“It looks amazing, Lexi,” Grace said and Lexi turned around at the sound of her voice.
“You’re here,” Lexi said, rushing to hug her. “When did you get in?”
“Last night,” Grace said. “You don’t think I would have missed this do you?”
“No, I was pretty sure you would come,” Lexi said.
“Where do you want these?” It was Carter. “Oh. Hi Grace. Welcome home. How was the cruise?”
“It was wonderful, we had a great time,” Grace said. “It’s good to be home though.”
Carter was carrying two reindeer made out of logs with branches for antlers. He set them down momentarily.
“They look great Carter. We’re going to put those out on the porch. I’ll come out and help you,” Lexi said.
“I’m here to help too, so put me to work,” Grace said.
“Okay, would you do a walk through every space, take a pen and paper with you. If you think there is something not right, missing, not clean enough, whatever, will you make a note of it?”
“Sure and I will enjoy the chance to see everything that’s been done,” Grace said.
“Great, thanks. At the check in desk over there you’ll find paper and pens. I’ll meet you back here in an hour and see what you’ve come up with. Take your time,” Lexi said.
Lexi and Carter went outside with the reindeer and put them in place. Lexi walked out to the parking area to see how everything looked from a distance. She could see the lights from the Christmas tree sparkling through the window. The giant wreath high up on the main window was also lit up. It all looked great. Carter stood next to her.
“You did it, kid,” Carter said.
“We did it,” she said.
Tucker appeared at Lexi’s side followed closely by Bella. Bella was a new addition to the menagerie. She was a yellow lab golden retriever cross that Carter had been unable to resist on his last trip to the shelter. She had been in rough shape when he’d brought her home almost two months ago but was now thriving with all the love and care she had received from Lexi and Carter. She and Tucker were the best of friends.
Lexi moved in with Carter about the same time as Bella and it was working out well for them. They had widened the shortcut trail between the two properties and purchased several large ATV’s that they used to come back and forth. They would use these to transport guests over to the stables where Carter would provide trail rides or give children rides around the paddock if that was more appropriate.
“I think Max must be smiling down from somewhere right now,” Carter said.
“I hope so,” Lexi said. “I think he would love the idea that families will be enjoying this. He missed out on having a family.”
“He did,” Carter said.
“Well I’m going to go and check with the kitchen then I’m going to go and get changed, so I am ready when guests start arriving,” Lexi said.
“I’m going to take the dogs over to the house and I have a few chores. I’ll see you at dinnertime,” Carter said.
Lexi headed off to the kitchen and once she felt everything was on track there, she and Grace sat down and went over her list. There were a few minor things that Grace had made a note of.
“You know,” Lexi said to Grace, “You have the perfect name. Grace means elegance and beauty and generosity of spirit and I think that just sums you up perfectly.”
“Why dear what a lovely thing to say,” Grace said.
“Thanks for being here to share this special day with me,” Lexi said.
Lexi met with her concierge, Cathy, an intern from a hotel management school, who though she was green as grass, Lexi felt would grow into the job, with some guidance. She gave Cathy the list and they discussed how to handle some of the issues that Cathy was uncertain about and then Lexi left to go and get herself ready. She would be helping in various areas when guests arrived, anywhere she was needed until everyone was checked in, fed and bedded down for the night. It was going to be a long day but she was ready.
There were only a few minor glitches and for the most part everything when as planned. When dinner was finished, people moved to more comfortable seats in the great room to listen to Carter read ‘The Night Before Christmas’. Then Santa Claus dropped by with gifts for the children in the group. Hot chocolate was served and then the kitchen shut down for the night. Guests went their separate ways and by the time everything was cleared up and ready for the morning it was midnight. Lexi and Carter were alone in the great room.
“Wow, that was crazy busy,” Carter said. “Will it always be like this?”
“No, just on special occasions,” Lexi said. “Given that this was our first day open and Christmas Eve, I think everything went really smoothly.”
“It definitely seemed to. Merry Christmas by the way,” Carter said.
“Merry Christmas to you too,” Lexi said.
“I must say, you really keep your cool under pressure and you are also a natural with kids.”
“Why thank you,” Lexi said. “You do very well with them yourself.”
“I hope to have a few, one day,” he said.
“Me too,” Lexi said
“On that note I have a Christmas gift for you and there was something I wanted to ask you?” he said.
Carter proceeded to get down on one knee and he produced a small velvet box. Lexi’s face broke into her dimpled smile.
“I don’t think I have ever been this happy in my entire life and I think you can agree that we were made for each other. I want to have babies with you and raise a family and grow old with you. I’ve never wanted anything so much in my life. Will you marry me, Lexi Thomas?” he asked.
“Yes, yes,” Lexi said. He stood and kissed her then and as if on cue they were surrounded by the staff and all of them began to clap.
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