Operation Valentine (Hazel Oaks Resort Book 1)

by Kelsey McKnight

  He was so deep in his thoughts he almost ran straight into Nat in the lobby. Luckily though he held on to his sandwich.

  “Sorry, deep in thought,” he said smiling at her, but she didn’t smile back. In fact, her eyes were a little puffy. Had she been crying? “Hey, what’s wrong?”

  “Um…nothing…actually, can we go talk in my office?”

  His stomach flipped. “Talk, like, I’m being sent to the principal’s office or talk like you want to share whatever is bothering you?”

  “Just follow me, please.” She turned and walked straight down the hall toward the offices, not even looking behind her to see if he was there.

  Hudson took a big bite of his sandwich, preparing for the worst. He was pretty sure he hadn’t done anything to upset her. They’d been getting along perfectly for weeks and he thought they were having a great time together. He was ready to do whatever he could to fix this. It had to be terrible. She didn’t even have her customer service smile on. At that moment, he wanted to do anything to ensure she never felt like that again. Obviously, that was impossible, but he didn’t care. He’d try.

  He sat across from Nat in her office, holding the sandwich awkwardly in his lap. He should’ve tossed it out before he walked in, but he had been laser focused on trying to sort out where things went wrong. And the look on her face had completely taken away his appetite.

  “Nat, you’re freaking me out. What’s going on?”

  “It’s actually a good thing,” she said, trying to smile. But she couldn’t get it to reach her eyes. It didn’t even brighten her cheeks.

  “A good thing for who?”

  “For you.”

  “Is this when you tell me I have a deadly disease, but it’s alright because it’s operable?”

  She frowned, seemingly taken aback. “What? How would I know your medical history?”

  “Nat, what’s going on?”

  “Two things. One, good work with the Kents. They’re renewing their vows here, which is great. Two, I talked to Mr. Sutton today. He is really pleased with the work we’ve done with the Kents. He asked if there was anything he could do for you, and I mentioned your desire to go to California. Mr. Sutton said to send him your resume and he’ll pass it on personally to the resort’s human resource team.”

  Hudson didn’t respond. He wasn’t exactly sure how to. One word from Mr. Sutton meant he was leaving. Leaving when they’d just started talking, seeing each other, whatever it was they were doing.

  “Nat, I—”

  “Isn’t it exciting?” she asked cheerfully. It was false, sharp, but it looked like she was committed.

  “It is, but I thought you and I—”

  “No, don’t, Hudson. This job is what you want. It’s what you’ve been talking about for weeks. You’re leaving and I get it.”

  He wanted to reach across the desk and take her hand but couldn’t move. “Nat, I didn’t even apply for the job yet. I haven’t said I’m leaving.”

  “I know but you will. Just make sure to give me two weeks’ notice so I can fill your role.”

  “And which role is that, boyfriend or adventure coordinator?”

  Her gaze, which had fallen to the folders on her desk flicked back up. Her expression was unreadable as stone. “You were never my boyfriend. We never got to that point. I thought we could’ve, but it’s clearly not in the cards. If you’ll just excuse me, I have a vow renewal to organize.” She grabbed her usual notebook and headed out of her office like there had been a fire alarm.

  Hudson stayed in his chair. He wasn’t sure how to process what just happened. Going to California was what he wanted and then it wasn’t. With Sutton sending his resume out, it was a guaranteed job, a straight shot to the life he thought he was working toward. But it was also the end of the life he had in New York. He’d be leaving Ben and the friends he’d made at the gym, and the other adventure coordinators. He’d never eat Terry’s food again, and he’d have to say goodbye to Nat just when he felt he’d really gotten to know her. And here he was, planning this romantic Valentine’s Day thing for her. It felt wrong to do any of it now.

  She was right. Their entire relationship was new. They’d wasted so much time being annoyed, irritated, or frustrated with the other. While he had friends in California who never made him feel like he was breaking the rules. Friends he’d wanted to help. He tossed the sandwich in the trash and then dropped his head in his hands, running them through his hair. This was a mess. He needed to talk to somebody. He called Ben and asked if they could meet up when he finished work. Someone needed to help him sort out the rest of his life.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  Nat

  Nat adjusted the ivy draped over the fireplace’s wide, cream mantel. Leafy tendrils framed the flickering fire, carefully fastened out of the way by invisible hooks. On the mantel itself sat tall white candles that waited to be lit. There were more candles on the white draped table that had been brought in for the dinner service following the ceremony. She’d spoken to Mr. Sutton once more before setting up the event, asking him question upon question about the Kents first wedding.

  It was true to its time with bridesmaids in rusty orange and disco music at the reception. She had decided to modernize the feel with sunset shades of roses on the table and a bouquet of the same shades for Dr. Kent to hold. The tech team had set up small speakers throughout the room, which was originally the suite’s living area. She’d had it completely emptied in preparation for the party which meant she had plenty of space. Rebecca had compiled a list of songs encompassing the years they’d been together while Terry’s team served their dinner, an updated version of their first wedding feast. There would be fondue to start, then some salmon and an assortment of vegetables, followed by a Black Forest cake for the couple to cut.

  For only being put together in less than a day, everything was falling perfectly into place. Even Terry hadn’t complained when Nat came to her with a menu idea based on a dinner from decades long ago. Although the promise of new kitchen equipment would have gotten her to be excited to cook just about anything. Rebecca was similarly thrilled at the prospect of saving so much money on her dream wedding.

  Hudson was the only one who didn’t immediately cheer when Nat laid out the deal she’d made on his behalf. She had been replaying the look on his face for hours. She hadn’t expected him to be anything less than perfectly thrilled. With the promise of his dream job, she’d thought he’d look just a little pleased. Instead he’d dropped a bombshell on her she still hadn’t quite gotten over. He’d called himself her boyfriend.

  Nat rounded the dinner table and went to the balcony doors, which were similarly draped in ivy. The balcony for Mr. Sutton’s personal use was much larger than the other guests, with a perfect view of the lake from the top of the resort. A pair of heating units had been brought up, as well as comfortable chairs so the party could move outdoors for a nightcap beneath the stars.

  She leaned on the smooth, wooden railing and took a deep breath of the cool, crisp air. It was like she could hear that word on the air, boyfriend. The breeze cut straight through her suit jacket, but it felt good against her fevered skin. It was nice to focus on something instead of her thoughts. She was getting so tired of being trapped within her own mind.

  But as she watched guests milling through the garden maze below and strolling along the half-frozen shore, she felt terribly alone. Her parents lived close by and she spoke to her brothers every week. She saw Terry every day at work and her close group of girlfriends was always there for dinners, brunches, and movie nights. In truth, she wasn’t completely alone, but she was missing that special brand of togetherness that only came with being part of a couple. An official one.

  Nat had been so sure this Valentine’s Day would be different than the last. She had hoped for a box of chocolates and a nice dinner, or a bouquet of flowers delivered to her office like some of the other women received. The idea of a faceless man taking her out on the town for Valentine
’s Day had been replaced with Hudson’s cheeky grin and teasing ways. He was such a secret romantic, and she was eager to see what he’d be like for Valentine’s. But now, she just wanted the day to end. In fact, she was thinking about taking a vacation. She had days saved up, and it’d been forever since she’d gone. Maybe that was just what she needed, some sun, a good book, a tan…and space. She’d come back from her vacation with a fresh perspective, and then saying goodbye to Hudson wouldn’t be so hard.

  She’d gotten so used to having him by her side the past few weeks. His infectious laugh and the way he’d managed to pull her out of her orderly shell had changed her. It wasn’t a purposeful thing, not a complete push toward being someone new, but a gentle nudge into living a more balanced life. She had spent more evenings having fun than thinking about spreadsheets and timetables. She’d gotten better at asking for help and seeing things through his eyes, visions of perfectly imperfect disorder that always ended up magical.

  When she had begun to plan the vow renewal, Nat almost asked Hudson to help, but thought better of it. If he was going to be gone soon, she needed to start separating herself from him. She had to stop looking for him when she heard footsteps down the corridor, or her cell phone buzzed with an incoming text. It would be hard to keep him at a distance inside the lodge, but it was the first step in making sure she didn’t get too hurt. It’s what she’d always done when her dad’s orders changed. She’d start pulling away from friends, claiming she needed time to pack, and then, when she actually moved, it was easier. After a few weeks, it wouldn’t hurt to contact her friends, to check in, to maintain that friendship from a distance. It would work with Hudson too.

  “Nat?” called Rebecca from inside the room. “You still up here?”

  Nat left the balcony, closing the door securely behind her. Rebecca was pushing a cart stacked with gold framed photographs. Each one featured pictures of the Kent’s lives over the years, sent to Nat by their grown daughter who was over the moon her parents had decided to give their marriage another go. They were just snapshots of their lives, wedding pictures, family photos in front of the Christmas tree, vacation shots at Hazel Oaks, slivers of their history.

  “These came out so nice,” Nat said as she began placing the photographs on the mantel and end tables, nestling them between the roses.

  “Didn’t they? I was waiting for them to be delivered all morning and was starting to get really worried.”

  “It looks like everything’s falling into place.”

  “They are going to love it. You and Hudson make such a good team.”

  Nat paused, her fingers just touching the framed snapshot of the Kents on a cruise. “This was a team effort. You played just as much a part as we did. We all make a good team.”

  “Hey, it wasn’t me having late-night dinner meetings with you,” Rebecca teased as she straightened the gold event chairs framing the table. “Don’t get me wrong, I’ll take the credit, but it’s really nice to see you and Hudson together.”

  “We aren’t together, just working. I’ll keep that in mind for next time I work on a project, make it clear it’s all professional.”

  “Professional, right. That’s not what I saw the night of the salsa lessons.”

  “Easy to confuse things when you take it out of the office. I was just trying to fit in and make the Kents happy. That’s the mission, right? Keep the customers happy.”

  “Whatever you say,” Rebecca said in a singsong vice.

  Nat shot her a small smile and picked up some fallen petals from the floor and placed them in the garbage can. “I think we’re actually done here. What do you think?”

  “I think it looks beautiful. Really. I wasn’t sure how I was going to feel with the ivy and the orange roses, but for some reason it really brought it back in this vintage sort of way.”

  “I’m sure the florist can recreate the look for your wedding.”

  Rebecca wrinkled her nose. “I already planned on lilies.”

  Nat and Rebecca left the suite with Rebecca heading to the elevator with the cart and Nat taking the stairs. There was romantic piano music playing in the lobby, and the space smelled of flowers and rich milk chocolate. Floral arrangements were being wheeled in by a delivery man, boating bouquets of everything from birds of paradise to daisies. The atmosphere was delightful, despite the pain she felt in her heart, and a genuine smile touched her lips as she descended the steps.

  Mina was at the concierge desk as Nat passed and waved her over as she collected a garment bag. “Oh, Natalie, I can’t tell you how thrilled I am that you managed to put together our vow renewal. I know it was such short notice, and I felt so terrible about putting more work on you, but Marvin was insistent that you would make everything beautiful.”

  “It was nothing, really. I just hope it lives up to your expectations.”

  Her eyes shone with tears. “You’ve really worked some Valentine’s Day miracles, and I’ll always be so grateful to you and Hudson. I didn’t think we’d make it this far, really. To think, I almost didn’t want to come. And now…now Marvin and I are getting a second chance. I still cannot believe it.”

  “I always knew it would work out, and tonight will just be the next step toward the rest of your lives.”

  “And you and Hudson will come, right?”

  She shook her head with a smile. “No, this is a private event just for you, no chaperones required.”

  “I didn’t mean as chaperones; I meant as guests. It’s only fair you attend…although I suppose asking a young thing like yourself to give up her Valentine’s Day hardly seems fair. You’ve already done so much and I’m sure you have plans.”

  In truth, she wouldn’t have minded attending the vow renewal to see all her hard work end with a bang, but the idea of sitting at the miniature wedding next to Hudson put her stomach in knots. “I’ve set up a photographer, so I’ll see all the pictures.”

  “Alright, well, my dress for tonight was just delivered, so I’m going to go hang it up before the pampering begins.”

  “You received the salon itinerary I sent with breakfast this morning, right?”

  “Sure did. I have to say, the salon and spa are two of the things I’ll miss the most after going home,” she said with a wistful look. “Nothing makes you feel twenty years younger like a facial and a blowout.”

  Nat waved her off as she headed toward the elevator. Then she soaked up a bit more of the good feelings and promise of romance the lobby held for everyone who passed through.

  Her office though was another matter, bland and boring, unfulfilling for the first time since she first placed her name card into the small frame on the door. She normally adored being behind her desk and making orderly lists, but after sweeping through the romantic lobby alive with music and blooms, she couldn’t help but long for more color and life.

  She undid the French twist her hair was knotted into and massaged her scalp. Playing cupid for everyone else was certainly fun, but after her confrontation with Hudson, she found it difficult to melt into the rest of the day’s plans. Still, there were dinners to oversee and an evening proposal in the study to set up, so once she made a few calls, she’d have to get back to work. She twisted her hair back up and then reapplied her lipstick. It felt like a shield. Right now, that was what she needed.

  *

  Hudson

  Hudson passed by Nat’s office three times that day, always finding the door closed. He hadn’t seen it shut since before Operation Valentine was in full effect, and she was in the habit of holing away with her lists and orderly notes. Every time he passed, he considered knocking and seeing if she was alright, or pushing her to talk about California, but his fist always paused before it hit the dark wood.

  His chat with Ben the night before at the gym hadn’t gone as planned. When Hudson had explained how his desire to date Nat was at war with his desire to go to the Jewel of Laguna, Ben had just told him to follow his heart. What Ben didn’t understand was that life
wasn’t an animated kids’ movie where it always ended with a happily ever after since all the right choices were always made. Real life was messy and the choices weren’t always clear. And besides, he didn’t know what heart to follow.

  In the end though, he had to admit Ben was right. Whatever decision Hudson made, he was going to have to live with it, for better or for worse. No matter what he chose, he was going to give something up, either his dream job or Nat. Although his dream job would probably be just as temporary as any of his other gigs, with him maybe moving on in a few years to something new. But then again, wasn’t that the dream?

  There was no stability in Nat either, not that he could guarantee anyway. They could date for years and then break up, never speaking again. But if that happened, he’d be stuck in Hazel Oaks until he could find another job. The problem was, that new job, it might not be all he wanted. Though, if he were honest, he’d taken crappy jobs before to get out of town. Not that it was ideal but it kept his wheels moving. Both choices were a gamble and he didn’t know which card to play.

  After the sunset proposal at the wishing well, Hudson had wandered back outside after depositing the newly engaged couple at the resort. He didn’t want to walk past Natalie’s office again and see the door shut to him or bump into her in the hallway. He had the feeling she didn’t want to see him, since she apparently hadn’t thought to tell him about the Kents’ vow renewal, outside a brief email saying she had it in hand, and it was a private ceremony so his presence was not needed. It worked just fine for him though, since he needed to think without seeing her. Or maybe it was something else. Maybe he was scared to see her.

  Hudson pondered this as he wandered through the perfectly landscaped maze. If he saw her, what would he say? That was probably why he couldn’t knock on her door. He’d see this beautiful and accomplished woman in front of him and all logic would rush from his brain. Instead, he’d be left wondering how he could ever imagine leaving someone like her. His life, his actions, they’d never felt tied to another human like this before.