Winning BIG, a little love story for all ages

by Judith Keim

  Still, he waited.

  At the squeak of the closet door being opened, Theodore leapt out from behind the drapes. “Hah! I’ve caught you! You’re the one stealing from the hotel!”

  Beau’s eyes widened with surprise. Then a nasty smirk distorted his features. “I’ll tell everyone it was you, Theodore! No one will believe you.”

  “I think they will,” Theodore retorted. “And I believe I’ve solved another mystery. You’re the one who hit Cynthia over the head. You wanted to prevent her from seeing you hide more stolen goods. You’re in trouble for more than stealing, Beau.”

  “Why would anyone trust your word against mine?” sneered Beau. “You’re not even the doorman anymore.”

  The conference room door opened with a bang. “And neither are you,” said Grandfather, marching inside the room with two security mice. “You’ve been stealing from the hotel, putting others at risk. Doing harm to any other mouse is a very serious thing.”

  The security mice stood on either side of Beau, looking very stern.

  Beau shook a fist at Theodore. “It’s all your fault. You ratted me out.”

  “No,” came another voice. “I did.”

  “Great-aunt Lucinda?” Beau’s eyes appeared to bulge from his head with surprise.

  The old mouse walked into the room and leaned on her cane. Theodore went to her side.

  “Thank you,” she said to him. “You handled that well.”

  “He was working with you?” Beau shook his head. “I should’ve known.”

  Lucinda shook her cane at Beau. “You should’ve known not to steal. Your mother requested my assistance. She was sure you were up to your old tricks. You’ve shamed the family. Now, my boy, it’s time to pay for your poor behavior. I’ve suggested that in addition to returning the items you’ve stolen and making an apology to Cynthia, you work on a cleanup project the Council has in mind. With an upcoming wedding, the place needs a little sprucing up.”

  “Wedding?” Beau wrinkled his nose. “What wedding?”

  Lucinda smiled at Theodore. “We’re all so excited about you and Lila. Everyone loves a wedding.”

  Theodore shuffled his feet, shyly. News certainly traveled fast in a hotel.

  “Theodore and Lila?” gasped Beau.

  “Yes. Theodore and Lila are getting married. That’s why I’m assigning him the job of doorman again,” announced Grandfather.

  Theodore blinked in surprise. Things were turning out fine after all. He grinned at the news. Having his old job back was wonderful. He could support his family again. He could marry Lila after all.

  Grandfather winked at him, and took hold of Lucinda’s hand.

  Maybe, thought Theodore, other weddings would take place in time. Grandfather sure looked happy.

  ###

  Over the next few days, the Winston Hotel was abuzz with activity, both in the human area and behind the walls where the mice lived and worked. Like Lucinda said, everyone, it seemed, loved a wedding. All the mice were throwing themselves into the task of making his wedding memorable.

  The ballroom next to the cafeteria was slowly being turned into a magical place with sparkling lights and bits and pieces of decorations from hotel parties. And that was the least of it.

  Theodore found himself pushed aside as Lila, Cynthia and the other female mice worked feverishly on Lila’s wedding dress and matching blue bridesmaid dresses for his six sisters.

  On his off-duty hours, Theodore didn’t know what to do with himself. He didn’t even get much of a chance to talk to Lila.

  Grandfather took him aside. “All this fuss is part of the normal routine. Just stay out of their way and show up for the ceremony. That’s all you’re required to do.”

  His mother found him sitting alone in their living room. She sat down next to him and took his paw in hers. “I’m so happy for you, Theodore. I’ve talked to Lila, and she really, truly loves you.”

  He nodded, feeling a little bashful. “I love her too.”

  She smiled. “I know.”

  “Mother, Lila wants to see you right now,” cried one of his sisters, running into the room.

  Theodore’s mother rose. “A wedding is for the bride. You just take it easy on your own.”

  Theodore nodded, wondering if Rocky Strong was in the same position.

  He wandered up to the second floor and stood in the mice’s area outside the ballroom. Peeking through a crack, he saw that a dance floor had already been set up in anticipation of the human reception.

  There was no sign of Rocky. Theodore figured he’d probably been pushed aside too.

  ###

  On the day of the wedding, while Lila and the bridal party took over his living quarters, Theodore went up to the second floor to check on Zanna and Rocky’s wedding.

  Music for their wedding could already be heard through the walls as the musicians warmed up. In no time, Rocky would be dancing with his bride.

  “Yo! Having second thoughts?” asked Bandit, coming up beside him.

  Theodore grinned and shook his head.

  “Nice how things work out, huh?” said Bandit. “Glad you chose me to be your best man. And I promise to keep an eye on Zanna, now that she and my human will be together.” He checked the shiny watch at his wrist. “C’mon, let’s head down and get ready. It’s time.”

  Theodore followed Bandit down to his room. He couldn’t help feeling nervous. A week ago, he’d never met Lila. A suspected poisoning, then two had brought them together to save the hotel. What would the future hold for them?

  Later, dressed in his best doorman uniform, Theodore, standing tall and proud, watched Lila glide down the aisle toward him. In place of her sparkly pink dress, Lila wore a long white gown that made her appear as if she were floating on a cloud. It all seemed a wonderful dream.

  After the exchange of vows and a kiss that sent him reeling, he and Lila led everyone into the ballroom, which was decorated for the reception. The tables were covered with green tablecloths. Chairs were covered with blue fabric and tied with pink bows. Off to the side, a buffet table was filled with the best left-overs Theodore had ever seen. A mound of pieces of cake from the hotel formed a wedding cake of their own.

  Theodore looked around with satisfaction. Everyone seemed to be having a wonderful time. He noticed Cynthia and Maurice laughing together. No doubt they’d be traveling together. He’d heard that Sam Horner’s movie was a guaranteed success with Juliet taking a big role in it. They’d even added a wedding scene, featuring Zanna and Rocky. The only starlet missing was Simone. No one seemed to mind that she and that horrible dog of hers had flown home early.

  Music from Zanna and Rocky’s wedding flowed through the walls, sounding like a heart-felt melody to Theodore’s ears. His adventures at The Winston Hotel had produced one love story after another. He smiled at Lila. Their love was the sweetest of all.

  Bursting with happiness, Theodore gave Lila another twirl on the dance floor.

  The Happy End

  I hope you enjoyed Theodore and Lila’s story in WINNING BIG and will let your friends know about them. I had a lot of fun writing this story. At the time, my husband and I were living in a hotel while he worked on a special project, and yes, there are some comparisons to life there!

  Readers asked for more stories about The Hartwell Women, and I listened. Following is an excerpt from my book, BABY TALK (The Hartwell Women – 4).

  CHAPTER ONE

  On a clear, warm June day, I stood on the front porch of the house I now owned, staring out at the Maine coastline with a sigh of gratitude. I did this as often as I could. For me, taking a moment to appreciate all I’d been given had become a morning ritual I treasured.

  In front of me, the blue-gray water met the sandy shore with a moist kiss, reared back like a shy lover—and then, tempted for more, embraced the shore again. Gulls cried out, swooped down, and lifted up in the air in unending musical acrobatics. A few large rocks, precursors of the rockier coastline down e
ast, protruded from the water’s surface like sea creatures wanting a peek at the world.

  Almost two years ago, the sandy beach had hosted one of the most important events of my life. Even now, my pulse quickened at the memory of Brad saying “I do” and sweeping me into an embrace that drew applause. The simplicity of the ceremony had touched the hearts of everyone. What a wonderful day that had been. I still felt the thrill of belonging to his family and mine—the family I’d discovered after a lonely childhood. Thinking of the group gathered there, I thought how lucky I was and smiled up at the sun, letting its warmth wash over me.

  The screen door opened and closed behind me. Brad stepped out onto the wide porch that swept the front of the seaside estate and wrapped his arms around me. “Good morning, Marissa Cole Crawford!” The sound of my married name on his lips still sent a tingle of delight throughout my body.

  I smiled and turned to him, inhaling the spicy aroma of his aftershave lotion. Snuggling into his strong embrace, I stared up at him, taking in the caramel-colored hair and toffee eyes that were his alone. I adored this man who’d given me so much love, so much confidence. I treasured our life together, so different from the background that had once been my life.

  “You’re off to Barnham?” I asked, hiding the loneliness I already felt at his upcoming departure.

  He nodded. “Thank God this commuting back and forth will end in another year or so. I’m hoping Dad is fully retired by then, and we can finally sell the law practice to someone else.” He gave me the lopsided grin I loved. “By then, we’ll have started our family, and I can stay settled right here.”

  I didn’t reply but rested my head against his firm chest. We’d been trying for a baby since the wedding. Brad was anxious to have children, but the thought scared me to death. I had so many doubts about myself as a mother. I’d been raised by one of the worst.

  “Walk me out?” Brad slung his arm around my shoulder.

  We headed through the elegant house I was slowly but surely trying to make into a real home—safe and welcoming to us both. Lady, my golden retriever, followed at our heels. She also hated to see Brad leave for his weekly trek to Barnham, New York.

  Outside on the lawn, I gave Brad a lingering kiss, telling him in my own special way how much I’d miss him.

  He pulled away and sighed. “See you on Friday. Have a good week. Love you, woman.”

  I smiled and played along with him. “Love you, man.”

  He laughed and climbed into his Jeep.

  Watching him drive away, I wondered if I should confess my reluctance to have a baby. Each time another month went by without my getting pregnant, I was almost pleased about it ... until I saw his disappointment. But I was sure he’d be even more disappointed if I turned out to be anything like the cold, heartless mother with whom I’d grown up.

  Moments later, Becky and Henry Cantwell drove down the driveway toward me, breaking into my disturbing thoughts. I waved and waited for them to park their truck by the garage and cross the lawn. They’d worked for my grandmother for years. I’d inherited them, along with the house I now miraculously owned. Watching them, I smiled with pleasure. They were so much more than a handyman and a housekeeper; they were the people who’d kept my dysfunctional family spiritually alive with their goodness.

  “Brad gone already?” Becky asked.

  “Didn’t see his car,” said Henry.

  I nodded. “He’ll be back on Friday.”

  “It’ll be good when he can stay here permanently, don’tcha know,” said Becky.

  “And how,” I quickly agreed. I looped my hand around Becky’s arm, and we walked together toward the house as Henry headed back toward the garage. Becky and Doris, Brad’s aunt, were two of the women I loved most in the world, along with my newfound cousins, Allison and Samantha Hartwell.

  We entered the house, and I took a seat at the long, cherry kitchen table to share a second cup of coffee with Becky. The kitchen was the heart of the house. It had been upgraded when the sunroom was added on to the house ten years ago. I’d left it pretty much the way it was when the house was given to me. The light cherry cupboards, some with etched glass doors, suited the formality of the green marble countertops. The Sub-Zero refrigerator, covered with cherry wood to match the cupboards, was unobtrusive among the cabinetry. But it was the six-burner Viking range that brought out the cook in me. It was Becky’s pride and joy.

  We finished our coffee, and when she went to work in the kitchen, I left her. When she was there, the kitchen was Becky’s domain, which I respected. I stopped in the front hallway to freshen the flower arrangement and decided to take a look at the front of the house. Henry and I had talked about planting some flowers, and I wanted to see which of those he’d suggested would look best.

  Lady went to the door and barked. I frowned. It wasn’t like her.

  I set aside the flower vase and went to the screen door, where I skidded to a stop. Gasping like a fish tossed out of water, I stared at a basket sitting on the floor of the porch by the door—a basket that held a baby. If the light pink blanket meant anything, it was a baby girl.

  Heart pounding with alarm, I opened the door and dashed onto the porch. The baby stopped crying and stared at me. Yep, it was a baby, all right.

  What?

  I ran down the porch steps, searching for the person who might have left the little girl there. In the distance I could see a couple of joggers on the sand, two men. In the opposite direction, a young woman was running along the shore, long blond hair flying behind her like angel wings. I hurried out onto the lawn for a better look. Too far away to chase down or catch, I stared at the retreating figure.

  Of course, maybe it wasn’t her.

  Turning in frantic circles, I surveyed the plantings around the house and the lawn beyond, but saw no sign of anyone lurking.

  Pulse skipping, I raced back to the porch to the baby who was now crying. Staring at her red face, and her flailing arms, shock roared through me. Oh my God! What am I going to do?

  Becky appeared in the doorway. “My stars! What’s this?”

  “A baby,” I said. Panic sent my voice to a higher register. “Someone left a baby here. We have to find the mother!”

  Becky stepped out onto the porch and lifted the crying baby out of the basket. As she did, a note fell to the floor below. I snatched it up. “Dear Mrs. Crawford, I’ve watched you and your husband for a while now. Seeing as you have no kids of your own, I thought this would be a perfect place for Summer Marie to live. Take care of her because I can’t. Please, please don’t put her in the foster care system. I know it too well.”

  I rocked back on my heels. My heart beat so fast, I felt faint. This had to be a joke. Things like this didn’t really happen, did they? I stared once more at the note, but the words did a dance on the page that blurred my vision. I looked to Becky. “What are we going to do?” I felt sick to my stomach.

  Becky cooed softly to the baby and checked her over. Thin strands of light brown hair spread atop the baby’s head. Her eyes, a navy blue, were alert as she tried to focus. Dressed in pale-green pajamas, she kicked her feet and howled, turning her fine-featured face a bright red.

  “She’s a beautiful little girl,” said Becky, “but she’s hungry and wet. I’ll send Henry down to the store for supplies. Then we’ll figure this out.”

  Before I could protest, Becky wrapped the pink blanket around the baby and placed her in my arms. “Here. You take her while I make a list for Henry.”

  The baby stopped crying and studied me solemnly, no doubt wondering what had happened to land her in a stranger’s arms.

  Becky nodded with satisfaction at the quietness. “See? That’s a sign.” She walked away, leaving me alone with the baby.

  A sign of what? Feeling numb from all that’d happened and what it might mean, I paced the front porch with the baby. She started to cry again. Crazy thoughts circled around in my mind like the whirling wind in a summer storm. Surely, no one thought I
should keep this abandoned child. Or was this some kind of fate thing to test me as a person? Or worse yet, was it someone’s nasty joke?

  The baby made a face, and it suddenly became quite clear she needed a new diaper. I gagged at the smell, and gasping with dismay at the mess, I called for Becky.

  “Oh, my goodness!” Becky said when she saw what had happened. “It just might be time for a little bath for Summer Marie. Come along, Marissa. You can help me get her cleaned up.”

  I held the baby away from me while Becky ran a shallow amount of warm water in the kitchen sink and laid a soft towel on the bottom. She took the baby and removed the soiled clothes from her little body. “Ahhh, she’s a beautiful little girl, just perfect,” she murmured, setting her down carefully into the water. “Who would give up a darling baby like this?”

  “Her mother said she couldn’t take care of her.” Gazing at the baby I was now supposed to take care of, I clasped my hands together helplessly. “How old do you think she is?”

  The little girl cooed and kicked her feet in the water. Drops of water splashed around her like sparkling diamonds.

  Becky gently washed the baby’s body with the mild soap she kept at the sink for herself. “Can’t be absolutely sure, but I’m guessing she’s just a couple months old. She’s a young one all right,” she said.

  After rinsing her, she drained the water, patted the clean baby dry, and wrapped her up in a soft towel.

  She seemed so competent to me.

  “That’ll hold her until Henry returns.” Becky chuckled softly. “When I told him what was up, he flew out of here like a rabbit on the run.”

  I smiled. Henry was one big softie wrapped in a brusque Maine manner. My smile evaporated. “I’d better call Brad. I know there are some legal issues here.”

  Becky nodded. “I think we should take the baby to Dr. Storey and have him check her out before any authorities are called. The mother didn’t want the baby in the system. I don’t much care for that idea myself.”