Page 11 of Pity Present

With his swim cap sitting sideways on his head, he declares, “I’m going to the swimming pool!”

I smile while telling him, “I hope you have a great time.”

A minute or two pass when I see the woman’s husband hurry down the hall. He’s carrying a plastic inner tube and what appears to be blow-up fins. Getting into the elevator, he says, “Sorry it took me so long. I was looking for the beach ball but couldn’t find it.”

“Shoot, there was so much to get ready, I think I forgot to pack it.”

He reaches out and takes his wife’s hand before tenderly telling her, “You did a great job.”

I suddenly feel like I’m witnessing a highly personal moment, so I stare at the lighted panel of buttons. I don’t want them to feel like I’m intruding. When the doors open, I stand back and let the family exit. Instead of following the signs to the dining room, I walk into the lobby and stop at the coffee station. I pour myself a cup before taking it into the great room.

There are several families sitting around playing games, and that’s when I realize there are more than a few children with obvious disabilities. I wonder if they’re all part of the same group.

Sitting in front of the fire, I sip my coffee and watch the room with interest. So far, I’m the only person by myself, which I take to mean that most of the attendees for the singles’ get-togethers are probably going to arrive today. Either that, or they’ve come to their senses and realized this is a waste of time.

Releasing a breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding, I pick upmy phone and do a search on the lodge. I click on an article written by a reporter named Ellie Strand.

Heath Fox is not only a major real estate developer, he’s also a philanthropist with a heart of gold. Mr. Fox has reserved ten percent of the Elk Lake Lodge’s occupancy for families with disabled children. These rooms are on a first-come first-serve basis, and they are free to the families who qualify to use them.

Mr. Fox says, “It takes a lot of time and energy to raise a special needs child, and I feel strongly that our facilitating a getaway for them is the least we can do to be of service.”

Fox doesn’t have children of his own, but his brother has a diabetic daughter. As such, he knows the kind of worry these families have and he wants to do his part to bring them some joy.

I’m impressed. Billionaires don’t always strike me as the most community-minded people and their contributions often seem to have a self-serving purpose. From outward appearance, Heath Fox seems like he might be an exception to the rule.

Putting away my phone, I continue to crowd watch. That’s when I notice a familiar face enter the gift shop across the hall.

CHAPTER SEVEN

MOLLY

I hurry into the gift shop feeling slightly disheveled. I slept so well last night that my normal six a.m. wake-up alarm came and went while I remained blissfully unaware. The only reason I got up when I did is because the sun was shining in my eyes. That’s when I looked at the clock and saw it was already past nine.

Trina is standing behind the counter when I walk in. She finishes ringing up a guest’s purchases before greeting me. “Hi, Molly, how did you sleep?”

“I overslept by three hours,” I tell her.

“It’s the sedatives we put into the water,” she jokes. Then she says, “I sleep like a baby here, too.”

“You’re from Chicago originally, right?”

She nods her head. “Yeah, but I traveled a lot for work when I was hostingMidwestern Matchmaker. I love staying in one place now that the show is over.”

“I can understand that,” I tell her. “Traveling for work is a different kind of life.”

I expect her to take this opportunity to pressure me about joining her dating event, but she doesn’t. Which I appreciatebecause I haven’t made up my mind whether I’m interested or not.

Looking around, I tell her, “You’re better stocked than I thought you’d be. I was under the impression I’d basically be starting from scratch.” My gaze stops on a shelf full of diapers and coloring books.

“We didn’t want to open without having the basics.”

“I’d say you’ve got that covered. I’m not sure why you even need me.” Looking at a rack of keychains on the counter, I ask, “Why are you only charging three dollars for those? Most hotels price items like that around the ten-dollar mark.”

“We’re not looking to make money with the gift shop. We just want it to pay for itself.”

“Why not be profitable, too?”

“Every t-shirt, keychain, and branded item we sell is good advertising for the lodge.”

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