset reactions. Honestly, though, what did it matter where the opportunity came from? Her team was being kept together and employed, if only for the short term. She was grateful for that. It was what she’d wanted. They would all feel better when they heard the news.

      And the chance to prove herself to Lynn was just icing on the cake.

      “So,” Lynn continued. “That’s it, then. I’ll process your contracts from our end and take care of the final details.”

      “Okay...” If she could think of any other terms, now was the time to state them.

      “Um. Lynn,” Emilie said, “what about a clothing allowance? We’ve lost everything in the sinking. Our rooms are underwater, and nothing is salvageable.” She assumed that to be true, anyway. “And none of us have warm coats or boots to wear in New Hampshire.”

      “You’re right,” Lynn agreed. “Since this will be such good PR for us, I’ll see if I can authorize an advance for you. Let me get back to you on the amount, okay?”

      “That would be great.” Emilie would organize a shopping expedition to a local mall here in Miami. That would lift everyone’s spirits. “I can’t think of anything else right now, but if I do, I’ll let you know.”

      “Please don’t ask for anything else! I’m out on a limb for you as it is.”

      “We’ll make you look good, I promise!”

      Lynn sighed. “Just make a great new show and reconfigure the ship’s Christmas show for the new ice. I’ll talk with you soon.” She ended the call.

      Emilie stood from her position on the carpet and dusted herself off.

      Things were looking up.

      And as for Nathan, well...

      She checked her phone. He hadn’t called her. But somehow, she had hope in her heart. He’d reached out and offered them this lifeline, hadn’t he?

      She would show him her honest appreciation for that when she saw him. He had broken her heart once, but in the spirit of Christmas, maybe it was time for forgiveness.