The lodge’s main hall, where guests normally came inside for lunch, a drink, or just to stand by the giant stone fireplace to warm themselves, was packed with folks who’d replaced their ski suits for fancy evening gowns and tuxedos. The main hall held five hundred people comfortably. Emily guessed they were at maximum capacity now. Apparently all who’d been invited accepted, which was perfect given the occasion. She saw the mayor and his wife, along with the chief of police and numerous other folks in positions of power, all good friends of the family’s. Probably a good thing in case any of them ever decided to start breaking laws. Emily rolled her eyes at her silly thoughts.

Scanning the room in search of her father, she saw him with a group of skiers from Florida who’d been lifelong members since she was a little girl. Whatever he had to tell her must not be that important, she thought as she watched him laugh and slap one of his pals on the back. He seemed happy, his usual self. Emily had no clue why he’d cornered her earlier. What was so important that he felt it couldn’t wait? Deciding it wasn’t something life-changing, she saw a group of instructors she worked with. Making her way across the room to join them, against her better judgment, she took another glass of champagne from a waiter passing by with a tray.

“It’s about time you joined the party,” said Kylie, her best friend. With her long black hair, dark eyes and olive-colored skin, she was stunning. Tiny like her mother, and as muscular as her small frame would allow. Emily adored her. “I was beginning to wonder if you’d make an appearance tonight.”

Emily and Kylie Esposito had been best friends since second grade. Their shared loved of skiing bonded them together like boot bindings to skis. They even lived in the same condo complex.

“I’ve been here, just lurking around. You know how much I love parties,” she said. Truly her mother’s daughter when it came to entertaining, she’d learned at a very young age how to entertain, loving every party her parents hosted. Mimi and her mother had both insisted she learn the ins and outs of entertaining.

As a child, invitations to Emily’s birthday parties were much sought after due to her mom’s talent. It made her one of the most popular girls in school, not to mention the fact her birthday was on Christmas Day. All of her friends were on holiday break, so they always attended her party the day after Christmas because her mother didn’t think it was polite to intrude on a family’s Christmas Day celebration.