Judith understood why after they carried the first load of
comestibles inside. The lobby was vast, with a high, arched
ceiling hung with multicolored banners. Built entirely of pine
logs, the old wood gleamed under the lights of a half-dozen
cast-iron candelabra suspended from the rafters. Animal skins
and stuffed heads decorated the walls, and the huge stone
fireplace was filled with cedar and fir, awaiting the touch of
a match.
“It’s grand,” Judith said, smiling in appreciation. “Where’s
the staff?”
“I told you, nobody’s here but us and the OTIOSE gang,”
Renie said, setting a carton of groceries down on the hardwood floor. “The staff was due to take off about nine this
morning. The caretaker lives in a cabin about a half-mile
from the lodge, but he won’t be around, either. I was told
he’d leave the door open so we could get in. I don’t think
the phone company folks will be here much before noon.”
“Where’s the kitchen?” Judith turned every which way,
taking in the rustic furnishings, all made of wood and covered
in rich, dark nubby fabrics.
Renie gestured to french doors on her left. “That looks like
the dining room, so I assume the kitchen is off of that. Let’s
finish unloading, and then we can snoop around.”
Three more trips were required to deposit Judith’s weekend
supplies. As Renie had guessed, the kitchen was at the far
side of the dining room. While the lodge appeared to have
been built during the thirties, the kitchen facilities were state
of the art. Judith rubbed her hands in glee as she
ogled the stainless-steel American range, the Belgian cookware, the German cutlery, and the French skillets.
“This is wonderful!” she exclaimed. “I’m going to start
right in on lunch. Ham-filled crepes, raddicchio salad, a fresh
fruit medley, four kinds of cheese, and puff pastries with a
blackberry and cream filling.”
“Go for it,” Renie said, turning toward the door. “I’m going
to the conference room on the other side of the lobby to set
up my stuff.”
“Okay,” Judith replied, still distracted by all the latest appliances and gadgets. Then, as Renie exited, it dawned on
Judith that something was out of kilter. “Coz!” she called.
“What’s with you? Aren’t you hungry?”
Renie turned in the doorway. “No. I’ve got work to do.
That’s why I’m here.”
Judith stared. Renie was always ravenous. She ate often
and in large amounts. It never ceased to amaze Judith how
her cousin could consume so much food and stay slim. Metabolism, Judith told herself, and envied Renie’s gene pool.
All her life, Judith had fought to keep weight off, and only
now, in her fifties, did she feel comfortable with a couple of
extra pounds on her tall, statuesque figure.
