Operation Valentine (Hazel Oaks Resort Book 1)

by Kelsey McKnight

  Hudson went and sat on one of the patio chairs that surrounded the fire that seemed to never stop burning. It wasn’t empty, but with everyone being coupled up, they didn’t spare him much more than a glance and a smile as he sat down, which worked just fine with him. He had a lot of thinking to do.

  Planting roots had never appealed to him, even as a teenager when his teachers and guidance counselors would ask what he wanted to be when he grew up. He could be basically anything he wanted, he had the connections and the job history to ensure it, but in truth all he ever wanted to be was free. He didn’t mind having structure at work where he had bosses to answer to, but he still felt he didn’t have the same sort of chains working as an adventure coordinator.

  He tried to picture himself at Hazel Oaks in one year, three years, five years…he always seemed to be living the same life. Of course, he couldn’t see the future, but he could see the stability in it. He would still be pestering Terry to be his personal chef and discovering new little pockets of the world like the wishing well. And he and Nat would share coffee in her office between appointments and try out new restaurants after work. He could be comfortable there, so predictable and easy. But would that predictability start to feel like a collar tying him down?

  When he tried to imagine what living in California would be, he was sure it would be fun for the first year or two as he helped build up the gym and swapped his hiking boots for diving flippers. But that was it. The good seemed to have trouble outweighing the negative. He’d give up the clean Lake George air and the regular guests he’d grown close to. He would have new coworkers, new challenges, a new adjustment period where he would be the new guy again. Sure, he’d make friends at the gym and there were all kinds of Spartan competitions up there. He’d never run out of things to do or interesting people to meet.

  And then there was Nat, orderly, structured, beautiful, witty Natalie Keller. He’d wasted a year not knowing her and only recently realized there was so much worth knowing he could spend a lifetime learning about her past, her future plans, her hopes, her dreams, her fears, and never get to the bottom. He would miss her bright red lipstick and the easy way she opened up when she began to trust him. Not hearing her melodic laugh or sharing plates of fried food again seemed so trivial, but in reality, it was nearly unthinkable.

  Hudson didn’t want to go so far as to say he was in love with her, but was there another word for what he was thinking? Adoration seemed too old-fashioned and infatuation too impermanent. Obsession was a little stalkery and didn’t seem appropriate.

  Things had moved quickly, just how he liked them to in every other aspect of his life, and he didn’t mind with Nat. He liked her, really liked her from the bun in her hair to the click of her shoes on the tile in the lobby and from her sharp retorts to the gentle silence that surrounded her when she stood on the shores of the lake. She had this depth to her that he loved to explore. Life in Hazel Oaks may have been pretty predictable but time with her wasn’t.

  The one thing he wasn’t completely certain of to his marrow was if she felt the same way. If she had, wouldn’t she have said something when he mentioned being her boyfriend? Or kept her mouth shut about the Jewel of Laguna resort when Mr. Sutton asked what Hudson wanted? Maybe that was her way of getting rid of him now that their project was over. Or worse, testing him. Girls did that kinda stuff, right? Then he shut that idea down. Customer service Nat would never deny him a job she knew he wanted. She had her business suit on. She was way too considerate to hold that offer from him and risk it affecting his life.

  The empty chair beside him moved with a scrape. The junior adventure coordinator Jordan had sat down, a grin on his face.

  “You look pretty happy,” Hudson said in greeting.

  “I could say the opposite of you, but I’m in too much of a good mood to let whatever is bothering you bring me down.”

  “Well, aren’t you a good friend.”

  Jordan laughed. “You know I’m just messing with you. Did the couple you took out for the proposal break up or something?”

  “Nope. It went off without a hitch and I have the pictures to prove it.”

  “Then care to share what has you looking like that?”

  Hudson stared at the flames, remembering the saying there were two things in the world man could look at that was both always changing, yet never changing, fire and water. “I did so good with that older couple, you know, the one who were about to divorce, and I think I’m going to get a spot at the California resort.”

  Jordan clapped him on the shoulder. “Congratulations, I know you were really looking to get in there.”

  “Yeah, it’s pretty great.”

  “If it’s so great, why do you look more like you just got fired?”

  Hudson debated laying it all out for him, but it seemed inappropriate. Jordan was a great guy and he liked hanging out with him sometimes but dropping his problems with Nat on his shoulders wasn’t right. “Just have a headache. I always forget how busy it is on Valentine’s Day.”

  “Tell me about it.”

  “You were working with that group of girls, right?” Hudson asked, eager to change the conversation to something else.

  Jordan’s grin was back, and he leaned back in his seat. “Yeah, the Galentine’s Day party. Working with them has been a blast.”

  “You never seem this excited about your other guests.”

  “Things are a little…different this time.”

  “Different how?”

  “There’s this girl, one of the ones that came with the group. We ended up hanging out a bit and I really like her.”

  “Look at you, a valentine.”

  “Hardly, the group’s leaving tomorrow, and who knows if I’m going to see her again. Long distance just isn’t my style.”

  Hudson grimaced. The conversation was back to making him think about Nat. “What if you really liked her? Like, you knew her for more than just a week or so? What would you think of the distance then?”

  “It depends. I don’t think I’d be much good for long distance, but if I really cared about somebody and I wanted to make it work, I’m sure I’d figure it out. I’m a romantic like that.” He let out a deep sigh. “I don’t know, man. It’s like if that girl can make me feel like this after a week, I’d be pretty excited to see what it would be like to be with her for a month, or a year, you know? It’s a crazy ride. I just wish it was the right time.”

  “How do you know it’s not?”

  “Thanks for listening, buddy, but yeah it’s not our time. I feel it. You know when you can just feel it, down somewhere in your gut? I feel it’s not the right time. But, man, if it was another time, it would’ve worked.”

  They sat in silence for a few minutes, taking in their own thoughts. After a few more minutes Jordan said he was going inside to warm up some.

  Hudson sat by the fire much longer than he meant to. The other couples had drifted off to dinner reservations and bed. Still, he let the flames warm him as he periodically added more kindling and logs to keep it going. He promised himself that he wouldn’t leave that spot without a plan one way or the other. He would either formally put in his two weeks in the morning, or try, truly try, to make Nat his. Was it their time or was it just a moment in time? Either way, he was in for a long night. One thing was for sure, this decision couldn’t wait until after Valentine’s Day.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  Nat

  Nat trudged into work late that day, just after lunch. The Valentine’s Day rush had taken everything out of her, and by the time she’d gotten home to her little apartment, she basically fell into bed and into the deepest sleep she’d had in a while. Her exhaustion had been a positive, since she couldn’t exactly think too hard about Hudson and her own disappointment about the day.

  Every time there was a knock on her office door, or someone called her name, she expected him to be there. She wasn’t sure what she thought he’d say, if it was to give his two weeks, bring her a Vale
ntine’s Day card, or maybe even tell her he was staying at Hazel Oaks. But as the day wore on, it was clear they weren’t crossing paths for a reason, and she knew she’d just have to come to terms with things being strained between them.

  After her usual email check, she went to see Terry for an extra-large coffee to perk her up. The lobby still held the remnants of the holiday, though the flowers were a bit wilted and the music no longer played. But there was still the distinct feelings of love and adoration she’d soaked in the day before. Even the couples were more reserved, quietly checking out to leave the small bubble of romance the lodge provided. She hoped they all had been touched in the same way the Kents had.

  The kitchen was calmer than it had been in days, though still full of pre-dinner activity. The scents of roasted potatoes, chicken, and whatever delicious soup was boiling in the massive pots all smelled amazing. She was glad she came in late so she would be able to take advantage of dinner later, but until then, should make do with the large coffee she got herself before stepping into Terry’s office.

  Terry was sifting through a pile of papers with a pen tucked behind her ear, but looked up and smiled when Nat came in. “Hey, stranger, I was surprised I didn’t see you bright and early this morning.”

  “As if I could after yesterday,” she said as she dropped into an empty seat. “It seems like we get more and more couples every year.”

  “You say that like it’s a bad thing.”

  “It’s not. I’m just exhausted.”

  “I can tell. Looks like your outfit wasn’t ironed within an inch of its life today.”

  Nat looked down at her black cigarette pants and red sweater. It was certainly way more casual than she usually was, but she wouldn’t be interacting with any guests that day and took a chance at being comfortable. “You don’t like it?”

  “I never said that. I’m glad you’re not in another pantsuit. It always makes me nervous to feed you something messy, in case you spill. I don’t want to rack up a dry-cleaning bill.”

  “For your cooking, that’s a risk I’m always willing to take.”

  “Are you hungry now? I can make you a plate of something.”

  “No, I’ll wait for dinner. I’m not sure what the menu is, but I know I want to take full advantage of it.”

  “Not sure you’ll be able to make it to the cafeteria tonight,” Terry said as she pulled the lid off the pen and made a mark on one of the papers.

  Nat’s blood ran cold for a moment. Had she forgotten something she scheduled? Her daily planner was sitting on a drawer in her office. She stood up, leaving her coffee on the desk. “Oh no. I had no idea I had an appointment tonight. I have to go figure out what I—”

  “Wait, you didn’t forget anything, I promise.”

  “Then what’s going on?”

  Terry smile, her eyes sparkling. “Well, you do have an appointment, just not the kind you’re thinking of.”

  “I’m totally lost. Will you just spit it out already?”

  She slid a file over, revealing a large cream envelope that read Natalie in black letters. She handed it to her, looking rather pleased with herself. “Here you go.”

  Nat turn the envelope over, looking for any sign as to who it might be from. “What is this?”

  “Hey, I’m just the mailwoman, not your secretary. Open it up.”

  “As if you didn’t read it.”

  “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

  Nat slipped her finger beneath the fold and ripped the top of the envelope. She recognized the cardstock within, fine and silky, the same kind she’d given Marvin to use to invite Mina out for a night of dancing. Then she began to read.

  Dear Nat,

  You once said a handwritten note was the more romantic way to ask someone to spend time with you. I realized I’d never written you a note, although all I want to do is spend time together these days. If you’d like to spend time with me, go to the guest garage at 4:30.

  See you soon,

  Hudson

  Nat looked back at Terry. “What’s going on?”

  “What do you mean what’s going on? He’s doing some romantic gesture for a late Valentine’s Day. Come on! Go, have fun, let me live through you.”

  “No, no, I’m not doing this. He’s leaving for California, and I’m not starting something just so I can say goodbye. I’m done with that nomadic life.”

  “Do you have his two weeks?”

  Nat looked at Terry and felt like all air from her body had escaped her. “He’s going to give me his two weeks on Valentine’s Day?” she shouted, letting the entire kitchen hear her. It would be like he was quitting their relationship and the resort at the same time. “I’m not going.”

  “Alright, so that took a different turn than I was expecting,” Terry said. “I just mean, go and see what he says. Maybe he isn’t leaving.”

  “He’s leaving.”

  “I’ll believe it when you have his two weeks’ notice in your hand. That boy is falling in love with you.”

  “Maybe. But he’s already in love with California. I’m not enough.”

  “Stop.” Terry slammed her wooden spoon against the counter. She stuck a pointer finger in Nat’s face. “Listen to me. You cannot see the future and you certainly do not actually control everyone in this building. That man cares about you. Anyone here can see that and you will not speak badly about my best friend. She is always enough. If he goes to California, it won’t be because you aren’t enough. It will be because he wasn’t ready for all that you have to offer. But you have to let him decide that. You can’t do it for him by avoiding him or whatever it is that has the two of you looking like you do. Now, it’s almost four thirty. Get your butt to the garage and then call me afterward because I’m spending my night cooking and not with a dreamy man staring back at me.”

  Nat left the kitchen without another word, and she hurried back to her office for her coat. She pulled it on along with her gloves and her favorite gray scarf. Then she forwarded her office calls to her cell phone out of habit and headed outside. The garage wasn’t too far of a walk, and the afternoon seemed fairly mild for February. She was wondering what she would find there. Would it be Hudson handing her his two weeks’ notice? The thought made her stomach dip. He was always a jokester, but she didn’t think he would be so cold as to lure her into something like that with a note.

  To her surprise, Jordan was leaning against one of the open bay doors, spinning a set of keys round his finger. “Hey, you made it.”

  “I guess so. Where is Hudson?”

  “At the next location.” He reached inside his jacket pocket and passed her an envelope.

  “Let me guess, you have no idea what’s written in here?”

  He shrugged. “Just the messenger.”

  “We need to establish a rule about reading other people’s messages,” she grumbled and then opened it up.

  Dear Nat,

  If you’re reading this note, that means you’ve decided to give me a chance tonight. I had no idea what your reaction would be to the first but I’m grateful you made it. Follow the map to the next destination. I promise it’s not a trap.

  See you soon,

  Hudson

  Nat turned the cardstock over to see a rather well-done, hand-drawn map. It gave clear instructions up one of the mountain paths she was familiar with. She could see it led straight to the greenhouse, which overlooked Lake George. But a hike like that would take some time and when she put on her black booties that morning, she hadn’t planned on traipsing up the side of a mountain.

  “Jordan, does he really want me to go mountain climbing right now? I would need to go change.”

  “No need. I know you know how to drive one of these bad boys.” He tossed her the keys, which she nearly dropped in her surprise. “Those go to the red quad in the back.”

  Nat had never been gladder to have not been wearing a skirt that day as she tucked the cards into her coat pocket and tightened her sca
rf tighter round her neck. The drive would only take ten minutes and the sun was still out enough to keep the paths bright. Though her nerves made her hands shake. She hated the unknown in all its forms.

  The air was brisk, biting at her exposed cheeks as she drove, her hastily done braid loosening with every mile. It was a bumpy ride, though she tried to dodge potholes and keep to the middle of the path. But soon she recognized the turnoff that led to the greenhouse, half hidden by an outcropping of rock.

  The greenhouse was a hidden gem of Hazel Oaks—built sometime in the 1920s for one of the Suttons who oversaw the lodge—all in crystal-clear glass supported by perfectly aged green metal; it had withstood the test of time. The rose bushes within always flourished in the balmy heat, even when there was snow on the ground and the temperatures dipped below freezing on particularly bitter nights. She hadn’t gone up there as much as she wished, and she wondered what was waiting for her within.

  It sat on the clear outcropping, which had been kept clean of brush and stones to trip over. And the doors faced the lake in the beginnings of the sunset. She took a deep breath before reaching for the handle to pull it open. Once she did, she was engulfed in the delicious aroma of hundreds of roses in full bloom. Red, white, pink, yellow, they grew in a multitude of shades and hues that welcomed her inside. Honestly, she should come up here more often. It didn’t seem like a bad place to think.

  But she couldn’t focus too hard on the flowers when Hudson was standing in the center, dressed in a pair of well-worn jeans and a blue sweater that brought out his eyes. She instinctively wanted to go to him. But she wasn’t sure if that would be the right thing to do. If he pushed her away or moved to California, she wouldn’t know what to do with herself.

  “I’m glad you came,” he said in a very soft, un-Hudson like voice.