Page 10 of The Last Resort
Pulling her socks up, Rachel gently slid her feet into the snow boots. The instant she laced them up, she started laughing.Pointing to her useless cheap boots she shook her head. “I can’t believe I bought boots in Georgia expecting that they would be right for the Colorado mountains. These are so warm. Thank you.”
“Here, you will need these as well.” Kellie wrapped a strap of leather around the ankle of each boot. Attached to the strap was a metal chain which went over the sole.
“I see, snow chains but for shoes. Neat,” observed Rachel, getting to her feet. The chains made a strange clanking as she took her first step. “These are going to take some getting used to, but it’s better than spending my days slipping over on the ice.”
After doing a test walk around the hanger, Rachel moved off-road and tried a patch of nearby snow. It was hard going. The chains made her walk flat footed, but she was grateful for the safety of having a firm grip. With each step she took, her confidence grew.
Dan appeared at Kellie’s side and slung an arm around her. “Aww. Look Kellie, another transplant who wants to become one of us.”
“Transplant?” asked Rachel.
“Yeah, it’s what we locals call folks who move to Colorado. Once you’ve mastered getting around in those boots, you’ll be able to mix in with the rest of us in town, and not look like you’ve just stepped off the plane.”
Being able to walk without the constant fear of falling and dashing her brains out on the icy ground freed Rachel’s mind, allowing her to think of other things aside from the near constant sense of impending doom. “Could we head out and see the Green Tree Resort now?”
The sooner she saw the place, the quicker she could decide whether the advisory job that Dan’s parents were offering her was going to be worthwhile. If it was, it would go a long way to resurrecting her stalled career.
I could do with catching a break today.
“Come on then,” said Dan, picking up Rachel’s discarded hiking boots, and heading for the door which lead out to the parking lot.
After leaving the rescue service, they headed further out of town. While Rachel sat quietly in the backseat of Dan’s big green SUV, her sister and brother-in-law happily chatted away up the front.
I should be grateful that they’ve offered me a place to live, and a potential job.
There were banks of snow either side of the road, but the asphalt itself was clear. She didn’t envy the people who were tasked with the job of driving the big salt spraying trucks up and down the roads all winter.
A few more miles out of town, Dan turned the Ford Bronco off the main road, and onto a smaller one which was covered with large patches of snow and ice.
“No one comes out here all that much, so there isn’t really any point in wasting money on salting the road during winter,” explained Kellie.
Rachel, who was staring out the window taking in the winter wonderland, simply nodded. It was like a scene straight out of a Christmas movie.
Among the field of white, stood tall trees wearing their own coats of snow. The sky above was a patchwork of pale gray and blue. Any moment now she expected to see reindeer and hear the sound of sleigh bells.
The SUV slowed as it rounded a gentle bend in the road and Rachel turned her head to look out through the front windscreen. As she did, the snow-covered trees up ahead seemed to magically part.
“Wow,” exclaimed Rachel as she caught her first glimpse of the old ski lodge. This was … just … “Wow.”
A four-storied stone and wooden building sat in themiddle of the snowy winter landscape. The castle out of Beauty and the Beast immediately sprang to mind.Or was that Frozen?She always got her Disney movies mixed up.
“It’s stunning, isn’t it?” asked Kellie, from the front passenger seat. “I’ve been here loads of times, but that moment when I first see the lodge through the break in the trees still takes my breath away.”
From the driver’s seat, a more reserved Dan simply shook his head. “Before they closed her up, my grandfather said, that the Green Tree Resort had turned into a money pit.”
He pulled the SUV up out the front of the main lodge building and climbed out. Opening Rachel’s side door, Dan offered her his hand. “Be careful as you get out and start walking around. Those snow boots will take a bit of getting used to, and you do have a banged up hip and knee.”
Rachel took her brother-in-law’s hand, wincing as she put her feet on the solid ground. Kellie hurried over. “Here, you can use me as your human walking stick, while Dan goes and opens the door.”
Dan went ahead of the two women, bounding up the front steps with the ease of someone who likely knew every inch of this place. By the time Rachel and Kellie had made it to the front door, it was open, and Dan was waiting for them just inside the lobby. Rachel caught the shy smile he offered her sister, and the one Kellie gave him in return.
They are working on things, but I still want to punch him.
Inside the main lobby, Dan held his arms out wide. “Welcome to the Green Tree Resort, ladies. Please have a valid credit card and your ID ready for the front desk reception staff. Breakfast is served in the grand ballroom at seven each morning, and cocktail hour is from five. Formal attire is required.”
Kellie laughed. “Rach, I hope you packed your evening gown. This is the hottest place to be seen in Aspen. I hearthe management have been known to turn away the odd billionaire for not being suitably attired.”
I can still hear her soft southern accent. I hope she never loses it.
