A Sweet Silverpine Winter

Chapter 1

Asnowflake spiraled from the sky like a dancer before landing on Taylor Patterson’s navy peacoat. It clung to her shoulder for a brief moment, coaxing a smile to her face. She ran a hand over her silk press styled into a sleek low bun, making sure everything was in place. A quick adjustment to her chic knitted beret, and she was ready.

Taylor was invigorated that morning as she stepped out of the cab. The frenzied seasonal energy had cooled down, leaving an odd sort of peace in its wake. It was as if the air was tinged with the quiet expectancy of the coming new year. Funny—everyone always slowed down after Christmas as if they’d exhausted their quota of the season’s rush, even though the new year was on the horizon.

Shaking off the remaining droplets from her coat, Taylor breathed deeply, savoring the crisp, cold air. Each taste of the winter atmosphere wiped her slate clean for what lay ahead.

And she was ready for the clean slate of a new year.

Following the sale of her company, R-Tech—a web marketing startup, and her labor of love for five years—she was ready to tackle her next big idea. She just needed a little bit of inspiration.

Once she entered the office building, Taylor waved and smiled at the guard, Carl, before heading to the elevators. The hum of anticipation from her co-workers filtered into the air. Everyone was itching for the clock to strike ‘Freedom o’clock,’ marking the official end of the work year.

With a click-clack rhythm of her heels on marble flooring, Taylor entered the elevator as she sifted through her phone’s email. Already, her day was lining up to be a busy one, given the number of emails she needed to respond to. Plus, she had no idea what her assistant had scheduled for her that day. Once the elevator chimed, she stepped onto the floor and took in the vibrancy of her surroundings. Everyone was busy at their desks, and the sounds of chatter, typing at keyboards, and movement energized her.

She caught sight of the festive trappings lining desks and walls—garlands of green and red that seemed to be decorated by an overeager Christmas fanatic. Even the air smelled as if someone had bottled ‘seasonal cheer.’ She had to admit, it was nice—a cozy blend of peppermint and cinnamon. If she were into seasonally flavored lattes, she’d be craving one about now.

Taylor rounded the corner to her office, sensing a familiar figure emerging from the hallway. And there she was. Her assistant, Anna, skidded up to her like an excited puppy, almost spilling the steaming coffee she was carrying.

Taylor, there you are. It’s been quite a morning already. Your day’s looking busy. First up, the client presentation at 10 a.m. Don’t forget the updated sales figures and those mock-up designs for the new product line.

Taylor smiled at Anna. The coffee was a most welcome addition to her morning. Today, she silently yearned for an IV drip of caffeine directly into her veins. Anna, you’re an organizational wizard. Can you shoot me an email with all the meeting details? I want to double-check we haven’t missed a beat.

No problemo, boss lady! Anna veered her eyes to the tablet she balanced on her arm. In quick succession, she jotted down notes and scrolled through pages. Oh, and I’ll shift the 2 p.m. marketing meeting to fit the new product launch schedule.

Ah, perfect! That will give me enough time to bring up the proposal and double-check it before presenting it to the project manager. Anna, you’re a lifesaver. Taylor pulled her purse onto her shoulder as she narrowed her gaze on the shorter blonde woman. But don’t forget, you’re human, too, not a machine. You’ve been working like crazy this season already. Take some time off, will you?

Anna’s cheeks flushed a shade pinker. Thanks, Taylor. Actually, I was thinking of joining my friends for a New Year’s getaway. You should consider some time off, too.

Taylor resisted a hearty laugh at the thought. Time off? The concept seemed almost alien. Her mind was a never-ending to-do list, with each task spawning three more. If anything, she could use more time in the day. Instead of making a fool of herself, Taylor managed a small shrug and a smile. We’ll see. First, I’ve got a presentation to crush.

Anna pointed at Taylor like a fairy godmother bestowing good fortune upon her. Go conquer your kingdom, Taylor. Anything you need, I’m just a call away.

Taylor grinned. Sounds like a plan.

She strolled into her office and set her coffee on the glass desk with more force than intended. Thankfully, the spill damage was minimal. As she took off her coat, she gazed outside. Snow covered the New York skyline outside her window, painting the city in a canvas of wintry whites and muted grays. It was like a postcard—peaceful, serene.

Okay, time to hustle. She wrapped her coat on the back of her chair. Then, she hit the power button on her computer. Right away, it came alive. She navigated to her email as she slipped out of her coat and immediately was met with a bombardment of highlighted new messages. Ah, the never-ending demands of the corporate jungle.

For the next couple of hours, Taylor was neck-deep in spreadsheets and charts. She scrutinized sales figures and compared them against market research. Hmm, tweaks were essential to keep pace with their target demographic. She’d have to update the company’s strategy by integrating some fresh marketing tactics. Maybe they’d hire some more social media marketing and increase their ad spending. She mentally shifted gears and transitioned from ruminating over spreadsheets to preparing herself for the impending meeting. She went over the details of the product, the client’s preferences, and, most importantly, the proposed selling points.

After the presentation to the client, Taylor couldn’t help feeling a sense of satisfaction. The presentation had gone off without a hitch—or so she assessed, judging by their interest in moving forward with the project.

Then, it was off to the next few meetings. Her team hashed out marketing strategies, ironed out timelines, and confronted whatever roadblocks dared to impede their way.

By the time the work day neared an end, she was invigorated by the high. She leaned back as her chair squeaked under the sudden shift. She released a sigh and smiled with a cocktail of relief and accomplishment washing over her. The office had settled into an evening hush. The lingering sounds of keystrokes and phone calls were replaced by the calm quiet of empty space as everyone wound down for the season.

Maybe she should head home. Then again, traffic would have cleared out by now, and all she had waiting at home for her was leftovers and reruns on TV.  If she stayed here a bit longer, she could get more work done and not have to wait until later. The thought was tempting.

Taylor then shot a glance at the clock. Anna’s earlier advice about taking some downtime floated back into her mind. She almost snorted. She wasn’t even sure if she knew what downtime felt like anymore.

Hey, you’re still here.

Taylor looked up at the tall redhead who peeked her head in. She smiled. Hey, Beth. Yep, still finishing up some things before the office closes.

Well, it’s a good thing you’re finishing. You should go home and kick back. Paint the town red or something. You aced that presentation, you know.

Taylor tilted her head. You think so?

Beth chuckled. If you didn’t, what hope is there for the rest of us? She waved her hand. But seriously, you should take some time off. You’ve more than earned it.

You know, you’re the second person to tell me that today. Taylor frowned as she thought back to Anna’s words again. Was she really working too hard?

Beth hummed thoughtfully, and then a grin lit up her face. Maybe it's a sign, she whispered conspiratorially, leaning in and covering the side of her mouth with her hand, for you to do something nice for yourself for a change. Take a break from all your work with the company.

Taylor giggled softly as her hands ran along the edge of her laptop. You may have something there, Beth.

I like to think so.

Beth beamed as she dove into an animated rundown of her own seasonal plans—a ski trip to Aspen with her family. The way she described it, her days would be filled with laughter and snowy adventures. Her nights would be cozy and warm by the fire. Taylor felt a pang of something she couldn’t put her finger on—envy, no, that wasn’t it. She was happy for Beth to get away and relax with her family. Maybe she felt more of a yearning for something more personal, more familial as well. After all, she was still catching her breath from the whirlwind of selling her tech startup. And she practically jumped right into this current marketing position. Planning some time for herself was the furthest thing from her mind.

Until now.

Once she bid Beth a safe trip and a good evening, her gaze fell to her office phone. Maybe she would call her parents tonight and see what they had planned. Perhaps she could schedule a family get-together or something if they weren’t too busy.

Yeah, maybe she would.

Chapter 2

Dawn's light filtered through the frosted windows, rousing Graham Workman. Instinctively, his hand reached for the vacant space beside him. Maybe she’d wandered off to the bathroom, he mused, or perhaps she was brewing coffee in the kitchen. But as he opened his eyes, reality set in. With a sigh, he sunk his head back into the pillow. He forced his thoughts to anchor in the present rather than drift into the murky waters of the past.

She’s gone, he whispered to himself. It was a mantra he’d repeated long before she’d physically vanished from his life. The unraveling during their years had been a slow burn. When the storm finally broke, it nearly shattered him. Nostalgia was a dangerous path; he had to focus on the here and now.

With a reluctant groan, he swung his legs over the edge of the bed. The old floorboards greeted his bare feet with a series of familiar creaks, like the warm embrace of an old friend. The cabin had been his sanctuary for years, tucked amidst snow-covered pines on the outskirts of Silverpine. As he took each step, it was as though the wooden planks whispered a soft hello, welcoming him to the dawn of a new day.

The snow-dusted windows around the cabin offered a view of his surroundings. A masterpiece of nature, tranquil and undisturbed. The wind whispered secrets through towering pine trees, bringing with it the earthy scent of pine needles kissed by winter. The world was a blanket of snow; each flake was a tiny crystal in the quiet splendor.

After freshening up, Graham slipped into his flannel shirt and worn jeans. They felt like old pals, reliable and comforting. The cold air kissed his cheeks as he made his way to the fireplace and started it up. The crackling flames quickly turned from smoldering coals to a hearty blaze, casting a warm glow on the room’s rustic furniture and wood-clad walls.

He went through the motions of his morning rituals: brewing coffee, selecting his favorite mug, and cooking up a hearty breakfast of eggs, sausage, and toast. The scent of strong coffee filled the cabin, mingling with the crisp mountain air that snuck in when he opened the door to step out onto the porch.

Sipping his coffee, Graham found solace in the distant peaks of the Rockies. They stood tall and resolute, like ancient sentinels keeping watch over the sleepy town of Silverpine below. This was where he felt most alive, most at home. And not even the ghosts of his past could take that away from him.

As he took in the serene landscape, his thoughts drifted, always contemplative. Somewhere deep within, he harbored a well of complex emotions from threads of love, loss, and lingering regrets. Yet those scars were his alone, shared only with the mountains that stood silent, like wise elders, eternally guarding his secrets.

Shaking off his introspection, Graham decided to switch up his usual day. Instead of whittling away in his cozy sanctuary, he’d head into town. Pulling on his durable hiking boots, he smiled at the imprints on the soles—testaments to countless treks through the Rocky trails.

Once Graham got into town, he meandered down Main Street. He had a knack for small talk. Some might call it a gift that made almost anyone comfortable in his presence. A nod here, a Hey there, Martha, how’s the knee? there. He was the kind of guy who’d remember your aunt’s cat’s name but not make a big fuss about it. He exchanged pleasantries with Ben Carter, the local handyman, and his oldest friend, passing the time talking about screwdrivers and the weather. Such simple conversations felt like social glue in a small town.

Silverpine wasn’t just any town; it was a tucked-away treasure in the Rockies, filled with storybook cottages and shops in bold hues of red, green, and blue. It smelled like a cozy seasonal candle that lingered throughout the town: fresh pine mixed with whiffs of cinnamon rolls from the bakery. The laughter of kids floated over from the park, melting into the natural harmony around him. It was the kind of place where you knew you were part of something bigger just by the way people smiled at you—or, in Graham’s case, the way he grinned right back. Some had told him that the twinkle in his eye suggested he’d just pulled off some mischief.

But even this old dog noticed new tricks.

The town was subtly yet inevitably changing. New buildings emerged, and with them, newcomers who marveled at the town just as much as the residents marveled at them. Graham took it all in: the altered landscape, the diversity of faces. A wistful tug at his heart told him things were different, yet much remained the same. Silverpine still thrived on closeness, even as it edged toward the promise of the new.

As he wandered into Maggie’s general store, her face lit up like someone had flipped a switch. Morning, Graham!

His own smile was effortless. Ah, Maggie! What a splendid day, isn’t it?

She shrugged as her voice carried a note of exhaustion.