Chapter 3: Preparing for the New Guest

Preparations at Lake Miranda Lodge outside of Eliot Lake had shifted into high gear three days previously. Jackie Walker had had to cancel the existing reservations for the next six weeks, finding alternative arrangements for her displaced guests. The entire property was being booked to accommodate a VIP guest who would be paying three times what her regular guests would have paid, even had the entire place been booked. Which it hadn’t.

This, she gleefully informed her brother Blake, would allow her to take her two young children on their dream vacation to Disneyworld. Of course, they’d also be spending time with Jackie and Blake’s parents, who’d run the lodge until they had retired to Florida three years earlier.

It would be up to Blake to see to their sole guest. How much trouble could one guest be? He could even see to some renovations and upgrades she’d been wanting to do.

“Blake,” Jackie called from the reception desk as she heard the front door to the lodge open and close, “have you signed the nondisclosure agreement yet?”

She looked up to see her younger brother, a scowl marring what would have been a ruggedly handsome face with its dark, neatly trimmed beard. He’d hastily pulled back his shoulder-length dark brown hair into a messy bun. “Why the hell do I have to sign some paper?” he grouched.

Jackie raised a brown eyebrow and nodded toward her eight-year-old son who had just entered the reception area. “Uncle Blake said ‘hell’!” Grant shouted.

“Thanks, Uncle Blake!” Jackie rolled her eyes.

“I mean, why the heck do I have to sign a paper?” Blake edited.

“Because it’s a requirement for this guest. She’s famous, you know. We can’t let anybody know she’s here.”

“I won’t tell anybody,” Grant promised. “Who is she, anyway?”

“Exactly!” Blake ruffled the boy’s light brown hair. “Who is she, anyway?”

“She’s the person making it possible for us to go to Disneyworld, that’s who she is.” She looked to Blake. “Is the island cabin ready?”

He nodded. “Fresh linens, pantry stocked, new propane tank in place. Just like you asked, ma’am.” He smirked lovingly at his big sister. She and her husband had taken over the lodge when the folks had retired. And the shithead had left her and the kids about a year after that.

Blake hadn’t thought twice about leaving his job as a wilderness counselor to come home and help Jackie with the place. There was no way a single mom could run the twelve-cabin main property and lodge, plus the island cabin and three other remote properties by herself. And he was helping her slowly expand the place, too, adding an additional three remote cabins accessible only by float plane. Having Blake there as a pilot boosted the lodge’s appeal to hunters and fishermen, and they were on track to have a record year. Which was one reason he hadn’t fought her too hard about this VIP guest.

And he didn’t begrudge Jackie in the least for taking a vacation. He hadn’t been sure she’d known the meaning of the word. It would do her and the kids a world of good to get away and enjoy themselves for a while.

“Well, they should be here anytime.” Jackie glanced up at down at her brother. “Is that what you’re wearing?”

Blake looked down at his scuffed brown boots, torn jeans, red Henley, and open red and black checked flannel shirt. “What’s wrong with this? Am I expected to dress for the princess?”

“A princess is coming?” Six-year old Emma had come in from outside.

“No, stupid,” Grant replied, rolling his eyes. “She’s just a lady.”

“But we’ll see princesses at Disneyworld, right Uncle Blake?”

Blake swept his niece up into his arms, causing her to erupt into giggles. “You are going to see all the princesses you can stand.”

“Great! I hate princesses,” Grant groused.

“Both of you, run upstairs and get packed. We leave first thing tomorrow.” Jackie’s voice was firm. The two children took off, the pounding of their feet echoing on the bare wood floor.

“Thanks, baby brother. For agreeing to stay and take care of everything.”

Blake saw the gratitude in his sister’s eyes. “I’m happy to do it, sis. You work hard. It’s time you did something fun.”