The Christmas Accomplice - Hank Edwards Page 0,2

his exposed skin. He rubbed his hands together and turned to where a couple of young men hauled bags out of the back of the shuttle. One of them smiled and pointed toward the entrance.

“Go on inside and check in. We’ll bring in the bags, and you can grab yours after.”

Welton thanked the man and approached the doors, which slid open as he neared. A second entrance contained a revolving door to help keep the cold from rushing into the lobby each time the outer doors opened. Welton pushed through it and stopped to look around the lobby.

It was different than he’d anticipated. He’d browsed some of the pictures on the website, but hadn’t paid much attention to the lobby, and he was happy to discover very little in the way of attempts at rustic charm. Some natural wood accents mixed in with tasteful stone and concrete gave the place a more modern feel. Comfortable chairs were arranged in groups around a large circular fire pit, but Welton was happy to see single chairs placed about the lobby as well. Perhaps not everyone who checked into the resort was an extrovert. Across the lobby from the registration desk was what looked to be a softly lit and cozy bar, and signs above hallways branching off in different directions indicated the way to dining areas as well as the fitness center, spa, and pool.

He queued up behind the other shuttle riders. All of them wore parkas or ski clothing, quite different than his khakis and cotton-blend pullover topped by an old winter coat he’d worn for over a decade. The majority of the other guests also looked more fit than he could ever hope to be, even under their winter clothing. Not that he was unfit. He just wasn’t their level of fit.

Early on in their relationship, Dean had asked about his workout routine. Welton had said he took brisk walks, then sat feeling foolish as he’d waited for Dean to stop laughing.

“Sir? Are you checking in?”

Welton looked up and discovered he’d shuffled along in line automatically and was now next up. Turning his thoughts away from Dean, he approached the young woman’s station.

“Yes, I am. I’m Welton Monroe, and I should have a cabin reservation.”

“The cabins are very popular this time of year. You must have made your reservation early.”

“We did, indeed. I mean, I did.”

“I see here you’re in the Spruce grouping, cabin five. That’s a very nice one, with a loft master bedroom and a very nice sitting area with a fireplace.” She tapped on her keyboard. “And you’ll be with us until the day after Christmas. We’re glad you chose to spend your holiday here at Snowcapped.”

“Yes, well, thank you.” Small talk always made him uncomfortable. Many times he responded with short statements because he didn’t want to risk boring people. And he never really knew what to say to common pleasantries, so he usually fell back on the response he’d learned attending church with his parents: And also with you. Which either made people laugh or give him a funny look and walk away.

“Here are your key cards.” She tucked two plastic entry cards into a small paper folder where she’d written his cabin group and number and handed it to him with a smile. “Our team has lots of fun events planned for the holidays. I hope you enjoy your stay with us, Mr. Welton.”

“Mr. Monroe.”

“Oh, I’m so sorry. Mr. Monroe. You’ll find your bags by the entrance. One of the bellhops is driving newly arrived guests to their cabins in an enclosed cart.” She looked past him and gestured for the next person in line.

Welton shifted position to catch her eye again, cutting off the next customer. “I’m sorry, drive me to my cabin?”

“Yes, it’s a short distance down the road.”

“A short distance? How far is it? Will I be able to walk here for meals and activities or will I need to summon a ride?”

“It’s really not that far,” she said with a smile that looked as if she might have practiced it in a mirror. “It’s only a courtesy right now since you have luggage.”

She looked at the next customer, and Welton knew he’d been firmly dismissed. He turned toward the main entrance where a group of people were just leaving, following a young man he assumed was the cart driver. Welton approached the few remaining pieces of luggage and separated his two bags from the others. After several failed attempts to