A TRIP AT THE SKI LODGE
There was no stopping Grace when it came to her obsession with Sam Bennett. She had missed out on her chance to become Mrs. Sam Bennett when she married Julian Crane, but Mrs. Julian Crane was a woman of determination and means and quite accustomed to getting her way whatever the cost. As she arrived at the ski lodge, her plan was still formulating. She did, however, have an ultimate goal which was to make Sam realize that he could never forget what they had. It was time that luck went her way. After all, how much disappointment could one woman face. The pendulum swings both ways, or so they say, and now would be her chance to swing things her way. Granted, her life of wealth and privilege was envied by many. But what about love! What about true love and passion like the passion she and Sam had shared for all those months so many years ago.
She remembered everything like it was yesterday, his tender touch, the way he would hold her close and stroke her long blonde hair, the way his lips found their way around the back of her neck slowly kissing his way to her mouth. She could hear his soft sigh as they kissed and their lips lovingly lingered in waves of passion. How she yearned to feel the warmth of his love once again. Thank goodness she had fallen into the perfect situation to make her dream finally come true.
Looking out the window, she could see the Ski Lodge just around the bend. The setting for her plan would be ideal. Quaint log cabins dotted the vast expanse of snow and trees with a larger building she supposed to be the main office. Smoke billowed from the chimneys decorating the blue skies with soft silver puffs of cotton candy. The air was fresh and crisp, a beautiful day for skiing and other fun in the sun.
The parking lot looked like a crazy quilt with recreational vehicles and snow removal equipment as well as cars and trucks parked everywhere and in every manner. As she drove toward the office a young valet approached.
"Why don't you let me take it from here, Mam. I'm afraid the parking lot is a disaster area. Careful of that pole there." he cautioned as she stopped and let him escort her to the passenger seat. "I'll drop you off at the office and bring your bags in if that's okay, Mrs.....?"
"Crane, Ivy Crane, and thank you. I'm afraid I don't do a lot of driving especially in these conditions. My things are in the trunk, just the two bags and equipment if you don't mind," she smiled accepting his kind offer. The drive had been a long one, two hours, but she would have driven around the world to see Sam and have a chance of being alone with him again.
"Looked like you were about to slide right into that thing...happens a lot around here with all the ice and everything. That one there's been hit twice this season already...knocks out just about all the electricity in the resort. It's a real danger too. " He smiled back and helped her out of the car at the office. "Well looks like you're here then Mrs. Crane. Sorry about the mess. I'll be right in with your things. "
"Thank you so much." She let herself into the main office where a clerk was talking with what appeared to be one of the workmen.
"I'm sorry," she explained, "we were under the impression that the county paid for all snow removal from the roads."
"The roads, yes, but the parking lot, no," he complained. "You guys have to pay for your own work. The county don't pay for parking lot cleanup, so unless you can get me the money for my workers you can clean up your own mess. I told your boss, and I'm not gonna tell him again. I want my money now, understand. You tell him he better call me tonight and settle this thing or tomorrow you won't have a parking lot!" He left his card and stormed off leaving the clerk somewhat frustrated but apologetic.
"I'm sorry, Mrs. Crane. This weather has been crazy, but today should be a beautiful day for skiing. Will you be needing any equipment? " She was efficient and adept at changing the mood of the moment.
"As a matter of fact, could I look over what you have? I'm not sure I want to use what I brought." Ivy was ready with her answer. Everything was falling right into place. She glanced out at the troublesome parking lot, the precariously located power pole and back at the equipment room.
"Of course, just help yourself. The reserved ones are marked."
The first thing Ivy saw was what she had hoped for, off to one side a set of skis marked Grace Bennett-reserved. Closing the door behind her, she blocked it with a chair and quickly removed the file from her purse. She had hoped Grace would have skis on reserve and knew that if she roughed up the bottoms the chances of slipping would be greatly increased. It was a long shot but she had to do everything she could . Then like a miracle from above she saw her real chance for success, another pair of skis off in the corner, identical to the ones Grace had on reserve but these were marked "Don't use-defective bindings." "Perfect," she thought. She quickly made the switch scarring the bottoms for good measure, unblocked the door and told the clerk she had decided to use her own equipment after all.
Everything was falling into place. This could be easier than she thought. "And now for a little tea and sympathy." She had phase two worked out already. She had the bellboy take her things to her cabin and walked outside the office. Seeing the workers clearing the lot, she approached the man she'd seen complaining to the clerk which seemed quite natural since he was staring at her like she was locked in his tractor beam. "Excuse me," she smiled coyly, and he shut off the engine and climbed down. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt your work, but could you tell me where to get some hot tea. I'm afraid I need a little pick me up before I hit the slopes."
His face lit up like a Christmas tree," I can do more than tell you. I can show you. By the way," he said motioning her to come along, "I'm sorry about the commotion in there. I didn't mean to make you wait."
"Actually, I couldn't help but hear what you were saying about the money they owe you , and I think I may have a way you can get the money you need, you know for your workers and all. Would you care to join me for a little tea and a chat. I'm sure it could be fortunate for both of us. She patted the pole she practically hit on the way in. Whoops!"
"Have tea with you and talk about money too. Sounds like a dream come true." He rubbed his hands together in anticipation.
"Yes," she grinned, " A real dream come true! With a wicked laugh, she followed him into the little cafe knowing full well he would be putty in her hands and pocketbook.
Part Two
Grace was looking out the window of the cabin anticipating all the fun she and Sam would be having on this, their second honeymoon. She jumped a little when Sam came up behind her for a hug and right away knew what was on his mind. As she turned to face him, they embraced. "Now Sam, they'll be time for that later. I already have the perfect evening planned and we have to leave tomorrow." She looked up at him. "It's gorgeous out there," she said turning him around to see the view, her arm placed lovingly around his waist.
"It's gorgeous in here too, honey," he pulled her back to face him and kissed her tenderly.
"Oh Sam! Come on now, you know what I mean. I love you too, but I haven't been skiing at all this season. I've gotta stay in shape you know."
"Your shape is perfect, " he said pulling her closer, "But alright. I suppose I can wait a few hours to be with the woman I love. "
"I just want everything to be perfect. Sam. Besides, why go to a ski resort if you aren't going to ski!" She took both his hands in hers. "Come on honey, let's hit the slopes!"
They laughed and talked stopping to get the rental equipment and headed toward the lift area. Just then, Grace spotted Ivy near by with two of the young men from the ski patrol. " Oh my goodness, Sam look who that is over there with those men."
"Ivy Crane." Sam's voice was flat with shock but he wasn't ready for the way he felt looking at Ivy as the two men obviously were interested in more than Ivy's ski technique.
"Is she flirting with them, Sam!" Grace seemed shocked too. "I wonder what Julian would say if he saw that! She waved a little hello towards the group as Ivy acknowledged seeing them. "We'd better say hello, don't you think, Sam? Sam! Hello! "
Sam was in another world. Seeing Ivy with that look on her face. That beautiful face that used to look at him that way brought back memories of the two of them laughing and playing in the snow. He pulled himself back to reality pushing the ache in his heart down so that now it was just a lump in his chest. "I'm sorry, yes, I guess I'm just a little surprised to see her here. If you didn't say anything, how could she have known we were here?"
"Don't be ridiculous, Sam. I'm sure this is just a fluke. Ivy said she was planning a weekend away, remember. She didn't know we'd be here , and from the look of things, maybe she didn't want anyone to know where she was going to be either. She certainly looks like she's having a good time."
Ivy came towards them , a handsome escort on each arm.." Well isn't this a surprise. Looks like both our secrets are out. Grace, Sam," These are my new friends, Greg and Hans. Greg, Hans, " she made the introductions with a girlish grin, "Grace and Sam Bennett, dear friends of mine from Harmony. What a small world, who would have thought!" She clasped the arms of her boy toys looking at each one, then back at Grace and Sam in gleeful surrender to what looked like an embarrassing situation. I just thought it would be fun to get away, get some exercise, breathe the fresh clean air. She took in a deep breath which really got the attention of her admirers. Sam was paralyzed. "Well, it was nice running into you. I'm sure you two have plans together. Maybe I'll see you on the slopes. " She reached out to shake Graces' hand goodbye, and Grace reciprocated on auto pilot.
"That was odd." Grace turned to Sam. "Sam, Sam! "
"I'm sorry, honey, yea it was. I guess it just kind of took me by surprise seeing her here ." He tried to regain his composure. "I thought the Crane's did all their skiing in some place more exotic. I wonder why she's here."
"Don't be silly, Sam. It's not like she followed us here or anything. I'm sure she has a perfectly good reason for being here with those men, probably business or something."
"I don't know Grace. There's just something odd about her being here of all places. If she's got business here, it's monkey business. Don't you think Julian would be with her if it were business?" Sam's eyes were glued to Ivy as she headed off toward the lift.
"Sam Bennett, if I didn't know better, I'd think you were jealous, the way you're acting."
"Not jealous, Grace, disgusted."
"Well, maybe Julian isn't the love of her life. it's none of our business anyway. I'm sure we're the last people she wanted to see this weekend. Anyway, I feel sorry for her. If she had a man like you. Sam, she'd never act like that. I should know. I'm the luckiest woman in the world." She tugged at Sam's arm. "Race you to the lift."
Riding up to the top of the mountain, the view was breathtaking. Tall evergreen trees with burdened branches heavy with snow shot up into the clear skies for as far as they could see. It was like a fairytale, and Sam could not escape his own fantasies making him dizzy in the thin air as the lift took them up higher and higher. Around and around, he could hear Ivy's sweet laughter as he picked her up and spun her around in his arms. Throwing snow balls, chasing each other until they dropped and tossing around in the snow together, the pictures ran through his mind in slow motion. They were so much in love. But that was a long time ago. He told himself that he needed this vacation. Obviously, the stress had gotten to him. Why else would he be thinking about Ivy Crane. He stepped off the lift with Grace and put his thoughts in order. "You first," she said. "See you at the bottom."
As he took off down the slope , there was barely time to think when he heard Grace's scream. Stopping and turning, he could see that she had fallen , and with one ski still attached, she was tumbling head over heals right past him and down the mountain. He raced to the bottom where the ski patrol had already arrived and was assisting his wife who luckily seemed to be in fair shape considering the fall she had taken. It was just as it seemed. She had slipped right away, and one of her boots was stuck in the binding, causing her to tumble down. They carried her back to the cabin with Sam following and comforting her.
"Fortunately, it looks like she sprained her ankle, but there don't seem to be any broken bones." The doctor had examined Grace thoroughly and given her a strong sedative with pain reliever after wrapping the ankle. " There's no electricity right now, an accident with one of the snow plows. Seems it hit a pole in the parking lot...Happens a lot here, but the fireplace is warm, the lanterns are right here, portable radio on the dresser, and an ice chest in the closet. I can have the bell boy fill it for you. " Sam had tried to talk Grace into heading back to Harmony, but she wouldn't hear of it.
"I don't want you to miss out on all the fun outside, Sam. Besides, I'll probably get more rest here than back home with the family. I'll be fine, and I can still hop around if I need to." Grace was insistent that Sam get back to the slopes, and the doctor told him that she would soon be sleeping anyway. "You can wake me up when you get back. Really, I insist. " She gave him a look that said she was expecting to have the night of love they had planned. "I know, maybe you can find Ivy and ski with her."
"I don't think so, Grace." Again he was swept back in time, his arms around Ivy as she looked into his eyes and promised her undying love. "She 's the last person I want to end up with today." He struggled to get back to reality thinking maybe the exercise would help him relax and stop this craziness.
" Well, okay, then. I just hope we don't seem rude. Maybe you could close the drapes before you go so I can take a nap. I am feeling a little tired, and put the radio on, if you don't mind. It's funny in a place like this you don't even miss something like electricity, isn't it honey."
Just the word brought a mental picture of Ivy reaching out her hand to him. It was like an electrical spark every time they touched....she was pulling him towards her, her crystal blue eyes beaming with love. "It sure is, funny what you miss and don't miss, I mean." He stammered as he kissed her and tucked her in closing the drapes as she had asked him to do. The room was dark. "Do you want me to light the lantern?" he asked .
"No, I have one right here if I need it. I'm sure I'll just sleep till you get back. Now get going before the sun goes down."
Just after he left, the bell boy arrived with the ice chest and some supplies . When he knocked on the door, Grace told him to come on in . As he was arranging things, the doctor showed up with Ivy who told him she had a great idea. She could trade rooms with Grace and Sam. Her room still had electricity, and there were no steps, so it would be a lot better for Grace in her condition. The doctor agreed , and the bellboy said he would take care of moving everything. At first Grace was hesitant, but with everyone's insisting , she finally gave in . On the way to Ivy's room, Grace told the bellboy to make sure Sam knew where to find her , but when she was settled in and Ivy was leaving , Ivy told the bellboy not to do anything. Ivy would tell Sam herself, and she tipped him nicely for everything.
It was really too good to be true. Sam would come back to a darkened room where Ivy would be waiting in bed for him while Grace slept sedated in another room far away ...no phone, no interruptions, just the two of them alone at last. She couldn't wait! She slipped a Billy Joel tape in the portable stereo and set it to auto reverse. With any more luck, they would soon be making love to their song.
It seemed like an eternity, then finally she heard the door unlock, and Sam came inside. Quietly she could hear his clothes fall to the floor, feel the weight as he slipped into bed with her and pressed against her. She turned to face him and drew him close. They kissed, a kiss so long and passionate she thought she would explode. So afraid he would realize his mistake, she anxiously initiated what she had wanted for so long, to make love to the man she had never forgotten. It was just as she remembered, so wonderful, so complete, even the music was perfect. She savored every precious moment locking away the memories for future enjoyment. This would definitely be something she would want to relive, and she had no regrets. Sure, it had taken some scheming and a little bribery, but it was worth every penny. When Sam did finally realize he wasn't with his precious wife, Grace, it would be too late. The way things were going, this would be a night Sam would never forget or regret.
Part Three
Julian was at his wits ' end. After finding out from Alistair that Ivy was at the Ski Lodge, he began to worry even more about her safety. Alistair always knew everything and had made it clear that if Ivy didn't clean up her act , she would be taken out of the picture. Just the mere fact that his father knew Ivy was alone and exactly where scared him. He knew all too well what this could mean , and he wasn't ready to sacrifice the woman he married, the woman he still loved regardless of everything that had come between them. He just hoped he wasn't too late to save her. Now that he knew Alistair's possible agenda, he had to protect Ivy. She was the mother of his children. the symbol of what he had achieved and the woman he had promised to stay with through thick and thin. She had never been the perfect wife, but she had always protected him when it became necessary, his beautiful Ivy.
It was late when he arrived at the lodge, but the manager knew him and told the bellboy to take him to Ivy's room. They knocked on the door and waited until the bellboy remembered, oh yes, there had been an accident. Julian's heart dropped. Was it too late? Then, the boy explained that Ivy had given her room to the victim who remained unnamed, and they proceeded to go to the other room where Ivy and Sam lay entwined in each other's arms. It was dark, and Sam answered the door to Julian's knock.
"Sam?" Julian gasped.
Sam was lighting the lantern as Julian spoke, and Julian grabbed it as he marched into the room. There Ivy sat up and adjusted herself pulling the covers around her shivering and naked body.
Sam's jaw dropped, and together he and Julian exclaimed, "Ivy?!"
"Well, isn't this just the picture of marital bliss." Julian mused sarcastically. " Or should I say extramarital bliss, darling."
"Hello, Julian. Is something wrong or did you plan a getaway here too and just get lost on the way to your party.?"
"Nice try, Ivy," Julian shot back but was sharply interrupted.
"What have you done with my wife, Ivy?" Sam demanded still confused.
'Come on Chief Bennett, you can do better than that. Are you insinuating you're here looking for your wife or maybe you're looking for your wife and your pants." Julian glared at Sam who looked like a wild haired mad bull in under shorts. "I love a good story, but I think you'd better come up with something more believable if you want to fill out those shorts in the future, my boy." He reached in his coat and pulled out a gun which he pointed directly at where Sam's pants would have zipped.
Ivy tried to interrupt and explain about the room mix up, but Julian was on a rant. "I think I see now what you mean dear when you say things aren't as they seem. I just didn't realize how far you would go to help the family, Ivy. " He turned back to Sam, "Perhaps you are stupid enough to fall into the kind of trap my wife described, but don't you see what she's done, Chief Bennett? My charming wife has put you in a foolish predicament. You are, in effect, my personal slave, now aren't you, Chief. Anything I need, say concerning Officer Lopez-Fitzgerald will be taken care of, now won't it? I do know one thing for certain. A woman like Ivy certainly couldn't get any gratification from a hick in a uniform, or out of uniform should I say. Please, put your pants on, I'm getting nauseous. " Julian sat down beside Ivy. "Of course, my dear, what was I thinking earlier. You're just an innocent victim, like goldilocks sleeping soundly when one of the three bears came in and attacked her." He pulled Ivy towards him and held her tight forcing a kiss. Maybe you'd like Papa Bear to finish the porridge."
Seeing the fear in Sam's eyes and wanting to recapture his jealous desire, she succumbed to Julian's advances, and Julian waved Sam away. "Better be off with you then, Chief, we'll have a little pow wow later." Julian resumed his embrace as Sam watched , then turned in a huff to dress and leave.
When he found Grace she was still sleeping soundly. He stepped into the shower where he quietly and calmly proceeded to cleanse his body, but he knew it would be a long time before he could wash away what happened in that room. It was all coming back to him, and as he stepped out into the darkened room, his dark thoughts followed. Julian with Ivy -that was where it all started, but it wouldn't end there.
The End
The concept for this story was given to me by my daughter, Princess Alexis. If you would like it to continue, please let me know, and also any ideas you have for what should happen, I hope you liked it! There is also a great discussion board linked to my Main Page.