Christmas at Mistletoe Lodge: New Holiday Romances to Benefit St. Jude Hospital

by Sabrina York

  Comforted by Sara chattering about happenings in Snow Valley and her Thanksgiving menu, Emily closed her eyes. In addition to the usual rush hour traffic, the road was clogged with holiday travelers. The trip took longer than expected and elicited a few less than complimentary words from Mike, but Emily slept through most of it, jostling awake when Mike turned off the main highway toward Snow Valley.

  The sky had darkened, but Emily looked through the window and saw the craggy outline of the mountains looming above the little valley she still thought of as home. Snow Valley sat in the midst of the mighty Cascades to the west and the rugged Wenatchee Mountains to the north. The towering trees and wide-open spaces made her heart skip a beat, overwhelmed with the sheer beauty.

  Mike steered the car in the direction of Snow Valley Resort. It had started as a small family-owned ski shop and lift but had expanded over the decades into a sprawling five-thousand-acre upscale community that not only encompassed the resort but also included vacation homes, cabins, condos, six restaurants, and a golf course. It was no longer the ski mountain of Emily’s youth—it was a destination, where couples booked months in advance for weddings and corporations from Seattle hosted retreats.

  Mike dropped them off under the covered entrance to the massive hotel. The restaurant was one of several housed in the newest building on the property. The five-story structure twinkled with the welcoming glow of lights coming from the hotel rooms in each wing. They entered the central portion of the building that was used as a common space and was filled with restaurants and other amenities. The hostess greeted Sara by name and led the sisters to a corner table near the fireplace. Sara gestured toward the wall of windows skirting the dining area. “This is a killer view in the daylight.”

  “Do Hank and Lydia Johnson still own the resort?” asked Emily.

  Sara bobbed her head. “Hank passed away a few years ago, so his son, Gabe, runs it now. Lydia is here from time to time and still has her hand in it.”

  Within minutes of the waiter delivering water and a basket filled with warm sourdough bread and chilled butter, Mike joined them. They feasted on a delicious meal and chatted over coffee, with Emily answering their many questions about her life in the city, until Mike’s cell phone interrupted them. “Sorry,” he said, glancing at the screen. “It’s work. I’ve got to take it.”

  Sara nodded and turned to Emily as soon as he left the table. “Mike got a big promotion at work this past year. The best part is he only has to go into the city once or twice a week, but he’s available for calls at all hours. The rest of the time he works from home, which is nice.”

  Emily focused on the fire over the rim of her cup. “I always work from home, and sometimes I wish I had an office to go to.”

  “Are you hoping to get on with a newspaper or magazine rather than continue your freelance work?” asked Sara.

  Emily shrugged. “Sometimes, I think that would be better. I’d have benefits and a salary I could count on, but I sort of like the freedom.”

  “That’s what Mike likes about working from home. I’m not sure if you knew, but I opened a second location out here at the resort a couple of years ago. They wooed me for several months and finally came up with an offer I couldn’t refuse. So, now guests don’t have to leave the resort to visit Latte Da.” Sara’s grin was accentuated by deep dimples.

  “Wow, I don’t remember you saying anything about that. That’s great. Business must be booming out here. I can’t get over how much it’s grown.”

  “It’s been a great move for me. This location is much busier than my old spot downtown. The original isn’t fancy, but it’s where my heart is. I’ll never give it up. It was my little dream of a business and feels like home.”

  “Where is your shop out here?”

  “I held out for prime real estate. It’s in the lobby of the Mistletoe Lodge. I love that old lodge, and it’s the perfect spot. They outfitted it to my specs, and I didn’t have to come up with any money. Plus, they provide the staff. So, I oversee it and implement whatever menus and specials I want and only give them a small percentage of the profit. It’s a deal I couldn’t refuse.”

  “I remember the lodge when it was the only building out here, and it was the place to be over the holidays. It sounds terrific. Sometimes I work out of a coffee shop near my place. I like hanging out there. It’s not as lonely as my tiny apartment.”

  Mike returned to the table with a grim face. “What’s wrong?” asked Sara.

  He shook his head. “We can talk about it later. Do you ladies want any dessert?”

  The sisters shook their heads. “There will be plenty of dessert tomorrow,” said Sara, smiling at her husband.

  Sara and Mike lived in her parents’ old house, on property that backed up to the wooded land of the resort and had been in the Bishop family for generations. Emily’s mouth gaped as Mike pulled into the driveway and hit the button for the garage. It looked nothing like the house she remembered. It had been refurbished and remodeled and now matched the architecture and feel of the modern mountain lodges dotting the grounds of the resort.

  “The house is gorgeous,” said Emily, stepping from the garage into the mud room.

  “We’ve done some modernizing and upgrading since the last time you were here,” said Sara, ushering Emily into the open kitchen. A golden retriever rounded the corner, wagging her tail and stepping closer to Emily.

  “This is Bella, and she runs the place,” said Sara with a laugh, petting the top of the dog’s head. “She’s a gentle soul.”

  Emily bent down and nuzzled Bella’s head close to her. “Aww, you’re a sweet girl, aren’t you?”

  Mike cut up the bits of steak he had saved in a doggy bag. Bella’s nose lifted with interest, and she followed him as he placed it into her bowl. While she was gobbling her special treat, Mike hefted Emily’s bags upstairs to the guest room.

  The interior of the house was as stunning as the exterior, with liberal usage of beautiful dark wood, natural stone, and tile. After exploring a bit, Emily went downstairs and found Sara and Mike, their heads close together, sitting on the stone ledge in front of the fireplace, talking in low voices. “I’m going to get to bed. I’m worn out. See you guys in the morning.”

  “If you need anything, give us a shout. Sweet dreams,” said Sara, blowing her a kiss like she used to do when Emily was a little girl.

  She caught it in the air and blew it back, laughing as she went upstairs. Their childhood habit brought back a muscle memory that sent a tingle through her. She took her time admiring the huge ensuite bathroom, marveling at the glass shower. Her entire apartment could fit into the space of the guest suite. She noticed one of her mom’s beautiful quilts folded across the edge of the bed. She ran her fingers over the soft fabric, lingering over each of the tiny, uniform stitches and smiled at memories of her mom working on patterns and having bits of fabric stashed all over the house.

  As she rested her head against the pillow and snuggled under the soft comforter with the weight of the quilt on her feet, she chuckled. She always pictured Sara and Mike bumbling along in little old Snow Valley. Instead of scraping by—Sara at her cafe and Mike commuting back and forth to Seattle for a technology company—they were thriving. Nothing was quite like she expected.

  2

  The next morning, the enticing aroma of baked cinnamon and sugar woke Emily. She couldn’t believe she had slept so long. She’d struggled to fall asleep without the sounds of the city below her window. Here, it was peaceful and quiet. Too quiet. She had finally turned on the television, and it had provided some noise that lulled her to sleep.

  As soon as she turned the handle of the bedroom door, Bella poked her nose through the opening. “Happy Thanksgiving, Bella,” she said, ruffling the thick fur on her back. She and her new furry companion made their way downstairs to the kitchen. Sara was in her apron, pulling pans from the oven.

  “Those look delicious,” said Emily, eyeing the cinnamon rolls and croissan
ts.

  Sara put the baking tray on the granite counter and brought her finger to her lips. She whispered, “I cheated and got these, along with the pies and rolls for our meal today, from the bakery I use for the store. So much easier than doing it all myself.”

  “I better test one, just to make sure,” Emily smiled and helped herself to a croissant covered in almonds, sliding into a chair at the large granite counter that dominated the kitchen. She gave her sister a thumbs up as she savored a bite. “Where’s Mike?”

  Sara gestured with her head toward the other end of the house. “He’s in his office on the phone with work.”

  “He’s sure dedicated, working on a holiday,” said Emily, taking the chai tea latte dusted with cinnamon Sara had made for her. Her first sip elicited a moan of delight. “This is fabulous.”

  “I always tell my customers it’s like pumpkin pie in a cup,” Sara smiled and let out a deep breath. “Mike’s work is a strange situation. One we need to discuss with you.”

  Emily choked on her latte. “Me? What do I have to do with it?”

  Sara retrieved a cup of tea she had brewed and slipped into the chair next to Emily. “We’ll explain it when he gets off the phone.”

  Emily’s brow furrowed as she finished her pastry. Bella positioned herself near the oven, where the aroma of roasting turkey wafted into the air.

  Mike’s heavy sigh preceded his footsteps down the hall. “Good morning, Emily. Hope you slept well.”

  “I did, once I added a little background noise. I’d forgotten how quiet it is here. Sara has piqued my interest, telling me you have a work issue that involves me. Do you need an emergency article written?” The gold flecks in Emily’s hazel eyes sparkled with interest.

  He laughed as he slid a cinnamon roll onto a plate and poured himself a cup of coffee. “No, but I’ll keep you in mind if I ever do.”

  He leaned against the counter, and his eyes met Sara’s. She nodded, and he cleared his throat. “Sara told you I got a promotion and I’m now a senior vice president. I’ve been on the phone with my boss, and he was scheduled for a series of important meetings next week in London and Paris. He can’t go and needs me to go in his place.”

  Sara squeezed Mike’s shoulder and added, “It’s more than boring meetings. There are tours and events planned for the spouses, along with dinners and functions. They do this twice a year, and Mike and I were scheduled to go in the early summer. But now, we need to fly out Monday. That’s where you come in.”

  Mike took another swallow. “We realize it’s asking a lot and will inconvenience you, but we’re hoping you’d be willing to extend your stay here, watch Bella for us, and take care of Latte Da while we’re gone.”

  Emily’s eyes went wide. “I, uh, don’t know anything about running a coffee shop.” She glanced at Bella. “Or taking care of a dog, for that matter.”

  Sara patted her sister’s hand. “You can handle it. I’ve got a system and can show you what you need to know to handle the ordering and oversight. I have great employees, so they can manage the day-to-day. Bella’s a good girl and easy, but she gets lonely. She’s used to going with me each day. The Mistletoe Lodge is dog-friendly, so she’s welcome, and she’s got her spot at my downtown shop.”

  Emily’s cup rattled as she placed it on the counter. She saw the excitement in Sara’s eyes when she mentioned the activities and outings for the spouses. If Emily had the chance to go to London and Paris, she’d move heaven and earth to get there. She knew what it meant to Sara to be able to go with Mike. Sara had been the one to stay in Snow Valley and look after their mom after their dad died. While Emily had been living her own life in New York, never understanding the seriousness of her mother’s illness—mostly because her mom didn’t want her to know—Sara had put aside everything. Guilt washed over Emily. She owed Sara much more than this.

  Emily raised her brows. “I guess I can work from here as easily as I can from a coffee shop or my apartment in New York. I technically can write from anywhere.”

  Sara’s smile lit up her face, and Mike looked relieved. Sara bolted from her chair and gripped Emily in a tight hug. “Thank you so much, Em. I’ll bring you back something wonderful.”

  “I’ll go finalize the flights,” said Mike, hurrying down the hallway.

  Sara fingered her cup and stared at the counter. “There’s just one more thing you’ll need to handle for me.” Emily’s eyes darkened as she glared at her sister. “How do you do that? Your pretty green eyes have always turned dark brown when you’re irritated with me.” Sara waved her hands in reassurance, “But, it’s all arranged and should be a piece of cake. It’s the mayor’s annual Christmas Tree Party at the lodge. I’ve organized it every year for the last decade, and our new mayor wants me to continue.”

  Fear flashed in Emily’s eyes. “Oh, I don’t know if I can handle something so important. What if I mess it up or something goes wrong? I’d never forgive myself.”

  Sara shook her head. “It’ll be fine. It’s practically a cookie-cutter event. I’ve got it all organized, and the mayor’s staff is top-notch.” She winked at Emily, “It’ll be fun.”

  Emily rolled her eyes and rubbed her neck and shoulders. “I remember that summer you told me we’d have fun hiking. I ended up covered in poison oak. I think my definition of fun differs from yours.” She laughed and smiled at Sara. “How can I not do it? Just promise to answer your phone if I call you.”

  Sara’s smile reached all the way to her eyes, and they crinkled at the edges when she laughed. “I’ll keep it glued to me, day and night.”

  In the midst of the meal preparations, Sara’s tablet chimed with video calls from Sophie and Jake. Mike, Sara, and Emily gathered around the small screen to visit with the twins. In Missouri, Jake was spending the holiday with his roommate’s family, and Sophie’s best friend from Baylor insisted she spend the long weekend with her family outside of Austin.

  Sara broke the news that she and Mike would be spending the next three weeks in Europe and would get home right before Christmas. Rather than make Emily drive to Seattle to pick the kids up, Mike had arranged for a family friend to pick them up at the airport when they arrived in mid-December. Emily would be able to spend a week with the twins before their parents returned, and they were both excited to see her in person.

  After finishing their holiday meal in the late afternoon, Mike volunteered to take care of the dishes and cleanup, allowing Sara to take Emily to Latte Da for a crash course in the coffee and tea business.

  Sara drove her Jeep to the original Latte Da location in a vintage brick building on Main Street. Emily soaked in the sites downtown, much of it like she remembered, with quaint shops lining both sides of the street. New dark green awnings with the business names scripted in white gave it a clean look. She noticed the Christmas lights were already strung across the street and down the lampposts and were visible in the bare branches of the trees along the sidewalks.

  They drove by the huge tree in the center of Main Street that had been installed but not yet decorated. The tree lighting ceremony would take place next weekend. Instead of watching the tree lighting at Rockefeller Center this year, she’d have to make due with Snow Valley’s version.

  Sara parked in front and unlocked the door to the shop. It was a cozy corner building with plenty of red brick walls and large windows. Sara led Emily past the scattering of small tables and cushioned bench seats decorated with assorted pillows. The interior walls were fitted with bookcases stuffed with a wide variety of books.

  A wooden ledge ran along one window with stools for those who wanted to sit alone and gaze at life on Main Street. The mixture of marble topped and wooden tables, along with several worn leather chairs and an oversized blue velvet sofa, softened the industrial feel given off by the exposed pipes in the ceiling. Soft light glowed from a variety of glass pendulum fixtures hanging over the tables and reading spaces.

  Emily followed her sister past the marble and glass counter
to the office in the back. Photos of Sophie and Jake, mixed with a few of Bella and one of Sara and Mike, decorated the walls and a bookcase. Sara showed her a file cabinet where she kept her records, checklists, and vendor information. Emily’s eyebrows rose in surprise when Sara showed her the online ordering system she used and how she reconciled and tracked purchases and cash flows. She always pictured Sara writing up orders on old-fashioned restaurant checks and keeping manual records. Her sister’s savviness and use of modern technology impressed Emily.

  “Jackie manages this location, and she’s terrific. She handles most of it by herself, but schedules extra help if she needs it, and takes care of all the operations. She does the deposit each day, and you can check in online to verify the amount against what the system shows. Our inventory system is set up to alert you when to order supplies, but she always emails or leaves a note if she needs anything. With the holidays, she may request more supplies, so order whatever she needs and don’t worry if the computer indicates we have enough.”

  “Should I check in with her each day?”

  “I spend most of my day here, but you don’t need to. She’ll be busy next weekend for the tree lighting and all the activities, but it’s usually not overwhelming during the week. The location at the Mistletoe Lodge is open seven days a week and is always busy, but don’t feel like you need to stay there all day either. Marcy is my manager, and she’s super organized. You’ll love her. Same drill with the inventory and orders. We’ll be swamped there all month, so order anything Marcy wants.”

  Emily nodded and asked, “Do Jackie and Marcy handle ordering the bakery items you mentioned?”

  “Oh, yes, they place those orders directly and leave me a copy of the delivery tickets. Your sole focus can be on the Christmas Tree Party for the mayor.” She swept her hand across the shop and added, “We’ll come back tomorrow when it’s open so you can meet Jackie and get a feel for the place.