Page 41 of The Christmas Dash

When she comes around the back of it, my jaw comes unhinged again. “Is that a gondola?”

“Yep. Lorissa wanted to make this place feel like a resort in Europe. So all-glass gondolas it is!”

I trace the line of glass orbs, slowly making its way up the ski hill. They’re swaying in the evening breeze, and they look about as sturdy as a little kid’s loose tooth.

“I told Lorissa we’d be up there by nine, so we should really—” Beth stops talking. “What’s wrong?”

“What? Nothing.” I face her, and she frowns.

She gestures to my arms. “You’re clenching your fists so hard your knuckles are white.”

I relax my hands. “Nah. I’m fine. Come on. Let’s go.”

Maybe if I just plow ahead and don’t think about it, I can make it up to the top of the hill.

Maybe Beth won’t notice if I close my eyes the entire time we’re riding.

“Okay.” She slips out of the driver seat.

I take a deep breath and join her at the front of the car.

“This way.” She leads me on a shoveled, stone-paved path toward the base of the gondola lift.

“Hey, Winnie,” she chirps, waving to the attendant who’s running the death contraption.

“Beth, dear. What a treat to see you!” Winnie steps out and greets Beth with a hug. “I sure miss having you around here.”

“I miss seeing you too, Winnie.” She eases out of the hug and looks to me. Her cheeks are rosy. “This is Gabe McKenzie, Win. We’re working together to plan the Christmas Dash. That’s what I’m here to talk to the Kells about.”

Winnie’s eyes twinkle. “Right. Right. I saw the news about this grand scavenger hunt. Sounds like fun. Nice to meet you, Gabe.”

I nod. “You too.”

“The family’s expecting you up there, so you go right ahead.” She motions us toward the waiting glass pod.

Beth walks up to it and scoots inside like she’s done this a million times before. I go to follow, but it’s as if my feet are frozen to the ground. Maybe I could play it off if there was some snow and ice to contend with. But the pathway is immaculate.

I silently curse the Kells for their expert snow removal.

“Gabe. You good?” Beth peeks her head out of the pod. My face must betray my nerves because she’s at my side in a second. “Hey, it’s okay. What’s going on?”

I turn away from her and from the gondola, clenching and releasing my jaw.

Beth repositions herself so she’s standing in front of me. “Gabe? Will you look at me?”

I have my eyes pinched closed, and I’m focusing on trying to steady my breathing. I crack one eyelid open, and Beth is staring, concern wrinkling her usually smooth brow.

“Hey.” She puts a hand on my arm. “It’s okay. Talk to me.”

I exhale and my shoulders slump forward. I break eye contact before I speak. “I’m terrified of heights, Beth.”

She’s quiet for a beat. “How did I not know this about you?”

I let out a mirthless laugh. “Maybe because I did everything in my power to keep you from knowing it.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Back in high school. Didn’t you ever notice how I always had another commitment when you and Jack were planning to ski?” I flick my gaze to her.