The Christmas Inn (12 page)

She leaned forward angling her head, her lips parted. “My good
fortune,” she murmured.

CHAPTER SEVEN

T
HE
LOOK
IN
M
ARNIE
’
S
EYES
did something to
his core. He’d forgotten that feeling, that sensation that life was about to
begin, that the waiting for that one special person was over. He touched her
neck, his fingers picking up the tattoo of her heart beating against his skin.
He had so much he wanted to say to her, to share with her. But at this moment,
he couldn’t remember any of it. All he wanted to do was kiss her.

And he did—gently—the tingling awareness of need floating
through him. He angled his head slowly toward hers, cupped her chin and pulled
her face closer to his, aching for more.

But he had to remember where he was…his job. A quick glance
around confirmed that they were all but alone—the one remaining couple in the
corner were completely engrossed in each other. “It might be smarter for me to
come around the bar,” he said.

He heard the deep chuckle that started in her throat and rose
past her lips, the sexiest laugh he’d ever heard.

“Please do, before I’m forced to jump over it,” she said.

He rounded the bar, pushed the bar stool out of his way and
reached for her, holding her arms, feeling the silky softness of her top as he
slid his hands up toward the bare skin at her throat.

He fought the desire tearing at his gut. He was making out with
a woman in the bar at his inn, a place he was expected to behave like a
civilized person, totally in control, but all that was quickly being submerged
beneath the ache that began near his heart. “Do you suppose the guests will
understand this?” he asked, not really caring about the answer.

“I’m supposed to be your date, aren’t I? Wasn’t this the whole
point?” She raised her face to his, her eyes aware.

“So true,” he whispered against her throat, his arms going
around her, his fingers eagerly caressing her back. He kissed her again, tasting
her lips, enjoying the way her body pressed into his. He stiffened, blood
roaring in his ears. Lust blurred his thoughts, as he pulled back, afraid that
he might frighten her with his demanding, pulsing need.

He heard her quick intake of breath, and suddenly the lights in
the room flickered and went out. Off in the corner, two points of light
flared.

“What’s going on?” she asked, her fingers clutching his
lapels.

“Didn’t know I had that kind of power,” he said, joking to hide
his annoyance at the interruption. “The power just went out and the generator
kicked in. Nothing to worry about.”

The words had no sooner passed his lips when Kevin Bailey
appeared at the entrance to the bar and waved to him, a heavy frown on his face.
“Or maybe there is,” he said, nodding in Kevin’s direction. “I’d better see
what’s going on.”

He crossed the room to meet an anxious Kevin. “Sorry, boss, but
there might be a problem with the generator. Can you come and have a look?”

He knew next to nothing about generators, but if they needed to
make a repair he had better have a look before calling someone to service it in
weather like this. “Be right with you.”

Trying to hide his disappointment as much as possible, he went
back to Marnie. “Sorry about this, but Kevin needs me.”

“Should I wait for you?”

“Absolutely. I’ll be back as quick as I can.” He searched the
room. “Don’t know who will tend bar while I’m gone.”

“I can. I’ve had lots of experience doling out Christmas booze
at the McLaughlan clan get-togethers.” She gave him a lopsided salute. “You can
count on me.”

“Thanks.” He hugged her close, her body fitting perfectly to
his, reigniting his driving desire. “There’s a flashlight under the bar if you
need more light until the power comes back on.”

* * *

M
ARNIE
WATCHED
HIM
LEAVE
. She wanted to
have dinner with him tonight more than anything she’d ever wanted in a long
time. She spotted another couple entering the bar, their arms linked, their eyes
on each other. And Marnie was suddenly flooded with a sense of yearning so
strong she could hardly breathe, reminding her that she was once again alone
during the Christmas season.

The newly arrived couple leaned on the bar, and Marnie
remembered that she’d offered to be bartender. “Good evening. What can I get you
tonight?”

“A little more light, maybe,” the man joked.

“I’ll see what I can do.” She reached under the counter,
brought out a large flashlight and placed it on the bar.

“White wine for my wife, and I’ll have a gin and tonic,” the
man said, settling on a stool next to his wife. Marnie fixed the drinks and was
about to check with the other couple sitting in the corner when Jack came into
the bar with his very pregnant wife beside him.

“Well, hello. Did Luke leave you in charge?” he asked as he
moved in beside her.

“He did. But now that you’re here, I’ll go back to being
decorative.”

“Don’t quit on my account. I was just going to get a glass of
sparkling water for Lindsay. She’s going to take a table near the bar and keep
me company for a few hours.”

“That sounds nice.”

Jack introduced his wife to everyone as they gathered around
him. From the talk it was clear that everyone knew Jack and Lindsay, and about
their baby. Marnie didn’t mean to stare but she couldn’t help it. Her four
sisters-in-law were big during their pregnancies, but Jack’s wife looked as if
she could have the baby any minute.

While Jack chatted with everyone, Marnie lit candles on each of
the tables, and placed extras along the bar, in between filling drink orders.
Several of the husbands chatted with her as they ordered drinks or returned
glasses. In a way it was comforting to mix drinks and pour wine. It kept her
from thinking about everything else.

She was pouring a glass of Chardonnay when Brad and Cindy
showed up. For a moment, she considered walking out. After all, Jack could take
over. But walking out was not her style, and besides, she’d had her say where
Brad was concerned. “What can I get you?” she asked, secretly enjoying Brad’s
surprised expression.

“Marnie, it’s so nice to see you again,” Cindy said, a smile of
genuine pleasure on her face.

“It’s great to see you, too,” Marnie replied.

“I didn’t know you worked here,” Cindy said.

“I’m helping out,” Marnie answered, which was the truth. And
she was suddenly appreciative that the years of bartending at family functions
had paid off.

“Jack’s letting you behind his bar—you must be good.” Cindy
leaned on the bar. “I’ll have my usual,” she said.

“One dry martini coming right up,” Marnie said, aware that Brad
had moved closer to his wife.

As Marnie mixed Cindy’s drink for her, the other woman chatted
about her trip to Wakesfield. “Why don’t you and I go shopping tomorrow…as soon
as the snow lets up?”

Marnie was tempted to say she’d go, if only to make Brad
uneasy. It would be payback, and so tempting. But when she met Cindy’s hopeful
glance, she remembered that this woman deserved to be happy, that if Brad made
her happy Marnie had no right to interfere.

Regardless of how much Brad had hurt her, she was no longer
interested in any aspect of his life. And with that realization came a sense of
freedom. Having met Luke, she realized that Brad had never been the man for her.
“Cindy, that sounds great, but I’m working straight through until Christmas
Eve.”

“Well, maybe another time,” Cindy said, looking at her husband
with love in her eyes.

Another couple arrived at the bar and stood next to Cindy. They
were obviously acquainted with one another and Cindy and the other woman
immediately struck up a conversation.

Feeling completely calm and in control, Marnie turned to Brad.
“What can I get you?”

“I’ll have a Scotch…and thanks, Marnie,” he said, softly, his
gaze contrite.

“Not a problem,” she said, reaching for the Scotch. “I hope you
have a wonderful stay here.”

“We will.” He took the glass from her hands, his gaze locked on
her. “And I hope you enjoy your stay, as well.”

“I will.” She turned from him to another couple, thankful that
she’d seen Brad Parker for what he really was that night years ago.

A little later several of the couples drifted off to dinner,
while others wandered into the bar from the early seating. But still no sign of
Luke.

“Here, let me take over,” Jack said, scooting around behind the
bar. “Have you had dinner yet?”

Where was Luke? What could be keeping
him?

“No, but I will. I hope Luke’s okay.”

“I’m sure he is. Why don’t you have some dinner, and come back
and sit down with Lindsay? She’s worried she might go into labor tonight.”

“Oh, dear. Well—”

Mary Cunningham appeared at the archway leading into the bar,
her gaze sweeping the room until her eyes met Marnie’s. She nodded and wove her
way past the people standing in small groups. “I’ve brought you the key to your
new room. I’ve moved your things, and tomorrow your old room should be ready for
you again. I assume Luke explained all this to you,” she said, handing her a
large, ornate key.

Marnie’s heart stuttered in her chest. She’d forgotten all
about the room change and her things being moved. Then she remembered she’d
hidden her computer and her papers in the bottom of her bag, away from prying
eyes.

Mary stood waiting, staring at her. Did she expect Marnie to
leave with her? Had Luke sent Mary to deliver the key? What she wouldn’t give to
ask where Luke was and when he’d be back. It would be a simple inquiry, and one
she had every right to make, but her pride wouldn’t let her. Luke was busy, and
she didn’t feel she could interfere. She was a stranger here. A helpful
stranger, but still a stranger.

But why couldn’t Luke have spared a few minutes to come and
tell her he’d be busy all evening? “Thank you, Mary. Would it be possible to
leave Mr. Harrison a message?”

“Certainly.”

Suddenly, she wanted to go home to her family, to the security
of people who loved her. “Please tell him I’ll meet him for breakfast tomorrow
morning around eight.”

She was tempted to tell him she’d be leaving as soon as the
road was plowed. Although she handled seeing Brad again tonight with as much
savoir faire as she could muster, she was tired of feeling like the odd person
out, of being the one who had to adjust her life to please everyone else.

“Would you like to order room service this evening?” Mary
asked, her expression kind.

Why not? Her brother was paying the bill, and she hadn’t eaten
since early that afternoon. “Sounds lovely. Thank you for suggesting it.”

“Why don’t I walk with you? Show you to your new room?” Mary
asked, following along beside Marnie as they entered the main hall.

With the snow pelting the windows, she glanced down at the
number on the key. “No, I’ll be fine,” she said, and started toward the
stairs.

As she unlocked the door, she understood why Luke was so
hesitant to put her in the room on the third floor. Even in the emergency
lighting, this room was spectacular with its four-poster bed, fireplace and
bathroom with a Jacuzzi and marble shower. The room also had a bay window
that—if there hadn’t been such a horrific snowstorm blowing outside—would have
offered a panoramic view of the gardens beyond the back patio.

She ordered from the menu and settled in to wait for her
dinner, and her first opportunity to face the reality of having signed the
agreement to sell her business. Despite the fact that she was leaving a huge
chunk of her life behind, she now realized she didn’t want to work in a salon
anymore, with or without Gina’s interference. As proud as she was of her
accomplishments, it was definitely time to move on to something new and
interesting.

When her steak and Caesar salad arrived a few minutes later,
she decided she had earned a little luxury and settled in to enjoy her meal.
Sinking into the wingback chair after dinner, she turned on the propane
fireplace and watched as the flames swooped up then died down to a quiet
burn.

As she sipped her glass of Merlot her gaze moved around the
room, from the ornate dressing table, to the satin drapes and the flat-screen
television, she wondered what it would be like to work at an inn like this.
She’d never considered the hospitality industry as a career. But why not? When
she got back to Boston she’d look into some courses.

In the meantime, she needed to get her rest if she was heading
out tomorrow morning. The driving wouldn’t be easy, and she didn’t have the best
snow tires in the world.

She finished her wine and pushed the trolley outside her
door.

With the roar of the wind outside, she showered, got ready for
bed and climbed up into what reminded her of a giant nest with its voluminous
pillows and thick, fluffy duvet.

Sinking into the epitome of comfort, she closed her eyes.

CHAPTER EIGHT

T
HE
NEXT
MORNING
, M
ARNIE
awoke to complete silence. The
windows were encrusted with snow, sparkling like diamonds in the pale morning
light. Climbing out of her bed, she crossed the room to have a look outside.
From what she could see, the entire patio had disappeared under the snow.

She’d never seen so much of the white stuff. A snowfall like
this and Christmas only days away, the inn and Wakesfield would be guaranteed a
white Christmas. Brimming with enthusiasm, she showered, dressed and went down
to breakfast. As she reached the lobby, she heard the animated chatter of guests
whose only topic of conversation was the storm—now being described as the storm
of the decade. The word was that all the roads were closed, and the people at
the weather center were calling for more snow today.

Now Marnie had no choice but to stay another day. She also had
no choice but to keep her mystery-guest status hidden until she could leave. But
all her concerns were swept away when she realized that because of the storm she
had nothing to do today but relax and enjoy herself. Wow, for the first time in
years she’d be free to do whatever she pleased.

When she reached the dining room, she chose a table near the
windows that looked out on the patio, marveling at how much snow was packed
against the windows, yet how cozy it felt. Sipping her coffee, she glanced
around, only to spot Luke standing near the door.

As he started across the room toward her, a smile of pleasure
on his face, she was reminded of the incredible connection between them. She
couldn’t define it, but she didn’t care. She was simply filled with delight that
he was here and about to join her.

“Good morning. I trust you slept well in your new room,” he
said, pulling out the chair next to her and sitting down.

“I did. I didn’t wake until about an hour ago. What a lovely
room. I can see why you get so many repeat guests here.”

His smile wrapped around her, his eyes searching hers. “I’m
sorry about last night, but we had our hands full keeping the snow away from the
doors and dealing with the power outage. I had intended for you and I to have
dinner together.” He rubbed his face, his exhaustion evident in the lines around
his eyes. “I survived the night, fueled by coffee and adrenaline. A shower this
morning helped me regain my sanity.”

“I understand. Really,” she offered, his fresh-scrubbed scent
sending a flood of neediness through her. His closeness, the way he leaned
toward her, the sense that his attention was directed only at her, made her want
to reach out and touch his hand where it rested on the linen tablecloth.

“The good news is that you won’t have to give up your room and
go back upstairs tonight. There is no hope the road to the village will be
cleared because a tractor-trailer unit got stuck last night, and they’re still
working to get it dug out. On top of that, the highway going south is blocked.
Rescue vehicles and plows are trying to reach those vehicles stranded on the
highway.”

“I hope they get to these people soon,” she said, shivering at
the thought of being stuck in the snow overnight.

“Everyone’s hoping they can, but with more snow in the
forecast, it isn’t looking very likely. They may get the people out, but the
cars may take longer.”

The server appeared, poured coffee for Luke and took their
orders.

“Where’s Ethan this morning?” she asked.

“He’s discovered Lego. Evelyn, the pastry chef, brought him a
box filled with pieces that her son played with when he was little, and Ethan
has them scattered all over the apartment. The evening shift couldn’t leave last
night, so one of the cooks stayed with him all night, and is still there this
morning.”

“What happens now?”

“We’ll try to keep the inn going until the roads are cleared.
We have enough food and the guests seem to be getting into the spirit of it all.
Several have even volunteered to help shovel.”

“So what am I doing today? As your assistant, I mean.”

“Not much. I’ve already emailed guests who were planning to
arrive today, and mostly I’ll be making sure that we’re ready for the next round
of snow due to start sometime this morning.” He glanced toward the windows. “I’d
say it’s about to start again soon.”

“Do you have any office jobs I could do? I’m good at
paperwork.”

“I’ll ask Amanda at reception if she needs help. In the
meantime, if you’re interested, I do have some plans for changes to the gardens
around the back of the inn next spring. You might like to see those, and if you
have suggestions…”

He wanted her advice? “I’d love that.”

You’d love anything that brought you more
time with him.

When they finished their breakfast, she followed Luke to the
office. He pulled several large blueprints out of a drawer and spread them on
his desk. As he began to talk about them, she witnessed firsthand the care and
attention he’d put into the planning, how his face lit up when he told her how
he’d worked with the landscape people to design a maze of cedar trees that would
add an interesting walking exercise for his older clients who were no longer
able to hike.

“This could all come to nothing if Advantage Corp has its way.
There’s talk they’re going to sell one of the inns they own in the area, that
someone from head office might make a site visit, but so far there’s been
nothing confirmed.”

Luke didn’t know that the inn was going to be sold. Scott had
told her they planned to sell it, confidential information that she wasn’t
allowed to disclose. If it got out, Advantage would suspect Scott of being the
source, and his agency’s relationship with Advantage would suffer. “I don’t know
why they would want to sell this place. It’s beautiful,” she said in a lame
attempt to hide her dismay at the realization that she had to keep quiet about
what she knew.

“It is beautiful, and I love it here. I hope I never have to
leave. But if the inn doesn’t produce the profit margin their shareholders are
looking for, and corporate bonuses are tied to profit levels…” He shrugged.

She felt so guilty she wanted to climb under the table. She was
not only working for the people who planned to sell the inn, she was helping
them prepare it for sale, and in the process she would hurt someone she cared
for.

Why had she gotten involved in this? She understood better than
most people how difficult it was to run a successful business, and how running a
business takes a great deal of personal commitment. If only she could back out
of her promise to Scott....

She wished she could tell Luke what she was really doing here,
and find a way to help him. With the lessons she’d learned running Total
Elegance, she had lots of ideas that might prove useful. But none of it mattered
if Advantage was determined to sell. If only they wouldn’t…or couldn’t.

“Running a company isn’t easy these days. In a way I’m glad to
be out,” she said, more to make herself feel better than anything else. Right
now, she was feeling like a traitor.

“It couldn’t have been easy to start up a business on your
own.”

“I had a great partner—until he fell in love.”

“Oh, yeah?”

She nodded. “Shane and I worked really well together. We spent
long and sometimes difficult hours finding ways to keep the business afloat.
Luckily we were both hairdressers, so in the beginning we focused on that, but
as the clientele grew we had to expand our services, and that meant having
someone to look after the business side of it. So when we added massage and
aesthetics, I took over managing the salon.”

“So why did you decide to sell?”

“Because the work had become too routine, too predictable for
me, while Shane still loved what he was doing. When Shane met Gina, I couldn’t
see myself working with her. Gina’s not my kind of person. She likes being in
control, and too many bosses can ruin a business.”

“And she wants to be the boss.”

She nodded, remembering Julie’s remarks about Gina, and
wondering how her friend was making out.

“I intend to own my own business someday.” Luke rubbed his
hands together. “I’d love to buy this inn if Advantage decides to sell, but
they’ll want a lot of money for the place.” His gaze moved slowly around the
room, his expression one of sadness.

“You’d be really good at running it,” she said. And she could
be the one to hurt his good reputation if the owners took some of her comments
as condemnation of his management skills. Would her responses to the
questionnaires influence their decision as to whether they offered him another
position?

Luke was the kind of guy she enjoyed being around, talking
business and sharing ideas. Her brother and his money-grubbing client could
destroy this man’s dream.

When the phone rang, Luke answered it, his expression going
from interest to anxiety in quick succession. He hung up, folded the landscaping
plan and put it away. “I have to go.”

Wanting to ask what had caused him to look so worried, but
afraid she might be intruding, she said, “And I have to make a phone call.”

He shoved his hands through his hair. “Nothing wrong, I
hope.”

“No, but my mother is probably looking for me,” she said,
trying to disguise her lie behind a bright smile. “I turned off my cell phone
when I got here.”

“Okay.” He glanced at his watch hurriedly. “I’ll meet you for
lunch, and we can talk a bit more. I’d really like to hear your perspective on
starting a new business.” His distracted tone was unnerving.

What was happening? Had that call been
from the owners? What had gone so wrong?

Whatever was going on, she couldn’t do anything to help him, or
surely he would have asked her. One thing she’d learned about Luke: he was a man
who valued his privacy, and she wouldn’t attempt to interfere. “See you,” she
said. Waving goodbye, she slipped from the room.

Armed with renewed determination to block Advantage’s plans by
any means possible, she practically ran up the stairs. She was on her way to the
third floor when she stopped. Turning around quickly, she headed to her new
room. She needed to talk to Scott.

* * *

C
ONFUSED
AND
CONCERNED
, Luke wanted to simply sit in his office
and talk to Marnie, but now he had a bigger issue to cope with, than the storm
even. Jack had called to tell him that Lindsay was in labor, and the snowplow
headed for them had had a breakdown. Jack was trying to get ahold of Dr.
Pearson.

The sky outside his office was obliterated by the massive
swirls of snow. Due to the rising winds and zero visibility the search and
rescue helicopters were grounded.

The phone rang again.

“Hi, Luke. Me again. Dr. Pearson isn’t in his room or the
dining room. Lindsay’s contractions are only five minutes apart and I need a
doctor. Do you have any idea where he might be?”

“I doubt he would’ve left the inn because there’s literally no
place to go. He wasn’t among those shoveling last night. Maybe he’s out there
now?”

“Damn it! Where in hell could he have gone?” The tension in
Jack’s voice made his words harsh.

“Try to stay calm. We’ll find him.” The last thing they needed
was a medical emergency and no medical personnel available.

He headed out the door.

* * *

M
ARNIE
CLIMBED
INTO
HER
oversized bed and
snuggled down while she waited for Scott to answer his phone. “Hi, sis. How’s
the storm?”

“We are completely snowed in.”

“Too bad. Mom’s really putting the pressure on to know where
you are, and I can’t hold her off much longer. Any chance you can be out of
there before Christmas Eve?”

“None. There’s more snow coming,” she answered proud of how
she’d managed to keep the smug tone out of her voice.

“Bummer. I need you back here, or I’ll have to tell another lie
to Mom, and I don’t want to do that.”

“Then tell her the truth—I’m up in the Berkshires and snowed
in.”

“Don’t think that will do. She needs you there to help her, and
she’s blaming me for you not being around. She and Dad have decided to go all
out with a big cocktail party the day after Christmas, and you’re on to be the
greeter. Anyway, I told her you’d be home tomorrow, probably late in the
day.”

What she wouldn’t give to spend one Christmas without being
clucked at and sighed over because she was single, dateless and without any
prospects—three major sins in the McLaughlan family. “I probably can’t make it
home that soon.”

“And when will your survey work be finished? Have you still got
internet access?”

“I don’t know. Scott, why are we even doing this survey if
Advantage plans to sell the inn?”

“I explained that to you at the salon. They want to be able to
tell any potential buyers that the inn is operationally sound, that it’s a
turnkey operation with no hidden problems.”

“Wouldn’t the potential buyer want to do their own
evaluation?”

“Of course, but this is Angus McAndrew we’re talking about.
He’s a perfectionist to the core. Marnie, I needed this done yesterday. I want
Advantage as a client, and this is their test. If I deliver for them, I’m going
to get a whole lot more business from them.”

“You have lots of business already.”

“In case you haven’t noticed, there’s a recession going on out
there in the world. Companies are cutting back, spending less, and it’s
affecting us as much as anyone.”

Marnie wanted to help her brother, she really did, but she
couldn’t hurt Luke in the process. “Scott, I hate staying here under false
pretenses. These people are kind and caring, and I’m spying on them.”