Chapter Ten
B runch went off without a hitch, the morning sunlight spilling through the gallery and enhancing Kassie’s bronzer-induced glow in a way that Celeste could tell made her very pleased. Guests raved about the mango eggs benny and the frittata, and everyone seemed happy with the choices of activities to keep them busy until the wedding.
Later in the afternoon, Celeste returned to the bridal suite to check on things. In contrast to the morning, hushed voices sounded from behind the suite’s door as she approached. She paused for a moment, gauging if it was the right time to knock or if perhaps Jeff had made a visit to the suite to see his bride. Most people kept up with the tradition of not seeing one another until the bride walked down the aisle, but Celeste had been surprised once before by a couple who’d wanted to… be intimate on their wedding morning, and she would never make that assumption again.
After listening for a few seconds, it was clear that Jeff wasn’t in the room. She lifted her fist to rap on the door just as the door flung open.
Victoria rolled her eyes at Celeste as she breezed by in her robe. “She’s in a mood again,” she said, leaving Celeste standing in the doorway.
Celeste stepped into the room. “I’m just here to check if anyone needs anything,” she said tentatively. “Are you enjoying your wedding day so far?”
Kassie was sitting on the bed, rubbing a jade roller on her forehead. “The water here isn’t good for my skin,” she said, glaring at Celeste. This was a new one.
“I could have someone bring up a pitcher of filtered water,” Celeste said. “From the mountain springs nearby.” She had no idea if that would be the difference maker Kassie was looking for, but she said it with confidence anyway.
“It’s too late,” Kassie said, moving the jade roller to the skin under her eyes. “You should really get some water softeners in here.” The softness and vulnerability she had shown the night before had disappeared in a puff of setting powder.
“Well, I think your skin is absolutely glowing,” Celeste said. “With no puffiness at all.” She gave her a quick smile.
Kassie glanced sideways at her sisters. Melissa was busy steaming her satin gown, and Siena was removing the balled-up tissue paper from her high heels.
Celeste took a seat next to Kassie on the bed. “Are you feeling better than last night?” she said quietly.
Kassie nodded. “All good.” It was clear she didn’t want to speak any more about it, and that was fine with Celeste.
She stood up. “Glad to hear it. I’ll check in again in a little while. Oh, and Jack will be here around five.”
That got a grin from Kassie. “Nice work,” she said.
Put that on your socials , Celeste thought as she went to check on things downstairs.
Setup was almost complete in the great room when Celeste arrived. She moved through the space, examining the floral arch by the windows, the cocktail bar, and the buffet table in the conservatory.
Jeff had gone with her recommendation of the floral chandelier, and the great room was now presided over by an astonishing cascade of delicate blooms in shades of blush pink, ivory, and soft lavender, with roses, peonies, and hydrangeas spilling forth from the intricate framework. It was a showstopper.
In a quiet lull, Celeste excused herself to her office. She took a moment to open her email and found a message from Gus Evans. It was a forward of the job posting at the Keystone Ridge Resort. Celeste scanned through the text.
Classification: Full-time, permanent
About Us: The Keystone Ridge Resort is a prestigious destination renowned for unparalleled luxury, exceptional service, and exquisite experiences. Nestled in the heart of Alberta’s Rocky Mountains, our hotel embodies elegance, sophistication, and a commitment to providing guests with unforgettable moments of indulgence.
Job Description: As the Director of Guest Experience, you will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of operations to ensure the highest standards of excellence are maintained. This role requires a dynamic leader with a passion for luxury hospitality, a keen eye for detail, and a proven track record of success in managing upscale properties.
So far, so good. She’d only managed a property, singular, but the Butterfly Lake Lodge would definitely qualify as luxury.
She continued to scan through the key responsibilities, which included everything from Lead and inspire a team of department heads and staff to deliver exceptional service and exceed guest expectations to Maintain impeccable standards of cleanliness, maintenance, and safety to uphold the hotel’s reputation for luxury and sophistication. Okay, she could do that.
When she got to the qualifications section, two of the eight requirements made her stomach sink a little.
Qualifications:
· Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management, Business Administration, or related field; master’s degree preferred
· Minimum of ten years of experience in luxury hotel management, with a proven track record of success in a leadership role
She had no business applying for this job.
Just as she was about to delete the email, her phone pinged with a message from Gus. “ Just go for it ,” he wrote. Clearly he saw right through her when she said she was inquiring for a friend. “ What have you got to lose? ”
She stared at her phone, her mind whirling. My pride?
*
What in the hell did you agree to? Jack thought as he sat in his truck outside the Butterfly Lake Lodge. Was it too late to back out?
The last wedding he’d been to had been for his brother and Julie, four years earlier at a reception hall in a suburb just outside of Calgary. He’d been asked to make a speech, which had resulted in at least three sleepless nights and only a smattering of polite applause and had to do everything he could not to roll his eyes when Caden and Julie had had their first dance to a Celine Dion song.
It had been painful. And they were his family .
What he was about to walk into might be a whole new sublayer of hell.
The only thing keeping him from doing a three-point turn and beelining it right back to the highway was the promise of continued business from the McCarthys. From what he understood, Celeste’s dad usually led the excursions, but they didn’t include river expeditions, so he might be able to snag a booking or two a week.
The idea of seeing Celeste again might have factored into things too.
When he entered the lodge’s reception area, a woman with short gray hair, a pale blue dress, and a wide smile was passing through with an empty tray. The sounds of a piano floated through from the great room, and the whole space smelled of fresh bread and scented candles.
“You must be Jack,” the woman said. She deposited the tray onto the reception desk and extended her hand. “Jeannie McCarthy.”
Jack accepted the handshake. Celeste had her mother’s eyes—that was for sure. “Beautiful place you have here, Mrs. McCarthy,” he said. “And you make one hell of a biscotti.”
Jeannie smiled. “The guys haven’t stopped talking about the trip yesterday. You really saved us,” she said. “On behalf of my husband, who’s still up in bed under the weather, and myself, thank you so very much.” The woman was as elegant as she was friendly, and he could see how she’d managed to keep customers coming back for so many years.
“It’s my pleasure,” he said. He didn’t like lying through his teeth, but he couldn’t very well tell the truth.
“You’re also a real sport,” she said, taking Jack’s coat. She leaned in and lowered the volume of her voice. “Between you and me, I can’t believe this is happening.”
“Gotta keep your guests happy,” he said. “Celeste seems pretty great at that.”
“The best,” said Jeannie. “Let me take you to one of the rooms to change.” She led him down the hallway away from the reception desk, then motioned to an open door that had a number six on it. He assumed it was where the missing brother and groomsman was meant to have stayed. “Here’s the suit.” She led him to the closet, where a gray suit was hanging along with a white dress shirt and a burgundy tie. “I’ll leave you to it,” Jeannie said. “Everyone’s in the great room when you’re ready.”
She closed the door behind her. Alone in the room, Jack glanced around at his surroundings. The space was cozy and well decorated, with furniture that Jack could tell was of fine quality. He approached the window to take in the view of Butterfly Lake. The water was calm, reflecting the last of the afternoon light. It was a nice day for a wedding, he had to admit.
He shrugged off his sweater and folded his jeans on the bed, then buttoned up the dress shirt and pulled on the suit pants and jacket. This might have been the most ridiculous thing he’d ever done. He felt a flash of annoyance with himself, letting himself get convinced to do something like this. It was like Christine all over again.
But at the same time, it was different. With Christine, it was always about her. Her career, her whims, her goals. Her happiness, over his, every time.
And with Celeste, it seemed like everything she did was to make things work for other people, to make others happy. It was the whole point of her work. He softened a little, thinking of the expression in her eyes when she’d told him she might’ve been losing her job.
She might’ve been making him a sucker again. But here he was, and he’d agreed to play along.
He buttoned the cuffs of the shirt, slid on the blazer, then moved to the bathroom to examine the fit in the mirror. Not bad. Kevin was an inch or two taller and Jack’s shoulders were ever-so-slightly broader, but aside from that, the suit fit pretty well. It was quality fabric. If Jack were to buy another suit, he’d like one like this.
Celeste had seemed horrified that he didn’t own a suit of his own. Something told him that being with a woman like her meant lots of occasions with a certain dress code. Exactly the type of events he did his best to avoid.
He tied the tie and straightened the collar as a knock sounded at the door.
“Coming,” he said, half expecting to find the bride, making sure he had a close enough shave or that his hair was styled appropriately, or maybe Kurt checking to see if he needed a flask of his own. He’d welcome that, actually.
When he swung the door open, he found Celeste, wearing black pants, a black blazer, high heels and holding her clipboard. She looked him up and down, a satisfied expression crossing her pretty features. “It’s perfect,” she said. “You clean up nicely.”
“You look great too,” he said. He loved her in a suit. Especially with the heels and her shiny hair begging to be touched.
“Just trying to blend into the background,” she said. Like she could ever blend in. “You’re invited to stay for dinner, by the way,” Celeste said.
The thought of spending more time with her at the reception stirred something within him, despite his initial plans to slip away after the photo shoot. “Will I sit with you?” he asked. He was wearing a suit to be in wedding photos. And now he was thinking of extending the torture by staying for a wedding dinner ?
“With the family,” she said. “But I’ll be there. I’m working, remember.”
“I’d prefer if you sat with me,” Jack said, his gaze locked with hers. “But as long as you’re there.”
The corners of Celeste’s lips turned up and her eyes sparkled. “I’d better get out there,” she said, her voice sending a bolt of electricity down his spine. “Here—let me fix your collar.”
Jack stood still as Celeste approached. As she tossed the clipboard aside and reached out to smooth his collar and lapel, he couldn’t help but inhale deeply, intoxicated by the scent of her shampoo that enveloped him like a tantalizing embrace. He smiled a little to himself, noting the way she bit her lower lip while concentrating. He liked being fussed over by Celeste and willed her not to take her hands off of him. He wanted more. He wanted those same hands all over him.
He’d get up and say a speech at this point, if she asked him to. Escort Grandma onto the dance floor. He’d even do the chicken dance.
She stepped back and nodded her approval. “I’ll see you in a few minutes?” He didn’t want her to leave. He wanted her to slam the door shut, lock it, and completely mess up his suit.
“Ready for my close-up,” he said, grinning. “And that suit is nice, but I can’t wait to see you in a pair of waders.”
Celeste rolled her eyes, a seductive smile tugging at the corners of her lips as she moved through the doorway, starting to pull the door closed behind her. “The things I do for my job.”