"Alright then, Naomi. Let me check you in." She turns to an old desktop computer, pecking at the keyboard with two fingers, then hands over a key with a brass pinecone tag. "You'll be staying in room 302. Best view in the house."
“Thank you,” I smile, hoping it looks natural this time.
“You’re welcome, dear.” Dorothy’s grin widens. “Oh, and Mia left you a message. Meet her at three o’clock by the hot cocoa stand in Festival Square.” Dorothy taps the little bell on the desk like a punctuation mark. “End of Main Street. You can’t miss it.”
I check my watch. Thirty minutes.
“Don't worry, you have plenty of time to drop your things, freshen up, and stroll over,” she adds, eyes twinkling. “And as you do, don't be surprised… we take our wreath game seriously around here.”
I can attest to that.
"Alrighty. If you need anything else, just ask. Extra blankets, restaurant recommendations…" She lowers her voice conspiratorially. "Bail money. We're full service."
A startled laugh escapes me. She's funny.
"Thank you, but I'll do my best to keep things boring."
* * *
Room 302’s door sticks for a second, then gives with a soft thunk.
A four-poster bed dominates the space, covered in a quilt someone definitely stitched by hand.
I step closer to the window, my breath fogging a small circle on the cold glass. I can see the whole Main Street. The festival square is packed with people moving between vendor stalls, and a massive Christmas tree anchors the center of it all. And in the distance, a huge lake stretches wide, bordered by mountains covered with pines.
I press my palm to the cold window glass, the temperature difference making my skin tingle. There's something perfect about being warm inside, looking out at all that frozen beauty.
My phone buzzes against my palm, snapping the moment.
Three new emails flash across the lock screen, all of them marked urgent.
Henderson Acquisition – Draft 3 Review Needed.
Portland Trademark – Discovery Deadlines & Opposing Counsel Updates.
Franchise Partners – Agenda for Tuesday Video Call.
Right. Work.
Another buzz.
Mia:Can’t wait to see you! Elena is dying to meet you properly. Fair warning: festival prep = CHAOS. Got you a festival season pass and a VIP ticket for the hockey game btw :)
A season pass. Sweet gesture, though if everything goes according to plan, I'll have this wrapped up and be back in New York before I get the chance to use it.
I've got work to do after all, stakeholders to meet, contracts to close, the usual.
* * *
The festival square opens up at the end of Main Street, and I stop walking.
The Christmas tree has to be at least twenty-five feet tall. It's even more impressive up close. Volunteers on ladders string lights around it, and a sign painter touches up golden letters on a banner:73rd Annual Lakeview Winter Festival.
Everything is so beautiful.
I turn my head and notice the hot cocoa stand, painted green and red, steam curling from artisanal pots.
"Naomi!"
