Free Innkeeper's Daughter by Dormaine G Page A

impeccably.
    But that was our first year into
the marriage. A time when Rachel and I were happy. That was only four years ago
but it seemed so long ago. Like another lifetime.
    I shook off the memory once I
arrived at my destination- Vail. Driving through the city gave me the feel of a
small town environment. One where everyone knew everybody by their first name,
who their kids were and how many dogs they had. Don’t get me wrong it’s modern,
stylish and very clean, just too friendly for me. Strangers waving to me from
the street as I drove by was, to say the least, odd. I will give it its
cleanliness, though.  I noticed that about Colorado. Some say you can eat off
the sidewalk it’s that spotless, but I think I’ll take their word on that
subject matter. 
    I was immediately reminded again that
I was no longer in D.C. when I stepped out of the rental and into the frigid
air. Although there wasn’t the humidity to add to the chill, the cold mountain
feel of Colorado was in a league of its own.
    My breath froze instantly as warm
air escaped my lips. My gloved fingers begged me to buy better insulated covers
and my boots stuck to the hardened ice when I walked. The snowflakes that fell
felt solid like they harbored ice chips instead of the fluffy flakes that I was
used to. Note to self: buy new padded clothes while here.
    This whole situation was unusual.
Yes, flying first class might have been the norm for me, but where I come from
fashionable clothing seemed more important than comfort or logic. In the
mountains it has to be more about quality and preservation than anything else.
My Calvin’s did nothing to preserve my body anywhere, not from head to toe. No
matter how I felt, today was the beginning to a new chapter in my life. The
last year had been, to put it mildly, rocky between my wife and I.  This spur
of the moment mini vacation was very much needed. I hope this time apart will
only do us good. Absence is supposed to make the heart grow fonder. But in our
case I wasn’t really sure.
    Instead of me flying back home
after a job interview, I’d decided to stay in Colorado and travel to a small
ski resort to mull over my decision. The option to not go home was easily made
after another cold reception over the phone with my indifferent wife.  Her
voice alone made the ice cozy and picturing her stony stare that could stop
traffic help aid my choice. 
    After parking I headed for the
heavy oak door to a resort, simply named ‘The Inn Keep’, and take in a deep
breath of the heat, gladly escaping the coolness from the outside world.
    It was just as I imagined a
resort to look like. A fire crackled in the distance against the back wall with
people huddled around its warmth drinking either cider, cocoa or coffee. They
sat on glossed over wooden furniture with colorful cushions wearing sporty ski
clothes.  The place smelled of roasted nuts and the wood lined walls; while
vaulted ceilings added to its appeal. The place was spacious and inviting.
    “Welcome,” a pleasant looking
woman said in a soft twang. The accent in Colorado was slight, but it reminded
me of a southern dialect. She offered me an assortment of coffee, cocoa or
cider in white mugs on a wooden tray 
    I accepted a mug filled with
steaming cocoa and slightly bowed a thank you. I took a sip the richest tasting
brew I’ve ever had. I thanked her again and she beamed watching my lips as I
spoke.
    My cheeks warmed. I politely
excused myself and headed over to the desk under the hanging check in sign. I
was again welcomed with a hearty grin accompanied by that same drawl. “Welcome
I’m the Innkeeper, John Parsons, the owner, but you can call me John. How may I
help you, sir?” He was a tall man about my height wearing lose denim, a plaid
shirt and a puffy blue vest.
    “Sterling Chandler, nice to meet
you.” His handshake was professional and his grip was firm. Not at 6’ 3’
weighing two hundred and twenty my grip was any less, but a handshake