The Christmas Miracle
Chapter 1
It's a quick 2-day business trip to wrap up an acquisition for his eccentric boss. He's never bought a mountain, but then he encounters Kate Beckett. Entry for Castle Ficathon Winter 2022.
**Note**. This story was inspired by the movie Christmas at Holly Lodge (2017).
Kate checks the time when her Christmas alarm chimes, knowing she has a full day ahead as she and her staff prepare for the arrival of their Christmas Family guests. The Beckett Mountain Lodge is open year-round, but Christmas is a memorable time as their extended family who come each year will begin arriving early the week before Christmas. Kate needs to get around and check in with Jenny to see if she needs any last-minute groceries for the special treats she always creates for this time of the year.
Kate hopped in the shower, dressed in her flannel-lined jeans and her favorite Colorado College sweatshirt, and headed down the beautifully crafted staircase to the main lobby of the Beckett Mountain Lodge.
Following the death of her parents, Kate remodeled the former Beckett family residence into three elaborate rooms for guests and moved her home into one of the larger guest rooms on the 2nd floor of the Lodge. Many of the staff had given Kate pushback on her decision, but Jenny helped to ease those comments as she sensed the difficulty Kate would experience if she continued to try to live in the area once occupied by her parents. It would always be a reminder of what Kate lost. This way, she had something new. Kate decorated her new area to fit her tastes and was proud now to offer an option of mountain suites to her guests.
Kate's father built the Beckett Mountain Lodge before Kate's birth, and it was the pride and joy of her parents for over twenty-five years. Since that terrible day five years ago, Kate Beckett has been the sole proprietor of one of the most breathtaking properties in the county. Kate owns the hand-built log lodge and all the land surrounding the Lodge's multiple structures. In addition, the entire mountain is in a family trust that is the home of the Beckett Mountain Lodge.
Kate greets Mary as she manages the registration desk, then turns and goes into the Lodge's commercial-equipped kitchen to greet her best friend and all-around go-to employee, Jenny O'Malley. Jenny came to work for the Beckett's right out of high school and has never left. She was a great support to Jim and Johanna when Kate went off to college and was always one to keep Kate informed on how her parents were 'really' doing while she was away at college.
"Hey, Jenny, you are up early. Is everything okay? Do you need me to run into town and pick up groceries for today's meals and evening treats?"
Jenny laughed and reminded Kate, "No, remember I ran into town yesterday to get all the last-minute perishables and needed groceries?"
Kate paused for a minute, trying to recall their previous day's activities, when Jenny said, "It's no wonder you don't remember. When I left, you were knee-deep in a snow bank by the chair lift's equipment shed, asking Kevin if he could get that old motor running for the holidays."
"Oh, yea. Now I remember. And thank goodness for Ryan's mechanical expertise. That genius got the Lift running again and is confident we can get through the rest of the season."
"That's great news, Kate. That would be a huge expense, with reservations being down this year." Jenny continued,
"I know you've been worried." Jenny didn't share her other thoughts about how she had been noticing that Kate was more stressed than usual. Kate Beckett played things close to the vest and never let the staff know if there were any problems with the Lodge.
"Jenny, everything is fine? We've had a great winter and are almost at capacity for the holidays. Things are looking up."
Kate changed the subject, asking, "Now, how are we set for our early arrivals? Mary had just gotten to the front desk, so I didn't want her to have to look up reservations since I know you already have them carved into that mind of yours."
Jenny knew what her boss and friend was doing and began reciting the details for the day's early arrivals.
"Well, as you know, a few arrived late last night. And Lanie should be arriving around 11:30. I have double-checked her room and added the extra touches you suggested. A small poinsettia and a box of her favorite chocolates are on her nightstand, along with two extra blankets."
Kate was four years old when Lanie Parish, and her husband, Trevor, began coming to the Beckett Mountain Lodge to celebrate Christmas. The woman was a kid magnet, and Kate was instantly attracted to her and became her shadow for most of her visit. Kate's Mom continually told her young daughter to give Mrs. Parish space and time alone. But Lanie would constantly shush her, saying, "You never mind. Your daughter is one of the sweetest children I have ever met. She brightens my day with her beautiful smile."
So, needless to say, Kate Beckett and Lanie Parish became fast and lifelong friends, and Kate was always so excited to know that Lanie and Trevor were coming to her home for Christmas.
This year will be the first time that Lanie will be coming alone. Lanie's lifelong partner, and the love of her life, passed away suddenly during the summer, and Kate is determined to do everything she can to make this a very special Christmas for her dear friend.
Jenny continued giving Kate times and information about their other early arrivals, especially for Sarah Hayes and her daughter Hallie. This year only Sarah and Hallie will stay with them for the holidays. Sarah's husband, Doug, was unexpectedly deployed and won't be home for Christmas.
"Sarah called first thing this morning to alert us that they may not be able to stay for the entire holiday week because Hallie is struggling and hasn't wanted to do anything except stay home and wait for her Daddy to call."
Kate lowered her head, letting her beautiful brunette hair surround her face and hide the sudden loss she felt when she heard about Sarah's sweet daughter. Hallie is a fireball at Christmas and has become the unofficial leader for the kids' activities over the holidays.
Jenny was quiet, knowing her friend needed a few moments to process her thoughts. Before Kate raised her head, she commented, "Well, we now have two guests we need to keep special watch over. Do we have some chocolate chip chunk cookies and the eggless cookie dough that both Lanie and Hallie love?"
With her hand on her hip, Jenny gave her boss and best friend a somewhat intimidating glare as she responded, "Dah! Who do you think you are talking to? Would I ever plan Christmas goodies for our guests and not include the old standbys?"
Kate was a bit surprised by the strong response from her friend until they both broke out laughing, with Kate knowing that Jenny would always be prepared and have all of the favorite foods for their regular guests. Especially for the Lodge's Christmas Family.
After confirming all was well in the kitchen, Kate returned to the Lodge's Great Room, stopping to admire the beautiful decorations that gave the Lodge that special feeling of Christmas. Knowing other decorations would be added after some of their special guests arrived a little later.
Decorating the Lodge's Christmas tree and its massive fireplace were areas that Kate and her employees never touched. They were off-limits. One of the Lodge's longstanding traditions dictates that their extended Christmas family will decorate those two areas.
Kate smiled and went to the back storage area to retrieve the other boxes of decorations and sat them out beside the custom-created hearth of the fireplace, awaiting the arrival of their special guests.
The Lodge's massive open-sided fireplace had been her Dad's pride and joy. He had the vast rock hearth custom cut and installed before completing the remaining brickwork. The enormous display of rock and brick is the central focus of the Great Room of the Lodge and emits heat from both sides to warm guests as they arrive and heat the family area where the Lodge's Christmas tree will soon stand.
After making her usual check-ins with her staff to be sure they had everything they needed, Kate bundled up and went outside to make one final check of the grounds. The outside of the Lodge was as gorgeous as the inside. Kate spent hours putting up lights and winding garland around the large pillars around the front entrance to the building. Her staff assisted with surrounding the windows of the gigantic log structure with white lights that lit up the night and could be seen by all guests as they traversed the mountain to get to the Lodge.
To Kate's surprise, two of her guys had strung lights across the Lodge's steel roof this year. Kate wasn't aware of the project until they did light testing on the first night after completing their outdoor decorating.
Kate and her entire staff had been standing outside in the central circle drive by the Lodge's giant Christmas tree, and after, the lights came on the tree. One of her guys, Jeff, yelled, "Now we welcome everyone to the Beckett Family Christmas Lodge."
Jeff then turned on all the lights surrounding the windows, pillars, and, finally, the roof. The staff broke out in applause, and Kate was so surprised she couldn't stop laughing. The team was teasing that all the lights had probably just gone out in Ganasby Butte.
Kate now stood in the center of the driveway taking in all of the beauty surrounding her home. The Christmas decorations and the mountain's natural majesty give her home an indescribable allure.
Kate again realized that she had made the right decision five years ago to keep the Lodge and run it as her parents had done for over twenty-five years. Now she silently prayed to herself that she could pull it out of this current financial slump enabling it to continue to be her home and a refuge for the many guests that journeyed to the majestic mountain location each year.
Kate smiled as she recalled the surprises of their light testing and gave the exterior of the Lodge one final look before returning to the Lodge to take care of a few office tasks before their special guest arrived at 11:30 am.
At 11:15, Kate watched as a sleek black airport courtesy van pulled into the circle drive of the Lodge. An exquisitely dressed woman exited as the driver stacked several suitcases on the Lodge's luggage cart. Kate was surprised and quickly put on her coat to go and meet her guest.
Kate ran up into the open arms of her long-time friend, both clinging tightly to one another as they silently shared many unspoken feelings. Kate finally leaned back and looked into her dear friend's eyes, noticing their usual spark was missing.
"Lanie, did you bring all the clothes you own for this trip?" teased Kate.
"Oh, sweet girl. Trevor always did our packing, and I wasn't sure what to plan for, so I just brought it all. I am ready for any adventure you have planned for us this year."
The two women laughed as Kate helped to push the luggage cart inside the Lodge. As soon as Lanie entered the Lodge's main lobby, Jenny greeted her and pulled her into a huge hug, quietly asking how she was doing.
Lanie's eyes began to fill with tears, but the strong-willed woman, pulled away, answering, "I am doing well. Trevor would want me to come and help keep everyone in line just like I did every other year. So what are you up to?"
After sharing a few private moments, Lanie and Jenny released each other, and Lanie quickly moved to the small group of guests standing in the Lodge's Great Room. Javier, a retired detective from New York City, greeted her first. Lanie then moved on to be warmly welcomed by others who make up part of the Lodge's extended Christmas Family, including young Kyle James, who ran head-on into her legs, giving her a big hug.
Kate and Jenny stood in the background, watching the loving interactions of their guests.
Just before joining the group, Kate whispered to Jenny, asking her not to bring up the possibility of another Christmas miracle happening this year. Kate didn't want anyone disappointed if the annual miracle didn't become a reality.
Unaware of the Lodge's financial situation, Jenny hesitated as she felt the Christmas miracles that had happened to the guests over the years had also become a treasured tradition. But she honored her friend's wish as the two joined their extended family.