“I'll be quick, I promise,” she tells Sasha and waits for her to settle herself in the front seat to watch people walk by.
Delta snaps a couple pictures with her cell-phone to send to Phillip and Bailey later and lowers her camera to take in the view. Aspen trees line the entrance and guests are milling about the property. The inside of the grand lobby matches the magnificence of the Montana scenery. It boasts a stunning main room with enormous wooden beams along the ceiling, drawing the eyes up to a beautiful crystal chandelier. A stone fireplace flickers with a golden glow and two tooled leather armchairs flank it. A bar leads to a five-star restaurant, and cocktails are being served to guests who are waiting to be seated.
Delta is surprised. This is not at all what she was expecting to see. Phillip didn’t tell her everything. A part of her is disappointed because she thought he understood she needed serenity, not a busy social scene. This lodge is buzzing with activity.
“Can I help you?” The front desk clerk asks with a smile. She is young, mid-twenties, with reddish hair and dark eyes.
“Yes, I have a reservation, my name is Delta Richards.” Delta glances around, telling herself to give it a chance. The young woman types at the terminal and her smile falters for a moment before she types again.
“Is there a problem, Melody?” Delta asks softly, acknowledging her name tag.
“No, ma’am. One second please.” The young woman walks away, to speak to someone in the back office before returning with an older man. This man has the bearing of someone in charge. He stands well over six feet with a Stetson cowboy hat and boots, looking every bit a ranch owner. Silver hair, and weathered features from years of sun.
“Howdy, Mrs. Richards. My name is Chase Matthews, I own this ranch. Why don’t you come with me to my office?”
“Of course,” she says, but in her mind, Delta thinks, ‘Oh hell.’ Smiling slightly, she follows him.
“Have a seat, please.” His office is quiet with a softly glowing fire in a large fireplace. He gestures to a leather armchair near the fireplace and Delta sits with a smile, as he settles into his chair.
“Is there a problem with my reservation, Mr. Matthews?” Delta asks.
“Well, that depends on how you look at it.” Chase is clearly uncomfortable as he struggles to find the words. He pulls out a pipe and begins filling it with black-cherry tobacco. Delta grins flashing a dimple, and he is stunned at the beauty before him.
“Nervous habit of mine, do you mind?” He asks, pointing at his pipe.
“Not at all, my Pop used to smoke, and I love the smell.” He settles back and glances at his guest.
“We have a wedding going on for the next week, and our guest of honor forgot to mention the extra guests she invited. I'm gonna cut to the quick, Mrs. Richards.”
Delta interrupts him. “Call me Delta, please.”
He draws on his pipe and looks at her only, this time, his smile reaches his eyes. “Delta, we’re overbooked. The lodge is full and so are our guest houses.”
“I see.” Delta pales thinking about the drive and how far it will be to find a motel, but he cuts her off.
“Now, don’t you worry, sweetheart. We're going to take good care of you. There is a house that belonged to my grandmother, we don’t usually rent it out except for family, but this is a special case.”
“That’s very kind of you.” Excitement flutters in her chest. “In truth, I was looking for something a little more secluded anyway. Tell me about it.”
Chase describes a secluded log cabin built on the original land, down the street from the main lodge. Delta nods excitedly.
“I need to get some work done while I’m here and it sounds perfect.”
“What sort of work do you do?” He asks quietly puffing on his pipe.
“I am a free-lance author. Mostly magazines and blogs,” she says and changes the subject quickly. “Is the house available for long term rental? I thought the details were taken care of, but now I'm not so sure. I was expecting something for six months.”
“I will have to talk that over with my son Daniel, but it shouldn't be a problem. I'll have him drive you over. You check out the property and see what you think. If you like it, it's yours for as long as you stay with us.” The door blows open, and a young girl runs inside yelling with excitement.
“Grampy!” She skids to a stop when she sees Delta sitting there.
“Abby, come meet Delta,” Delta grins at the girl’s blush of embarrassment.
“I'm sorry, I thought you were alone, Grampy.” The young dark-haired beauty steps to his side and turns to Delta. “It's nice to meet you,” she says softly.
“You too, Abby.” Delta stands up and turns to them. “Mr. Matthews, I left my dog in my car. She’s probably fit to be tied by now,” Delta stands and looks to him. “If you don’t mind, I’ll meet your son out front.”
“I love dogs, can I meet yours?” Abby asks quickly.
“Of course,” Delta looks to Chase and smiles when he nods. “Sasha is a German Shepherd.” She holds out her hand and Abby trustingly places hers inside.
The
