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Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Let it Snow!
Chapter 2: Hitting the Slopes
Chapter 3: The Plan
Chapter 4: Fun at the Rink
Chapter 5: Surprise Attack
Chapter 6: Counting Miracles
Chapter 7: A Familiar Face
Chapter 8: No Escape
Chapter 9: Kidnapped!
Chapter 10: The Getaway
Epilogue
Chapter 1: Let it Snow!
"Your dad has got to be the coolest dad in the world!" declared Cindy Ferra.
"I know," Kelly Carlson agreed, smiling proudly.
The tall, slender girl with an athletic build and a stylish short haircut exclaimed, "It says here in this brochure that all meals and room service are included, and that this is a five-star hotel! Do you know what that means?"
"Jan, Kelly's family is in the hotel business, of course she knows what it means!" Cindy replied.
Kelly stared at the brochure in her hands. The cover pictured a pair of skiers traversing the powdery slopes of Longview Mountain. Inside were colorful photos of the elegant but rustic lodge-style rooms at the White Pines Resort in Vermont.
Kelly had received the travel package on her 19th birthday three months ago. It was a complete all-inclusive vacation for three people to stay three nights at the exclusive ski resort. Her father, Bill Carlson, had made all the arrangements with the permission of Cindy's and Jan's parents. He knew that Kelly would enjoy the trip more if she could bring her two best friends, and he didn't want her to go alone.
Kelly and her father were very close, especially since her mother died almost two years ago of a long-term illness. Last Christmas had been difficult as their first Christmas without her. They managed to get through the holiday that was anything but merry for Kelly, her father, and her brother Brian. Brian was five years older than she, and lived in Boston. Kelly's father hoped that giving Kelly a trip along with her two best friends would relieve some of the anxiety they both felt about facing Christmas this year.
Reading from the brochure, Cindy said, "Listen to this: ‘the quaint village of River Bend offers exclusive shopping at some of the most unique and stylish boutiques in Vermont.’ We definitely have to check that out!"
"Who wants to shop when we have unlimited skiing?" cried Jan.
"I do!" Cindy replied adamantly.
"Let's not argue about it," Kelly suggested, "I'm sure we'll have enough time to ski and shop. Dad said that the resort also has a huge ice-skating rink, so don't forget to bring your skates."
"Skates, skis, boots, poles, luggage…There won't be room for anyone else on the train!" Cindy exclaimed.
"We'll make room," said Jan, "Even if we have to throw off a passenger or two. I can't wait to go shushing down those slopes!"
"Shushing? What's shushing?" asked Cindy, "I can barely manage to snowplow."
Kelly's dog looked up at her and barked. Kelly laughed.
"Sorry, Daisy, honey, you'll have to stay home with Dad. But he'll bring you to New York with him while Bailey stays here with the whole house to himself."
"You leave the cat here alone?" asked Jan.
"We have a neighbor who will check on him each day and feed him. But my grandparents have a beagle who hates cats, so Bailey has to stay home when we go to visit them."
Kelly was startled by the time on the wall clock.
"Ooh! Look at the time! I have to go to choir practice!"
Daisy jumped down from the sofa and followed Kelly.
The girls headed for the front door as they pulled on their jackets and scarves.
"I'll call you tomorrow," Cindy told Kelly, "I still haven't figured out what wardrobe to bring."
Jan suggested, "Just bring everything, Cindy. We can reserve an entire freight car just for your stuff!"
Kelly laughed and waved goodbye as they drove off. She was really looking forward to spending a long weekend with her two best friends. They had been friends for years, and always managed to have a great time together and plenty of adventure whenever they traveled. Now that she was on a school break between semesters, she hoped to spend more time with them.