Chapter 4 #2
“You don’t have a spa? Are you sure?” She was looking at me like I was the one who had gotten bad information.
“Pretty darn sure.” I took a deep breath and tamped down my irritation. “I’m not sure why you thought we did.”
“When my sister described this place, it sounded very different from what I’m seeing here. I’m just wondering if there’s been some mistake.” She looked worried now, and worried wasn’t good.
“We had your reservation.” My chest tightened as I prepared myself for a confrontation. First, she heard us talking about the “deluxe ranch package,” and now this? “You’re paid in full for the week, so I don’t believe there’s been a mistake on our part.”
“It’s almost like she sent me to the wrong Silver Sage Ranch,” she said with a little laugh.
“There’s not another one in Wyoming,” I said. “Someone did tell me about a Silvery Sage Resort and Spa that opened last summer in Montana, but that’s nowhere near here. Not even the same state.”
Her eyes widened. “Did you say Montana?”
Oh crap. “Yes.”
“Oh, my God.” She pressed her hand to her forehead. “I think I’m at the wrong ranch.”
* * *
Many things can go wrong for guests when they’re on vacation—accidents, health conditions, family conflicts, emergencies back home.
We’d dealt with our fair share of these events at the ranch, both the odd and unexpected as well as the routine.
In our history, however, I couldn’t remember a guest ever coming here by mistake.
After Lauren’s revelation, she stepped outside to call her sister, and from what I saw through the window, it looked like quite an animated conversation.
Yikes. Someone was in trouble. A few minutes later, she returned to tell me her sister asked an assistant to book Lauren a trip to Silvery Sage Resort and Spa in Montana.
That person did some half-assed Googling and booked her a stay at Silver Sage Ranch in Wyoming instead.
I had many reasons not to feel bad about the situation, one of them being that this other outfit stole our name.
Still, my instinct was to solve the problem for everyone’s benefit.
“I promise we can make sure you have an outstanding stay at the original Silver Sage Ranch,” I assured her. “Please sleep on it and consider giving us a chance.”
She looked exhausted and shell-shocked, and she didn’t seem at all convinced.
And yes, I sounded desperate because I was.
We direly needed the money she’d paid us, and although, technically, I didn’t have to give her a refund, I had this annoying thing called a conscience.
There was only one way to fix the situation—I needed her to stay put and have a wonderful time.
“I’ll think about it over dinner,” Lauren said. “I’m sorry to involve you in my mess.”
“It’s fine,” I said, backing off. “Mistakes happen.” I was glad it wasn’t my mistake.
Fortunately, the dinner Chef prepared was delicious, and although our server Kyra, who was Tyler’s girlfriend, wasn’t the most genteel person in the world, she had a bright smile and a friendly attitude.
Overall, I thought the meal went down well and might even sway Lauren toward staying a few more days.
While she was having her coffee and dessert, I returned to her table.
“I’m sorry to bother you again,” I said, “but I wanted to make sure everything was satisfactory with your meal and that you have everything you need for tonight?”
“The food was wonderful,” she said. “Thank you for checking on me.”
I could tell by the tension in her smile what she was really thinking. “But you’re leaving, anyway.”
“It’s honestly nothing personal. I just think it’s best if I go to Montana, as originally planned.
” She knitted her hands together on her lap, toying with the wedding ring on her slim finger.
“I’m probably more of a resort and spa person, really.
I insist on paying for my week here, of course.
It’s not your fault that a mistake was made on my end. ”
I’d never seen anyone look so unhappy when they were about to embark on a week at a high-dollar spa.
If she’d seemed excited about her trip, I would have let it go, but I couldn’t ignore the melancholy surrounding her decision, not when I knew the power of this place.
I’d seen couples reignite their marriages at our ranch.
I’d witnessed kids overcoming fears and building new confidence.
We’d had families choose our ranch to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries and even one celebration-of-life service.
What I was about to tell her about Silver Sage wasn’t only in my self-interest, but in hers, too.
“May I sit down for a moment?” I asked.
She looked surprised but gestured to the seat across from her, and I took it. I measured my words carefully, as I always did with guests, but in this case, I was about to get more personal than usual.
“I don’t know you well, Lauren, but I know this place.
Silver Sage is pretty special. We have a lot to offer in the way of life-changing experiences.
I also think you’re underestimating yourself when you suggest you aren’t the type to enjoy a dude ranch.
You can saddle up and get out there on the trails again, and—I hope I can say this without sounding arrogant—you’ll get more out of a week here than you would in two weeks at that fancy-pants spa.
” I wasn’t sure if I’d gone too far, but she was listening intently.
“And that has nothing to do with me. I’ve just seen some magical things happen for people at this ranch, and judging by the sadness in your eyes, I think this place could be what you need right now. ”
A smile flickered on the edges of her mouth. “You make a compelling case for staying.”
“All I’m asking for is a couple of days. If you’re not enjoying ranch life, no hard feelings. I’ll drive you to the airport myself and wish you well at the resort in Montana.”
“It is beautiful here.” Her words unfolded slowly. “And my bed really is comfortable. Okay, I’ll give it two more days and see how I feel.”
“It’s decided then.” I clapped my hands together. “I think you’re going to fall in love with Wyoming. Most people do.”