Page 58 of Wishing for Christmas
“Maintenance, I need you in conference room A in ten minutes so we can talk about the plan for getting the generators working. First, bring all the flashlights you can find from the utility closet so we can see what tools we have to work with. I need someone to find the manufacturer’s manual for the generators so we can start working on the problem.”
The three maintenance men all nodded and headed off in the appropriate direction.
“Food and beverage, we’re going to put all the perishables in ice chests for now. Let’s salvage what we can from the restaurant. First, though, bring out all the snacks and sodas we have and put them out in the lobby. Cheese plates, veggies, fruit, deli meats . . . anything we have. These guests are going to need something to distract them from the cold.” She nodded toward the fireplace. “Oh, and let’s pull back the wine for now.”
The chef gave a salute and hurried off toward the kitchen. The bartender nodded and headed to the lounge.
“Lucy, I need you to get all the housekeeping staff downstairs immediately. We are going to deliver every single one of our blankets and extra bedding to all occupied guest rooms. We should also bring everyone some candles while we’re at it.”
Lucy nodded. “You got it, boss.”
“Let’s go, team,” Clara said with an enthusiastic clap. “The Darlington is known for its exceptional service, and this is no time to let up.”
As the staff scattered, left alone behind the check-in desk, Clara wondered if she could actually pull this off. She had no idea how long the power would be out. She had no idea how everything would turn out. She had no idea if anything would work out at all. She was in the midst of total darkness, both literally and figuratively. But deep down, Clara knew there was light on the other side. She could do it.
She just needed to deal with one problem at a time—just like those military spouses.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
CLARA
The Darlington Hotel was once again warm and full of light. Clara smiled as the backup generators buzzed, having restored the lobby to a state of grandeur and brilliance. She sat by the fire alone, a warm cup of coffee in her hand. The guests were happy to be back in their rooms or in the restaurant. She looked around at the decorations, fully illuminated again. The sounds of the lobby Christmas music playing made her take in a slow, easy breath.
She tipped her head back as she sank deeper into her chair. She was exhausted, but she felt great. The hotel had power again, and the staff had everything back under control. She had really done it. She had got them through the crisis.
Thiswas what real accomplishment felt like, she realized now. It wasn’t something she had ever felt with Matthew helping her get a job, or by telling her what she wanted to hear, or by making things happen for her. Clara wondered why she’d wasted so much of her life running from the hardest things in life. The most rewarding things.
Enjoying her coffee, she took a moment to think about her career and reconsidered whether working for the Darlington was really what she wanted. Was it possible that by Matthew givingher opportunity after opportunity, it had become too easy for her to stay and take them?
It seemed like she was stuck in a career that he had carved out for her more than one she’d set out to get for herself. Maybe what she really needed was to branch out on her own. Maybe she needed to independently make her career what she wanted it to be instead of doing what Matthew had encouraged her to do.
She thought again about what Ava and Laura had said—that military spouses’ lives and careers didn’t have to fit into the traditional mold. Each of them was capable of making the choices that best suited them and their families. These families were giving so much of their lives for this country’s freedom. Didn’t they deserve the freedom to have choices in their lives? Of course they did. And if they could do it, then she certainly could too.
A cold rush of air hit Clara, interrupting her thoughts, as the doors to the Darlington swung open. A bundled-up man appeared in the lobby, breathless and panting. Taking off his hat and shaking the snow out of his hair, he looked around the lobby until he caught her eye. Matthew.
He spotted her immediately and hurried over. He stopped in front of the fire to warm his hands, then turned to her with a nod. “I heard the power was out here and figured you’d need me.”
“I appreciate you coming but?—”
“Don’t worry, I’ll take care of things.” He looked straight over Clara’s head, scanning the lobby. “It looks like the power’s back on, but I’m sure there’s a mess of problems waiting for me.” He quickly turned to head in the direction of the desk.
“Matthew, I don’t need your help.”
He stopped mid-stride and turned around. “What’s that?”
“I took care of it.” She continued sipping her coffee calmly by the fire.
He looked at her underneath a skeptical brow. “Youhandled all this?”
“Yes,” she replied, a relaxed smile on her face.
Matthew let out a slight laugh. He appeared to be taking another look around the lobby. All was calm, all was bright, and she could tell he seemed surprised. No, he was shocked. Clara knew he’d been expecting a disaster. He came over anticipating chaos; her complete reliance on him. He’d been prepared to see customers complaining, employees panicking, and her completely helpless. Matthew had come in here thinking he’d be the hero who was going to rescue her. He was definitely used to doing that.
“Matthew, I don’t need your help anymore,” she said. Saying the words out loud felt as if a boulder was lifted from her shoulders. “In fact, I never really did. I just thought I did.”
He just looked at her, confusion in his eyes.
“But you were right,” Clara continued.
