Cold Heart (26 page)

40

Three months later

Wildwood was buzzing with activity. Tables were being set in the dining room and the housekeeping staff were just finishing up some last minute dusting and flower arranging. The chef and his sous chef were busy with preparations for the evening meal. Lexi’s first guests would be arriving in a few short hours and as she stood in the centre of the great room and looked around, she simply couldn’t believe all that had been achieved, in just a few months.

The fourteen foot Christmas tree looked amazing, next to the windows, sparkling mini lights reflecting off dozens of glass ornaments adding just the right holiday ambience to the room. The tree’s lights were even visible through the big wall of windows, from outside the Lodge. Fir boughs lined the bulky wood mantle and candles in tall candle sticks and a big jolly Father Christmas adorned it as well. Above the mantel was a special piece, given to Lexi by Carter just a few days ago. Marjorie knew he was working on it and told Lexi every time she asked that she had something special in mind for that spot and not to worry about it. Then the other night, Lexi had come over to the lodge and there it was.

It was a massive painting of a half dozen horses, their legs pumping as they ran across a meadow, manes and tails flying. It was, Marjorie explained, the perfect painting to adorn the mantle, not just because it had been painted by Carter and was beautiful but because it represented perfect feng shui. Galloping horse paintings in the living room were meant to bring wealth and good luck energy. They must be happy horses as they reflected wealth, acquired through hard work and a lot of hard work had certainly gone into getting ready for this day.

Marjorie’s plan for the neutral decor had been the perfect one. It allowed Lexi to change the color of pillow covers depending upon the occasion and right now, there were red ones. On the outside of the Lodge, boughs and lights hung off the large structural beams and massive red poinsettias filled pots on either side of the front doors. The doors had been adorned with large wreaths, that were decorated with toys and big bright red bows. The staff had added decorations to each of the rooms and cabins, so the holiday atmosphere was everywhere.

Lexi was extremely excited. She had never dreamt they could be ready this soon but the influx of funds from her investors had meant they were able to get things finished much faster and therefore open sooner. The Lodge and the cabins were completely booked for the Holiday season. Tonight was Christmas Eve and her guests would be arriving in the early afternoon. Santa would drop by after dinner to deliver some gifts for the half dozen children who would be here. Their parents would secretly drop off the appropriate gift, for their child, when they arrived.

The kitchen staff was hard at work preparing dishes for Christmas Eve dinner, Christmas Day brunch and Christmas dinner. All these meals would be buffet style and then they would begin their regular menu on Boxing Day. Lexi had worked closely with the chef, a recent graduate of her alma mater and between the two of them, they were convinced they had the just the right mix of dishes, offering home style flavour with a gourmet presentation. There was something for young and old and every palette in between.

“It looks amazing, Lexi,” Grace said and Lexi turned around at the sound of her voice.

“You’re here,” Lexi said, rushing to hug her. “When did you get in?”

“Last night,” Grace said. “You don’t think I would have missed this do you?”

“No, I was pretty sure you would come,” Lexi said.

“Where do you want these?” It was Carter. “Oh. Hi Grace. Welcome home. How was the cruise?”

“It was wonderful, we had a great time,” Grace said. “It’s good to be home though.”

Carter was carrying two reindeer made out of logs with branches for antlers. He set them down momentarily.

“They look great Carter. We’re going to put those out on the porch. I’ll come out and help you,” Lexi said.

“I’m here to help too, so put me to work,” Grace said.

“Okay, would you do a walk through every space, take a pen and paper with you. If you think there is something not right, missing, not clean enough, whatever, will you make a note of it?”

“Sure and I will enjoy the chance to see everything that’s been done,” Grace said.

“Great, thanks. At the check in desk over there you’ll find paper and pens. I’ll meet you back here in an hour and see what you’ve come up with. Take your time,” Lexi said.

Lexi and Carter went outside with the reindeer and put them in place. Lexi walked out to the parking area to see how everything looked from a distance. She could see the lights from the Christmas tree sparkling through the window. The giant wreath high up on the main window was also lit up. It all looked great. Carter stood next to her.

“You did it, kid,” Carter said.

“We did it,” she said.

Tucker appeared at Lexi’s side followed closely by Bella. Bella was a new addition to the menagerie. She was a yellow lab golden retriever cross that Carter had been unable to resist on his last trip to the shelter. She had been in rough shape when he’d brought her home almost two months ago but was now thriving with all the love and care she had received from Lexi and Carter. She and Tucker were the best of friends.

Lexi moved in with Carter about the same time as Bella and it was working out well for them. They had widened the shortcut trail between the two properties and purchased several large ATV’s that they used to come back and forth. They would use these to transport guests over to the stables where Carter would provide trail rides or give children rides around the paddock if that was more appropriate.

“I think Max must be smiling down from somewhere right now,” Carter said.

“I hope so,” Lexi said. “I think he would love the idea that families will be enjoying this. He missed out on having a family.”

“He did,” Carter said.

“Well I’m going to go and check with the kitchen then I’m going to go and get changed, so I am ready when guests start arriving,” Lexi said.

“I’m going to take the dogs over to the house and I have a few chores. I’ll see you at dinnertime,” Carter said.

Lexi headed off to the kitchen and once she felt everything was on track there, she and Grace sat down and went over her list. There were a few minor things that Grace had made a note of.

“You know,” Lexi said to Grace, “You have the perfect name. Grace means elegance and beauty and generosity of spirit and I think that just sums you up perfectly.”

“Why dear what a lovely thing to say,” Grace said.

“Thanks for being here to share this special day with me,” Lexi said.

Lexi met with her concierge, Cathy, an intern from a hotel management school, who though she was green as grass, Lexi felt would grow into the job, with some guidance. She gave Cathy the list and they discussed how to handle some of the issues that Cathy was uncertain about and then Lexi left to go and get herself ready. She would be helping in various areas when guests arrived, anywhere she was needed until everyone was checked in, fed and bedded down for the night. It was going to be a long day but she was ready.

There were only a few minor glitches and for the most part everything when as planned. When dinner was finished, people moved to more comfortable seats in the great room to listen to Carter read ‘The Night Before Christmas’. Then Santa Claus dropped by with gifts for the children in the group. Hot chocolate was served and then the kitchen shut down for the night. Guests went their separate ways and by the time everything was cleared up and ready for the morning it was midnight. Lexi and Carter were alone in the great room.

“Wow, that was crazy busy,” Carter said. “Will it always be like this?”

“No, just on special occasions,” Lexi said. “Given that this was our first day open and Christmas Eve, I think everything went really smoothly.”

“It definitely seemed to. Merry Christmas by the way,” Carter said.

“Merry Christmas to you too,” Lexi said.

“I must say, you really keep your cool under pressure and you are also a natural with kids.”

“Why thank you,” Lexi said. “You do very well with them yourself.”

“I hope to have a few, one day,” he said.

“Me too,” Lexi said

“On that note I have a Christmas gift for you and there was something I wanted to ask you?” he said.

Carter proceeded to get down on one knee and he produced a small velvet box. Lexi’s face broke into her dimpled smile.

“I don’t think I have ever been this happy in my entire life and I think you can agree that we were made for each other. I want to have babies with you and raise a family and grow old with you. I’ve never wanted anything so much in my life. Will you marry me, Lexi Thomas?” he asked.

“Yes, yes,” Lexi said. He stood and kissed her then and as if on cue they were surrounded by the staff and all of them began to clap.