She’s snarky today. She bit off more than she can chew.
“Fine.” I slide my chair back, step around my desk, and out of the office. I head down the corridor and to the lobby, where half a dozen guests are waiting to be checked in at the ski rental stand.
I groan and redirect the guests to the correct side of the building. We have a hotel on the east side, and on the west side is the ski resort, which is open to the public. It isn’t that difficult to understand. Signs and maps are all over the building, but it’s newly laid out, and some people don’t like change.
I check with Wyatt, my brother, to make sure the ski equipment is being handled properly. When guests rent their skis, they have to hand over their driver's license, and we hold on to it until the items are returned.
Everything looks above board, but he’s drowning trying to help guests fast enough as the line keeps growing for rental equipment.
And they don’t pay inside where they rent the skis. We have a separate booth for payment when guests first enter. It’s supposed to be set up for ease, but I’m not sure it’s the best method. We’re still working out the kinks.
Julianna scurries behind the counter to help hand out ski boots. We’re packed for a Tuesday, but it’s also winter break for the kids in Breckenridge and surrounding towns. Barely a week until Christmas. Where did the year go?
I cover the equipment desk for a couple of hours. When it finally slows down, I head across the hallway to grab a bottle of water from my fridge.
“I can’t believe these prices!” a woman’s voice carries from within our shop.
I should just leave it alone and ignore the woman’s complaints. Did she think she’d go on vacation and not spend a cent?
But I run the place and need to take customer complaints and issues seriously. Even Julianna reminded me that if I don’t listen to what other people want, I can’t help with fixing things. The kid is too smart for her own good.
“May I help you?” I answer gruffly.
There are two store attendants on duty. One is nestled behind the register, the other is folding T-shirts, and his eyes widen, noticing me. I guess staff doesn’t necessarily expect the owner to be hands-on, but I’m not going to sit in my office all day.
My daughter would never let me if I wanted to.
“Three hundred dollars for a jacket is absurd. Can you believe that?” the brunette scoffs. “It’s highway robbery. I didn’t come here to get taken advantage of.” She shoves the ski parka back onto the rack.
“It’s winter, and you’re at a ski resort. What did you expect?” I snap.
“I could buy this same coat at a department store for half the cost.”
“Well, then maybe you should go and do that. You’ll also want to embroiderBreckenridgeonto the front,” I say, pointing at the customization that a lot of tourists enjoy.
“I could do that myself for half the cost,” she huffs. “And the tickets for the ski lift, my gosh, families will need a second mortgage if they want to rent the equipment too. I hear there’s a new owner. It’s like he wants to shake your pockets and steal all your lunch money while you’re on the lift.”
Harsh.
“No one’s forcing you to take the ski lift or go on the slopes. There’s plenty to do in town if you’re here for a nice, relaxing holiday.”
Why am I still conversing with this woman? She’s trouble. I can downright feel the intensity and heat of her fiery blue gaze.
“Well, they may not be forced, but this is a ski resort, and the classes, don’t get me started on the costs of learning to ski. The lessons are exorbitant.”
“Not everyone needs a class. There are bunny hills for those just getting started.”
“You come here a lot?” Blue eyes asks, glancing me up and down.
I give a curt nod. “You could say that.”
“Season ticket holder, huh?” she guesses.
She’s wrong, but I don’t correct her.
“Did you like the place better before the new jackass owner took over and changed everything? I hear he’s a real stickler to the employees. Doesn’t let them have time off and makes them work long hours. Have you noticed any of that?”
“I can’t say that I have,” I seethe.