Chapter 3
Kip
The lodge and the area around it where I would spend my vacation were absolute perfection.
All around me there was snow and Christmas and couples walking down the sidewalk holding hands.
The storefronts were all decked out with holiday cheer from all types of cultures.
Even in the light of day it looked festive.
I bet at night, the town absolutely glowed with holiday magic.
I had my face practically plastered against the window as I sat in the backseat of the car taking me to the lodge.
There was a bookstore that had a cute snowman family sitting outside reading books.
The bakery had a giant gingerbread man cookie painted on their window.
He wore a top hat and had a cane like he was dancing.
Even the post office joined in the fun and had a mailbox designed just for Santa’s letters.
Children were lined up three deep to drop their letters in.
I couldn’t wait to get started with my vacation and explore this wonderful place, although the first thing I needed to do was get a shower and settle into my cabin.
I had selected a single-room cabin where I could unwind and have the privacy I needed, just in case I found the alpha I was looking for.
I paid the driver, got out of the car, and took in the sight of the lodge.
The Winter Wonderland Wilderness Lodge promised a picturesque holiday getaway where guests could relax and enjoy their time away from the world.
Whether they wanted to socialize or cozy up in their cabin alone, the lodge had what they needed.
I’d found the place on the Simply Fated Vacation rentals site and fell in love immediately.
Originally when I started looking for a place to vacation, I figured I’d go tropical like Westley had and I’d go to a resort like what he’d found—minus the paid escort.
But then I found the lodge, and my bear had purred like a cat at the sight of all the trees and the surrounding area.
I’d take mountains over ocean views any day of the week.
Plus, there was a lake nearby, which just might have some fish for my bear to enjoy.
“Checking in for Kip,” I said.
The clerk behind the desk was a short man with an easy smile.
He had a bit of a baby face that you couldn’t help but be kind to.
He seemed a little more frazzled than I expected.
His brow furrowed while he stared at his computer, and his hair looked like he’d run his hands through it several times. Even his tie was slightly crooked.
“Let me see what we have. Sorry, things have been a bit of a mess. There’s been a slight snafu with our booking system. I’m not sure how this happened.”
“Is there anything wrong with my cabin?” I asked.
I was sympathetic to his plight, but also, this was the only vacation I had, and based on the area I was in, it didn’t look like there was much else by way of places to stay.
I needed my room. Hell, I’d event take a downgrade if that was necessary, I just wanted a place to rest. And a shower.
“No, no, everything should be fine. We have a room for you. Here it is. Okay, yep, looks like everything’s squared away for your cabin. It’s ready right now if you want to go in. I can try and find someone to help carry your bags.”
I smiled. “That won’t be necessary. I’ve just got the one.”
He let out a long sigh as if me checking in without an issue was a huge relief.
“Perfect. Here’s your key and a map. Inside your cabin, there are a bunch of pamphlets and schedules of different events that are happening right now.
As always, there are a ton of holiday activities to enjoy both here at the lodge or in town.
There are the woods where you can go to shift if you need to.
This is a shifter-friendly lodge, so you will be safe.
Any humans here know about shifts. I think. ”
He said the last two words quietly, as if he wasn’t sure. But the lodge promised a safe experience for shifters, so it was probably fine.
“Perfect!”
“Enjoy your stay,” he said.
“Thank you,” I said.
The walk to my cabin was quick, which would be great considering there was a speed-dating event I was hoping to attend at the lodge.
It meant that I could easily walk to and from my cabin to all the places I wanted to go, and there was a regular shuttle that would take me into town.
This was shaping up to be the best idea ever.
I should have taken a vacation years ago.
The cabins were all different sizes, with their own unique designs. Mine was a one-story, with a cute front porch. The whole cabin was made with dark oak. To the left of the door was a stack of wood for the fireplace, while on the right were two chairs.
I spent some time exploring my cabin, not that there was much to see.
I had a sitting room with a television (which I probably wouldn’t use), a bedroom with a king-sized four-poster bed, and six plush pillows that I could snuggle with just in case I didn’t find myself an alpha.
There was a small kitchenette and a coffee maker.
Other than that, there was not much else.
I didn’t need much. There would be enough outside the cabin to keep me busy.
With any luck, I’d be sitting next to the small fireplace each evening with my prospective mate. Or inside the bedroom enjoying the beautiful view of the forest from the bay window.
I sent a quick text to my family to let them know I arrived safely. I even included a selfie with the fireplace so they had a visual. Next, I began my quest to relax.
I brought in firewood from the stack that was on the front porch.
There was enough there to last me the week if I had a fire each night.
I may need more if it got cold. After the fire was roaring, I changed into a pair of gray sweatpants and my favorite t-shirt.
It was threadbare and a little snug. It was a shirt from when I was in high school, but for some reason, it was my favorite, so I wore it a lot when I was at home relaxing.
The fire heated up the cabin quickly, and I was a shifter which meant I ran hot, so despite the chilly temperatures outside, I didn’t need anything warmer.
A knock at the door startled me as I finally sat down on the couch with the week’s schedule.
I planned on figuring out what events I wanted to attend, paying specific attention to the match-making events.
That was what I was here for: to find my mate.
Perhaps it was someone from the lodge with a welcome basket or something.
I hadn’t requested anything, and even though I was hungry, I wanted to nap before I ventured out for food.
What I found outside the door was the farthest thing from what I was expecting. My stomach twisted in knots like it usually did when I came face to face with Braxton.
His smile came easily, as it always did. “Hi, Kip.”