We followed one of the Lodge’s hiking trails. As Chip and Trixie played in the snow and tracked the scent left behind by rabbits and who knows what other types of creatures, Miles and I walked along slowly, enjoying the beauty that surrounded us.
“Next Christmas will be so fun!” I said. “Can you imagine the front of the Lodge at Whispering Pines decorated in Christmas lights?”
“And a tree that practically reaches the ceiling in the lobby,” said Miles.
“How fun that’ll be! Maybe I won’t be tracking down evidence to convict a murderer next year, either…”
“Now that you’ve brought it up, how are you feeling?” asked Miles. “We hit the ground running since we arrived yesterday. You haven’t had a break and hardly any sleep, either.”
“I’m doing great,” I said honestly. “I’m having the best time working with you. I admit I’m tired though, I wouldn’t mind going to bed early tonight. I doubt I’ll be awake to raid Chef’s kitchen. I hope that doesn’t disappoint him.”
“He’ll understand,” Miles smiled. “Knowing you though, you may wake up hungry in the middle of the night and make a visit to the kitchen after all.”
“Yeah, I may not be able to sleep, wondering what Chef left in the walk-in for me.”
“The vacancies left by the employees Elizabeth frightened away are all filled in now by experienced staff from our other businesses, so I’ll bet we can be spared long enough to take a nap before dinner.”
“You think?” I asked. “I love the sound of that.”
“Then let’s round up our dogs, check in with Xander, and do that.”
“Perfect,” I said.
Miles whistled for Chip and Trixie, then we followed the path back to the Lodge.
Anyone observing would have been amazed at how the snow just fell right off of our dogs before we walked them back through the front doors. Only our friends, Grandma Polly, and our pastor and his wife would understand why.
We returned our dogs to our suite along with our snow gear, then set off in search of Xander.
We walked up to the check-in counter where Annette was busy working.
“Have you seen Xander?” asked Miles.
“Yes, about thirty minutes ago he went that way,” said Annette, pointing to the corridor beside us.
“Thanks,” said Miles.
“There’s still so much of the Lodge that we haven’t seen,” I commented, as we walked.
“Isn’t that the truth,” said Miles. We both looked curiously at the meeting rooms that lined each side of the corridor in which we walked.
“Yes, it is,” I said, and he laughed. “Is there any chance at all that we’ll be able to spend time exploring soon?”
“We’ll add exploring to our rather lengthy list of priorities.” Miles nodded toward an open door. “Chances are, Xander is in Ballroom C.”
“Hey, guys,” said Xander, turning as we entered the room. “What do you think, Miles? Can the Lodge spare a ballroom?”
Miles and I looked around at the large space. It wasn’t actually a ballroom, not like we have at the estate. I suppose ballroom sounds more classy than Really Large Meeting Room and that’s why A, B and C were titled as such.
“There have been very few occasions in the Lodge’s history which required that all three ballrooms be in use at once,” said Miles. “The majority of the time, two is more than adequate to meet the demand.”
“Converting a ballroom into a workout and fitness center would be a much better use of the space,” I said. “More of our guests would enjoy it year round. However, let’s convert Ballroom A. It’s closer to the lobby, and our guests can access it without walking past the other two meeting rooms. We’ll remove the A, B and C, and rename the other two.”
“Perfect,” said Miles. “We’ll do that. Anika, who did we use to redesign our gym in Glen Haven? Do you remember?”
“Yes… I have the contact information on my phone.”
“Excellent. We need to get them started on this right away. Xander, you’ll work closely with them. Make certain they have a clear understanding of what we want out of the space.”
“How much change are you willing to commit to?” asked Xander, as we moved our conversation to Ballroom A.
“Are you asking if it’s okay to put in windows looking out onto the corridor?”
“Yeah,” Xander replied, surprised.
“Yes, that needs to happen. We’ll want windows put in the exterior wall, too.”
“That would be perfect,” I said. “What a gorgeous view our guests will have while working out!”
“That’ll be awesome!” said Xander. “Do you have a place you order equipment from? You must, you’ve got a gym after all.”
“We do,” said Miles. “I’ll be sure you have a catalog before the day is over. I’ll give you the website, too. Make your shopping list, and we’ll go over it and make sure there’s space for it all.”
“This is so cool! Best internship ever,” Xander said enthusiastically, and Miles and I laughed.
“Let’s go to the office now,” I suggested. “We’ll make some calls and implement some of these plans. The sooner the better, particularly the part involving the renovation of the space. Not much of anything else can get accomplished until that’s completed.”
“Let’s go, then,” said Miles, leading the way out of Ballroom A and toward our office. “Once we make these calls it’ll happen quickly, though. You’ll see.”
I noticed that Xander looked a little let-down, or worried, or something.
“We’ve got so many businesses Xander, this is nothing new for us. We’re not drawing names out of a hat, and hoping the companies we hire to do the work will come through, and in a timely manner. Everyone we use is reliable and highly motivated to do the best and fastest job possible, because that’s what ensures we’ll be calling them again for our next project. By next week, you’ll be ready to move in your new equipment.”
“She’s not kidding,” said Miles. “She’s telling the—”
I squeezed him hard before he could finish, and he laughed.
“I wasn’t trying to mimic you!” he said. “Sometimes it’s just the natural thing to say.”
“Well, prepare to be squeezed when you do!” I laughed.
“Yes, dear,” he smiled.
Annette was busy checking in guests when we reached the entryway, and her counter. I smiled and nodded to Troy, who was waiting with the rolling cart to take our guest’s luggage to their room. We smiled and nodded to our guests, and Annette, but didn’t interrupt as we went through the gate in the counter and into our office. John was still sitting at the desk, jotting something on a notepad. He looked up when we came in.
“How’s it going?” asked Miles.
“Great,” John said. “I’ll get the new software up and running late tonight, after our guests are checked in. Everything else is taken care of, aside from revamping the website.”
“If you’ll be up late tonight and you’re finished for now, take off work until then,” suggested Miles.
“Thanks, I’ll do that,” said John. He stood and closed his laptop. I didn’t realize until then, that it was open in front of the computer monitor that sat on the desk. “You’ll want new equipment. I was able to accomplish what needed done on my machine, but this…” he nodded toward the computer on the desk, “Is ancient. It may even be older than you, Miles.”
He smiled and clapped Miles on the shoulder on his way past, and we laughed.
“If you’ve got any spec recommendations, get them to me tomorrow, and we’ll order it,” Miles said.
“I’ll do better than that,” John said, pointing to the notepad which still lay on the desk. “It’s all right there, and the computer I recommend is on the webpage that’s currently open.”
“Excellent, John,” said Miles, sitting at the desk and taking a look at the recommended computer. “This is perfect. Thank you.”
“No problem,” John s
miled. He left, and closed the door behind him.
“I’ll order this now,” said Miles, taking his wallet out of his pocket. “Let’s see just how fast this place can ship it to us. Anika, if you want to make those calls concerning our soon-to-be workout and fitness center, we can get that ball rolling, too.”
“Yes sir,” I said with a salute, and he smiled. I took my phone out of my pocket and began to dial. He got back to placing our order, and Xander sat in a chair across from the desk.
When Miles was finished, he sat back in his chair and waited for me to complete my calls.
“Done,” I said. I returned my phone to my pocket. “We’ve got a contractor on the way, and the designer we’ve used in the past. Both re-did our gym here in town, and the gym at the estate. They’ll be here in forty minutes.”
“Man, when you guys want something done, you just—get it done,” said Xander, impressed.
“Well yeah,” I said. “It would be silly to want something done and not get it done.”
“You know what I mean,” he said. “I can’t believe how you can get other people to jump at a single phone call.”
“Like Anika said, we’ve used these companies before. We pay well and on time, and they know that by doing their job right and in a timely manner, it will ensure our future business. So they treat us well.”
“It still amazes me,” said Xander, then he looked at Miles. “You seem so—normal.”
“Thank you,” said Miles. “I take that as a compliment.”
“The history stuff I can get,” Xander said. “I mean that makes sense, you’ve got a good memory, and you lived—or, existed through it or whatever. How do you know all about business though, and you can talk to John about computers, and programs, and it sounds like gibberish to me, but you understand.”
“I don’t know nearly as much as John does in that area, but I paid attention over the years. I had no idea I’d ever find the information I gained useful. Imagine though, you’re unable to be seen or heard by others. You can’t sleep, you’re just there… you don’t believe you have a purpose.”
Xander shook his head slowly.
“That would be torture, man,” he said.
“It was,” said Miles. “I needed a purpose, so I watched for opportunities to help others. I saved a few lives, spared a lot of people needless frustration and injury, and I learned everything I could. I read every book in Mission Control—our library—and studied text books that were brought home by my younger brother’s son, and then his, and so on. As technology changed, I kept up with it. I watched as my family’s descendants learned, and I learned along with them. I read the manuals though, so there wasn’t as much trial and error. When the internet came along I had access to online encyclopedias, and learned a lot from that. It gave me something to do, and kept me sane.”
“He also suggested a diagnosis for my sister,” I said, with a grateful look in Miles’ direction. “If it weren’t for him… he was right, and if he hadn’t been able to point me in the right direction, I wouldn’t have had that information to pass on to my Mom, and I don’t know if my sister would even be alive today.”
“You had to be so lonely,” said Xander, the look in his eyes saying he was trying to comprehend, but couldn’t.
“I was. I had Trix though. She was priceless to me, and still is. And… you do what you have to. I didn’t have a choice, and made the best of it.”
Miles looked over at me and saw the tears I was wiping away. He pulled a Kleenex out of the dispenser that sat on the desk, and brought it to me.
“Sorry,” I said, using it to soak up the tears as he knelt and hugged me where I sat. “I’m not sure I’ll ever reach a point that it doesn’t break my heart to hear about that part of your life. Of everyone that’s ever lived—those that are fully human, anyway—I can’t imagine a person that deserved it less.”
“Okay, but it taught me a lot. And now I have you. So at the risk of opening the floodgates, it was worth it.”
I laughed a little, and pretended not to see Xander wiping his own eyes.
“No wonder you guys are the way you are,” he said.
Miles stood and pulled me to my feet, then looked at his watch.
“Your appointments will be arriving shortly, Xander. You can meet with them here in the office, and see what they have to say. I have a feeling Anika apprised them adequately, so if you approve of their plans—give them the go ahead. You can tell us about it at dinner later.”
“Okay, I’ll do that,” said Xander. He looked pleased. “I’ll let you know how it goes.”
“Thanks, Xander,” Miles smiled, and then we left him to wait for his appointments. “How are things, Annette?”
She looked up from the computer as we walked past her and on our way through the gate in the counter.
“Great. But…I’m so glad you’re getting a new system put in! This one isn’t intuitive.”
“No, it isn’t user friendly,” said Miles. “You’ll be much happier after John installs the system tonight.”
“Yes, I will!” she said. “Is it Windows?”
“Are you kidding?” laughed Miles. “I wouldn’t do that to John, and fortunately for him, we use a Linux based system at our other hotels. So that’s what we’ll have here.”
“Good, I’m glad!” she said. “He knows Windows, but doesn’t like it much.”
“I know,” said Miles, as we started walking toward the doorway to the rest of the Lodge. “Call us if anything comes up.”
“See you later, Annette,” I waved.
We reached the elevator and Miles pressed the button.
My phone buzzed, and I reached for my pocket.
“I kept getting texts, and someone tried to call while I was on the phone,” I said. “I forgot about that...”
I saw the name on the screen of my phone, and my heart pounded. I pressed the button to call her back, and looked at Miles anxiously.
“It’s Mom, what could be wrong?”
Miles was concerned now, too. He led me to a seating area near the elevators, and we both sat as I anxiously waited for Mom to answer.
“Mom! What’s wrong?” I blurted.
“Did you get my texts?” she asked.
“No, I knew a bunch came through while I was in the middle of a business call, but I didn’t know they were from you, until I saw that you called. What’s going on?”
“It’s your Grandma Thompson.”
I clutched Miles’ hand and prepared to cry.
“She’s okay,” Mom hurriedly added, much to my relief. “She needs to have her gallbladder removed, though. I need to be there for her and your Grandpa.”
“Of course,” I said. “Is she—how is she feeling?”
“She’ll feel a lot better after this is done,” said Mom honestly. “She’s a strong lady though. She’s going to be just fine.”
Mom was trying to reassure herself, and I was totally on board with that.
“She will. She’s really tough, otherwise she’s completely healthy, she’ll get through this.”
“Yes, she will,” said Mom. She needed that reassurance, she sounded better. “I plan to leave first thing tomorrow morning.”
“So what’s Dad going to do?” I asked. “Is he going with you? And what about the kids?”
“Dad left on a business trip this morning, but he’ll meet me there. Tryon’s going with me. He’s in kindergarten, and can miss a few days of school and be fine.”
“What about Doreen?” I asked.
Miles squeezed my hand and shook it, and I looked up at him.
“Tell her yes,” he said. “This is an emergency.”
I had no idea what he was talking about. Then Mom spoke.
“I know you just bought a Lodge, and I’m sure you’ve got your plate full already, but Doreen can’t afford to miss the school, she’s got a big test coming up…”
“Sure, Mom,” I said. Panic was trying to engulf me though, the thought of bringing my
sister into this… running the Lodge was no big deal, but Elizabeth was!
“Great, thank you!” Mom was so relieved. I heard her speaking off the phone, to my sister I’m sure. “I’ll get her off to school in the morning, so can you plan to pick her up? She gets out at four o’clock. Do you know where the school is?”
“Yeah, Mom. We’ll take care of it.”
“Thank you honey, you and Miles are lifesavers. I’ll let you go then, there’s a lot of packing to do.”
“Okay Mom. Tell Doreen we’ll see her tomorrow afternoon.”
I pressed the end button and held my hands over my mouth so I could scream silently. Then I turned to Miles.
“Don’t panic,” he said, standing and pulling me to my feet, then pressing the elevator button. “I know this is hardly ideal. I can’t promise your sister won’t see something that’ll leave her with a ton of questions we may or may not be able to answer. But what else can we do? Your family needs us, so…”
“So we’ll figure it out.” I was grateful for the hug Miles gave me once we were on the elevator, and headed to our floor. “At least the suite has an extra bedroom.”
“That is good,” Miles agreed.
“So what now?” I asked.
“I don’t know about you, but I’m taking a nap!” he said, and I laughed. “If we have another visit from Elizabeth tonight, I want to be more prepared than I am right now. Staying up late last night and rising so early this morning, is getting to me.”
“Me too. I love your plan.”
“Good, I hoped you would,” Miles said. “We’ll leave our Lodge in the hands of our trusted friends and employees. They can handle it for a couple of hours.”
“At this point… the Lodge is the least of my concerns.”
“I know, honey.”
“But what else can we do,” I said.
“Right. It’ll be okay. If Doreen sees Elizabeth… or hears about her… We’ll try to keep that from happening, but if she does, we’ll just deal with it.”
“Yeah, well, Mom doesn’t believe in ghosts. Of course neither did I, until I met you. So I don’t think Doreen would tell her even if she did see anything. Plus, she’d be afraid Mom wouldn’t let her stay here anymore.”
The Lodge at Whispering Pines Page 10
