Christmas at Mistletoe Lodge: New Holiday Romances to Benefit St. Jude Hospital

by Sabrina York

  “Did you say they had a website, Noah? Maybe we could check out the accommodations?” Mia asked.

  “They do. In fact, that’s how Brad contacted them about accommodations. Supposedly, we’re staying in a cabin near the lake, and it’s roomy enough inside to practice vocals and use our instruments.”

  “I’ll get my phone,” Mia said, reaching into her purse.

  A few minutes later, she’d apparently found the website, and held her phone out to Noah. “Is this the place?”

  “It is,” Noah murmured, taking the phone from her hand and scrolling through the pictures. “But maybe we should give them a call since the concert is the day after tomorrow?”

  “That might be a good idea,” Amanda said.

  “Let me send Brad a text and see what he has to say,” Noah murmured, punching in a message and sending it off on Mia’s phone.

  “Here, guys,” Amanda said, sliding her laptop across the table so they both could see the screen. “While you were messing around on the phone, I brought it up on my laptop. What a beautiful place. It looks like the cabins are built along the edge of the beach on Lake Superior.”

  “That’s Sam Danielson’s family resort,” Noah informed them.

  Amanda blinked. “You mean our police chief here in Crystal Rock?”

  “Yes,” Noah answered. “He inherited the place from his grandparents. There’s a long story attached about criminals trying to swindle him out of the property, but meanwhile, he’s the one who’s offered a parcel of land located near the lake for the wounded warrior retraining program maneuvers. The ski lodge proposal originated with Jake Loughlin, the owner of the Dragonfly Pointe Inn, who’s behind the additional financing for the lodge.”

  “That has to be an interesting story,” Amanda observed. “I’ll have to ask Sam or his wife about it sometime.”

  “Look at this lodge, Amanda.” Mia was definitely in awe as she stared at the laptop screen. “What a beautiful place. And it’s huge.”

  “It supposedly has all the amenities,” Noah said. “A couple of restaurants, one which will be opened during the weekend. And it even has an indoor swimming pool, which is something the other nearby skiing resorts don’t have.”

  “If Jake Loughlin had a say in the construction, I’m sure it will be successful,” Amanda observed.

  Mia’s phone started buzzing, and she looked at the screen, handing it over to Noah. “It’s Brad.”

  Reading the message, Noah gave him a call, discussing their plans for the weekend.

  Once he was finished talking, he punched in another number.

  “Hello?” Emily Richardson answered.

  “Hi, Emily. This is Noah. Mia and Amanda were planning on coming along for the concert on Saturday, and we were wondering if it would be possible for them to stay overnight?”

  “I don’t see why not. Let me call my contact there and see what’s available. In fact, they were holding a cabin for me, but I was only planning on performing and returning home, so you can just use the cabin they had reserved for me. It’s even a three bedroom. How about I text you back at this number once it’s confirmed?”

  “Are you sure?” Noah asked. “What if you change your mind?”

  “I won’t,” Emily answered. “We have to get ready for our Sunday night beach concert, and I’d rather be home for a good night sleep on Saturday night.”

  “We really appreciate it, Emily,” Noah murmured.

  “I know you do,” Emily said. “Watch for my text.”

  “Will do,” he said.

  Disconnecting, Noah handed Mia the phone and grinned.

  “We’re set. Emily is giving us the cabin they reserved for her on Saturday night. It’s a three bedroom, although I could go and stay with the band.”

  “Don’t be silly,” Amanda answered. “Didn’t you say they only had one or two bedrooms so you might have to sleep on the couch? You might as well share a room with Phil. Plus, I know time is short for you and Mia, and soon you’re going to be on your way to boot camp.”

  “That’s true,” Noah admitted, reaching for Mia’s hand and clasping it warmly.

  Mia sighed deeply, looking troubled. “Let’s try not to think about it.”

  22

  Early Saturday morning, they were all on their way to the Mistletoe Lodge. The plan was to arrive at the lodge before nine o’clock since the concert would begin at noon and continue until at least ten p.m. That way Noah would have some practice time early with Blue Moon and be able to enjoy the concert himself during the rest of the day, because Blue Moon wasn’t slated to play until after seven.

  Since Phil, Bree and Noah had arrived at five in the morning, they had plenty of time to stop for breakfast along the way.

  As Mia sat beside Noah at the table in the small café where they’d chosen to eat, he caught her eye and grinned. “This is going to be fun.” ‘

  “It already is.” Mia laughed softly, before sipping her coffee.

  The food was pretty good at the Breakwater Café, and everyone ate a huge breakfast, since the concert supposedly was going to draw a huge crowd today, despite the high cost for admission. It was hard to predict how smoothly this first-time event would run, and how many concessions would be available during the day.

  Mia sat and memorized Noah’s face while they ate. His dark raven hair, which she’d run her fingers through every time she got the chance, and his boyish face, with his chocolaty brown eyes and the cute little dimple that showed every time he smiled. She’d had a premonition concerning her dad and how drastically he’d changed, and truthfully, she was scared she would never see Noah again after boot camp.

  But she wouldn’t let her apprehension about their future ruin her day. Even though they worked a lot together at music camp, she didn’t see Noah all that often during the day. She would have the opportunity to spend more than twenty-four hours with him, and Mia was going to enjoy every minute that she could during their road trip visiting the Mistletoe Lodge.

  About an hour later, they arrived in Ashland, and following the signs, they approached the small office where they were supposed to check in, since cabin reservations were taken care of separately from the lodge.

  Noah and Phil went into the office and returned a few minutes later, each carrying a keycard for the cabin.

  As Phil put the SUV into gear, Noah pointed at the end of the beach. “We’re staying at that large cabin down there near the edge of the cliff.”

  “Really?” Mia asked. “What a view. Plus, we’re so close to the beach.”

  “It does look nice,” Amanda observed.

  “I’ll say,” Bree murmured.

  Noah said, “I guess they were planning on keeping it quiet if Emily had decided to stay, so they gave her the most isolated cabin to make it easier for her to come and go.”

  When Phil pulled into the driveway, everyone began getting their belongings together as Noah stepped out from the SUV, approaching the back door with the keycard.

  Noah quickly swiped it through the sensor, opening the door.

  “Wow,” he murmured, stepping inside with Mia following right behind.

  “It’s beautiful,” Mia observed, looking around her in awe. Comfy dark leather furnishings had been positioned near the hearth of a huge stone fireplace, covering an entire wall.

  And the view overlooking Lake Superior? It was awesome.

  Mia suddenly imagined herself cuddling beside Noah here on a cold snowy night, with a towering Christmas tree decorated with sparkling white lights and colored glass ornaments standing in the corner near the fireplace.

  Noah murmured, “For some strange reason, I just imagined it was Christmas, and we were sitting here on the couch, looking at this huge tree that we both finished decorating, set up right near the fireplace.”

  Mia blinked. It was crazy to realize their thoughts were so much in sync.

  “What?” Noah asked, obviously noticing her shock.

  “I was thinking the exact same
thing that you were,” she answered softly.

  And Noah’s eyes held hers.

  Until someone cleared their throat.

  Amanda was grinning when Mia turned toward her.

  “I guess the bedrooms are upstairs. We’d better get settled so Noah can practice,” Amanda said.

  “Sounds good,” Noah murmured, giving Mia a wry grin.

  Noah carried their overnight bags up the staircase, where Phil and Bree were already taking a look around.

  “What a great setup,” Bree said, grinning at Mia.

  “There are two bathrooms,” Amanda observed, turning toward Mia. “Why don’t you and Bree sleep in the master, and I can use your attached bathroom. Noah and Phil can stay in that other large bedroom and I can take that small room on the corner. Okay?”

  “Sounds good to me,” Phil murmured, heading into Bree and Mia’s room, laying down Bree’s bags.

  Noah glanced at Mia. “How about we take off in about half an hour?”

  “That’ll work,” she answered, adding dryly, “Bree’s the only one who won’t have enough time to unpack.”

  Bree lifted her chin, ready to disagree, but after noticing Phil’s wry smile, she giggled. “I guess you’re right.”

  Looking at Mia first and then at Noah, Phil said, “I’ll drop the two of you off with the instruments at Brad’s cabin, which is at the other end of the road, and Bree, Amanda and I will go check out the stage and see what’s happening.”

  “Do we all have cell reception?” Amanda asked. “We should, with the elevation.”

  Bree and Mia both glanced at the screen on their phones.

  “We do,” they murmured in unison.

  Amanda said, “Let’s all check in at about noon, when the concert begins?”

  Everyone murmured their agreement.

  A couple hours later, Mia was with Noah, watching the band practice in their cabin, which was about half the size of Mia and Noah’s.

  “It would probably be better if we could set up and go through the routine,” Noah said.

  Brad answered, “We’ll have a couple hours to practice after we set up onstage. We just won’t be able to plug in speakers. It’s kind of cool the way the stage is set up, like it’s on a carousel, because it allows three bands to set up at a time. “

  As they began packing instruments for transport, Mike approached Mia.

  “So, Mia,” Mike began, “after Brad, Chris and I talked it over, we wondered if you would want to perform a few numbers with us?”

  Mia stared at Mike in astonishment.

  “I think that would be great,” Noah murmured, giving her a nudge with his hip.

  Mike rolled his eyes upward. “We already knew that you’d want her to do it Noah, but what about Mia? How does she feel about it?”

  Shrugging, she asked, “What would you like me to sing?”

  “Besides Star-Crossed with Noah?” Mike turned to Noah. “How about that song you were writing the other day on the guitar?”

  Noah murmured, “The new one? It’s not quite finished.”

  “Improvise,” Mike muttered. “Why don’t you play it on your guitar so Mia can hear it?”

  A few minutes later, Mia grinned, listening to Noah’s new song.

  “I’ve got it. I know how we can do this,” she murmured. “But I’ll need to memorize the lyrics. Let’s just wait and practice before the performance. If it doesn’t work, I won’t do it.”

  Noah nodded his obvious agreement, looking at her quizzically. “What about something to wear?”

  “Well, I brought along dark jeans and a black leather jacket, since I expected it to get cooler this evening.”

  “That’ll work,” Noah said. “Let’s see if we can find something glittery for you to wear beneath the jacket so you’ll stand out under the lights.”

  “That should be easy.” Mia snorted. “With all the stuff that Bree packed for an overnight stay, I’m sure she must have brought something appropriate I can borrow.”

  23

  It was approaching seven, and Noah wasn’t sure why, but he was more nervous about his performance tonight than he’d even been in the past. Maybe it was because of the huge crowd they were performing for, but he had a feeling it had more to do with his feelings for Mia.

  Yet another aspect of their relationship had come to light while they’d been practicing today. She understood him and his music more than anyone in his life ever had. Mia had blended two songs into one, and in the process, had created an arrangement benefiting their own individuality.

  She looked beautiful tonight, wearing a little extra makeup, with her silky dark hair long and loose.

  Instead of wearing the leather jacket and jeans she’d intended on donning, she had on a clinging glittery short length dress, that clung to her figure in all the right places.

  He didn’t have a clue where Bree had intended on wearing that silver and black gown during their one-night stay, but Noah had shaken his head numbly when Mia had appeared onstage before practice, grateful for Bree’s reasons, whatever they’d been.

  Mia stood on the edge of the stage when their performance began and watched as Blue Moon ran through a few of their most popular numbers. No way would their light show and backdrop with the moon and the stars look so professional without Mia’s help. During the summer, they’d even added to their original framework to make a wider display.

  He took in a deep breath, approaching Mia and reaching for her hand, tugging her along with him onstage before the audience.

  Noah’s heart missed a beat when he turned, staring into her eyes, deep dark and intensely blue.

  ‘When I looked into your eyes,

  A shooting star dashed through the sky,

  And I finally figured why,

  I’m hypnotized.’

  Chris and Brad sang along with the keyboard in the background.

  ‘Star-crossed, star-crossed.’

  When Mia smiled, there was a light in her eyes, so Noah smiled back at her, moving closer.

  ‘I’m hypnotized,

  By cerulean blue eyes.’

  Chris and Brad joined in again.

  ‘Star-crossed, star-crossed.’

  Noah finally keyed up into a falsetto.

  ‘I’m star-crossed,

  I’m hypnotized,

  Cause I know I see forever in your eyes.’

  Mia held the microphone to her mouth.

  ‘Why, why, why am I hypnotized?

  Thoughts of you run through my mind,

  At the craziest of times.

  Why, why, why am I hypnotized?’

  Holding up his mic, Noah sang again, this time turning toward the crowd.

  ‘I’m star-crossed, star-crossed,

  I’m hypnotized,

  Cause I know I see forever in your eyes.’

  Turning toward the audience, Mia continued,

  ‘Why, why, why am I hypnotized?

  Every hour, every day,

  I can’t stand to be away.

  From every smile you send my way.

  Why, why, why am I hypnotized?’

  Mia turned toward him, and they sang together.

  ‘Why, why, why am I hypnotized?

  You’re the sun, the moon, my star,

  And I need to know you are…‘

  They stood closer, looking into each other’s eyes, singing with emphasis.

  ‘All mine.’

  Splitting apart in one of Mia’s choreographed moves, they spun in different directions, meeting again center stage.

  ‘All mine,

  Forever through the end of time.’

  The tempo slowed down again, and Noah and Mia continued together acapella.

  ‘I’m hypnotized,

  Cause I know I see forever in your eyes.’

  The lights were dimmed to the roar of the crowd and applause.

  Mia gave Noah a dimpled smile. “I think they liked it.”

  “I think they did too,” he murmured, unable to resist
the opportunity for a kiss.

  They embraced, and when the lights were restored, Mia and Noah were still sharing a passionate kiss.

  Amidst the whoops and hollers, Noah began introducing the band before turning to Mia, who was still standing beside him, wearing a huge smile on her face.

  “And this is Mia Michaels, who’ll be performing the next few numbers for you.”

  Noah squeezed her hand, walking to the edge of the stage, and watching her perform with Brad, Chris and Mike.

  He was so deeply in love with her. How was he going to be able to let her go?

  They were all on a natural high once they were through performing.

  “I think we sounded great together tonight,” Mike murmured. “I hate that we have to split up when we’re probably the best we’ve ever been.”

  “I hear you,” Noah said, looking at Mia. “This summer has been phenomenal for us.”

  At that moment, Phil and Bree walked up with Amanda to help them load the instruments.

  “I agree. You guys were awesome tonight,” Bree said, nearly in tears. “It’s going to be awful this upcoming year not having all of you around.”

  Only a few more bands were slated to play, and it had been a long day, so once they packed the instruments and headed toward the cabins, everyone was planning on going their separate ways for the evening.