Everything Is Blue

Chapter 31

Bud reflected on how he'd gotten to this point.

How he ended up in Alaska of all places during the Christmas season instead of some warm sandy beach, a drink in his hand, and some pretty girl on his arm. Because right, the pretty girl he landed was a snow dog from Alaska. He agreed to meet her family because he was a moron who didn't think this through completely. Rushing into meeting his girl's family after just a short period of dating was just plain idiotic.

He should not be here at all.

But who could say no to those big blue eyes? Definitely not him.

At least the Brittlesburg Ski Resort was much nicer than Bud had expected.

At the entrance, stood a large wooden lodge. Christmas lights strung along the edges of the roof. Visitors flocked in and out of the building. To change into their gear, grab a bite to eat, or to enjoy the scenery. Through the large front windows, it looked warm and inviting. Chatter and laughter echoed through the chilly air around them.

Well done Adam, I guess you're actually a decent businessman. Not that I'd ever tell you that.

The resort itself was massive, stretching out acres and acres.

White shuttle buses carried visitors to and from the lodge. One stopped in front of the building. An intercom announcement from the bus buzzed out as the doors opened.

"Welcome to the Brittlesburg Ski Resort. Please take all your belongings with you as you exit the bus. We hope you enjoy your time down the slopes and ride with us again, here at SeaByrd Shuttles. Have a wonderful day."

People decked out in ski gear or winter wear poured out of the shuttle. Adam greeted a few of them occasionally, his immature demeanor quickly vanished as he shifted into work mode. Bud watched as the shuttle departed the lodge, driving back into town and possibly back to Glacier Hills.

How he wished he were on that bus right about now.

The group climbed the first large hill, where dozens of people were riding inner tubes down.

Jax, who had been asking his father a million questions since they got here, tugged on his hoodie. "Why didn't aunt Kimmie come? She always comes. I wanted her to ride down with me."

"I think she wanted to talk to grandpa," Ace ruffled his son's hair. "She hadn't seen him since last year, kiddo. She missed him."

"Oh, okay." He still sounded a bit disappointed, but moved on from the topic. "Can I still ride down the hill?"

"Of course." Ace smiled down at his boy.

One of the ski resort employees brought over a tube once they had reached the top. They set the tube down, and Ace picked up Jax, setting him in it. His voice was too soft to understand what he said to the boy. It probably wasn't all that important.

Bud's attention was turned away from them by Adam.

"Are you gonna marry our sister?" He asked, out of the blue. His eyes surveyed over the area, keeping things in check. Still in work mode, somewhat.

Bud hadn't given it much thought. Far too early in the relationship for that sort of talk.

"We just started dating."

He let out a snort. "I hope you do, so we can get rid of her."

Oh, that's why he's asking.

Ace called him out, as he finished helping his son into the inner tube. "Oh my god, Adam. You cry every time she goes back to the city."

"I do not!"