Christmas at Mistletoe Lodge: New Holiday Romances to Benefit St. Jude Hospital
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The local news showed video of dozens of the same situation throughout the area, while law enforcement at city, parish, and state levels plead with everyone to stay off the roads.
“No problem,” Drew mused, after seeing the conditions. “I’m more than happy to spend the next few days holed up here in front of the fireplace.”
Mack rocked slowly in the chair inside the toasty warm room. “I’m in complete agreement.” He stared out the window at the lengthening shadows, wondered how long Nat and Beth would stay out there on the porch. The temperature had steadily dropped with waning daylight, but the women had remained in place, determined to get their fill.
He thought of the dog at Nat’s feet and faced Drew. “Is it truly unusual for Duke to get that attached to a guest?”
“Absolutely—Beth is concerned poor old Duke will have separation anxiety when Nat leaves to go home. She says we may have to give him a dose of doggy Xanax.” He sat back heavily in his chair. “Come to think of it, it has happened once before.”
Mack stopped rocking, suddenly curious. “Who’d he get that close to before?”
“My wife.” Drew faced him. “I told you we bought this cabin back from the couple who’d already turned it into a bed and breakfast, right?”
Mack nodded, sensing a twist to the story.
“Well, Duke was already here. This stray pup showed up a couple of years earlier and the Bennet’s took him on as the Lodge’s mascot, so to speak. When they decided to sell, they called us first, as previously agreed. I came out by myself to see what they’d done with the place—even saw Duke, but he didn’t pay me any mind.
“I drove on home and talked it over with Beth. I don’t mind telling you we were all over the board about buying it back—weighing the pros and cons of letting it go or keeping it as a B & B—couldn’t make up our minds. The Bennett’s hadn’t done too well and were ready to take a loss to get rid of it.”
Mack frowned. “Was it a matter of bad bookkeeping or some other reason?”
Drew leaned forward in his chair. “Well, neither of them could cook worth a flip and they refused to hire anyone. Who wants to stay at a bed and breakfast with lousy food? This is Louisiana—you can drive five minutes in any direction and dine at some place with good eats. We knew we could do better once word spread about Beth’s good cooking. But did we want that kind of commitment?”
Mack stopped rocking and listened. “So what locked you in?”
Drew’s eyes glazed over as he spoke, as though he were reliving the moment. “We drove here together to discuss it with the Bennett’s. I was leaning toward turning it down, but Beth was calm on the drive over, said not to worry. She told me she’d prayed the night before, and asked God to send her a sign if he wanted us to take the offer. I was skeptical, but she had faith that He’d let her know, one way or another.
Mack held his breath, waiting for the rest.
“As soon as we drove up, Duke came out to meet us—ran right up to Beth and wouldn’t leave her side the entire time. The Bennett’s claimed they were moving to a retirement home with a no pet policy and hoped the buyers would let Duke stay at the lodge. They figured he’d found his way to the lodge because he belonged here. By the time we left, Beth had made up her mind. She insisted Duke was her sign from God to buy.”
Mack gave him a crooked grin. “That’s an amazing story, Drew—if it’s indeed true.”
The old man slapped his thigh, his bellow of laughter filling the room. “It’s true. Go ask Beth, I dare you.”
Mack caught sight of Natalie and Beth gathering their things to come back inside. “I think the ladies are giving it up for the day.”
“They lasted longer than I would have. It’s too cold out there for these old bones of mine.” He got up from the chair, groaning as he did. He took two steps then paused and faced him. “You know, Beth told me the other day she’d asked God to send her another sign when it was time to sell this place and move on.”
He faced the door as Beth entered, followed by Natalie, the ever-present Duke at her side. “Maybe some of his signs are meant for more than one person at a time.”
Mack considered Drew’s statement throughout the evening meal of spicy delicious chili, served with crackers and homemade cornbread. Rather than eat in the dining room, the four of them gathered around the television to watch the Vikings and Packers face off. In a show of solidarity, the others actually rooted for the Vikings.
Drew reached for his wife’s hand after the final quarter and helped her off the couch. “Come on, love of my life, let’s go to bed and rest up for tomorrow.”
Mack rose from the leather chair he’d occupied for the last three hours of game play. “What’s going on tomorrow?”
Beth turned towards him, her eyes bright with excitement. “Why, it’s Christmas Eve tomorrow, Mack. Have you forgotten?”
He actually had, without his mom around to remind him. “So it is. Do you have family coming in?”
“Well…” Beth glanced at her husband then turned a teary-eyed gaze on Mack. “Our kids were all supposed to arrive tomorrow afternoon, but driving conditions won’t be any better. We told them to hold off until it’s safe. We’d rather see them a day or two late than put themselves and the little ones in danger.” She turned away. “I need to check on something in the kitchen before I head to bed.”
“Sure thing, hon.” Drew waited until Beth had left the room to speak to Mack and Natalie in a low undertone. “This white Christmas is pretty and all, but it sure throws a kink in the holiday plans.” He faced Mack. “I know you must be thinking this is a whole lot of fuss over a little bit of snow and ice, but we’re not prepared for this kind of weather. We don’t have snow plows, snow tires or chains to make driving in this mess less dangerous.”
He paused, checked the kitchen door before he faced them again. “My wife puts on a brave face but she’s disappointed. Christmas Eve night is a big thing with the kids and grands. Beth always goes all out for it.”
Nat hugged herself and took a step closer to Drew. “Is there anything we can do?”
“Anything at all?” Mack added.
Drew nodded. “Get involved. Be a part of whatever we’re doing. This would be a lot worse if we were alone here. It’s good having you two around.”
They nodded and headed upstairs, Duke hot on Natalie’s trail. Mack paused at Natalie’s door. “This stinks for them, doesn’t it?”
She entered her room and flipped on her light. Duke followed her in, made himself at home by curling up on a rug next to the bed. “For them and thousands of others stranded in airports and bus depots due to cancelled flights and delays.”
He glanced inside her tidy room, everything in its place, her e-reader on the nightstand beside her bed. “Are you reading anything interesting?”
“An anthology of ten Christmas themed novellas by ten authors.”
“I’m reading a police thriller right now.” He’d attempted it. Mack couldn’t seem to concentrate on much since his arrival, probably due to his timely introduction to Nat.
“I enjoy those, too, but I needed help getting into the Christmas spirit this year.” She walked towards him, positioning the door between them. “See you tomorrow, Mack. Good night.”
He backed away from the doorway. “Good night.” She closed her door and he went to his room, showered, and crawled into bed wearing flannel lounge pants and a T-shirt. He shivered under the cold sheets, wondered if Duke had stayed on the rug or if he’d jumped up on the bed with her.
He laughed at himself, wondering again how one man could find himself so envious of an old dog.
9
December 24th – Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve brought more of the same weather conditions as the day before. They woke to no running water due to a section of pipes freezing overnight. Several more inches of snow had fallen, filling all signs of tracks or footprints, creating a landscape every bit as white and pristine as the previous morning.
She finally pushed inside the back door of the lodge, red-faced from the icy air, her fingers numb despite gloves, and her toes numb inside two pairs of socks in her boots. Her damp auburn hair hung loosely around her face. She kicked off her wet boots and slipped into a pair of dry sneakers she’d left at the door.
Beth met her with a towel warm from the dryer. “Here, dry yourself off—that ice melts the instant it hits warm air. Just seeing you gives my old bones the chills.” She pushed Natalie toward the fireplace where Mack stood with his back to the blaze, Duke lying beside him on the floor. “Even the dog’s got enough sense to stay where it’s warm.”
She thanked her and smiled when Duke rose slowly to greet her, his fluffy tail fanning the air. Nat reached down to ruffle his fur. “Hey, boy—are you staying warm and dry?”
“Trying to, but some crazy southern girl keeps goading me into playing in all this stupid snow.”
She straightened, grinned at Mack. “I know you’re disappointed, but you know this is rare for us. Even though, I’ll feel awful for Beth and Drew if their family can’t make it in.”
“Drew says crews have been working nonstop on de-icing the roadways and bridges for Christmas.” He leaned closer, his voice low. “He reminded me again to distract Beth.”
“That’s fine with me, but we can’t do it from here.” Natalie warmed her hands another minute at the fire then headed into the kitchen, Duke and Mack on her heels. “Put us to work, Beth.”
Mack clapped his hands behind her. “What can we do to help?”
Beth looked up from the turkey she rubbed with seasoning mix, her hands covered in clear disposable gloves. “I’ve got a ham in the oven for today, and I’ll bake this bird tomorrow. I plan to whip up a couple of batches of divinity candy—my kiddos love it.”
Mack licked his lips and beamed at her. “They’re not the only ones so I hope you’ll share.”
Beth’s eyes crinkled with laughter. “Of course, I will.”
“How do you do it without water?”
Beth pointed to several gallon jugs of water on the counter. “Bottled water and these…” She reached for a box of disposable gloves. “Gloves are lifesavers when you can’t wash your hands.”
Natalie helped Beth in the kitchen while Mack assisted Drew with operation pipe thaw. She went to the faucet no less than a dozen times over the next hour, cringing each time it failed to produce water. “Aarrgh…” she groaned. “Cooking is such a pain with no running water.” She reached for a gallon of water.
“I’ve experienced worse.” Beth pulled off one pair of plastic gloves, deposited them in the trash before donning a fresh pair. “Okay, that does it for the divinity. It’s time to make a batch of my gingerbread for a house and sugar cookies for decorating. I’ve been in touch with my children and they’re all determined to make it here by tomorrow.” She shook her head, blinking back tears. “We usually do this part together.”
Natalie gave her a quick hug. “I’m sorry, Beth. It’s too bad you don’t have one of those hands-free video call devices. We could set it up in here so they could watch you bake.”
Beth paused mid-step. “My youngest son is working overseas for Christmas and knew he wouldn’t be in. He sent Drew and I something last week that has to do with video, but it’s much bigger than a smart phone. We’re technically challenged—figured we’d let the other two kids set it up. They all have one.”
Natalie stared at Beth, her heart pounding in excitement. “Where is it?”
Beth entered her pantry and reached up onto a shelf. She pulled down a box and handed it to her.
Nat’s eyes widened. “And you said they all have one of these?”
“I believe so.”
Natalie emptied the box and set it up. Within the hour, she had Beth group video chatting with her offspring—one overseas, two in east Texas, a daughter-in-law in north Louisiana, and all six grandchildren.
By the time Mack and Drew walked inside after replacing a section of pipe that had frozen and burst, Beth was in the middle of whipping up a batch of sugar cookies with two of her granddaughters.
Natalie left the kitchen so the Brunson’s could spend time alone with their family. She met Mack in the living room, sat on the opposite end of the couch from him.
Mack grinned at her. “You did a good thing, Nat. You saved their Christmas Eve.”
“I don’t know about saving it, but Beth seems less miserable about the situation. I’m glad I could do something to repay their kindness.”
“Drew still believes the roads and bridges will be passable early tomorrow morning.”
“I hope so. Video chatting is better than nothing, but it can’t replace hugs from your loved ones.” Natalie bit her lower lip, deciding not to share the decision she’d reached when she woke early that morning. She had some major soul-searching to do and did that best in her own home. “I’ve decided to leave in the morning.”
“Aren’t your parents in the Bahamas?”
“My girlfriend responsible for this trip is having a rough time back at her place. She was there for me when Craig passed—I want to help her through this.”
He opened his mouth and closed it again. For an instant, she thought he’d ask her not to go. Instead he released a resigned sigh and gave one abrupt nod. “I understand. That’s what a good friend would do, and—I bet you’re the best.”
She swallowed, forced herself to smile. “I’m no better a friend to her than she’s been to me.”
Mack got to his feet and paced in front of the fireplace, rubbing his hands on his denim covered thighs. He rested one hand on the mantle adorned with the beautifully hand-carved nativity scene Drew had given Beth the previous Christmas.
“Natalie, I know we haven’t known each other that long, but . . .” He spun around, faced her. “I dated Victoria a year before asking her to marry me. I spent the next year determined to fall deeper in love with her because everyone deserves to be with the one person who can complete them, don’t they?”
Nat turned her lips inward, her mind reeling with thoughts she couldn’t vocalize. Please don’t, Mack. I can’t do this now. I’m not ready.
“Back then I couldn’t figure out how I could spend that much time with someone and feel as if I didn’t know her.” He adjusted his stance, flexed his fingers. “Now I’m wondering how I can feel as if I’ve know you so well when we’ve just met.” He looked up, took one deep breath and faced her again. “Couldn’t we—”
She stood quickly, cutting him off with a wave of her hand. “No, Mack. No, we couldn’t.” Natalie headed for the stairs, resolute in her decision. She’d spent last Christmas miserable—crying over what could have been, and wouldn’t do that again.
Time to look ahead at what could be—would be—if she could get her gears greased up and turning again.
Mack kept his gaze on her until she disappeared up the stairs, forced himself not to follow. He’d seen that look of determination before—the kind that conveyed a singular message. This has to be done—so do it and be done. He’d seen it in the mirror before he’d broken off his and Victoria’s engagement. Expecting he wasn’t in it for the right reasons, he’d tried hard, but failed to love her the way she deserved. Ending it had been the only choice.
Vic had been justifiably angry at first, but had called a week later, admitted she’d known for the last few months. She understood his reasoning and eventually thanked him for having the courage to admit it and back away. He’d dodged that bullet and determined never to put himself or any other woman in that predicament again.
He walked slowly to the window overlooking the back yard. The snowman he and Nat had constructed stood as tall and solid as ever. Standing beside it, as though she belonged, was
a second snow figure. Nat had draped a shawl over the torso, hung a small purse from one stick arm, and topped its head with a floppy hat. All the two of them needed was a snow baby to complete their snow family. He smiled at the thought and headed for the back door.
Mack sat on the couch later that evening, watching the local news with Drew. Viewers had sent in more than a dozen images and a couple of videos of the snowfall in the area. Some were of friendly neighborhood snowball fights, or snowmen, one snow castle, and several of vehicles sliding and spinning on roadways.
Drew chuckled from his easy chair. “I guess that seems silly to you, huh? All of this hoopla on the evening news over such a small amount of snow and ice.”
Mack shook his head. “People here aren’t prepared for this. I’m not hearing reports of cars stranded in snow banks ten feet high, or people collapsing from shoveling. Despite everything, this is a break for me.”
“It will have melted into a slushy mess by day after tomorrow. The roads will be safe to drive in the morning, and our kids and grands will be here bright and early.” Drew grinned at him. “Enjoy your last night of peace and quiet.”
Mack glanced first at the opposite end of the couch, suspiciously empty, then toward the stairs leading to the second floor. Nat had remained upstairs for the majority of the evening, coming down occasionally to utilize the washer and dryer. “Peace and quiet is overrated.”
Drew filled the quiet space with bawdy laughter. “I’ll remind you of that when our gang makes it in.”
Mack stared at the blaze of crackling logs in the fireplace. This time tomorrow, Nat would be back in Biloxi. And he’d be stuck at Mistletoe Lodge without her until his flight on January 2nd.
He took a deep breath, exhaled slowly before rising from the couch. “I’m gonna head on up to bed. Good night, Drew.”