Read Online Snow Falling on Bluegrass by Molly Harper - Free Book Online Page B

from making out in the conference room when they think no one is looking.”
    â€œSo, smart and brave.”
    â€œNo, just interested in not being emotionally traumatized when I walk into the conference room unannounced,” I said, making him give a barking laugh. “What about the kitchen? Is the stove gas or electric?”
    Luke grimaced. “We switched over to high-efficiency electric appliances last year. Part of the governor’s environmentally friendly efforts. But the good news is that there wasn’t enough room in the budget to replace the big old gas water heaters yet, so we still have hot water.”
    â€œAnd I suppose a backup generator would be too much to ask for?”
    â€œWe couldn’t afford to install one big enough to run the building. It’s not like we’re a hospital or anything. If we lose power, we send the guests home.”
    I wrinkled my nose. “Unless, of course, those guests invade without paying attention to your carefully prepared warnings.”
    â€œWell, that happens,” he said carefully.
    â€œNo, it doesn’t.”
    He shook his head and grinned at me. “No, it doesn’t. But it’s been entertaining as hell so far. Wanna go forage?”
    â€œAfter you.”
    With a courtly bow and a sweep of his hand, Luke led me to the manager’s office. What the lodge lacked in backup generators it made up for in emergency supplies. The office closet offered up an emergency kit the size of a mini-fridge, plus lanterns, bulk-size packages of batteries, freeze-dried food, candles, and blankets. We dragged as much as we dared to the dining room, where Sadie was in full commander mode, directing the others in arranging rows of mattresses in front of the fireplace. Bonnie moved the food coolers to the second-floor balcony. Gina and Theresa were grudgingly folding blankets at the foot of each pallet.
    Despite the ice-reflected light coming in through the windows, the forest-green walls made the room feel even darker and smaller, like a prime-rib-scented cave. The shiny maple tables had been shoved aside to make a semicircular clearing. Tom and Jacob had chosen to make their pallets in the long, cushioned booth seats on the far wall, though I wasn’t sure whether that decision was the result of some floor avoidance strategy or an unwillingness to carry additional mattresses.
    Gina sidled up to Charlie, practically cooing at him. “Charlie, do you think you could help me gather extra blankets? I’m a little afraid of going to all of those rooms by myself. I’d feel better if you were with me.”
    Charlie gave me a pitiful “Help me!” look, but he still let Gina lead him away like a sacrificial lamb to the skanky slaughter. I rolled my eyes, and unfortunately I did it in the direction of Josh, who had walked into the dining room with an armload of wood. “Geez, Kelsey, I can only carry so much in one trip. It’s these city boy arms of mine. I’m built for show, not hard labor.”
    â€œNo!” I exclaimed. “I wasn’t rolling my eyes at you.”
    â€œWell, that’s a relief.”
    â€œWhat about Operation Gollum?” I asked. “Is that still a go?”
    Blanching a little, Josh patted his coat pocket, where I’m sure the One Ring was stashed. “I wish you wouldn’t call it that.”
    â€œMy best friend is getting engaged,” I said, even as he shushed me, searching around for signs of an eavesdropping Sadie. “I have the right to be a little irreverent.”
    â€œI think you have a right to insist on a decent bridesmaid’s dress. Everything else is optional. And yes, it’s a go. I still want to marry the crazy woman. I don’t see why a lack of electricity should change that. And besides, it will be a heck of a story to tell our kids, way more interesting than your standard ‘candlelit dinner and ring in a soufflé’ engagement.