Page 27 of Love, Lies and Sleigh Rides
* * *
On the fewoccasions she’d come to Hendricks, Fallon booked a room at the Flint Hills Motel or most recently, and much to her detriment, she stayed with Agnes. June’s friend had insisted last time, but Fallon soon discovered the little ranch house was much too small for Agnes, her husband, and herself. The tiny guest bedroom hadn’t any space for more than the double bed and a small oak chest of drawers. And Agnes had cats.
But when Darcy showed her to her room at Blueberry Point Lodge later that day, taking the grand double staircase past a stunning stained glass window, Fallon promised herself this was where she’d stay from now on when she visited.
“It was just your luck the guests who cancelled got scared off by the weather,” said Darcy as she pulled the curtains back a little more so Fallon could take in the frosty view of the snowscaped lawn and beyond that, Lake Superior. “Little did they realize that the forecast for today and the rest of the week looks perfect. For early December, that is.”
“And how long can I stay? I haven’t heard yet when my car will be ready.”
Darcy gestured to the room, smiling. “It’s yours until Friday morning if need be.”
“I hope I won’t be…needing it that long.” She almost said “stuck.” Ideally, Bart would call her by Wednesday so she could be back in Minneapolis that night.
“We’ll play it by ear then,” Darcy said with her hand on the doorknob. “There is coffee and water in the dining room. Cookies too. Our pastry chef isamazing. Also, help yourself to the canned drinks in the refrigerator behind the bar. If you or Agnes need anything else for your meeting, let me know.”
Darcy closed the door behind her, leaving Fallon to revel in the quiet.
She walked over to stand in front of the window with its view of the not-quite frozen lake. It was a more expansive view than the tiny sliver she was able to see from her room at the Behars’. The furnishings more formal too. A velvet sea-foam green duvet covered the mahogany four-poster bed. Across the room, a hulking armoire wider than she could spread her arms more than made up for the lack of a closet. There was an elegant writing desk in the corner and a giant parlor palm that fanned out high over the desk. Yes, she could spend several days here. A working vacation.
But as she gazed out the window, Kade came to mind again and his clipped response after she’d told him her plans to stay at the inn. What had come over him? Was it something she’d said?
She’d be kidding herself if she ignored one of the more pleasurable aspects of staying with the Behars—him. She found Kade to be a calming presence and an attentive host, despite their obvious differences in opinion about how to organize the parade. For what little time she’d known him, Fallon didn’t get the sense he still possessed the “wild nature” Agnes had hinted at either.
Maybe she should check in with him later. If she’d offended him somehow, it wouldn’t hurt to apologize. After all he’d done for her, starting with the day he helped her on the highway.
Yes, that was what she’d do. What harm could a little phone call do?
Agnes showedup in the inn’s dining room at one o’clock on the minute.
Fallon waited for her at one of the wide circular tables. A small basket of fruit and granola bars sat in the center and a carafe of hot water for Agnes’s tea was brought over by one of the kitchen staff. Fallon mixed a packet of hot chocolate into her mug then poured the steaming water over it as Agnes floated into the room.
“I’m not late, am I?” she asked as she made a dramatic show of looking at her watch underneath the folds of her black velvet cape. “What, Elaine’s not coming?”
Fallon smiled. “She’s running a little behind. Something about a student dropping by to get help on a knitting project.”
Agnes pursed her lips but didn’t say anything more as she plopped into a seat.
Fallon found her list of items she wanted to talk about, namely the social media push over the next two weeks. The deadlines were nearing for parade entrants as well as the sponsorships for trees to auction. Happy to have those two tasks off her agenda, Fallon thanked the heavens her to-do list was shrinking.
“Before I forget, here.” Agnes pushed two tickets across the table toward her.
“What are these?”
“Tickets to the sponsors’ dinner at Blueberry Point Lodge. It’s the Friday night before the festival.”
She hesitated taking them. “Thank you.”
“You were planning to come that weekend, yes? I figured you’d like to see the fruits of your labors. Plus, I’d like you to present the awards for the parade. I’ll be busy with the auction at the same time.”
Fallon hadn’t intended to return to Hendricks once her car was repaired and she left town. Whatever was left to do could be done remotely.
“I wasn’t, but weather permitting, I guess—”
“Good!” Agnes perked up. “I was hoping you’d agree. My second choice was the mayor, but he’s abah humbugsort, so not exactly the person I want overseeing the parade.”
Fallon almost laughed out loud.If she only knew who she was talking to.
“How do you like your room here?” Agnes said, glancing around the dining room.
