The Christmas Miracle
Chapter 4
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).
Mornings begin early at the Beckett Mountain Lodge. During the winter, snow usually falls overnight, so many of the Lodge's employees are out clearing sidewalks, parking areas, and chairlift access points. Mary is handling the reception area and watching over the Lobby while Jenny prepares the morning breakfast.
Kate had a restless night and had been up since 5:00 am, hiding out in her office, again pouring over the financial records for the Lodge. Kate notes the time and sees it's now 6:00 am, so she stows away all of her paperwork and makes her way to the kitchen to help Jenny with any last-minute needs for their guests' breakfast.
Jenny notices the circles under Kate's eyes but doesn't say anything except good morning. "I think everything is ready to put on the buffet table, so if you can help me carry out the dishes, we should be ready for our early risers."
Kate laughs, as she is constantly amazed by the number of people who are at the Lodge for vacation but insist on getting up early. But she realizes most of those folks are avid skiers and want to get to the top of the mountain before some of the 'amateurs,' as they call them.
As Kate returns to the dining area to greet her early morning guests, she also sees that Rick has joined the early crowd. She walks over to the table where he is sitting alone and says,
"Good morning, Mr. Rodgers. You are up early again this morning. Planning for an early run down the slopes?"
Rick was startled as he hadn't seen Kate walk over to his table. He takes a sip of his coffee, hoping to calm his nerves, and looks up into the gorgeous hazel-colored eyes of the Lodge keeper, responding, "Good morning to you too, Ms. Beckett. Unfortunately, there is no skiing today. I have a few more errands I need to take care of in town."
Rick catches a moment of disappointment in Kate's eyes, but she quickly recovers and comments, "You are a very busy man. You do remember you said you were also here for some skiing."
Rick knows Kate is trying subtly to draw additional information from him regarding his visit. But sadly, that discussion has to wait a bit longer.
"I know, but duty calls. I hope to take advantage of some of the Lodge's activities when I return. Maybe we can touch base, and if you aren't too busy, you could show me more of your mountain?"
Now it's Kate's turn to be caught off guard, and she uncomfortably responds, "I'm busy all of the time, so I have no idea if I will have time to show you the mountain today. But if it's a tour you want, I am sure I can find someone who would be happy to take you out."
Rick is tired of the avoidance that Kate always puts out each time he asks her to join him, so he says, "We'll see. I am sorry, but I need to take off. Have a good day Kate."
Rick's somewhat rude comment throws Kate, and she stands still as she watches Rick exit the dining room, worried she may have appeared uncaring to this man, who is quickly capturing her undivided attention.
Kate tries to put her encounter with Rick out of her mind and goes about her morning duties, checking on her staff and helping at the registration desk with the sudden arrival of several holiday guests.
Kate helps Mary with the check-ins and then visits with each guest to ensure they are comfortably situated in their rooms.
Once Kate is satisfied her guests have been well taken care of, she moves to the Great Room and begins setting up all of the supplies for the kid's ornament decorating.
Rick enters Ganasby Butte's General Store encountering an excited proprietor who is almost dancing behind the counter when he sees Rick enter through his front doors.
"Ah, there you are. My guy came through. I couldn't believe it. I had thought he might be able to help you, but this time of the year, you never know. Someone else could have had the same request; then, you would have been out of luck. But no, Harm came through, and you aren't going to believe how neat it looks." Finally, Aaron took a breath, and Rick calmly asked,
"Thanks so much, Aaron. Can I see it?"
"Oh, sure. Sorry. I was just so excited, and I couldn't wait for you to get here. So I could show it to you. And then we can make the arrangements to get it up to the Lodge," Aaron stops. Sensing he is carrying on again, and simply motions for Rick to follow him out the back door of the store.
A beautiful red and white sleigh with a sleek black Belgium mare stands proudly in the alley behind Aaron's business. After seeing the magnificent sleigh and horse, Rick can better understand Aaron's excitement.
"Wow!, Aaron, you are right. Harm came through for me. I never expected anything this neat. How do we get it up the mountain?"
At that moment, an older gentleman and young boy stepped from behind a horse trailer, saying, "I'm Harm, and this here is my grandson, and that's where we come in, young fella. I wanted to be sure you liked my setup, and now that you've answered that question, I'll tear it down and load it back in the trailer. And you can follow me up the maintenance road that will take us to the rear of the Lodge. We'll unload there, and I'll give you a few pointers on handling Miss Elizabeth here, and then you can go and impress your lady friend."
Rick smiled from ear to ear, rolling back and forth on his heels as he watched Harm and his grandson expertly unharness Miss Elizabeth and get her and the sleigh loaded back into his trailer.
Once Harm and Rick were safely hidden at the rear of a large maintenance building behind the Lodge. Harm got Miss Elizabeth out of the trailer, suggesting that Rick introduce himself while he and his grandson unloaded the sleigh.
Once the rig is back together, Harm goes up to Miss Elizabeth, speaking softly to the mare, telling her to be a good girl so that this guy can make a good impression on his lady. Rick knows the horse doesn't understand a word the man said, but he can tell that his tone had a calming effect on the great horse, who had just experienced a rather bumpy ride up the mountain.
Harm's grandson stands beside Rick and says, "Grandpa has a way with our horses. He's a horse whisperer. They all seem to understand him and pretty much do what he says. So you shouldn't have any trouble with Miss Elizabeth. Just keep the reins tight and be gentle with the bit.."
Rick isn't sure what the boy's last statement means, but Harm is back with Rick, instructing him to settle in the sleigh. Then he gives him some instructions, telling him to let Miss Elizabeth do the work. "She knows her job."
Rick has never been around a horse in his life, but Harm's gentle words also calm Rick as he makes a few circles behind the building, getting the feel of the sleigh and its horse. Once Harm is satisfied that Rick will be okay. He tells him to take off, and he and his grandson will return in a couple of hours to pick up the sleigh and Miss Elizabeth.
Rick pulls the horse and sleigh up in front of the Lodge, and thankfully one of the Lodge workers is outside and agrees to take care of Miss Elizabeth and the sleigh while Rick goes inside to get Kate. Now Rick hopes and prays he can convince Kate to come with him.
Rick enters the Lodge with a big smile, looking for Kate. He spots her working in the Great Room with one of the kids, helping her as she makes her ornament, and tells Kate she must come with him.
Kate is caught off guard again by the one-eighty in Rick's demeanor, automatically answers that she can't because she's working, and points to the small girl standing by her side. Kate continues by saying, "I have guests. I can't be running off at your every beck and call."
Jenny was at the registration desk, watching the exchange between Kate and Rick. She quickly walks into the Great Room, saying, "It's not a problem, Kate. I finished my work at the front desk, and I could take over the decorating and help Kimmy with her ornament. You go ahead and join Rick."
Kate glares at her friend but gives in and gets her coat, following Rick out of the Lodge.
Sitting in front of the Lodge sits a beautiful red and white trimmed sleigh pulled by a magnificent looking black Belgium mare. Kate turns to Rick asking,
"And where did you get this?"
Rick uses one of his stand-by lines, "I know a guy."
Kate doesn't buy it and gives Rick one of her pattened glares until he caves and fesses up, "Well, Aaron Scout at the general store knew a guy. Regardless, I came to take you on a one-horse-drawn sleigh ride?"
Rick's honest look and smile cause Kate to feel a sudden warmth flow through her body as she nods and lets Rick help her into the sleigh. Rick gets in beside her, pulls a blanket from under the seat, and drapes it over their legs. Then taps the reins and gently coxes Miss Elizabeth to move ahead.
Rick is quiet as he guides the horse and sleigh to what he thinks is one of the most beautiful spots he has found on the mountain. He pulls back just a little on the reins, saying whoa to Miss Elizabeth, who immediately obeys, and Rick wraps the reins around a post on the side of the sleigh.
Rick finally looks at Kate, who has been closely watching him during their entire ride up the mountain. He points through an opening in a stand of tall pine trees, saying, "Have you ever seen anything so beautiful?"
Kate bows her head, knowing she is again about to burst Rick's bubble, as she quietly says, "Yes, I have."
Kate continues saying, "This is my private spot? It's where I always come whenever I have something to work out or need a break from my usual routine. It is truly one of the most beautiful areas on my mountain."
"You always say, your mountain. Do you actually own the entire mountain?" asks Rick.
Kate chuckles as she explains that when her Dad bought the property, he also purchased the mountain. Back in the day, that was possible, and he immediately put the entire mountain into a Trust to ensure that no one could ever come in and do any development that would destroy his part of the world.
Rick watches Kate's face soften as she describes her mountain and the peace she derives from simply sitting on top of it and calmly looking over the picturesque landscape surrounding her.
Rick continues to be enamored with Kate and her story. He is comforted by Kate's confirmation regarding ownership of the mountain, knowing that will be the key to deterring his boss from pursuing his purchase.
As much as she hates having to say it, Kate says, "I'm sorry, Rick, but I need to get back to the Lodge. We have more guests that checked in, and I need to be sure Jenny is all set for today's meals and help with the kids who want to make ornaments."
Rick knew their time on the mountain would be short, but he was still disappointed. Having these private times with one of the kindest, most gentle, and most caring people he has ever met has become very special to him.
Rick unwinds the reins from the pole and attempts to get Miss Elizabeth to move. He frowns as he isn't sure what he is doing wrong. Earlier, she just took off like a charm. Now Miss Elizabeth stands with her head down, moving snow around as she seeks out some hidden blades of grass.
Kate leans back and finally asks, "Having problems?"
"Yea, I don't know what's going on. Miss Elizabeth was great on the way up." Rick shakes the reins, saying giddy-up, but the horse stands completely still.
Kate says, "May I?" And Rick nods, passing her the reins.
Kate slips the reins between her fingers, clicks her tongue, and says, let's go, Miss Elizabeth. The horse immediately shakes her head and begins following the directions Kate gives her through the reins.
During their return trip, Kate gets Rick to share more about his life and work.
Rick leans back and finds himself sharing private and deep feelings that he has never shared with anyone else.
"I have to travel a lot, and sometimes it gets lonely. Don't get me wrong; I love my job. But sometimes it gets old living out of a hotel and then coming home and being alone again. I didn't know I felt that strongly about things until I came here. I've never been around so many people who seemed to be so close," shared Rick.
He continued, "I guess you sometimes can find everything you need or find someone when you least expect it."
Kate quietly answered, "And sometimes you can find everything you need in one place." Kate silently admits that she is beginning to fall for this stranger, but she has no idea where things will go.
Rick listened to Kate but remained silent for the remainder of their ride.
They pull back up in front of the Lodge, with Rick shaking his head as he says, "How did you do that?"
Kate smiles as she sees Harm and his grandson walk up and pet Miss Elizabeth, with Harm asking, "Everything go okay?" He had noticed Kate controlling his horse and assumed Rick may have had some problems, but he ignored that point and welcomed them back, saying he hoped they had a nice ride.
Rick and Kate exit the sleigh, thanking Harm and his grandson for their assistance with Rick's special request. They then move up to Miss Elizabeth, rubbing her neck and nose as they thank her for a great trip.
The two new friends, as Kate is calling them, enter the Lodge, with Kate telling Rick she'll see him later. Rick smiles and agrees, again thanking her for going with him on their ride.
Kate heads to the kitchen, and Rick goes to his room to send his first report to Sir Covington.
Unbeknownst to Kate, everything has blown up while she was on her sleigh ride with Rick.
While Rick and Kate were on their sleigh ride, Jenny was doing one of her daily routine tasks, cleaning the guest rooms. She was wrapping up her cleaning in Rick's Room when she picked up his computer to dust the end table and must have bumped the device as the screen came to life.
Jenny stopped dead, seeing a large banner heading "Purchase Follow Up on the Beckett Mountain Lodge."
Knowing she was breaking a hard and fast rule for all Lodge employees, Jenny continued reading the document's first paragraph. She gasped, immediately set the computer back on the table, and took a screenshot of the page with her cell phone camera. She grabbed her cleaning supplies, exited the Room, and practically ran down the steps to the seclusion of her kitchen.
As Jenny entered her kitchen, she ran head-on into Kevin, who grabbed her arms, preventing her from falling backward because of their impact.
Kevin could see the shock and hurt in his friend's eyes and immediately asked, "Jenny, what in the world happened? You look like you've seen a ghost?"
Unable to say anything, Jenny handed her phone to Kevin, showing the screenshot she had taken of Rick's computer. Kevin's facial expressions hardened as he said, "You have got to be kidding me; that slime ball is here to put the Lodge out of business. Worst yet, buy the entire mountain. How does that jerk have the guts to act like he is a friend and is just here on vacation? I am going to…."
At that moment, Kate entered the kitchen and saw the troubled looks on her friend's faces.
Kate entered the kitchen with an extra hop in her step as she recalled the spectacular ride she had just experienced with Rick in the horse-drawn sleigh that he had somehow located with Aaron's help.
Kate's forward motion stalls as she sees her two friends' faces and watches as Jenny appears to be pounding some dough into shreds.
"Whoa, what in the world is going on? What happened while I was gone," Kate asks with an apprehensive tone.
Kevin and Jenny exchange a look as Jenny takes her phone from Kevin and passes it to Kate, "Saying, I am so sorry, Kate. I didn't mean to look. I know that is a violation of the rules, but I just moved the computer to dust, and this screen came up. And I couldn't help myself after I saw the heading,"
Jenny tried to continue explaining how she got the screenshot when Kate held her hand, indicating for Jenny to wait. But Jenny continued, "I am so sorry, Kate. I hate to show you this, but you need to know."
Kevin brought himself into the conversation, saying, "We need to toss this guy out. He's a big-time fraud."
Kate pleaded, "Please, give me a minute to read this."
Kate closed her eyes briefly, trying to control her emotions as she read the damming document.
"It should be no problem to purchase the banknote on this property. It meets your specifications and would be an excellent acquisition for Covington Resorts. I will continue my review of the bank documents supplied by Mr. Landry, and I should be able to supply you with a complete review, including a summary of the Lodge's messy finances, by the end of the week."
Kate dropped down onto one of the stools in front of the prep table, placing her hand over her mouth, attempting to control her reactions and hide her true feelings from her employees/friends.
Kevin repeated his earlier suggestion, "Kate, let's throw the bum out. He isn't going to be able to buy the Lodge. Just tell him the Lodge, especially the mountain, aren't for sale. Just handle him like you have others who have wanted to buy you out. The place isn't up for sale!"
Kate appreciated the support of her friends, but there was more involved than they realized. She knows she must come clean and tell them about her financial problems with the Lodge.
Kate lowered her head, again using her flowing hair as a shield as she tried to compose herself and think how she would tell Jenny and Kevin the truth about the Lodge.
While Kate was trying to determine how to approach the financial situation with the Lodge, Jenny added,
"Kate, I did some research into Covington Resorts. They find struggling locations, buy them out, tear everything down, and build boutique resorts with high-end amenities. They did that to locations in both Breckenridge and Vail."
Jenny's new information now fuels Kate's concerns which turn from being embarrassed regarding the Lodge's financial condition to anger that she fell for a guy who was taking advantage of her to get his hands on her property. She has a few things she will do to prevent that from happening.
Kate has remained silent during the exchange with her friends, and Jenny is beginning to worry about her friend and adds, "Kate, I am so sorry. We all saw how happy you've been since Rick came. I can't believe he would stoop this low. Kev is right, and we need to kick him out."
Kate finally raised her head, looking at her friends, and said, "We can't."
Kevin immediately reacted, "Kate, yes, we can. We have the right to serve who we want. And we don't want to serve this lowlife."
Kate sighed deeply, saying, "No, we don't want to kick him out. We want to keep him here to keep an eye on him until I figure out what to do."
"Kate, what are you saying? Is the Lodge in financial trouble?" Jenny asked with a worried tone.
Kate leaned her head back, looking up at the ceiling before saying, "Yes, we are in financial trouble. And we have been for a few months. But we've had a great winter, and things are looking up, and I am sure after our current holiday season, I can get us back in the black."
Kevin watched his good friend and boss's reaction before asking, "Kate, are you behind on the mortgage?"
Feeling ashamed, Kate only looked at her friend and nodded.
"How much?" asked Kevin.
"Six months, but I know it will all work out. Things have been looking up over the past several months. We need a little more time, and that's what I've been telling Mr. Landry," responded Kate.
"Yea, and dear Mr. Landry has been running his mouth. That is wrong in so many ways. I thought client financial situations were confidential," said an angry Jenny.
Kate agreed, then said. "We need to keep an eye on Rick. I know I can work out. I need a little more time."
"Kevin can you help me keep Rick busy for a little while this afternoon so I can go in and talk face-to-face with Mr. Landry?" asked Kate.
"Sure, anything. You know that, Kate. What are you thinking?" asked Kevin.
Kate paused for a few moments and then began outlining her idea.
"I will ask Rick to go skiing. I'll tell him I need to test the chairlift before we start it up for guests and ask him to go with me. I am sure he'll jump at the chance. Then Kevin, when we get him on the chairlift, fire it up and take him up the mountain. Once it starts, I'll jump off and go into town and talk with Mr. Landry." said a hopeful Kate.
Hesitating, Kevin responded, "You're sure you can get him on the chairlift?"
Replying firmly, Kate said, "Trust me."
"I'll get him to the Lift. Now we need to keep this between the three of us. I don't want any staff or guests to know I have money problems. Understand?"
Kevin and Jenny both nodded, but both also offered to help Kate.
"Kate, I have some money saved; let me help you out," Kevin said.
"Kevin, I will not let you give me your savings to get me out of this situation. I appreciate the offer, but no," said Kate.
"Kate, what about asking the guests? They all love the Lodge, and I know they would do anything to help you," suggested Jenny.
"Jenny, absolutely not. I do not want our guests to know the situation. It isn't their fault," Kate sternly stated.
"But it's not your fault either. That horrible pandemic threw everyone into turmoil, and we all want to help you. Please?" begged Jenny.
Kate gave her best friend a caring smile, pulling her into a hug and saying, "I know Jenny. But the Lodge is my responsibility, and I will work this out. Do you trust me?" asked Kate.
Jenny nodded.
Kate looked at Kevin and said, "Kev, you head up to the chairlift's shed and get ready. I'll get Rick, and we'll be up there in a few minutes."
Kevin was skeptical about Kate's idea but agreed and put on his coat, slipping out the back door and heading to the chairlift maintenance shed.
Kate gave Jenny another reassuring hug, straightened her sweater, and headed to the Great Room to locate Rick.