“Of course not, honey.” December reached out and touched Noel's arm with a kind hand. “I can tell you're carrying a heavy heart. Now, you've had a very long and scary day. Why don't you go up to your room, splash some water on your face, and then come down to the dining room for a bite to eat? I've cooked a homemade stew, grilled cheese sandwiches, and pumpkin pie for dessert.”
“Well, I admit that my belly is hungry.” Noel managed to smile again. “I'll take your advice.”
“That a girl.” December smiled back. “I put your luggage in room #3 while you were signing in. Room #3 is right up the main staircase...take a right...second door to the last all the way down the hallway on your left.”
“Got it.” Noel looked around again. “It does feel very Christmassy in here. I wish I had the Christmas spirit. Usually I would have put up the fake Christmas tree Granny loved by now. Granny hated to cut down a living tree...well, I'll be down in about half an hour.”
Noel left the lobby and made her way up a wooden staircase that creaked under her boots. She turned right at the top of the staircase and walked down a rustic hallway lined with old antique furnishings that only a hunter could appreciate. She found her room and happily unlocked the heavy, wooden door. “Oh, look at that...” Noel gasped as she stepped into a bright, warm, inviting room holding a large bed and a cozy couch sitting in front of a stone fireplace with a strong fire. What made Noel gasp was a tall Christmas tree standing in the corner of the room—a fake tree, but a beautiful tree, nonetheless. The Christmas tree glowed with the beauty of Christmas. “How beautiful...” Noel closed the door to her room and hurried over to the Christmas tree. As she did, her eyes caught sight of countless candy canes taped to the wooden walls of the room. “Oh, how pretty.”
Noel examined the Christmas tree and then wandered about her room. A drape with little gingerbread houses on it hung over a window that offered a view of a towering snow-capped mountain. A heavy quilt holding little green and red presents covered the large bed in the room. A small bathroom that had been designed to resemble a toy shop completed the lovely Christmas treat. “This is so cozy...I feel like I have entered a beautiful Christmas dream.”
After resting for a bit, Noel made her way downstairs into a dining room that truly looked and felt like the world ofFrosty the Snowman. Noel found herself feeling like a small girl lost in a toy store as she entered the dining room. A man was sitting at a table in the back reading a book. The man lowered the book, looked at Noel, nodded his head, and then went back to reading.I was under the impression I was the only guest. I guess I was wrong.Noel hurried to a round table covered with a white tablecloth consumed with a bunch of smiling snowmen. She sat down and waited for December.
December appeared a few minutes later carrying a wooden tray holding two bowls of hot stew, a plate of grilled cheese sandwiches, and two hot cups of coffee. “I thought you might like some company.” She smiled.
“I would love some company.” Noel beamed.I have a feeling December and I are going to become the best of friends. As for that strange man sitting over there...I wonder who he is and what he's doing in North Winds? I wonder...if he has anything to do with Granny sending me here. I guess in time I'll know.
Chapter 5
After sharing a delightful meal with December, Noel decided to go outside and explore North Winds. December warned Noel that there wasn't much to explore. North Winds was nothing more than a few buildings that formed a circle. A little park sat in the middle of the circle with a small frozen pond and a few park benches. Noel remembered Fred detailing North Winds in the same manner, but didn't mind December confirming Fred's review of the place. “The snow isn't too deep yet, about a foot and a half, but we're expecting a storm tonight that's going to deliver a bunch of snow,” December explained, walking Noel to the front door of the lodge as she put on her coat, a pair of thick gloves and a warm muffler hat. “Stay close to the village.”
“I would like to visit the cemetery,” Noel explained, stopping at the front door of the lodge.
“Honey, the cemetery is quite a walk and unfortunately my snowmobile is needing a new spark plug. Wallace could take you in the Snow Cat, I guess...but he's up at the airstrip.” December looked at Noel with thoughtful eyes. “Wallace rarely leaves the hangar because he lives there, except to deliver supplies. He's a wonderful man.”
“I caught on to that,” Noel spoke in a gentle voice. “Wallace seemed very special in my eyes.”
“Oh, he is,” December promised. “Wallace is an angel. He keeps North Winds functioning like a well-oiled machine.”
“I bet he does.” Noel opened the front door to the lodge. As soon as she did, a blast of icy wind attacked her. “My...this wind is different from the winds back home.”
“The winds here are cruel and unforgiving,” December warned, peering through the front door into a white world of beautiful danger. Yes. December always called her home a world ofbeautiful dangerbecause as beautiful as the snow and cold were at times, the snow and cold were also cruel monsters that could steal a man's life away within minutes. “Stay close to the village, honey. It's getting late and the sun will be setting very shortly. You won't have enough time to let Wallace take you to the cemetery.”
Noel studied the untamed world standing before her. Yes. Her eyes spotted a few buildings that offered safety and hope—buildings that ran off generators and solar panels—but the buildings were mere matchboxes that could be decimated by a single avalanche. The land was in control and Noel knew it...she felt the land deep within her soul.I have to be careful. This land is very unforgiving and the cold I'm feeling is hungry. I need to be smart and familiarize myself with my surroundings before I wander too far away from town...town? No. Village. North Winds really isn't a town at all.“I'll have Wallace take me to the cemetery—”
Before Noel could finish her sentence, Fred came rushing around the side of the lodge. He had his head tucked down and his legs working through the snow. “Whew.” Fred shook his head when he reached the front door. “I'm frozen solid. Got any coffee made, December?”
“In the dining room...what on earth are you doing walking? Why didn't Wallace use the Snow Cat?”
“I needed the walk...wanted to clear my mind,” Fred explained, hugging his arms. “I'm stuck here for a while and I'm not happy about it. Besides, you know how loud the Cat is, December. Mrs. White would have heard and come running. I wouldn't have got a minute’s peace. Walking into the village was much quieter.” Fred looked toward Noel. “Where are you going? Sun will be going down soon.”
“Oh, just for a walk. I'll stay in the village. I promise,” Noel replied, feeling like a little girl having to explain herself to a worried parent. Fred meant well and that's why Noel didn't take offense to his question.Fred is like an old grandpa who worries. I like him.
“See to it that you do, okay,” Fred urged. “That storm over our heads is about to start dropping some mighty heavy snow...and you can feel how the winds are picking up. We're in for a hard punch.”
“How is Wallace set up at the hanger?” December asked.
“He's as warm as a bug in a rug. That back room of his is more secure than this lodge,” Fred assured December. “Wallace has that wood-burning stove that keeps his room nice and toasty.”
“Good.” December focused on Noel as another hard blast of wind attacked. “Don't stay out too long, honey.”
“I won't.”
“Come on, Fred. I'll pour you some coffee.” December smiled. “I put you in room #1, next to Noel...and if you fuss about paying for your room, I'll slug you.”
Fred laughed a little. “I don't have money to pay with anyways. I left my wallet back home.” And with that, Fred followed December into the lodge, leaving Noel alone.
Noel scanned the area. The village was surrounded by thick, frozen trees. A shadowy, towering mountain stood to the north and to the east, forming what felt like an L-shaped arm. The sea stood to the west. To the south the land was open; eventually the land ended at the base of another mountain. North Winds was truly an isolated village. There was only one road, if you dare called a trail a road. The trail started at the airstrip and ran all the way to the beach. However, at the moment, Noel couldn't see the road for the snow. She did spot a road sign in the distance letting her know a road was near. “Looks like the road runs right through the village...around the park and then out toward the sea...at least that's what it looks like...”
