"In a heartbeat! They're similar to the Jet Skis we ride on the lake."
"Does that mean I'm riding on the back on our return trip?" Bryan smiled.
She nodded. "I don't know. Does it?"
"Looks like it does."
They laughed, including Marissa. The other guests joined the conversation with stories of past snowmobile adventures at the lodge. CG had been providing Christmas memories for several years. They also enjoyed the muffuletta sandwiches she and Chef had prepared that morning.
Henry Chambers swallowed his last bite. "I usually don't like olives, but the olive dressing on this sandwich is amazing. With the salami and cheese it's great. Especially out here. What type of cheese is this?"
"It's provolone and mozzarella." Leona shared the history of the muffuletta and how the Sicilian workers had come to the now famous Central Grocery and ordered each of the items separately until the owner of the store had suggested putting everything on the bread to make it easier to eat. They piled the items on the softer to chew muffuletta bread. Soon the workers simply asked for a muffuletta and the sandwich was born.
CG, Coco, and the Chambers decided to take a walk along the perimeter of the clearing.
The four younger guests remained around the fire. As Bryan paid more attention to Leona, Marissa paid more attention to Bryan. Soon Marissa sat next to Bryan and Leona next to Cameron.
Cameron being so close sent Leona's heartbeat racing. She tried to ignore him, but his presence unsettled her in the best way.
CG approached the campfire. "Ready to head back? It's time."
Cameron and CG extinguished the fire while everyone else gathered at the snowmobiles.
Once the drivers and passengers were settled and ready to go, each machine started except for the one Bryan and Leona rode.
Cameron checked the engine and made a few adjustments, but to no avail. The snowmobile refused to start.
CG came over and attempted to fix it as well. He placed his hands on his hips and shook his head. "It's not starting. Cameron, why don't you and Leona head back and get another machine. I'd suggest you and Bryan, but you and Leona can make better time. She weighs a lot less than Bryan, no offense Bryan. Besides she'll get her wish to drive a snowmobile." He smiled and winked toward Leona.
Marissa said nothing, but stared at them for long seconds. Then she started laughing with Bryan. "Looks like we're stranded together."
Cameron went to the couple and spoke to Bryan about the problem. Marissa smiled and then waved to him as he walked away.
When Leona climbed onto the back of the snowmobile and wrapped her arms around Cameron's waist, she'd only thought she'd been unsettled earlier.
****
Cameron started the snowmobile and headed down the trail. Having Leona's arms wrapped around him made him feel as though he could fly down the mountain without the snowmobile. He wanted to get to know her and hated that they had to hurry back to the lodge and back up again.
Marissa had changed her focus to Bryan and away from him. Maybe he could spend time with Leona without feeling guilty. He'd told Marissa twice that they weren't together, but she'd ignored him, only acknowledging what she wanted to see and hear.
The view down the mountain took his breath away, and knowing Leona would be enjoying it also made him love it even more.
The cool air and the bright sunshine made for a perfect day. Maybe it was time he started thanking God for what he'd been given. Especially this time.
Once they returned to the lodge, Cameron retrieved another machine from the barn. He added the necessary fluids and then started it up and took it for a test run around the lodge.
He removed his helmet. "Works great. I'll take this one, and you can take mine." Her enthusiastic smile encouraged him. He gave her lessons on how to ride, and when she returned from her own test run around the lodge, Cameron knew she'd be fine. She'd performed well. It was as though she'd been riding snowmobiles all her life.
Sept
Leona stopped the snowmobile and waited for Cameron to drive alongside her. "How'd I do?"
"Perfect. I need a bathroom break before we head back."
"Me, too."
They zipped into the lodge.
Elvis’s Blue Christmas wailed through the living room. Chef loved Elvis.
"What are you two doin' here?" Chef's raised brows made Leona laugh.
She explained the situation to him. "We've just come in for a quick break then we're back on the trail."
"Fine but not without a cup of coffee or chocolate."
"I've had my fill of chocolate for now. Coffee for me," she said as she went up the stairs.
When she returned Cameron sat at the long kitchen bar drinking from a steaming mug. "Julian made us coffee and insisted we sit and warm up before heading out again." Another steaming mug sat on the counter in front of the stool next to Cameron's. Chef was nowhere in sight.
Leona would have a talk with him later. She slid onto the stool and sipped. "Oh, that's good." She wrapped her hands around the mug and allowed the warmth to transfer to them. "I loved the ride today. So beautiful."
"It is a beautiful ride. Dad picks that one for the first ride because it's so easy and has the best views."
"Good choice. Oh, I wanted to tell you, I have a friend in the real estate business if you need someone to help you find a place to live. You are moving to New Orleans, right?"
He swiveled his chair to face her. "I am. Next month. I was hoping you might have time to look with me. Maybe I could find something in the Quarter close to where you live."
Marissa's current amusement with Bryan didn't change the fact that Cameron had come here with her. Could he just trade one woman for another so easily? Was that how the people in his circles operated? That wasn't the type of guy she wanted. Regardless of how he made her feel, she had to keep her head straight about him.
"We'll see. The first of the year can be busy. It just depends on many factors. I'll give you one of my friend's cards."
His lids drooped over his intense blue eyes, and Leona sensed his disappointment.
Had he expected her to just fill in Marissa's vacated spot? He didn't know anything about her. She sipped the last of her coffee and then slid off the stool. "We should be heading back."
"Yes, we should." Cameron donned his stocking cap and followed Leona toward the door.
Before they mounted the snowmobiles, Cameron stopped. "Leona, I want you to know that your words last night touched a nerve."
What could she have said? This was the story of her life: always opening her mouth and inserting her foot. "What words?"
"Last night when we were outside you talked about seeing God's majesty. Few people I'm around speak about God. I've allowed Him to slip away. Your words were a reminder for me. Thank you."
She hadn't expected that. Thank you, Lord. Draw him closer to You. She averted her gaze to keep him from seeing the tears forming in her eyes. "I'm glad God is speaking to you, Cameron. It sounds like he wants you back in his life." She'd never been good at evangelism, but she'd never shied away from talking about her faith.
"I think you're right."
"I feel closer to Him for some reason here. Maybe it's the beauty of this snow, these mountains—all new experiences for me. Maybe I feel such gratitude in having this opportunity. I'm loving my time here. I’m thankful to Chef for inviting me and your Dad for hiring us." She mounted the snowmobile.
"I'm thankful for them, too." He grinned then donned his helmet and started his machine.
She started her snowmobile. The engine fired up, and she turned the throttle and followed Cameron up the powdery trail. She absorbed the awesome beauty along the trail. The sunlight reflected off the snow making the fresh powder sparkle like a field of diamonds. The snow brushed up by Cameron's machine captured the sunlight making tiny rainbow prisms in the air. Everything seemed a wonder to her, and she believed she'd been given the best Christmas gift ever.
Thank Y
ou, Lord. She prayed for Cameron and for his relationship with God and with Marissa. There seemed to be a story with those two, but she couldn't figure it out. Chef was right. There was more to Cameron Fleming than what she saw.
****
Cameron pulled into the clearing where the group waited. Everyone boarded their respective snowmobiles, and Bryan hopped on the back with Leona. She turned around and followed the Chambers back down the mountain. Once again, Cameron and Marissa pulled up the rear.
Leona had become distant when he'd mentioned moving into the Quarter near her. Was she seeing someone? He hadn't bothered to ask. She was more reserved than most of the women he met. Usually, after one date, he knew more than he wanted to. Already, Marissa had shared far more than he needed or wanted to know.
Marissa hesitated getting on the snowmobile when he'd returned. She and Bryan sat next to the fire deep in conversation. Maybe Bryan would be the recipient of her affection for the rest of the vacation time. She wasn't holding on to Cameron as tightly as she had on the trip up.
When they entered the lodge, Chef had readied the kitchen for their cookie-making adventure.
Leona took charge and began setting up stations for Cameron, Marissa, and Bryan.
"Bryan, would you like to help me roll out the dough?"
"Sure."
"Cameron, you and Marissa can use these." She handed Marissa several aluminum cookie cutters. "Once you've cut out the shapes. You can place them on these trays." She sprayed each tray with cooking spray.
With Christmas music playing in the background, they began working. Max bounced in the nearby living room with CG and Coco, who chatted quietly. The Chambers had retired to their bedroom for a nap before dinner.
Bryan measured the ingredients and added them into the mixer Leona manned.
"Your mom taught you well. She'd be proud." Leona scraped the flour off the sides.
Bryan smiled. "Thanks. Must admit it's the first time I've received a compliment for working in the kitchen." He grabbed the rolling pin and began rolling one of the five balls of dough Leona had separated.
Cameron and Marissa stirred food coloring into batches of icing.
The afternoon rushed by without any of the underlying tensions Leona feared.
Once the trays were filled with cookies, they began decorating them.
Marissa dotted the last button on a gingerbread man. "This is kinda fun. I've never done anything like this before."
Both Bryan and Cameron spoke in unison. "Really? Never?"
"Never." The word was coated with sadness.
Leona walked next to her and squeezed her shoulder. "Well, I'd never know." She pointed to Marissa's gingerbread man. "This guy is perfect. You really have a knack for this. Not everyone does, you know." She nodded toward Cameron's gooey mess.
Marissa laughed. "Thanks. I see what you mean."
"Hey, these are the best kind." He popped the icing-cookie concoction into his mouth. When his gaze met Leona's, he sent her a huge icing-laced grin.
Huit
That night Leona relived the day with an entry in her journal. After she'd captured all she wanted onto the pages, she made a cup of chamomile tea, wrapped up in the down quilt, and stepped out onto the balcony.
The moon directly overhead lit up the night like a giant spotlight while the thin layer of snow on the decking crunched under her slippers. The stillness enveloped and gratitude filled her heart. Thank You for all You are giving me.
She brushed away the snow from the handrail and leaned forward. The snow-covered mountains in the distance towered over the valley as majestic warriors on watch. A bunny rabbit hopped in the snow near the base of a large pine leaving his distinct trail. The branches of the pine sagged from the weight of the accumulated snow.
As Leona took in the picturesque scene, the sound of muffled sobs drifted in the thin night air. She shared the balcony with the room next door—Marissa's. Dare she investigate?
Be My voice.
She couldn't ignore the prompt. With measured steps, she made her way to the French doors of Marissa's room. One door stood ajar with only the light of the moon filtering into the bedroom through the glass panes. She knocked on the doorframe. "Marissa?"
Silence replaced the crying. Should she try again? Her pulse raced. She didn't want to impose, but something moved her forward. "Marissa?" she whispered.
A figure moved in the bed and before long Marissa sat on the edge. She turned toward the door. "It's you. What are you doing here?"
Leona stepped forward into the doorway. "Is everything all right?"
The moonlight illuminated Marissa's puffy face. She stared at Leona and remained silent.
Uncertain of what to do, Leona remained at the doorway. "If you want to be alone, I understand, but I can be a good listener."
Marissa patted the bed next to where she sat. Leona hobbled forward, tea cup in hand. "Want some tea? I'll make you a cup."
"Would you really do that for me?"
"Sure." Leona ditched the quilt and then worked the portable coffeepot to make the hot water for tea. She chose chamomile.
She handed Marissa the tea. "C'mon. Let’s sit on the balcony. It's a beautiful night. God has outdone himself tonight."
She wrapped up again in the quilt. Marissa did the same with her quilt. They walked in Geisha-girl fashion to the Adirondack chairs on the balcony and then dusted the snow off the chairs before sitting in them. "Thanks for the tea." Marissa held up her cup.
"You're welcome. It really hits the spot." Although the temperatures dipped in the low twenties, being out on the balcony was not as miserable as Leona had expected. The brusque air helped clear her head. She sipped from her cup and waited.
"Guess you're wondering why I was crying," Marissa said after a moment.
Lord, please give me Your words.
"Only if you want to talk about it. You don't have to tell me anything. We can just sit out here and enjoy this amazing night."
Every feature of Marissa's face was visible in the stark moonlight. She wiped tears away from her cheeks and turned to Leona. "Thank you for today. I thought making cookies was a dumb thing. You know, domestic and too much like a housewife. Certainly not anything the great Marissa Madison would be caught dead doing. But I realized the only reason I thought that was because I didn't have the warm Christmas memories you, Cameron, and even, Bryan have." She lowered her head. "My mother was a drunk, Leona. We didn't do Christmas."
"Ever?"
"Never."
Compassion flooded Leona's heart and a rush of emotion threatened to choke her. She swallowed the rising lump and tried not to let Marissa see her struggle. She didn't want the actress to think she felt sorry for her. She understood Marissa's battle more now than ever. Hurting people hurt. Plain and simple.
This woman was here at Christmas with people who adored their Christmas memories. When she should have memories to look back on with fondness, all she had was pain and neglect. She felt certain Marissa had no idea who Jesus was and why Christmas was so important.
She gave Marissa's hand a gentle squeeze. "You're doing Christmas now, and that's important. We'll make this Christmas the best you've ever had. A true celebration of Jesus's birthday."
Marissa smiled and cast her gaze toward the mountains. After a while she said, "They certainly are beautiful."
"They are. God's creation in all its glory."
Marissa paused and whispered, "God…" She closed her eyes and seemed to drift far away. Had she returned to the non-Christmases with her mother?
Leona started to say more, but something stopped her. Sensing that the timing was wrong, she shared the remaining moment in silence with Marissa. A prayer for Marissa filled her heart.
After a while Marissa stirred in her chair and turned to Leona. "I hope you weren't upset with me for talking to Bryan this afternoon."
Leona didn't understand. "Why would I be upset?"
"Aren't you interested in him?" Marissa sipped th
e last of her tea and then pulled the blanket further around her shoulders.
"In Bryan Golby? No. No way. I wanted to ride a snowmobile, and he offered. That's it. Right now my primary interest is in learning how to manage a restaurant and in making enough money to open my own."
Marissa smiled. "Really? Your own restaurant?"
"Yes. It's been my dream since I was a little girl." Leona told her about Leo's and the legacy her grandmother had begun. "What about you? Has acting always been your dream?"
Marissa creased her brows. "Nah, can't say that is was. It's a means to an end for me. I love the attention and the money. I swore I would never be poor, and acting makes that a reality."
Leona examined Marissa for a moment and began to comprehend the life the actress had led to bring her where she sat today. She wanted to ask about Cameron but didn't know how.
Marissa continued, "Even being here was a business decision."
"Really? I thought you came here with Cameron." Leona tucked her feet under her and made sure the quilt covered her shoulders. As the night progressed, the temperatures dropped and the deck became colder.
"I did come here with Cameron. His dad is thinking of having me in his next movie project. Cameron would be a good catch, don't you think? With all his connections, he'd be perfect for my career and not too bad to look at. I may have to make many trips down to New Oryleens." She smiled a sly grin. "Who knows? I might be interested in investing in that restaurant of yours."
Leona's heart dropped. The Marissa she'd gotten a glimpse of earlier this evening had disappeared. She'd started to like that Marissa. She didn't want to partner with this Marissa—one who would use someone like Cameron to advance her career.
****
Cameron awoke early, dressed quickly, and headed down the stairs.
Julian was already in the kitchen making coffee. "You up early." Julian turned to him.
"Couldn't sleep anymore. I'm gonna take a snowmobile out. Want to come with me?"
"Who me? On dat thing. No way. You mus be off your rocker."
Deep Freeze Christmas Page 4
