“That depends, sugar.” Aunt Maddie tossed him a flirtatious wink which made him duck his head as his face turned tomato red. “You late for a date, handsome?”
“Stop teasing him,” Melody gasped, knowing shy Barty was easy to make blush. Which was why her aunt enjoyed teasing him so much. “Maddie is messing with you, Barty.” She waved her hand and laughed. “You go on home to your family.” Melody made sure to emphasize that word while giving her aunt a warning stare. “I’ll see you tomorrow afternoon.”
Barty hurried out, grabbing his coat on the way through the door. He didn’t even bother to put it on.
“You’re incorrigible, Aunt Maddie.”
The older woman laughed and then sipped at her tea. “These muffins are good. Does someone on your staff make them?”
“No, we order from town. A few years ago, I opened a gift store,” Melody explained, “when what I should have done was open a coffee shop or bakery. Or even another restaurant. Colton Grimwood called and suggested that I have a hotel built up here. And then, Duncan Grimwood wants to talk to me about the spa idea I had. But…” she let her thought trail off.
“But what? Those boys have the money to blow. Why not let them help you?”
“Because I’ll not take advantage of my friends. Even my workers have offered to pool what little money they have together, but I won’t let them do that. This is my problem and I’ll—”
“Prideful and stubborn,” Maddie stated, cutting her off. “The pride comes from your daddy. But that stubbornness, is all your mama, bless her soul. When my sister got her mind on something, oh boy.” Maddy shook her head, causing her reddish curls to bounce around her round face.
“I’m not prideful. Maybe a little stubborn, I’ll give you that.”
“Pride comes in all sorts of forms, dear. Not accepting help from people who care about you, that’s pride. You’re afraid to look weak. Which is part of your stubbornness.” Auntie flicked her hand, then sipped her tea before continuing. “How far in debt are you dear?”
Melody slouched in her booth, cupping her hands around the mug of hot chocolate that was quickly growing cold. She gave an estimate that caused Auntie’s merry blue eyes to widen.
“I had repairs to pay for,” Melody quickly explained. “And the lift is in desperate need of an upgrade. It’s ancient. I think it’s my prayers that are holding it all together.”
“Oh my,” Auntie’s brows furrowed. “Even if I did buy in, I wouldn’t be able to scrounge up enough to get you out of debt, sweetheart.”
“No, I understand. I’ll not lie, I was hoping you could help me, but that was just another one of my foolish notions. A desperate hope. Of course, you have your life all set with your bakery and comfortable home.”
“Oh, I’m not so set in my ways that I fear change. Actually, the thought of moving here was kind of exciting. What happened to your little gift shop?”
“I ended up closing it because the cost of running was more than it was bringing in. People will visit the ski shop, but they like to go to town for gifts. I don’t know, honestly, it was one of my wild ideas that I didn’t plan out properly. It sounded good at the time. Invite local craftsmen to sell their goods. It was a pretty place to shop, but nobody wanted to pay the prices.”
“Live and learn.” Auntie patted her hand. “You don’t know until you give something a try. I do think a little coffee shop and bakery would do well. Maybe I can take a look at it while I’m here. I also think you should hear out your friend’s offers. You love this place, don’t you?”
“Yes. I can’t imagine being anywhere else. I’m almost thinking of taking Evelina’s offer if she’ll promise to keep me and my workers on board. At least I can stay here, even if someone else is running the resort. She has the money backing to make it something special.”
Auntie snorted with a scowl. “I don’t trust that snake. She’ll bite you and leave you for dead if you’re not careful.”
Melody had the same worry, but it was getting to the point where she had no choice. The Grimwoods were kind to offer help, but…. What good would a hotel do the resort? And the spa? That was just another one of her wild ideas. Silly dreams. The money it would require to get a hotel or spa started would not help her debt situation.
The only way to get out quick was to agree to Evelina’s proposal. Except, she’d need to make a few demands of her own, even if she had nothing to stand on.
She reached across the table and took her aunt’s hands in her own. “I’m so pleased that you came, and I mean that. You being here is helping so much. I appreciate having ears that will listen to my concerns.”
Aunt Maddie brought her hands up and kissed her knuckles. “Oh sweetpea, you aren’t alone in this. You know there are bigger ears than mine. You said it was your prayers keeping the lift running. Have you talked to the Lord about all this and asked Him what you should do?”
Melody slightly shook her head.
“He gives wisdom to those who ask. And you know, I heard that handsome banker earlier today asking around about local church services. Seems he’s searching for something, too. Perhaps you should take him with you. The First Gospel Chapel has Wednesday evening services that start at seven.” She took both of their mugs and stood. “It certainly can’t hurt, now can it?”
* * * *
Jeremy hurried around Melody’s truck to open the passenger door for her before she did it herself. So independent. He admired her determination. She never asked him if he wanted to come to church with her, she’d simply told him that rumor had it that he was asking about the mid-week services. She wanted to go, too, and told him to meet her in front of the lodge at six sharp.
She’d even let him drive.
“I don’t have a Bible,” he admitted as he parked in the cramped parking lot. “Do you think it’ll matter?”
She got out of the truck and slipped into her leather jacket. “You don’t own a Bible at all?”
He noticed she’d managed to rummage one up. It was old and worn along the edges. Jeremy was sure it probably belonged to her parents at one time.
“I probably have one at my apartment in New York. But not here with me.”
She shrugged. “You can share mine, or download one of those Bible apps. I’m sure you have your phone, right?”
As if he’d ever part with that. Following her toward the entrance, Jeremy quickly downloaded the first app he came across. It seemed to be the most popular.
The people gathered in the foyer knew Melody. But of course, they did. Her resort was practically what fed this town. The revenues they earned from the tourist she attracted, not only in the winter but the summer adventurers as well, all kept the town afloat.
They took their seats toward the back of the sanctuary. It was an old building, probably built back in the early fifties. The walls were a cream color with a red carpet that ran down the center and spilled up over the low-rise stage covered in instruments. Behind the stage was a large screen, the only modern-looking addition. Along the sides of the wooden pews were a series of stained glass windows depicting stories from the Bible. Jeremy recalled some of the scenes. He’d paid attention during Sunday school and Mom had insisted that they all attend a Christian private school during their primary years.
He had the foundation but had let life keep him too busy to even think about attending church. And he only prayed when desperate about something and normally those were whispered prayers spat out while he was on the run. Don’t let me be late for this meeting. Or, his all-time favorite, Lord God help me get through this presentation without falling asleep.
Jeremy sighed as the music started up. Several people gathered on the stage. A woman wearing a long scarf and leather boots. The man wearing skinny jeans with holes in the legs and a colorful sweater.
A smile tugged at Jeremy’s lips and he started singing, as best as he could, to keep his chuckles in check. The songs were upbeat, but he didn’t really know any of them and mostly hummed along.
Melody seemed to be doing the same. During their ride down the mountain, she’d been quiet and contemplative. Had she come seeking answers to her resort problem? Duncan had encouraged him to seek out the Lord for direction about his job at the firm.
Dunc smiled all the time now and there was a sense of peace that hadn’t been there in years. Not since Mother died. Jeremy couldn’t help but think there was something behind his newly restored faith.
After a few songs, they were invited to sit down. The pews were as hard as he remembered. Many churches had ditched the wooden pews for more comfortable seating. Well, like Melody’s resort, the town of Timberview also seemed reluctant to change.
A tall, balding man got up on the stage and stood at the podium. He read off the list held in his hand of upcoming events and news of new births. Then he said, “It’s easy to get stuck in praying for our own needs over and over. Tonight, let’s put ourselves aside. I encourage each of you to think of someone in your life who is going through hardships and pray for them instead. If you’ll bow your heads, let’s take a couple of moments to silently send up your request for whoever the Lord has put on your heart. Then I’ll end with praying for our town and country.”
Jeremy bent his head and people all around the room did the same. He closed his eyes and thought of beautiful Melody standing so close beside him, he could smell her perfume that hinted at citrus and cloves. Perhaps she’d been working in the diner this afternoon. She never seemed to stay still for long. He so wished that he could do something to ease her burden.
Maybe I can’t, but You can, can’t You? Jeremy thought for a moment, then let his mind go as a silent prayer began to bubble up. You’ve done something to Duncan. Something amazing. If You can do that for him, would You please help my friend, Melody? She’s amazing. Smart. Good and kind. I love…. His eyes flew open and Jeremy blinked. Thing was, he did love her, always had. It used to be a friendship love, but over the past few weeks, his feelings had intensified. He’d been too afraid to say anything. What if she pushed him completely away? Then he’d not be able to help her.
Don’t let Melody lose her resort. Help her find a way. Please? Amen.
At that moment, the pastor began praying and ended with, “And everyone said Amen. You may be seated.” He took his notes and headed off the stage.
Another man wearing a microphone headpiece came onto the stage. This one had graying hair and wore glasses that he sat to the end of his nose as he read from his notes kept on a tablet.
“I have two important topics for tonight’s sermon,” he held up three fingers, “that I hope to get through before my time is up. If I don’t, I hope you grabbed a coffee before sitting down.” He chuckled at his own joke, then opened his Bible.
Melody didn’t seem to be paying much attention to the sermon as she flipped through the pages of her parent’s Bible. Jeremy tried to follow along, using his new app, but there were so many little accessories distracting him. How cool that he could pick any scripture and turn it into an image to share on his social media. What would Dunk think to see Psalms 23 on his feed? Would he be pleased? He’d probably just roll his eyes and chastise Jeremy for not paying attention to the sermon.
What was the man talking about? He was supposed to find some passage in John, but Jeremy wasn’t sure which one. There were several! How hard would it have been to be more original on naming the books? Oh great, he switched to a new screen. Who was that quote from? Jeremy tried to pull up his note app since others all around him seemed to be taking notations of what the pastor was saying. They probably had to. He was running through his presentation so fast, they must take notes so they could go back later and try to figure out what he was talking about.
By the time Jeremy got the program opened, the pastor had moved on to his third and final point. Rolling his eyes, Jeremy shoved his phone into his pocket and simply tried to listen.
He chanced a glance at Melody to find her staring off into space, her hand resting on a page filled with notes. Several passages had been highlighted in bright pink. He tried to read it, but her thumb rested over part of the words.
There was something about although the fig tree doesn’t bloom and the vines bear no grapes…the rest of the sentence disappeared beneath her thumb. It didn’t sound very promising, either way. His brows furrowed as he watched her. Melody’s eyes were closed. A single tear trickled down her cheek.
Jeremy wanted to reach out and comfort her, but couldn’t help but feel that it wasn’t his comfort that she needed. He tilted his head to read the note scribbled on the side in a neat pen. When everything goes to crap, TRUST, TRUST, TRUST!!!
Jeremy had to bite his bottom lip to keep his smile in check. That so sounded like Mrs. Carson. The note must have been hers, which meant that Melody was holding her mother’s Bible. Below the large words was another line. The Lord will not let us down. He won’t. So I’ll keep praising him, no matter how much life stinks at the moment.
He wondered what they had been going through at the time that caused her to cling to that scripture. At the top of the page was the word, Habakkuk. She was in the third chapter. Jeremy pulled out his phone and called up the book and chapter and started skimming until he got to a part that talked about everything failing all around. Figs and grapes not producing. No crops. No sheep or cattle. His throat tightened on the next line, “Yet, I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.” Because the writer of that book seemed to be claiming that God was his strength. “He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on to the heights.”
Like Melody always heading to the high places where she skied downward with total abandon.
Duncan said that once he let go of his pain and bitterness, everything changed. Once he’d asked for help, things began turning around for him. Mrs. Carson’s note said that she would open her hands and trust.
When the pastor stopped talking, he asked everyone to stand. Melody closed her Bible but hugged it to her chest as she stood. Jeremy couldn’t help himself. He slid his arm around her as they all said the closing prayer together. By the time they’d all said Amen, her arm had snaked around his waist and she rested her head against his shoulder.
It was the most tender moment he’d experienced in some time. Jeremy knew that he wasn’t going to abandon Mel during this crisis. She loved her resort much more than he could ever love his financial firm. And she meant more to him than anything his extravagant life had to offer. If they failed, they’d fail together. If they stood through this storm, he’d make sure he was standing right by her side through the whole ordeal.
Chapter Ten
“Who just made a reservation?” Melody asked as an icy chill ran down the center of her back. It had been over a month since her meeting with Aunt Evelina. Jeremy was still around, but only on the weekends.
He’d even started attending the little chapel church in town every Sunday. With or without her. Melody had tried to make at least one service a week. Auntie Maddie was even going with them, though she was always teasing them about what a cute couple they made.
Melody wished her aunt would stop. Jeremy hadn’t made any real indication that he felt anything for her aside from friendship. Though, sometimes he’d catch her hand in his as they walked the paths around the resort. When he did come for a visit, she had a feeling it was a working visit. Last weekend he’d asked her to take him to the mineral pond and had even dangled his bare feet in the warm waters, though the water was a little too hot to remain in for too long.
She would have loved to build an outdoor jacuzzi beside the pool. Jere told her to not make any decisions about it yet, they were working on a plan. They, being Jeremy and Duncan, she assumed.
Melody leaned against the reception counter, resting her head in her hands. “Did she say anything when you spoke to her?”
Harriet frowned and shook her head. “It was one of her assistants I spoke to. He requested three rooms. I told him that all we had available up here was the c
halet that had five rooms. So he booked that, but grumbled a lot about it.”
Aunt Maddie had suggested that she call Colton Grimwood about building a hotel on the mountain. Building would cost her before it brought any income. The return might not happen soon enough to keep her from losing her land.
“Has Jeremy Grimwood called to reserve his cabin again?” Because it was peak season they couldn’t promise to hold it open for him, and he’d told her not to. There had been a couple of weekends when he’d been unable to make it.
“I haven’t heard from him yet.” Harriet smiled. “I do like when he comes. You always smile more when he’s here.”
Melody scowled. “I do not. His being here makes no difference to me.” Except that wasn’t true at all. If Evelina was coming this weekend, she desperately hoped Jeremy would also be there. He had become like a steady rock. Whenever she considered giving in, he’d tell her to hold on and not give up yet. All wasn’t lost and she needed to hang on to her hope that God would see her through this.
She was trying. At least they were having a good month. The mountains were covered in fresh snow and they’d only needed to use the snow machines once this year. So far, so good.
Well, if Aunt Evelina wished to visit, that was fine. “Is the Humphrey chalet open?”
Harriet’s eyes widened. It was the oldest and farthest away from the hub of her resort. Matter-of-fact, she usually rented it out to those who were adventure enthusiasts or hunters. From that isolated cabin, one had access to the best hiking trails in the summer or the best cross-country skiing. Of course, they had to watch out for the moose herds. At least the bears were hibernating now. Or should be.
“It is, but the party is arriving Thursday. Queen Evil isn’t coming until Friday.”
Melody propped her chin on her hand. “Is there any way we can switch them?”
Harriet’s lips pulled up in a slow, understanding grin. “Um, well, if I get the cleaning crew in as soon as the current occupants leave, then yes. The Miller party might have to wait a short while if they arrive early. But I didn’t get the impression any of their party would be arriving before noon.”
My Charming Billionaire (The Grimwood Legacy Series Book 2) Page 10