Honeymoon Mountain Bride

A few hours later, a sharp rap on the door abruptly awakened her. Vivian jerked upright in her bed.

“Missy! There’s been a fire,” Grayson called from the other side of the door.

Panic raced through her. “Oh, no. Please come in. What’s wrong?”

The door opened and Grayson lifted his hands in distress. “There’s a fire. One of the cabins is burning.”

“No! No!” Alarm hit her like icy water. “Did you dial emergency?”

“The fire department is on the way, but I don’t know if they’ll get here in time.”

“Let me get dressed and I’ll come right out.” Grayson left the room and she traded her pajamas for a pair of jeans, T-shirt and jacket.

Vivian raced down the hall past Grayson and pounded on Temple’s room. Within a few seconds, Temple jerked open her door. “What’s going on?”

“A fire in one of the cabins,” Vivian said. “Get Jillian.”

Vivian raced out the back door of the lodge, down the steps and across the back lawn to the cabin that was burning. She stared at it, wishing she could douse the fire. Thank goodness there were no guests. Surely she could do something.

Before she knew it, she felt Temple grab one of her hands. Jillian took her other hand. She stared at the fire and knew her sisters were staring into it, too.

“Why is it taking so long for the fire department to get here?” Jillian asked.

“We’re too far away,” Vivian said. “Up the mountain, and they’re down in the valley.”

“They should be able to get here faster,” Jilly said helplessly.

She and her sisters clung to each other as they watched the cabin burn. A fire engine finally arrived and sprayed the cabin, but it was too late. The cabin was a smoldering ruin.

Vivian couldn’t explain it, but her heart was broken. Grayson came to her and shook his head. “I’m so sorry. I tried to keep everything in the lodge up to code, but the last couple of years, Jedediah didn’t want to overspend on the cabins, and he just didn’t seem to have the energy.”

Vivian took a deep breath. She knew the wiring for the cabins was primitive at best. She put her hand on his. “I’m just glad no one was in there tonight.”

Grayson nodded. A fireman approached her and Grayson, asked a few questions, filled out a report and left.

Exhausted, Vivian returned to the lodge with her sisters.

“Let’s have something to eat,” Jillian said and urged the three of them to the kitchen.

“I’m not that hungry,” Vivian said.

“Neither am I,” Temple added.

“You will be in a few minutes,” Jillian said and placed a pan on the stove top. Soon she was frying potatoes, bacon and eggs. She placed plates in front of Vivian and Temple, then served herself.

Vivian tried but couldn’t take a bite. She closed her eyes and opened them. “I’m not sure I want to sell,” she whispered.

“I don’t want to, either,” Jilly said and shoveled a forkful of food into her mouth.

Temple gaped at both of them. “Are you out of your minds? This place is a money pit.”

“Maybe. Probably,” Vivian said. “But I can’t let it go yet. Especially after tonight. The whole place feels like an elderly relative and I can’t stand to see the whole place go down. We couldn’t save Dad. Maybe we can save the lodge.”

“Even though we may need to fix the wiring in the cabins?” Temple asked.

Vivian’s stomach twisted because she knew Temple was the most financially astute of the three of them. “Yep,” she said.

Temple groaned. “Everything about this is wrong. I’ve studied this six ways from Sunday, and we’re going to have a very tough trip to make it successful.”

“So, you’re saying we can make it successful,” Jilly said.

Temple frowned at her. “It’s an outside chance.”

“I think it’s a chance I have to take,” Vivian said.

“Me, too,” Jilly said and shoveled another big bite into her mouth.

Temple sighed, looking from one of them to the other. “Well. Against my better judgment.”

“You’re in,” Jilly said, clapping her hands.

“Let her finish,” Vivian said. “I want to hear her say it.”

Temple sighed. “I’m in.”

“Yay,” Jilly said, and gave a hoot of victory.

“That said, I’ll be watching every nickel and dime,” Temple warned. “Every nickel and dime.”

“I guess that means I can’t write off pedicures,” Jilly said.

Vivian snickered, but Temple squeezed her forehead as if she were in pain.

* * *

After an extensive discussion with a local electrician, it appeared that all the cabins might require rewiring and possible plumbing repairs. The job of fixing one cabin was growing by the minute. Vivian went into town, concerned because the man she’d called wouldn’t commit to putting a priority on the full project if necessary. Plus there was the issue of choosing new fixtures to replace the out-of-date ones.

She walked into the Honeymoon Hardware store and headed toward the electrical section. Staring at the array of fixtures, she felt overwhelmed. There were even more choices here than online.

“Hey, how ya doing?” asked a male voice from behind her.

Vivian’s stomach clenched. She knew that voice. She knew it was Benjamin’s. She took a deep breath before she turned to face him. “Hello. What are you doing here?” she asked.

“I could ask the same,” he said. “I’m picking up some paint for the kitchen at the bar. What about you?”

“I can’t decide on anything. And I need a faster electrician.”

“I can help with that,” Benjamin said. “I’ve got the fastest electrician in town.”

“How did you find him?” she asked. “Everyone wants to charge us extra because we live on the mountain.”

“Give the guy a room while he does the work,” Benjamin said. “He can enjoy the amenities when he’s off the clock.”

Vivian blinked. “Why didn’t I think of that?”

“Because you don’t fish or hunt,” he said.

Her stomach took a dip as she looked at him, but she sure didn’t want that response. “I guess you’re right. But I still need to choose the fixtures.”

“Choose the most long-lasting, not the prettiest,” he told her. “Just a thought,” he added.

Vivian nodded. Sounded like words of wisdom to her. She made notes as she walked down the aisle.

“I heard about the fire. Sorry.”

“Thank you. It was upsetting to say the least.”

“Tough timing,” he said.

She nodded. “So,” she said, feeling a bit awkward, “I didn’t get to ask you about how you’ve been. The bar seems to be doing well. What about you?”

“I’m good,” he said. “I’ve purchased a couple of businesses other than the bar, so that keeps me busy.”

“What about your sister?” she asked, remembering what Millie had told her.

Benjamin seemed to freeze.

Vivian took a big step backward internally and gave a shrug. “I have two sisters and you have a sister, and I thought it was just considerate to ask about yours. I never met her because I was always at the lake.”

His shoulders lowered just a bit. “She’s doing okay.”

“Millicent told me your sister is creative and artistic. Maybe she could create something for the lodge.”

Benjamin tilted his head from one side to the other. “Maybe. So, your sisters are all in about you fixing the lodge? The last time I talked to you, you said you were leaving.”

“Jilly and I are in. We are dragging Temple. She’s an accountant, but after the fire, it just didn’t seem right to abandon the lodge.”

“I’m impressed that you’re going to try to fix it. Your dad would be proud,” he said, his gaze locking with hers.

“I’m scared. Especially financially.”

“You can make it happen. I’ll help you when I can,” he said.

She felt a sense of relief. “I’ll accept that offer, and since you’re here, help me select fixtures. Yes?”

“Sure, if you’ll go for coffee with me afterward,” he said.

Her stomach dipped at the intent expression on his face. It was just coffee, she chided herself and shrugged. “Why not?”

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