Cooped Up for Christmas - Sabrina York Page 0,42

to set up, the wedding was over quickly. That’s the way it works sometimes. Hours of prep for an event that lasts minutes, but it was Farley’s first wedding, so we all wanted it to be special.

Judging from their expressions, we nailed it. When we brought out the cake, everyone cheered.

After that things moved quickly. You know how that goes? You’ve been anticipating something—the guests leaving, for instance—for what seems like forever, and then suddenly, that time is here and you’re not quite ready for it?

I was sad when the luggage started coming down, because I knew this adventure was at an end.

And it had been an adventure.

Not only had I reunited with Coop—and only time would tell where that went—but this opportunity to experience life in the trenches again had opened my eyes. I could see serious issues with staff training and mentoring. I started sketching out ideas to solve these problems with a plan to bring this up at the next board meeting. The company had multiple properties just like Mistletoe Lodge and if they had the same inconsistencies in training, we were looking at a systemic challenge.

All of a sudden—at long last—all the staff lined up in the driveway to say farewell to our guests. They came through one by one, adults first, hugging us all and gushing over what a wonderful time they’d had.

Farley was the last to come through with Eliza by her side. When she hugged me, she held on for a while. “Thank you for all your help with Jamison,” she said. “I’ll never forget you.”

And wow.

Something warm welled in my chest.

I’d made a difference. Somehow, I’d made a difference.

“Congratulations on your wedding,” I said. “I know you two will be very happy together.” I knew nothing of the sort. It was Hospitality 101: Everything’s Awesome. It was kind of a knee-jerk reaction at this point in my career. But I didn’t mind. Neither did she.

“Thank you,” she said sincerely. And then, she handed me the envelope.

The big fat tip envelope we all live to see.

She did so with a wink. So it was probably a good tip.

Yay!

We all stayed in place as we watched them climb into their various SUVs—waving their farewells—and drive away.

For a second, after they disappeared, there was silence.

Then everyone let out a deep sigh of relief.

They were gone. It was over.

But it wasn’t time for fun yet. I turned to my staff and said, “Let’s flip the house,” and they all groaned, but I could tell they were just playing. We all knew, once the house was flipped—and ready for the next Visit—we were really done.

That thought made me a little sad too.

* * *

Since Coop and his team helped as we stripped the beds and cleaned the rooms, it didn’t take long to finish. After the tip meeting—where I passed out equal shares to everyone—I rewarded everyone by treating them to takeout of their choice, which resulted in a very eclectic dinner. Jed and Ben had pizza, Olivia ordered Chinese with Coop’s team and me, and Wren and Ken Nora had sushi.

Noel had tequila. Thankfully there was still some left in the cabinet.

But here’s the fun part. Because the Visit was over, alcohol was allowed.

Lunch was very boisterous indeed.

The party lasted late into the night, from what I could tell. I can’t know for sure, because Coop and I decided to spend the night in the guest house away from all interruptions. I chose one of the smaller rooms because it was the most secluded corner of the house, and also because I knew I had to clean it in the morning.

When Olivia and Wren found out what I had planned, they snuck in and littered the bed with leftover flower petals from the wedding, and left an iced bottle of Prosecco and a bowl of strawberries.

I have no idea what the chocolate syrup and whipped cream were supposed to be for, but I know how we used them.

This was the best night yet.

Breakfast the next morning was quiet. Everyone was thinking about what was next for them. So I wasn’t alone in that. I sat next to Coop at the table, enjoying his warmth as we all ate.

Of course, I was preoccupied. With myself.

I realized that these were probably my last few minutes with my staff, and as frustrating as this week had been, I’d come to really care about them all.

“So, Olivia,” I said. “What are your plans now?”

She froze and then looked at me