Page 3 of Tattered and Torn
“Here we are,” he says as we come around a bend.
My eyes widen when I catch my first glimpse of the lodge. I’ve seen pictures of it on their website, but it’s far bigger in person than I imagined. “It’s huge!” The lodge is a sprawling log structure with a high peaked entrance in the middle and a wing on each side. It reminds me of a fortress.
“For decades, it was a private huntin’ club. Hannah and Killian bought it last year and have put a small fortune into updating the place.”
Speaking of Killian and Hannah, I spot them standing together at the entrance, their arms around each other’s waist. When Hannah waves eagerly, I return the gesture.
Hannah McIntyre and I know each other pretty well thanks to her frequent trips to Chicago to visit her close-knit family. Hannah’s oldest brother, Shane McIntyre, is married to my dear friend Beth. I know Killian Devereaux, too, from when he worked for Shane in Chicago.
Last year, when Hannah went missing during a hike in the Rockies, Shane sent Killian Deveraux out here to head up a search and rescue mission. Killian found her all right—in fact, he rescued her from poachers who were dealing illegally in bald eagle feathers. He’s been glued to her side ever since. It’s pretty darn romantic if you ask me. I wouldn’t mind being swept off my feet.
Burke pulls the truck up to the front of the entrance. As soon as the vehicle stops, Hannah and Killian walk out to greet us. When I jump down from my seat, Hannah throws her arms around me and gives me a bear hug.
“I’m so glad you’re here,” she says, tightening her grip. “We’re so lucky to have you joining us.”
“Yeah,” Killian says as he walks up behind Hannah and lays his hands on her shoulders. “We’re starving.”
We all laugh, even Burke as he walks around to the back of the truck and reaches in for my luggage. “I’ll carry her things up to her apartment.”
“We just finished renovating the staff quarters,” Hannah tells me. “There are currently six furnished apartments in the lodge. You’ll be in number 3.”
“Thank you so much,” I say. “It’ll be really convenient to live so close to the restaurant.”
Hannah motions me toward the entrance. “Come. I’ll show you your apartment, and then I’ll give you the grand tour.”
The lodge entrance consists of a pair of massive, heavy double doors. They’re at least ten feet tall, made of glass panes framed by carved wooden panels depicting images of wolves, bears, and mountains.
Killian beats us to the doors and grasps a long brass handle to open one for us. We walk into a spacious lobby with a gift shop to the right, an impressive curved wooden staircase to the left that leads up to the second floor, and a check-in desk directly ahead. The interior walls are constructed of logs, and the ceiling high overhead is made up of exposed wooden beams. A large chandelier far overhead casts a warm light over the entire space.
“Here’s where the guests check in,” Hannah says as she points to the long wooden counter, where a dark-haired young woman and a young blond man are on duty. “That’s Tammy and Kevin—they’re in charge of guest relations. Tammy also helps out a lot in the restaurant. Guys, this is Gabrielle, our new kitchen manager.”
The two behind the counter smile and wave.
Hannah points to the hallway to our left. “The south wing houses the restaurant and the guest lounge on the ground floor. The staff apartments are directly upstairs.”
“It’ll take me a whole three minutes to get to work,” I say. “That sure beats my commute time in Chicago.”
Hannah points in the opposite direction. “The north wing houses the indoor recreation areas—the pool and sauna, a game room, and a snack room. We have eighty guest rooms on the first and second floors. Right now, we’re averaging about a twenty-five percent occupancy, but the rate is increasing steadily as word gets out.” She gestures to the staircase. “Come, I’ll take you up and show you your apartment. Then we’ll go see the restaurant. I can’t wait to hear your ideas on what renovations it needs.”
I follow Hannah up the staircase to the second floor. At the top of the stairs is a lounge featuring plenty of seating—brown leather sofas and chairs arranged in small groupings—as well as bookcases filled with books and board games. There’s one long table in the center of the lounge that seats eight. The focal point, though, is an impressive stone hearth at one end of the room, with a wet bar beside it.
“This is the staff lounge,” Hannah says. “We often hang out here as a group to play games or watch movies. There’s another lounge downstairs for the guests.”
“How many people are on staff?” I ask.
“Well, with you here now, that brings us to fifteen so far.”
We continue down the hallway. “We combined two guest rooms to make each apartment.” She reaches into her pocket and pulls out a key, which she hands to me. “Here we are.” She stops in front of a door marked with a big brass number 3. “It’s all yours.” She gestures for me to unlock the door.
I open the door to find a beautiful, modern space. The lights are on, illuminating a living room and kitchen. “It’s gorgeous.”
Hannah smiles. “I’m glad you like it. Sophie oversaw the remodeling and the design.”
I’ve met Hannah’s older sister, Sophie, before. She’s an interior decorator in Chicago. “Well, she definitely outdid herself.”
“It’s a pretty standard open floor plan,” Hannah says. “Living room and kitchen here, and down the hallway is the bedroom and bathroom. The apartment is part of your compensation package, as are the utilities and Internet, so there’s no charge.”
My gaze sweeps the room. “You’ve thought of everything.”