Page 3 of Snowbound Hearts
The young barista turns to me, “Good morning. Of course, coming right up.” Her warm smile reminds me of Kate, the owner of the Bean and Bagel, my favorite morning stop on my way into the office every morning back home in Hibiscus Harbor.
As I look around the lobby and the beautiful mountains through the frosted windows, I hear the swooshing of the cappuccino maker behind me. This is going to be a beautiful location for Sarah and Kris’ wedding.
“Here you go.” The barista calls over to me. “One cappuccino.” She smiles again at me while handing me the mug.
“Can I charge this to my room?” I ask as I stir the hot coffee to make it cool enough for me to drink.
She shakes her head and smiles, “No ma’am. This lodge is all inclusive.” She hands me a napkin as she walks away.
In this early morning hour, I had forgotten Mason’s lodge is an all-inclusive resort. I suppose I need this coffee more than I realize.
I wonder how he came up with the idea of a ski lodge in the backwoods of the Colorado Rockies. How in the world did he go from a Marine in the desert sands of the Middle East to a ski lodge owner 2,500 miles away from home? Why wouldn’t he just have gone back to Hibiscus Harbor?
As I’m enjoying my coffee on the back deck watching the sunrise over the mountains start to glimmer off the snow balancing on the pine tree branches, I hear my name called, “Sydney?” Turning around, I see a beautiful petite brunette with a tall young blonde man holding her hand approach me. They’re both glowing.
Smiling my brightest professional smile, “You must be the most beautiful bride I’ve ever worked with, Sarah.” I hug first Sarah and then Kris.
“I’m sure you say that to all your brides.” Sarah blushes.
Shaking my head, “Nope.” I tease. “Are you guys ready for the big day? Three more days.”
They both look at each other with anticipation and excitement. “Yes.” They answer in unison and it’s both adorable and maybe a little too cute.
“I cannot wait to start our lives together.” Kris says as he stares into Sarah’s eyes with a kind of love I yearn for; the kind of love I once had with Mason all those years ago.
Shaking the thoughts of past mistakes away, I turn towards the amazing vista around us. “I can see why you two chose this magical place to get married. It’s beautiful.”
“Isn’t it? My parents and I used to vacation here every year when I was a teenager.” Kris says as if it’s been years since he was a teenager. More like barely two years ago, I smile to myself. They’re so young.
“And when Kris brought me here last year, he proposed right over there.” She points to a table at the other end of the deck.“I just knew we had to have the wedding here, too, since it’s so special to us,” Sarah says excitedly.
“Good morning,” Emily singsongs as she approaches us. “How are the bride, groom and wedding planner doing today?”
“So excited,” Sarah answers her.
Finishing off my cappuccino, I grab my tablet. “Well, then, let’s get started. There’s lots to do today.”
Sarah, Kris, Emily, and I tour the ski lodge inside and out making sure everything is on schedule for the wedding. The staff at the lodge are amazing, including Chef Franco who is overly excited about catering the event. So much of the decorating has been completed already with twinkling lights, garland, and pops of red throughout. This is going to be one of my best weddings yet.
Sarah and Kris went to spend time in town with her family who arrived earlier this morning while Emily had some business to take care of. Just as I’m about to go back to my room to get some of my own work done, I hear some commotion in the lobby, so I go see what it is when some of the Hibiscus Harbor residents walk in the front door.
“Oh my god. This place is beautiful.” Florence, one of the elderly women says as she stops just inside the front door. She’s with her three best friends, Betty, Joan, and Gladys. These four ladies are notorious throughout our hometown for speaking their minds and causing trouble just for the fun of it.
“I showed you the brochure last week,” Gladys chides Florence.
“I know that, but those things aren’t ever accurate. You think you’re booking an ocean view room and when you get there, all you see is a brick wall.”
“There’s no ocean in Colorado,” Betty says.
“No one’s talking about an ocean in Colorado. Betty, put your damn hearing aids back in, you crazy old bat.” Gladys waves her off.
“Hi ladies.” I say as I help them get their luggage inside the lobby door.
“Oh, thank you Sydney. It’s freezing out there. Why the hell did my grandson decide to have a wedding in the middle of all this snow?” Gladys asks no one in particular. “There’s a reason I live in Florida.”
“Hello ladies and welcome to Aspen Ski Lodge.” Mason’s deep, smooth voice hits me right in my core. I remember that voice calling to me in my dreams last night.
“Mason Donovan. You old son of a gun. Get over here and give us a hug,” Gladys demands as she reaches for him with open arms. Jealousy washes over me as I watch as Mason hugs all four ladies. I didn’t get a hug when I arrived.Stop it, Sydney.
