Stuck in the Snowys

Great! Of course this was my luck, Kate thought unhappily as she pulled off her beanie and brushed the last of the snow off of her red puffer jacket. Wheeling her suitcase behind her, she made her way through the decorated front doors of red and green tinsel and golden bells, and headed towards the reception desk of the Grand Central Hotel. Kate pushed through the horde of people that were milling around the front of the foyer, an array of unhappiness. “Excuse me,” Kate called to the pretty young receptionist who was urging people through to the main bistro and bar, “is my room still available?” “Welcome back Miss Right,” the receptionist greeted the young woman who was now removing her puffer jacket and placing it over her bag, “I did try to warn you that there is no way to leave today.” Kate looked up and winced, embarrassed about her defiant attitude towards the girl 20 mins earlier and wished she would have been a little more open to receiving the bad news. “I’m sorry, I just couldn’t believe that I would be stuck here for Christmas. I honestly thought I would have found a lift to the airport! I’m sorry about the misunderstanding, but is there anything you can do about getting my room back?” “I’m sorry Miss Right, I couldn’t hold your room because of the emergency situation at the moment. As you can see, we have more guests than rooms. But what we have done is asked the guests who have spare beds to accommodate any extras who are also stuck here, Im sure we will find somewhere for you shortly - until then please feel free to warm up in the bistro with the other guests.” Kate felt like crying as the receptionist turned her attention to a sour faced, balding man who was tapping his credit card impatiently wanting to purchase himself a room that clearly wasn’t available. “I’m sorry Sir I told you, you’ll just have to wait until we can sort out a plan for all the extra guests”. Kate looked around the bistro after ordering her hot chocolate at the counter and settled on a quiet corner with comfy looking arm chairs, away from the majority of guests who were now gossiping about the length and severity of the snowstorm and what would happen if they couldn’t find rooms to share. Kate wasn’t in the mood, having given up her room minutes earlier in a panicked quest to get home for Christmas. Kate sighed as she put down her bags and melted into the old suede armchair that she was certain had heard many stories over the years. Kate looked over and noticed a young curly haired girl about 9 years old sitting quietly on the carpet nearby colouring in a beautiful horse that now had red hooves and a green Christmas tree drawn on its rump. At least someone still has some Christmas spirit Kate thought. **Trent walked back to the table to where he had left Molly colouring in happily on the floor. It was busy in the bistro with all the extra people who were stuck at the hotel because of the snowstorm, but Molly was bored in the room and wanted to eat and as room service was temporarily unavailable while the hotel sorted out other issues, this was the only other option. Trent saw her as he approached and struggled to look away, she was beautiful - exquisite even. Her dark blonde locks were wavy and dishevelled from being out in the weather and her tanned skin was a striking contract to the sea of pale tourists who were stuck at the hotel. I wonder where she’s from he thought as he sat down at the table beside hers. *** Kate looked up and smiled at the waitress. “Sorry about the wait Miss, we are so busy - I’ve given you extra marshmallows on the side” she said as she gave Kate an apologetic smile and turned away to place a order at another table. Kate sipped at her hot chocolate when a little face appeared beside her. “What’s your name? Are you going to eat all those marshmallows? I’m Molly.” “Hi Molly, I’m Kate,” Kate laughed. “If it’s okay with your mum - it’s fine by me.” She looked around to see if Mollys parents were close by and would give the permission by means of a nod. As she glanced around her attention caught on a handsome dark haired man on the phone, his arm muscles showing clearly through the white sweater he had on. He glanced at her briefly and flicked her a smile - his eyes smouldering right through her soul. Kate was suddenly embarrassed, aware of how she must look, she didn’t get much time this morning to get ready and her unbrushed hair must be looking very wild after being whipped around in the storm. “I’m visiting my mum for Christmas and going to my Grans” replied Molly, snapping Kate’s attention back to her. “My Dads just over there,” Molly indicated with a wave, “it’s okay if you don’t want to share.” Kate looked back towards where Mollys hand had indicated and saw a pudgy man smile at her from that table behind the handsome stranger on the phone. “Help yourself to them Molly, I’ve already had two” Kate smiled as the child took the last three marshmallows and popped one immediately into her mouth. “Are you staying here too Kate?” Molly asked. “I was,” Kate explained to the young girl, “until I stupidly tried to leave early to get a lift to the airport, and now I’m waiting to see if I’m sharing a room or sleeping on the floor tonight.” “What’s your favourite animal Kate?” Molly asked. Kate smiled, of course the child wouldn’t want to hear about her adult dramas. “My favourite animal would be a horse Molly, I loved the one you were colouring in before.” “Okay perfect. Bye!” Molly exclaimed running off. Kate sat back and closed her eyes, finding the armchair and mumbling voices surrounding her comforting as she flicked off her boots and tucked her feet underneath herself. “Excuse me,” the pudgy man she knew as Mollys father bellowed “but I couldn’t help notice you look over at me and I wondered if I could sit with you a moment?”, as he seated himself across from her without a reply. “I’m Greg,” he took Kate’s hand and shook it roughly, “and what brings a beautiful woman like you to the Snowy Range area?” Kate looked at the red faced round man with little beady eyes and wondered if Molly got her pretty curls and big brown beautiful eyes from her mother’s side of the family. “I’ve been working on a ranch for a few weeks” Kate replied, “now I’m just trying to find my way back home for the holidays”. “Ah, you’re an Australian girl huh?” Greg loudly stated as he rubbed his rather large belly and then chuckled “I’ve never had an Australian woman before but I wouldn’t say no.”