Page 7 of Wrapped Up with the Mountain Man
I think about Dove somewhere upstairs, probably trying to explain to two disappointed children why their parents care more about business calls than Christmas hugs.
The storm's getting worse, wind rattling the lodge windows. By tomorrow, we'll all be snowed in together. One big dysfunctional family waiting for the weather to clear.
I just hope those kids can find some Christmas magic despite having parents who wouldn't notice a miracle if it knocked them off their bar stools.
4
Dove
The storm is absolutely vicious this morning, but the real disaster is happening inside the Pinnacle Suite.
I sit with Mia and Bentley on a sofa that costs more than most people's cars, watching them try to be brave about their parents vanishing into the office the second breakfast ended.
"Miss Dove," Mia's voice is small, "is the party still happening tonight?"
"I don't know, sweetheart. The storm is pretty bad."
"But all the other kids will be there," Bentley pipes up. "And Santa!"
Through the suite's massive windows, I can barely see the lodge through the whiteout. This isn't how Christmas Eve was supposed to go.
"You know what?" I stand with sudden determination. "Let's go find out what's happening. Maybe we can help."
Twenty minutes later, we're at the main lodge. Staff move with crisis efficiency, and my heart sinks when I spot Helen's stressed expression.
"Helen, what's the status on tonight?"
Her face falls. "Oh, Dove. I'm so sorry. We've had to cancel. Storm knocked out power to the great room, and half our supplies are stuck in a truck that can't make it up the mountain."
I feel Mia's hand tighten in mine. "Cancel? But the kids have been looking forward to this for weeks."
"I know. We're trying to figure out alternatives, but with the storm..."
"What about Santa?" Bentley asks, his four-year-old voice cutting through the lobby noise.
Helen's eyes fill with regret. "I'm sorry, sweetheart. Santa might have to wait."
I watch Mia's face crumple, knowing I have to find a solution. These kids have already been disappointed by their parents today. I won't let Christmas Eve disappoint them too.
"There has to be something," I say firmly. "Some alternative."
"Unless you know somewhere with power, heat, and space for activities..." Helen shrugs helplessly.
That's when I think of Tannon mentioning backup systems, alternative spaces.
"Where's Tannon?"
"Probably in the mechanical room, working on generators."
I look down at Mia and Bentley, both trying so hard to be brave. "Stay with Helen for a minute. I'm going to fix this."
I find Tannon crouched beside a massive generator, tools spread around him in a somewhat organized mess. His hair is dampwith sweat despite the cold, and there's grease on his cheek that shouldn't be as attractive as it is.
"Tannon?"
He looks up, surprised. "Hey. What's wrong?"
"They cancelled the Christmas Eve party. The kids..." I take a breath, trying to keep emotion out of my voice. "Is there anywhere else we could have it? Somewhere with power and heat?"
