the bellboy lit the fire, Katani and Isabel wandered around the rest of the suite. They peeked in the master bedroom to see a king-size, four-poster bed with beautiful western landscape artwork decorating the walls.
âThereâs also a loft,â the bellboy informed them.
From the main room of the suite, the girls took the circular staircase upstairs and found a wide room with three sets of plush bunk beds, another leather couch, a leather beanbag chair, and a second huge TV.
Isabel flopped onto one of the bunk beds and kicked up her feet.
âWould you like me to open the drapes?â the bellboy called from the bottom of the stairs.
âWhat?â Katani said distractedly, poking through some of the drawers and cabinets.
The bellboy pushed a button and the drapes that lined the windows opened electronically.
The girls looked up as the light poured in and were completely awestruck at the scene in front of them. Both of them hurried downstairs to get the full top-to-bottom view out the giant window. Framed by the window, the lawn of the ranch stretched out expansively. Lone Mountain was crowned with purple clouds, and the sky sparkled with snowflakes falling in the golden glow of the late afternoon sun.
âIt looks like a painting,â Isabel whispered.
French doors opened onto a deck that ran the lengthof the room. Sitting on the deck was a huge, inviting hot tub.
âWe could all fit in here,â Katani said, walking outside to peek in the tub.
The bellboy showed them how to turn the spa on and off before he left them to settle in.
âI wish we had our luggage,â Katani said. âIf I had my swimsuit, Iâd jump into the hot tub right now.â
âLook, the snowâs getting pretty heavy,â Isabel observed, pointing out the window.
âYikes!â Katani said, looking out at the steady flurry of flakes. âI wonder where the others are. They must be almost here by now. I hope the snow isnât a problem for them.â
Katani flipped open her cell phone and dialed Charlotte at the touch of a button.
âIt went right to voicemail,â she told Isabel. âTheyâre probably not getting cell reception on the road.â
âI bet they got delayed at the airport,â Isabel mused. âMaybe the van wasnât ready on time.â
âMaeve is going to flip when she finds out that weâre on the same floor as Nik and Sam,â Katani said with a grin. âShe is
definitely
going to flip.â
As if on cue, there was a knock at the door.
Katani looked through the peephole and unlocked the door to welcome Sam, who had changed into a vintage T-shirt and jeans.
âHey!â Sam said, peeking in the room. âCool room! Nik and I have some free time now. They have a big game room downstairs. Wanna go check it out?â
Katani and Isabel looked at each other.
âWell, uh,â Katani stammered. âIâm not sure we should leave the room.â
Nik joined her sister at the door. âHey, where is everyone else? Shouldnât they be here already?â
âThey havenât arrived yet,â Isabel said with a shrug.
âThey were only supposed to be about thirty minutes behind us,â Sam said, checking her watch. Nik disappeared down the hall and returned with her parents.
âMr. Ramsey and the other girls havenât gotten here yet?â Nik and Samâs mom asked, looking a little concerned.
Isabel shook her head.
âLook, why donât you girls hang out with us until the rest of the group gets here?â Sam suggested again.
âYou have your room keys?â Nik and Samâs mom asked the girls.
Both girls nodded, showing her the keys they had stuck in their pockets.
âOkay,â she said. âI think itâs all right for you to leave the room, as long as youâre not wandering around aimlessly. If I know where you are, that will be just fine. Why donât you