Page 72 of Please Send Snow
Looking around, I realize that’s exactly what Maddie loves about the place. It’s comfortable and comforting. And I’ll bet she and her dad aren’t the only ones who have felt that way over the years.
The lodge’s magic is simple and straightforward, just like Maddie’s.
My eye catches on Dylan, who is looking around worriedly. He spots me and runs for me.
“My letter didn’t work,” Dylan wails, launching himself into my arms. “She’s not coming back. You were mad at her and she went away.”
He’s not wrong. He’s a perceptive kid.
Also, I might have stormed around the chalet a littlewhen we got back, muttering about the woman making a fool out of me.
“I’m not mad anymore,” I tell him, holding him close.
“Does she know that?” he asks me.
“I don’t think so,” I admit.
I’ve sent her about a million text messages, but it doesn’t look like she’s even seen them. I’m still not sure what to do yet, but I know it’s going to take more than a letter to Santa to fix this.
Please be okay, Maddie. Please come back to us.
21
MADDIE
Swirling snowflakes fill the air, and I’m covered in them by the time I reach the porch of the lodge. This storm has gone well past the point of being beautiful and romantic. It seems like the kind of weather someone could freeze to death in.
But I’m still so mad at Jake Stone I feel like I’m boiling.
I throw open the door to the most beautiful sight. It’s almost enough to distract me from my anger, because this looks so much like old times.
The Applebaums and Bobby’s parents are sitting by the fire with a whole host of people. Some are wearing high-end winter clothing—clearly down from the chalets. I recognize a few of the others as the workers I saw coming in earlier. It takes me a minute to realize that the more familiar faces are members of the staff out of their uniforms. Despite their very different backgrounds, everyone is gathered together and they’re all talking and laughing over mugs of hot cocoa.
Someone has moved a television set into the lobby and Penelope is singing karaoke against the wall while her cameraman films. Her voice is actually pretty good and I’m impressed that she’s hitting most of Mariah’s notes.
Dylan and Bobby and a host of other kids huddle around the miniature Christmas village, rearranging the skaters and the Christmas trees as they chatter excitedly.
“Grilled cheese and tomato-basil soup,” Bronson calls out as he carries in two big metal trays of hot sandwiches. Anna follows behind him with a giant tureen of fragrant soup. They place the simple meal on a long folding table that has been set up near the counter with everything everyone needs to serve themselves.
I’m so charmed by the wholesome scene that I’ve forgotten why I’m here. And I’m still just looking around in awe when Dylan spots me and launches himself across the lobby.
“Maddie,”he yells. “You’re back. The lights went out, so we’re here too.”
He’s got his arms wrapped around my waist, filling my heart with happiness like he always does when he hugs me.
The fact that their power went out helps to explain why there are so many people here. It must be out in all the chalets above the lodge.
“Maddie, you’remelting,” he says suddenly, pulling back a little.
I look down and realize he’s right. I’m dripping onto the carpet, snowflakes sliding from my hair and down my cheeks like tears.
“It’s pretty snowy out there,” I tell him, wiping my face with my frozen hands. “I think your letters worked.”
“I need to do one more,” he remarks with a satisfied look.
But before I can ask what he’s talking about, Jake is there, with the most intense expression in his eyes that I’ve ever seen.
And now that I’m looking at him, I can’t help noticing how gorgeous he is all over again—his tall form, the strength in his wide chest and big arms, the sharp jaw that is tenser than usual now as he pierces my soul with his icy blue eyes.
