Chapter Three #2
Mr. Tall Dark and Brooding ducked away from the desk with one further look that made her feel as though she was underneath a spotlight. Emma watched him go. Luckily, Davis was still too distracted by a text conversation to notice.
“I’ve got your keys already. We have your credit card on file. Here’s a map of the property.” She slid over a glossy, well-designed map. Emma always appreciated design. That and other little things that other people rarely notice.
Sabrina used a red pen to circle the location of their cabin on the map. “You’ll go out the back door here and walk to the end of the path. You’ll take the first left through the trees, and your cabin will be down the first bridge.”
Emma took the map as Davis finally looked up from his phone. “Is there Wi-Fi here? The cell service sucks.”
Sabrina cleared her throat before tapping on the map. “The Wi-Fi password is at the bottom of the map here. Although we encourage our guests to unplug and enjoy while they’re here.”
To that, Davis let out a snort. “Whatever you say.”
Sabrina ignored him and handed Emma another sheet. “This is the schedule of events for the week. Things may change, since our events director left us recently. My brother is filling in.” She nodded to where the lumberjack stood, flipping through a pile of pamphlets.
Emma forced herself to look away before she was caught.
“So, it should be entertaining either way. Enjoy your stay and let us know if you need anything!”
Emma gathered the keys in her hand and led Davis toward the back door. He took a moment to look around. “I’ve got to admit, this place is charming. In the ‘so sweet it’ll give you cavities’ sort of way.”
Emma looked to her left and found the lumberjack’s gaze on her once again. She cleared her throat and grabbed Davis by the crook of the arm. “Come on. Maybe the cabin is made of gingerbread and royal icing.”
To that, Davis only scoffed.
* * * *
Sabrina tapped Caleb on the shoulder, making the papers in his hand scatter comically around them.
“What ya lookin’ at?” Her voice took on that tone Caleb could only describe as ‘annoying little sister’. Not that he would tell her what he was looking at anyway. The pretty, dark-haired guest and her dire fiancé were hardly worth mentioning, especially to Sabrina, whose imagination would run wild.
He turned away from her and began picking up the papers. “I was just looking at the guests heading to their cabin. Anything is better than trying to decipher all this paperwork. Am I supposed to know what all these terms mean?”
Sabrina snatched a paper off the floor. “You mean complicated terms like RSVP or ASAP?”
He grunted as he scooped the papers up and slammed them down on the counter. “It’s not too late for me to flee Falling Leaves for Christmas, y’know. I can keep my phone turned off until New Year’s.”
Sabrina snorted at that. “Look, those were the only guests we have checking in today. So why don’t we go through what a typical day on the job looks like? Then, I’ll even help you patch up the Santa outfit if you change your mind. I know Babs is probably going to make you work there anyway.”
Caleb made a vague gesture with his left hand. Sabrina took that as an invitation and gave him a shove toward the door.
“You start by making sure the signage is out for any events. There’s the main board in the lobby”—Sabrina pointed to a handsomely drawn chalkboard—“as well as printing out the dailies and putting them up in various places around the resort.”
“And I’m responsible for everything? Including lettering the sign? Because we both know my handwriting is never gonna look like that.”
“I’m aware of your limitations. I’ll handle the sign.” They moved on to the main desk. “Then you’ll help set up for breakfast. You’ll be in uniform to ensure the guests know you’re there to answer any questions they may have. Then the day’s activities begin.”
“And I have to babysit the guests?”
She rolled her eyes. “A lot of the guests take the shuttle over to the ski resort. Then there are the amenities on site, like the spa. Or they go on their own. We offer activities mostly in the afternoon. Those you’ll oversee.
But they basically run themselves. You’re just there to ensure the instructor shows up and there’s refreshments.
The schedule is a little heavier now that we’re leading up to Christmas.
Still, not everyone wants to be go-go-go.
So, we need to make sure the guests who aren’t joiners are still having fun, too.
Strike up a conversation! Suggest an activity when they’re feeling up to it!
It’s all about making every guest have the best experience possible.
“When have you known me to strike up a conversation with a stranger, like, ever?”
Sabrina chuckled. “There’s a first time for everything, big brother.”
“Cookies with Santa?” He nodded to the chalkboard sign. “Let me guess, I’m Santa?”
Sabrina snorted. “No. That’ll be Dad. He’s looking forward to it.”
“Well, that’s one less nightmare to face during these two weeks.”
Sabrina chuckled. “Come on, I’ll get you a login and show you where the office is. We have some paperwork and training to do before I can let you loose in front of the guests.”
Caleb groaned. “The sooner we get started, the sooner it’ll be over, right?”
She inclined her head. “The sooner you can get back to staring down one Ms. Emma Dale, sure.”
As they walked to the office, he said nothing to his sister. Anything he said would only encourage her, anyway.
But damn, she really didn’t miss a thing.