The need for caffeine turned urgent. I eyed the nasty scratch on my arm. It sullenly oozed blood. Thanks a lot, Simba. I deserved a latte. I’d earned it. I could grab a coffee at work, but it wasn’t as good as the magic from Mountain Brew.

Plus, when I got to work, I’d be inundated. My brain turned to the never-ending list of last-minute details for the charity ball tomorrow night. Every year, the resort hosted the Mountain Masquerade. Lots of guests came in from Denver, dressed up and put on a mask, and helped us raise a bunch of money for the Windward Valley Children’s Charity. The charity was near and dear to my heart. It supported everything from local kids’ sporting and arts groups, to subsidizing college for disadvantaged kids, and to helping orphaned and foster-care kids stay clothed and fed.

A grant from the WVCC had helped Emily and me when we’d needed it most. Without it, I’d probably have ended up in the foster system.

Every year, I ensured the Mountain Masquerade went off without a hitch.

I also had emails I needed to deal with. My stomach did an unhappy lurch. Yes, Windward Resort’s newest owner was a workaholic dictator. He fired off a gazillion emails a day. I wondered if Langston would allow us to do the Mountain Masquerade in the future. At that thought, my stomach decided a lurch wasn’t enough and tried for a knot.

“Just worry that all your staff still have jobs first, Tessa.” I took the next corner. The coffee shop was nestled in some buildings with a vague chalet-style look to them. There were already several people inside.

As I opened the door, a bell hanging from the frame above tinkled. The barista spotted me and smiled. “Hazelnut latte? Extra shot?”

I moaned. “Make it two extra shots and I’ll have your babies.”

Charlotte laughed. “I think I’m good, and that would be a little tricky since we’re both women. Besides, don’t you have a resort to run?”

“Oh, yeah.” I leaned against the counter and breathed in the scent of coffee.

“You must be busy now that the resort has joined the Langston Hotels group.” Charlotte pressed a hand to her chest. “I can’t believe we have a Langston Hotel here in Windward.”

A sour taste filled my mouth. I pasted on a smile. “It’s still the Windward Mountain Resort. The same old resort with the same old charm.”

“I know, but they’ll modernize, right? Soon, you’ll have even more rich and famous people coming to stay.”

Ugh. The Windward was polished wood, rugged stone, and mountain charm. We didn’t need glitz and celebrities. I loved the hotel just as it was. I’d loved it from the first time my parents took me there. I’d always had my special birthday dinner in the restaurant.