Vintage Valentine (Elmheart Series) (3 page)

When he dropped Hailey off at her house, she kissed him softly and he promised to see her after he got back from summer ball camp at the college.  But by the time he got back in August, Hailey was gone. He heard she went to live with an aunt, somewhere in the Midwest. He tried to call but her cell phone was discontinued. He tried to find her parents, but they had moved overseas. He didn’t want to bother her grandparents with what everyone kept telling him was only a high school fling. In September, he headed off to college and tried to put thoughts of Hailey behind him. But he couldn’t. He spent the entire first semester thinking about her, dreaming about her, and not wanting to date anyone else. That spring, he hoped to escape back into baseball. But, he blew out his knee and all interest in Hailey, or anything else, left him. In one moment, Patrick became a failure. He had nothing to offer anyone.

Now, ten-years later, he did have something to offer. But, again she was pulling away.  Patrick steeled himself. He needed to get away from the kitchen. He needed to get his emotions under control. Patrick strode to the swinging kitchen door and pushed it open. He gave the door a harder push than necessary, and the door slammed against the wall. In the living room, a warm fire crackled in the fireplace. Devon was nowhere to be seen, but Kaitlin and Cassie sat on folding chairs at a cardboard table. A pile of cut-out red hearts and a box of what looked like old- fashioned valentine cards lay in front of them.

“Look what Grandma found!” Kaitlin popped up from her chair. She ran over to Patrick and waved a small pink and red valentine card. Patrick smiled down at the young girl. He wished Hailey shared more of her daughter’s enthusiasm about him.

“Take my seat,” Cassie said as she stood. She stretched her arms to the ceiling and did a quick side bend. “I’ll go check on Eric and Devon in the ballroom. Surely, the tables and chairs must be set up.” Cassie swirled around in the direction of the ballroom.

Patrick gingerly sat down at the table with Kaitlin. “I don’t know if I can help you too much,” he said. “I’m afraid all my creative talents lie in the kitchen.” Hesitantly, he picked up one of the valentines. The edges were faded yellow.  A plump, round boy handed a valentine to a young girl who wore a blue gingham dress and stood bashfully by his side. “Be Mine.” the card read. Patrick sighed. If only it could be that easy.

“Did you and my mom have a fight?” Kaitlin asked.

Patrick smiled and shook his head. “Not really.” 

“We fight sometimes.” Carefully, Kaitlin ran a stick of glue over the backside of a valentine. “It doesn’t last for very long.”

“That’s good to know.” Patrick fiddled with a stack of construction paper red hearts. A valentine was pasted on each one. A single piece of red string looped through a small hole punched at the top of the heart. “You’re pretty good with these decorations.”

“Last year for my birthday,” Kaitlin said, “I made all the decorations!” She glued the valentine to a large red, heart.

“That’s great!” Patrick eyed Kaitlin. “How old are you? Eight?”

“Ten!” Kaitlin said proudly.

“Ten.” Patrick dropped the valentine. He looked hard at Kaitlin. Kaitlin was ten. Ten years ago, he spent the night with Hailey in the boathouse. Patrick swallowed. It wasn’t a coincidence that Kaitlin looked like his sister. Patrick didn’t know whether to cry, or get up and shout from the top of the hotel’s balcony that he had a daughter. He had a daughter!

Suddenly, his insides deflated. But, why had Hailey kept it from him all these years? Why hadn’t she told him?

  ****

Hailey dipped a soup ladle into the thick, melted chocolate. Carefully, she poured the chocolate into a silver heart-shaped form. Her mouth watered as she ran her finger alongside the ladle.

“What is that delicious smell?” Ellen Matthews pushed open the kitchen door and stepped inside. Short grey hair framed her heart-shaped face and her brown eyes danced. Ellen wore a simple black skirt with a red top. A pink and red scarf draped around her neck and heart-shaped gold earrings dangled from her ears.

“What is that delicious smell?” Ellen Matthews pushed open the kitchen door and stepped inside. Short grey hair framed her heart-shaped face and her brown eyes danced. Ellen wore a simple black skirt with a red top. A pink and red scarf draped around her neck and heart-shaped gold earrings dangled from her ears.  “Chocolate hearts, Grandma” Hailey said. “The molds aren’t quite ready yet, but you could help me lick the pan.” Hailey lifted the heavy saucepan from the stovetop.

“I’ll just wait until tonight,” Ellen said. “Thank you, dear. Everyone is doing such a wonderful job helping out with this party.”

Hailey set the pan in the sink and ran the water. When the pan filled, she turned the water off, and reached around to untie her apron. Hanging the apron back on a small hook by the door, Hailey looked up at her grandma. Her blue eyes looked more tired than Hailey remembered.

“Is everything okay?” Hailey asked. “Grandpa? He’s….”

“He’s fine, dear.” Ellen waved her hand airily. “I sent him upstairs to take a quick nap before the guests arrive.”

Ellen pulled out a wood chair tucked underneath a small, round table in a corner of the kitchen. The table was covered by a sunflower tablecloth and matching cushions were tied to the chair. “But, I do want to talk to you about something.”

Hailey quickly sat down. Her heart raced. Was something the matter with Grandma?

“I’ve always loved this spot,” Ellen said. She stared wistfully toward the door leading outside. “I love watching the birds at the feeder. In the Spring, you can see the crocuses and it’s the perfect view for summer fireworks.”

“The Elmheart is a very special place,” Hailey said. “I have always loved it.” She leaned over and softly squeezed Grandma’s hand.  

“We’ve decided to put the hotel up for sale,” Ellen said. Her voice cracked and her face etched with sorrow.

“For sale!” Hailey’s heart dove into her slippers.

“It wasn’t an easy decision, but we aren’t getting any younger, and guests just don’t fill the hotel the way they used to.”

“But what about the special events?” Hailey’s voice arched an octave. 

“Those help,” Ellen said, “but people aren’t staying here anymore. It used to be we threw a party and the hotel would book months in advance. But now, everyone just wants the hotels with pools and free internet.”

“Free internet is easy to solve,” Hailey said. “All you need is…”

“Ah, dear,” Ellen said. “Grandfather and I don’t want to turn this hotel into a chain hotel with free internet, pools and spas. When we bought the hotel, we envisioned it as a timeless, classic place. It’s a place where people can leave their worries of the real world behind. It’s a place where we don’t need a computer in every room. It’s a place where people connect with each other.”

“Specials!” Hailey leaned forward in her chair. She tapped the tabletop with her fingers. “Have you run a special lately? Two nights for the price of one?”

Ellen shook her head. Her heart earrings bobbed. “Sometimes, you just have to know when to let go. I think this might be one of those cases. It just might be time to let go of the hotel.”

Hailey felt tears bubbling in her throat. Her grandparents had always owned the Elmheart Hotel. If they sold it, someone would probably tear it down and build condos on the waterfront. Someone who didn’t understand the history. Someone who didn’t understand the long-standing traditions of the hotel.

“Your grandfather and I want our engagement party to be the last event we host; a final way to say good-bye.” Ellen squeezed Hailey’s hand. “We’re so glad you and Kaitlin could come.”

A tear rolled down Hailey’s face. “I’m glad we could be here too, Grandma. You and Grandpa mean a lot to me.” Hailey reached up and wiped away her tears. Ellen slipped her hand into her skirt pocket. She pulled out a red, cloth handkerchief and handed it to Hailey.

Hailey blew her nose as Ellen said, “Shall we go see how the decorating is going?”

“Of course.” Hailey slipped the handkerchief into her pocket. She stood and linking her arm with her grandmother’s, walked out of the kitchen and into the living room. Her mind raced. There had to be a way to save the Elmheart Hotel.

In the living room, Devon, Cassie and Eric sat on the floor at the coffee table. In front of them was a large stack of red, cut-out hearts and vintage valentines. Patrick perched on a tall ladder, hanging each cut-out vintage valentine by a thick piece of red ribbon. Kaitlin stood below him, directing and holding the ladder.

“What a perfect idea!” Ellen exclaimed. She walked slowly up to one of the vintage valentines. “We’ve had these valentines in the closet for years. They were valentines Grandfather and I exchanged when we were in elementary school. I’m so glad we’ve been able to give them new life.”

Patrick shifted and the ladder wobbled. Hailey gasped. Quickly, she stepped around Kaitlin and placed her hands on the ladder.

“Thanks,” Patrick said, his warm blue eyes meeting hers. “I think I might have almost lost it.”

“Do you have any more valentine cards?” Kaitlin held up an empty box. “We could scatter the valentine cards on the table. Everyone could take one home.”

“What a wonderful idea!” Ellen dropped her arm around Kaitlin, and pulled her close. “I believe we have another box upstairs, if not two or three. Why don’t you come with me and we’ll see what we can find?”

Eric stood up and stretched. He glanced at the clock. “I think we’ll head on home and get dressed for the evening.”

Suddenly, Kaitlin broke free from under Ellen’s arm. She dashed over to Devon. “I have something for you,” she said shyly. Reaching into her pocket, Kaitlin pulled out one of the vintage valentines. “I saved this one just for you.”

Devon’s ears turned pink as he took the card from Kaitlin. “Thanks,” he said gruffly.

Kaitlin danced away from Devon and back to the stairs. “Come on, Grandma!” She called. “Let’s go find those Valentines.”

Cassie, Eric, and Devon pulled on coats, mittens, and scarves, and saying their good-byes, headed out of the door.

Kaitlin is a great kid.” Patrick climbed down from the ladder and stood beside Hailey. His shoulders brushed hers.

“Yes,” Hailey replied, “she is a great kid.”

“She’s our daughter.” Patrick said quietly.

Hailey inhaled sharply. Her stomach churned. “How did you...”  

“I didn’t know at first. I’m not very good at guessing a kid’s age. I thought she was about eight-years old. But then, she mentioned her birthday. She’s ten.” Patrick turned and stared hard at Hailey.

“Yes,” Hailey said, without removing her gaze from Patrick. “She is ten.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Patrick asked. “I would have been there. I would have taken care of you and her. I would have given up everything to be with you.” His voice cracked.

“That’s exactly why I didn’t tell you,” Hailey said as the tears pooled in her eyes. “I didn’t want you to give up everything. I wanted you to have your dream. I wanted you to go to college. I wanted you to have your baseball career and make something of your life.”

“I looked for you,” Patrick said. “When I got back from baseball camp, I tried to find you. But everyone told me you were gone. They said it was just a high school fling, and I should forget about you. I couldn’t forget you, Hailey. I couldn’t. But, then, after I blew out my knee, I didn’t think I had anything to offer. I was wrong.”

Tears streamed down Hailey’s face. “We were both wrong. We were both so wrong.”

Patrick stepped closer to Hailey. He dropped his arm around her and pulled her close to him. “It’s time to let this go,” he said softly. “We can’t undo what’s been done. We can only move forward from this day and try to do things differently. If you and Kaitlin are going to be in Kansas City, then I will move to Kansas City. I will be wherever you are. I will help you with whatever you need.”

“We’re not going back to Kansas City,” Hailey said, slowly. “I lost my job and Kaitlin is having problems with some girls in her class. Grandma said the hotel is up for sale. I was thinking if Kaitlin and I moved here, I could try running the hotel. Grandma doesn’t want to put in a pool or the internet, but there are other things we could do.”
           Patrick picked up a valentine from the table. He held it in the air. “Vintage.”

“Vintage?”
         “Old, charming, eclectic,” Patrick said. “I think we could sell the hotel rooms on those words. I could make up a menu. We could serve breakfast and afternoon snacks in the living room.”

“Oh, Patrick!” Hailey said. “Do you really think it would work?”

“I do,” Patrick said. “Kaitlin is pretty good with the decorations!”

“Yes,” Hailey smiled. “She is.”

Patrick leaned over and whispered against Hailey’s cheek, “When do we tell Kaitlin?”

“Today,” Hailey said. “We tell Kaitlin today.”

“Happy Valentine’s Day.” Patrick lowered his lips to Hailey’s.

“Happy Valentine’s Day.” 

Authors’ Note:

The Elmheart Hotel was a hotel on Lake Ontario during the late 1800’s.  The hotel was the last stop on a trolley line that ran from Rochester, New York to Manitou Beach. Fredrick Odenbach built the hotel in the early 1890’s. However, the Skinner family, who owned the land next to the hotel, claimed the hotel was on their land. They took Odenbach to court. The court ruled the land belonged to Odenbach.

The Skinner family still thought the hotel belonged to them, and they took Odenbach to court again. This time, the ruling was in favor of the Skinner family.  The mix-up in ownership happened over a surveyor mistake in 1802. The property line was declared at an oak tree. But, the tree was really an elm tree. After the court ruled in favor of Skinner, he gave the hotel the name The Elmheart Hotel.

In 1903, the hotel was sold to Michael Olaughlin and George Weidman.  A room fire in 1931 forced George to stop renting rooms to guests. However, during the depression, George built a dance hall next to the hotel. Big bands played in the dance hall and the hotel was kept open only as a bar on evenings and weekends. After George’s death in 1986, there was talk of building a restaurant and restoring the hotel. But, due to a lack of sewer systems, the plans never moved forward.

In 1990, a boyfriend took me to see the hotel. The windows were boarded up, the paint peeling and the yard was filled with weeds. However, the old ballroom was still intact. I fell in love with the Elmheart Hotel and envisioned how it could be restored. The hotel burned in 1993 and my dream never materialized. Arson was listed as the cause of the fire. I hope this story restores the Elmheart Hotel and gives it a happily-ever-after.

There are other Elmheart Hotel sweet, contemporary, romance stories in progress. In the meantime, I hope you’ll read Cassie and Eric’s story in
Love’s Bid
which is a part of my sweet, contemporary Sailor Series published by BooksToGoNow.

About the Author

Mindy Hardwick enjoys writing romance for all ages including:
Weaving Magic,
a young adult romance, and
Stained Glass Summer,
a first crush romance,
Love’s Storm, Love’s Bid, and Love’s Christmas Gift
are sweet, contemporary
,
romance stories published by BooksToGoNow. Mindy loves to hear from readers and you can find her at:
www.mindyhardwick.com
or subscribe to her blog at:
www.mindyhardwick.wordpress.com
. When Mindy is not writing, she enjoys art journaling, traveling and long walks on the Oregon Coast with her dog, Stormy. She is currently at work on the next story in the Elmheart Hotel series.