Grand Hotel

by Mary Davis

  Katie typed the room into the computer. “Oh. I did. Is something wrong?”

  “I had that room blocked so it wouldn’t be rented.”

  “Yes. Aimee told me to unblock it and rent it out the first chance I got. I assumed that order came from you.”

  He was more convinced than ever something was wrong, but he didn’t know what it could be. He checked his watch: two minutes to five. Henry would still be at the front.

  Henry was holding the door for a guest.

  “Henry, your replacement is here. Can I speak to you for a moment?”

  Henry stepped away from the doors.

  “Did Aimee return to the hotel while you were on duty?”

  “No, sir. But there are other ways into the building.”

  Too many. “Thanks.”

  He went to his office and called Constance. “Is Aimee there?”

  “No. She hasn’t come home from work yet. I was going to show her how to make tomato, onion, and cucumber salad.”

  Dillon then called the stable and ordered a saddled horse to be waiting for him. He grabbed a set of two-way radios and headed to his apartment to change clothes. Once at the stable, he mounted the horse and headed straight for Constance’s house. He took the horse up the walk with him. He didn’t want to leave it on the street to get spooked. “Now don’t trample any of Mrs. Mayhew’s flowers.”

  He held the end of the reins and stretched his arm to ring the bell. When Constance opened the door, he asked, “Has Aimee arrived home yet?”

  “I already told you on the telephone she wasn’t here.” She eyed the horse in her yard but didn’t say anything about it.

  He pulled one of the radios from where it was clipped on his belt, turned it on, and handed it to her. “Would you tell her to contact me on this when she gets here?”

  He left and decided to ride through town and see if she was anywhere around. He wove through the upper streets and the main street until he came to the park.

  Aimee limped along the sidewalk with her white high-heeled shoes in hand.

  He dismounted and came alongside her. “Why are you walking in nylons? Won’t they get a run?”

  “They probably already have holes. My feet hurt, and I have blisters.” Her words were dull and lifeless.

  His heart ached for her. “What’s wrong? Why did you leave the hotel? Why don’t you want to go into that room?”

  “I suppose I owe you an explanation.” She stopped and sat on the short park wall. “That room represents my last hope of finding what Adam Wright left for Nonie. I’m not ready for it all to be over.”

  “What if everything you hoped for is there?”

  “Then the hotel will have a 120-year-old treasure.”

  He understood. She’d resigned herself; she lost either way. By not finding the treasure, it still belonged to her grandma. Once found, it was lost to her. “I’m sure when we tell the Mussers your story, they will let you borrow it to show your grandma. They may even give it to you.”

  “What if nothing is there at all?”

  “I don’t know. But you can’t go back to your grandma until you know. You can’t give up.”

  “And I can’t keep avoiding calling her. She probably thinks I forgot about her.”

  “I doubt that.”

  She stood up and started limping. “I should head home. Constance will be wondering where I am. It’s nice to have someone worry about me.”

  He worried about her, too. “Your feet are injured. Why don’t you ride?”

  She stopped and held out the skirt of her red dress with white polka dots. “Because I’m in a dress.”

  “You can sit sideways on the saddle. And I’ll walk the horse.” He took her shoes and lifted her up. “Turn sort of forward and hold on to the saddle horn.” She did, and he walked the horse to Constance’s.

  As he was guiding the horse up the front walk, Constance threw open the front door. “There she is.” Henry stood at her side. “Oh my goodness, what happened to you?” Sammy trotted out and barked once at the horse, then raced back inside. Fortunately the horse didn’t pay any attention to Sammy’s abrupt remark.

  Henry took the reins.

  Aimee smiled down at Constance. “I went walking in the wrong kind of shoes. Blisters.”

  It was good to see her smile back. Dillon held out his arms. “Slide down. I’ll catch you.”

  She put her hands on his shoulders and slid slowly.

  He cradled her in his arms and took her inside, setting her on the couch.

  Sammy jumped on the couch and stared at her. She scratched him behind the ear. “I could have walked.”

  But he wanted to carry her. Dillon turned to Constance. “Do you have anything for blisters?”

  “Of course.” She left and returned.

  He petted the dog’s silky white fur. “You’re in good hands now. I’ll head back to the hotel.”

  Constance turned sharply to him. “No, you won’t, young man. You’re staying for supper.”

  “I have to get the horse back.”

  Constance waved a hand in the air. “You can call someone from the stable to come and get her, can’t you?”

  Well, yes, he could.

  “The telephone’s in the kitchen. I’m sure you know the number.” Constance turned to Aimee. “And you go up and change out of these clothes, and we’ll dress those blisters properly.”

  Would it do any good to argue with her? Besides, he wouldn’t mind spending a little more time with Aimee. He phoned the stable, then waited out in the yard with Henry and the horse until one of the stable employees came.

  After supper, Aimee walked Dillon out to the sidewalk. “Thanks for coming to look for me.”

  “Henry was really worried about you.”

  “Henry?”

  “Okay, I was concerned, too. I didn’t know what had upset you, and then you didn’t return.”

  “I’m sorry I caused all this fuss.”

  “It’s all right.” Would she mind if he kissed her right now? He wanted to.

  The radio on his belt crackled. “Hello?”

  He unclipped it. “Yes.” But his word went nowhere.

  Constance had the button still pressed. “I don’t think this thing works. He said she could just call him on this.”

  He chuckled. “I’ll be right back.”

  Then came Henry’s voice. “You have to release the button so he can talk.”

  He opened the door. “I’m right here.”

  Constance handed him the radio. “I didn’t know if you had actually left. Henry was going to walk back with you.”

  “I was just about to leave. I’d love the company.” It was best this way. He shouldn’t be entertaining the idea of kissing Aimee anyway.

  ❧

  Aimee stood with Constance and watched Dillon walk down the street with Henry. For one brief moment, she had thought he might kiss her. But then the radio blared. She didn’t blame Constance. If Dillon had wanted to kiss her, he could have, but he chose not to.

  When he rode up earlier, like a white knight on his fearless steed, it soothed her fear over possibly not finding the treasure. She had waited until he’d carried her all the way into the house before she told him she could have walked. She liked being in his arms. And that irritated her now. He obviously didn’t feel the same about her. Henry was worried.

  Constance touched Aimee’s arm and brought her out of her thoughts. “They’re gone. Let’s go inside to talk. It’s getting chilly out here.” Once inside, she said, “Have a seat, and I’ll make us some tea.” Sammy jumped up onto the couch and curled up next to her.

  In a few minutes, Constance brought in the tea tray, poured them each a cup, and then sat next to Aimee on the couch. “It’s none of my business, but if you want to talk about it, I’m here.”

  She told Constance about the final room becoming vacant and not wanting to go inside it. “I just panicked and left. What if there is nothing there?”

  “
What if there is?”

  “I just don’t believe anymore that there is anything left to find. And if I look and am right, Nonie has nothing—not even the dream or the hope of the dream.”

  “We serve a mighty God. He can do the impossible and lavish you with treasure greater than you ever imagined.” Constance took a sip of tea. “Look at Henry and me. I never thought I would have this kind of love again here on earth, but the Lord has blessed me beyond my dreams. And if Cookie doesn’t like me, I don’t care anymore.”

  Aimee prayed that night that she could accept whatever she found—or didn’t find—in that room when it opened up and that she would have the courage to find out. “You are more sufficient than any earthly treasure. Help me accept it, and help Nonie not to be too disappointed, either, if there is nothing there.”

  Thirteen

  The following Monday, the room was empty—as was Aimee’s dream of finding something. “It’s over then. There is nothing left here that my great-great-grandfather left.” She stared into the closet.

  “I’m so sorry. I really wanted it to be here for you.”

  She took a deep breath. “I decided that this was the end of the hunt and whatever was found, I would tell Nonie. I’m going to give her the locket and tell her I had it engraved in memory of Adam and Lacey.”

  “You’re not going to leave now, are you?”

  “I was only hired to work through the Lilac Festival. It’s been over for a week now.”

  “But there are other events: the Arts weekend, all of the Grand Hotel birthday celebrations, Fourth of July, Labor Day, the Somewhere in Time weekend. There are events happening all season until the end of October.”

  “You want me to stay?”

  “I need you. You have been a big help.”

  Her hopes dashed. It was only about work. Why should she think he would think of anything else? Nothing mattered to Dillon except work. “Would I still be working as your assistant?”

  “Of course. I’ve come to depend on you.”

  Could she get him to depend on her for more than just work? “Can I think about it?”

  “Only if your answer is yes.” He smiled, and his dimples puckered in.

  She wanted to stay. But what then? Would it be better to leave now and search for a new job? Or keep the well-paying job she had until the end of October, then go back to the real world for a real job? “I’ll think about it. . .but no promises as to my answer yet.”

  ❧

  When Aimee walked into the office first thing Wednesday morning, Henry was sitting in the spare office chair, and Dillon sat behind his desk. Both men rose. Henry wore his gray tweed jacket and red bow tie.

  “What’s this little powwow about?” She thumbed toward the door. “Should I come back later?”

  Dillon shook his head. “Henry came to see you.”

  It was probably something to do with the wedding. “What can I do for you, Henry?”

  Henry took her hand in his. “Miss Aimee, as always, it is such a joy to see you. Constance was telling me the story of your ancestors and how something was left for you. I hope you don’t mind her confiding in me?”

  “Not at all.”

  “She said you didn’t find what you were looking for yet.”

  “Whatever Adam Wright left here is long gone.” She had accepted it, and she’d have to convince Nonie to accept it, as well. “I bought a locket I’m going to give my grandma and tell her I had it engraved in memory of Adam and Lacey since I couldn’t find the real treasure left for her.”

  He gave her a gentle smile. “Come with me. I have something to show you.”

  She followed him to a small cottage in the woods behind the hotel. Dillon came, as well.

  Henry opened the door and let them inside. “When I took over this cottage in ’52, it was in bad shape. I completely rebuilt the inside and added onto the back in ’63, when our second child arrived. We just plum needed more space.”

  The walls were a robin-egg blue, and worn rugs covered polished oak floors. Antique furniture adorned the main area and the dining room. “You’ve done a nice job.” Henry obviously wanted to show off his work. And he should be proud; it was beautiful.

  “The hotel has gone through many changes over the years.”

  “So I’ve heard.”

  “They discarded some fine materials. Every one of these floorboards once lined the inside of the hotel. The furniture once adorned some room. And even the rugs, linens, and curtains were once a part of the rich tradition of the Grand.”

  “Wow. None of this looks as though it was someone else’s castoffs.” These floorboards came from inside the hotel? Beneath one of them, someone had found Nonie’s inheritance. It really was gone. “You did some fabulous work here.”

  “Thank you.” He walked to the front window. “Come. This is what I brought you to see.”

  She looked out the window but only saw the back of the hotel. What was so special about the view?

  He pulled back the curtain beyond the windowsill. “This was Annie’s favorite part of the house. Even when she was sick with child, she’d polish this board.”

  She looked the length of the board and sucked in a breath. Carved in the wood toward the end: Adam + Lacey Forever. The words blurred. She blinked several times before she could see them again. She gently ran her fingers over the carving. The treasure had literally been in the wood. “Can I take a picture of this? I know Nonie won’t be able to see or feel it in the picture, but I can tell her about it.”

  He removed his coat to reveal red suspenders. “I’ll do you one better.” Henry handed a crowbar to Dillon, and he took up a large screwdriver and hammer. “If you can get that end, Mr. Thurough?” Henry wedged the screwdriver under the windowsill, and Dillon did the same at the other end.

  “What are you doing?” She grabbed the hammer Henry was about to hit the end of the screwdriver with.

  Henry turned his kind gaze on her. “I’m giving you your treasure.”

  “But it is part of your house. Your home.”

  “Annie and I always knew it was never ours, that we were somehow borrowing it. Annie would want you to have it.”

  She released her hold on the hammer and let the two men pry the board off the frame. Tears flooded her eyes and trickled down her cheek.

  Once the board was loose, Henry turned and saw her tears. “Gracious. You’re leaking.” He pulled a neatly pressed and folded handkerchief from his back pocket and handed it to her.

  She waved it in the air. “I’ll get it all wet.”

  “That’s what it’s for, child.”

  She dried her face, and Henry gave her the board. “Your ancestor left this for you.”

  “Thank you so much.” She hugged it to herself, then set it aside and hugged Henry. And since she was in the mood, she hugged Dillon, too. His arms came around her briefly just before she released him.

  ❧

  The next morning, she stood on the pier with her luggage and her precious treasure. Dillon had wrapped it and put it in a Grand Hotel gift bag.

  “Are you coming back?”

  She nodded. “I can’t miss Constance and Henry’s wedding next week.”

  “Good. We can talk about work after that?”

  “I’m still thinking about it.” She had thanked God for answering her prayer to have a way inside the hotel long enough to find Nonie’s inheritance, and though He had by giving her the job, was she supposed to stay, now that her prayer was answered? Or was she to float to the next thing? Whatever that would be.

  “I really do need you.”

  “We’ll talk.” She didn’t want to make any decisions right now. A little distance and a little prayer and she’d have a better idea of what the Lord wanted for her.

  He gave her a quick kiss before she boarded. She wanted to cling to him and never let him go. Was that a good-bye kiss or a please-come-back kiss?

  She stood on the back of the ferry and watched the Grand Hotel shrink in the
distance. She had come and found what she was looking for. So why did it hurt to leave?

  ❧

  Aimee walked up to the nurses’ station in the hospital wing at the EagleView Assisted Living and Retirement Center. The smell of disinfectant, bicarbonate of soda, and rubbing alcohol pricked her nose.

  Betty looked up from a chart and smiled. “Aimee. It’s good to see you again. Bad news.” But Betty’s smile didn’t fade. “She’s not here anymore. We moved her back to her regular room.”

  “She’s doing that well?”

  “She said she had to start getting around again so she could go to that island and find you. She was sure they did something to you.”

  She held up the gift bag. “I have a surprise for her.”

  Betty’s eyes widened. “You found it?”

  She nodded. “I hope she’s not disappointed.”

  “I think she’ll just be glad you’re back.”

  Betty escorted her to the other end of the center where residents stayed who needed less care. Betty opened Nonie’s door.

  Nonie sat in a wheelchair facing the window. She turned her ear toward the door. “Who’s there?”

  “It’s Betty.”

  She turned her face back toward the window. “I’m not taking any more of your pills. I’m fine and am going to fly this coop as soon as my great-grandson gets here.” Her raspy voice sounded every bit her ninety-three years. Nonie was wearing out.

  “I brought you a visitor.”

  Nonie turned back toward the door. “Is that you, Justin? No. He doesn’t wear that perfume.” She raised her arms up for a hug. “Muffin!”

  Aimee set her bag by the bed and embraced Nonie. Then Nonie tapped her shoulder. “Shame on you for not calling. You had me worried.”

  “I’m fine. I’m sorry for worrying you.” She had avoided calling because she didn’t want to disappoint Nonie with her lack of progress. She had kept the calls she did make short and called late when Nonie was likely in bed, but she knew Nonie would get the message that she had at least tried.

  “I heard a bag crinkle. Did you bring me some of the famous Mackinac Island fudge?”

  “I’m sorry. I forgot.” Forgot on purpose. Nonie knew better than to even ask.