Chapter 5

CHAPTER FIVE

MOLLY

What possessed me to invite Blake to have supper with me? I try to convince myself it's because I thought we'd formed a connection on the train/car ride/walk up to our rooms, but that's not the real reason. The truth is, my hormones have a mind of their own and they've developed an interest in Mr. Tall, Dark, and Hunky.

I stomp my way to the elevator like I'm trying to kill an army of cockroaches under my feet. I don't believe for one minute that Blake is expecting a business call at 8:30 on a Friday night. He just didn't want to eat with me. I suppose that's understandable, given my somewhat bizarre behavior, but it still smarts.

Exiting the elevator, I follow the signs to the restaurant. When I reach my destination, the hostess smiles at me and asks, "How many in your party?"

"Just me," I tell her. As a rule, I don't mind eating by myself. I actually do it a lot, but there's something about staying at a gorgeously romantic lodge during the holidays that makes me sad about my current state of aloneness.

The hostess picks up a menu and leads the way to a four-top in front of the vaulted wall of windows. "I know the table's a bit big," she says, "but you have a great view of the outside here."

"Thank you," I tell her before sitting down on a chair facing the aforementioned vista. There are dozens of large pine trees covered in colored lights. Nestled among them are several clusters of decorative deer standing around adorned in twinkling lights. It's pure magic.

After opening the menu, I quickly choose my meal. As I'll most likely eat my body weight in my mom's gingerbread cookies when I go home for Christmas, I conclude a salad is my best bet. When the waiter comes to take my order, I add a salmon filet to it, to jazz it up.

While I wait for my meal, I take out my phone and text Ellen back.

Me:

I'm here and all checked in. You're right, this place is outstanding.

BS

Send pics! I want to see how they've decorated for the holidays.

When the waiter drops off my diet soda, I tell him, "I'm just going to get up and take a few pictures."

"You'll want to get one of the singing chipmunks in the great room. Just touch the paw of the big one and they'll perform for you."

"Thanks for the tip," I tell him as I stand. "I'll make that my first stop."

I'm not sure singing chipmunks are my idea of classy Christmas decor, but I know my dad would love it. He's forever sending me videos from social media of people who have made it look like their dogs are singing rock music. If the chipmunks are any good, I'll have to pass along a clip .

Entering the great room feels like I'm walking into another era—a time before everyone was distracted by their electronic devices. Families are sitting at tables playing board games, and more people are nestled in overstuffed chairs conversing in front of the fire. There's another group standing near a grand piano. No one is currently playing, but I'm guessing it's only a matter of time, given the audience that's begun to assemble.

I spot the chipmunks in the far corner and make my way toward them. These aren't your ordinary rodents. They stand about four feet tall and they're wearing red scarves and Santa Claus hats. I gingerly reach out and touch the largest one's paw and the trio immediately starts singing "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree." It's so surprising that a loud giggle erupts out of me as they wiggle their hips back and forth.

Several people join me to watch the stuffed animal serenade, and when the first song is over, someone else touches the big chipmunk. This time they sing "Jingle Bells" while I take a video and send it to both my dad and Ellen. My sister texts back immediately.

BS

That is the funniest thing I've ever seen!

Me

This place is cool, El. Thanks for making the connection.

BS

Have you met with Trina yet?

Me

We have an appointment in the morning. I'm heading back to the dining room to eat.

BS

Send more pics on your way.

I snap photos of the Christmas tree and the fireplace with stockings hanging from the hearth. Then I take a couple shots of the outdoor light display and fire them off to Ellen.

When I return to my table, the waiter is standing there holding my salad. "Great timing," he says before putting the plate down on the table. "Can I get you anything else?"

On a whim, I decide, "Hot chocolate with whipped cream if you have it."

As I sit down and dig into my meal, I'm not surprised that it's delicious. Everything at this lodge seems to be the epitome of perfection. Once again, I feel sad that I'm alone. This is the kind of place you want to share with someone special.

Unbidden, Blake pops into my mind, and my previous annoyance returns. I know we're strangers and he doesn't owe me anything, but the guy is here for a singles' event. Doesn't that suggest he's looking for female companionship? And here I am—a female. You can see how I might take offense.

A tall, dark-haired woman walks toward me carrying a mug with a mountain of whipped cream on top. Stopping in front of me, she says, "I think this is yours." Then she sets it down on the table in front of me.

I hurry to swallow the bite of salmon I just took. "Thank you."

"Are you by chance here for the singles' event?" she asks. That's when I recognize her. She's Trina Rockwell from Midwestern Matchmaker .

"I'm not," I tell her. "I'm Molly Anders. I'm here to help you with your gift shop."

"Molly!" she says enthusiastically. "I'm Trina. Do you mind if I join you?"

"Not at all." I gesture to the assortment of empty chairs. "My sister Ellen told me what a beautiful place you have, but she didn't do it justice."

Trina sits across from me. She looks so sophisticated and put together, I take a minute to be grateful she's not single anymore. No one needs competition like this. "We really loved meeting Ellen when she came up to do a story on our opening," Trina says .

"She enjoyed meeting you too," I tell her. "I understand you have a singles' event going on."

"We do! It starts tomorrow night." With an expression of pure glee, she adds, "I guess I couldn't give up my love for matchmaking."

"I'm sure it will be very successful," I tell her.

"I hope so. It's a jungle out there in the dating world."

The reality of her words settles like a weight on my chest. "That's the truth."

Sounding surprised, she asks, " You aren't still single, are you?"

I take a moment and enjoy the fact that I don't present myself as the hopeless singleton I am before confessing, "I work a lot, so it's hard to meet people."

She signals a passing waiter and asks for a glass of wine. Turning her attention back to me, she commiserates, "I barely dated at all before Heath and I got together."

"How did you meet?" I quickly follow that up with, "If you don't mind me asking."

Trina puts her elbows on the table and teepees her fingertips in front of her. "I don't mind at all. We went on one date for charity a couple of years ago, but Heath told me he didn't want to get serious with anyone. Then we both spent the summer here. We were neighbors and, well, the rest is history."

"It sounds like the two of you were meant to be."

With a large smile on her face, she says, "We're getting married in June."

"Congratulations!"

"It's amazing how your life can change when you least expect it," she says.

I nod my head slowly. "My life has been pretty much the same for the last few years. I'm not sure I have any surprises coming my way."

"You know what?" Trina leans toward me like she's about to share government secrets. But instead of telling me that aliens are real and they're walking among us, she says, "I just had a last-minute female cancellation. You should join our event."

My nervous system responds in overdrive and beads of sweat pop up on my forehead. Suddenly, I'm burning hot and freezing cold at the same time. I wonder if I'm getting sick. "I couldn't," I tell her. Stammering along, I add, "I … I … I'm here to work."

She waves an elegant hand in front of her which gives me a chance to check out the giant rock on her left-hand ring finger. I knew Heath Fox was loaded, but he must also own a diamond mine to find a doorknob like that. "There will be plenty of time for you to work and enjoy the activities I've lined up."

My mind spins with possibility. What are the chances Trina would have a cancellation the same time I'm here, the same time Blake is here? "Can I think about it?" I ask.

"Of course you can. And there won't be any charge. I couldn't fill the spot with such short notice anyway, so think of it as my gift to you."

"That's very nice, thank you." If I decide to do this, I can never tell my sister. At least not until after the fact. She'd make me crazy asking questions and giving me advice.

Trina and I chat for a few more minutes before she stands up. "I'll see you in the gift shop tomorrow morning at ten."

"I'm looking forward to checking out what you've done so far."

"It's not your standard store." Trina says this like she's warning me not to expect too much.

"Don't worry. We'll have you up and competing with the Ritz in no time," I tell her.

"I hope not," she says cryptically. Waving her fingers, she adds, "See you in the morning, Molly. We're very happy to have you here."

I can't help but feel glad to be here. I love my job and while I usually enjoy my stays at the beautiful hotels I work at, there's something about the Elk Lake Lodge that feels very different from any place I've been before.