“No need! Half of them have shopped already and are in full costume to suit the theme.”
Amusingly enough, that statement nullified his earlier question. Perhaps the man felt on edge about how to start up a conversation with her. That was absurd. He was a great catch and she felt certain that women followed him like lost puppies. She chose not to dwell on the latter scenario.
“Perhaps you would like to borrow a hat and come as Santa Claus, or at least his helper?” Angie asked.
“Are you dressing up?”
“I have a western outfit I usually drag out, then doctor it up with a few Christmas touches.”
“Maybe I’ll borrow the hat then, so I don’t stick out like a city-slicker.”
“Are you from the city, Mr. Dristoll?” Angie asked.
“Downtown Nashville, Tennessee. So, you see, I am used to cowboy attire and dancing with my boots on.” He grinned. “But please, call me Trevor. The Mr. doesn’t suit me nearly as well as my father.” Angie noticed a shadow cross his face, but he redirected his gaze to the water and asked. “Mind if I walk with you?”
“Not at all.”
They began to stroll, and after a few minutes of silence, Angie filled in the awkward gap. She pointed to a rock plateau. “See that lighthouse out there? The town built it hundreds of years ago, long before my descendants purchased Heritage Inn.”
“Why did they need a lighthouse here?”
“The lake is deep, twisting and turning through rivers across the countryside. In times of conflict, the military used the inlands, especially Pineville to keep out unwanted tyrants that tried to sneak in the country via the back door, so to speak. It was all about gaining land, and this area was an opening to greater and easier takeovers.”
“Interesting.” Trevor looked behind him. “And your Inn, I might add, is a work of art. You could charge admission. Historians from around the world would come here just to see it.”
“Yes, many appreciate its uniqueness. But for me, it’s just home. I’ve lived here all my life.”
“Lucky you. I love the bright colors and the wrap-around porch. Always wanted one of those.” Trevor stared at the Inn that loomed behind the sheltering hedge, accented by thick green grass and a flower display that created a garden paradise.
Angie thought of all the places of interest he must have seen over the years and wondered that her home would bring such a worldly man’s face such joy. “Seems to me you are the lucky one – traveling the countryside and arranging wonderful vacations for your clientele.”
“Sure, I’ve seen a lot, but according to my mother, I lack roots,” Trevor said.
“Sounds like something a mother would say.”
“Where are your parents? I’ve only seen you and Charles doing all the work around here?”
Calmly Angie answered. “They went on a vacation last year and never returned. Appeared the Good Lord wanted to take them to heaven. Too soon for my liking.”
“I’m sorry. I should learn to mind my own business.” Trevor fidgeted and looked every bit as uncomfortable as Angie felt.
She bore a brave face and continued. “It was an honest observation. I’ve had to tell many of our regulars about the tragedy and others like you who think a young lady should not run such a grand enterprise by herself.”
“I never said that.” Trevor jumped to his defense. “You seem to be quite capable. Just look at me, nothing to do but walk the beaches on a workday. That says a lot about your abilities to show your guests a good time.”
“Redeemed yourself with flattery.” Angie smiled. “I can live with that.”
“I have lots more where that came from,” said Trevor, a wide grin growing on his face.
“That’s enough for now, sir.” Angie turned back the way they’d come. “I need to get back and finish this week’s payroll. When the last group canceled, my staff hoped for a few days off to enjoy the Christmas event in town. But your call changed that. We’ve refocused, and now they are planning what to do with all the extra money they’ll make instead.”
“I’m sorry if we complicated things. I can fully sympathize with you when it comes to surprises in business,” said Trevor.
“A welcome surprise. We love that people come to enjoy time at Heritage Inn. That’s what it’s here for,” said Angie.
“I hope most of your employees will attend the dance. Sounds like folks hereabout look forward to the event.”
“Yes. The resort will have a skeleton crew on tonight. Believe it or not, I found a few who don’t care about dancing or Christmas – I’m not sure which.”
When Angie turned to walk up the beach toward the Inn, she glanced back. “If you try skiing behind the boat this afternoon, don’t break a foot. It sort of hinders the dance moves.”
Trevor laughed and headed back toward his lounger.
Late that afternoon, Angie found herself far too hyped to get any additional work done. The dance loomed in her mind. Most of the evening, she’d be free to mingle, dance, and socialize with friends from town. Her only responsibility was the initial main judging – the choosing of this month’s Claus couple.
Angie left the Inn before they served supper in the dining hall to begin her set-up. She pushed down the legs of a six-foot plastic table and situated it across from center-stage. After throwing a red-skirted cloth over it, Angie placed in the middle the coveted crowns – red, green and blue – fake, but huge jewels, set within a gold-colored base. They’d designed them to sit on the heads of two hard-working teens. She
