Chapter 11 Maddie
MADDIE
My heart is pounding again as I hurry down the mountain on foot for the second night in a row.
I’m carrying the bags with all my new clothes. The air is damp, and so cold I can see my breath.
Maybe we’ll finally get the snow Dylan wants tonight. I picture his little face if he wakes up tomorrow to find a winter wonderland out the window, and I can’t help smiling myself.
I wonder how he’s feeling right now.
Guilt twists my stomach. He was expecting to come downstairs and find me and give me a ride down to the lodge.
But that moment I spent in the kitchen with his dad had me spinning out. So I cleaned up and got out of there as fast as I could.
The problem isn’t that he was about to make a move on me, it’s that all I wanted was to get lost in those intense blue eyes and let myself melt into him.
But the reality is that I’m as drawn to the idea of falling into his life as I am drawn to the man himself.
Spending time with Jake and Dylan today, shopping at the thrift store, playing at the park, cooking supper, and telling stories around the fire—those are the things that remind me of what I used to have with my parents.
So do I really like Jake Stone, the man?
Or do I just want a family of my own so badly that I’m seeing it everywhere I look?
The truth is that Jake and I have nothing in common. Sure, I’m attracted to him—any red-blooded woman would be. That strong jaw and the ruthless expression in his eyes probably have every woman he meets falling at his feet.
But I’ve got too much on the line to let myself get lost in the woods over a man. I need to get my life in order, and find a way to earn a steady living so I can get a permanent roof over my head.
Focusing on what I want to do instead of what I absolutely can’t do is the right idea. I think about writing my book, and about finding a room rental in town, or maybe a housesitting gig after the holidays, and I’m starting to calm down again by the time I reach the lodge.
Jogging up the front steps, I drink in the warm light spilling out the windows. Once again, I have the sensation of coming home, even though it’s only temporary.
“Welcome back, Miss Foster,” Margo sings out as I come in the front door.
Two of the housekeepers step out of the office and stand at attention, flanking her.
Michael sweeps across the lobby, approaching me with a fond smile that feels sincere.
“Where is he?” Margo barks out before Michael and I can greet each other. “And where were you all day?”
“I just walked down,” I tell her. “He was giving Dylan a bath.”
“Miss Foster,” Bronson’s voice comes from the hall that leads to the dining room. “Your dinner is served.”
“He’s not here,” Margo yells back to him.
“But I made a feast,” Bronson says as he enters the lobby. There’s a forlorn look on his face, and even his starched chef’s hat is drooping a little.
“I already ate,” I say apologetically.
“You already ate?” Margo echoes, furious.
“What did you eat?” Bronson asks at the same time.
“Oh, we made mountain pies,” I say, smiling at the memory. “They’d never had them before, and—”
“I was prepared to serve crown roast of pork, and you made mountain pies for them?” Bronson thunders, his face turning red.
“Listen, Maddie,” Margo says, her voice cutting through Bronson’s diatribe and silencing all the chatter in the lobby. “You’re here for one reason, and that’s to help us save this place.”
I swallow, wondering if she’s going to kick me out.
“You have to do better,” she says, pressing her lips together.
“I’m sorry,” I whisper.
“Put your game face on tomorrow morning,” Margo says. “And make sure he stays for breakfast.”
I nod, uncertain what I’ll do if he shows up on the phone like usual, and just waves for me to hop in the SUV. But looking around at all the worried faces, I know I’ll figure it out. I have to. They’re all counting on me.
“Oh, are you having lobby charades?” a bright voice chimes.
I look over and see that Penelope has appeared at the front desk.
Her camera guy is following her every move.
“The staff is simply greeting Miss Foster,” Margo tells her, her smile looking a little pinched.
Bronson turns on his heel and heads back down the hall to the kitchen.
“Fine,” Penelope says. “The website says there’s a hot chocolate social every night. What’s that about?”
Margo starts to explain, and I decide to take advantage of the moment to slink back to the broom closet.
“Good night, Miss Foster,” Michael tells me kindly as I pass him. “Tomorrow will be a better day.”
His kindness puts a lump in my throat.
“Thanks,” I manage.
I can’t get back to the broom closet fast enough, but once I’m there I do take a moment to make sure the coast is clear before opening the door.
My bed has been made up nicely again, the lamp is on, and there’s a little foil-covered plate with a note on it.
Thank you for trying to save the lodge.
We know you can do it!
-Anna & Irina
I put my bags down, and lift up the plate.
Pulling back the foil, I find two of the soft, chewy gingerbread cookies the lodge is famous for. Anna must have saved them for me.
I already stuffed myself on mountain pies, but I can’t help taking a bite.
And I don’t regret it. The soft, spicy cookie melts on my tongue and I feel a wave of gratitude to these two women for encouraging me. I needed it tonight.
I know Anna is the kitchen helper. Irina must be on housekeeping because this bed is made so perfectly you could bounce a quarter on it.
It feels good to think they believe in me. Though I realize belatedly that they obviously set this up before I showed up here without Jake.
Hopefully I can gain their confidence again tomorrow.
I kick off my beautiful new boots and put my bags of clothing in the corner, thinking about Jake again.
It was so kind of him to get me back on my feet with clothes. And he paid me too, so if I need anything else urgently I can take care of it myself, as long as it’s something small. I pull the bills out of my pocket to see what I’m working with.
For a moment I just stare down at them in shock.
There are only a few of them but these are big bills.
I feel my heart start to pound again. This is too much. It’s way too much. It’s not appropriate for a day and a half of babysitting.
I shove the money back in my pocket and get ready for bed, trying my best not to think about it.
When I slip under the comforter a few minutes later and close my eyes, I find myself back at the fire pit, laughing and making mountain pies with Dylan, while Jake’s blue eyes follow me.
There’s something between us, I’m sure of it, a pull that isn’t just me crushing on my new boss. He’s attracted to me too. He was going to kiss me.
Then another thought occurs to me, and all my happiness turns to ash in my mouth.
He gave me those nice clothes and all that money.
Did he expect something more than babysitting in return?
I really, really don’t want it to be true. But it’s hard to get to sleep after that.