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“I’ll be there,” Mitch replied.
A weather alert of the snowstorm getting heavier in a few hours sounded on my cell. It was a good thing we were leaving earlier. I clicked off the office lights and walked the mall to the food court. As I passed the workshop, I saw a redheaded elf taking pictures. I wanted to say hello but there was a small line of people waiting, so I kept going.
The addition of the trees was a good idea.
“Mitch, right on time. Do you want to sit for a few minutes to eat?” I gestured to a table. “I don’t think you’ll be able to drive in this weather while eating.”
We each got some food and sat eating. I filled Mitch in on the activities at the manor and the guest quarters. He asked a lot of questions about the family. Both of our cell phones went off at the same time with a snow report.
“That’s our signal to get going.” Mitch stood and cleared his garbage. “Let me use the restroom quick.”
“You go ahead, I’ll be here,” I answered, watching a blonde-haired elf walking through the food court.
Those stockings look like the ones I saw the other night going over the counter. I wonder if she works in one of the restaurants.
I watched her stroll through the food area then stop briefly at the burger place. A teenager handed her a cup of something, then she walked to the bathroom area.
Would she tell me if she was the one that dove over the counter? I know I saw something.
“Sorry for making you wait.” Mitch reached for my briefcase. “Let’s get you to the manor.”
I sat for the first hour and a half in the back seat, going over financial reports and making notes to go over with Sawyer at the manor. The snow was coming down harder. I had Mitch pull over so I could join him in the front seat. I was too distracted by the snow to work. The route we were on didn’t have a lot of traffic, thankfully.
“I’m real glad you were able to get this Hummer. I’m not sure we would have made it.” I leaned forward, trying to see the road. “We’re only a few miles away now.”
The snow hadn’t slowed by the time we arrived. I had Mitch pull us into the service area so we could park the Hummer in the garages, then introduced him to my parents’ drivers.
“Come on in and meet the family, then I’ll have someone show you to your room.” I pulled my briefcase from the backseat. “Leave the bags, the guys will get them. You have to be tired from that drive.”
The breezeway to the house was covered, but the snow was coming down so hard it was still covering us. I could hear the family in the living room. It sounded like I was the last to arrive.
“Look at all you lazy people not working in the middle of the day,” I joked from the doorway. “Hold on, I need a picture with a time stamp of this.”
“Get yourself in here and give your mother a hug,” my mother said. “I see you still haven’t cut off that hair.”
“I told you, I like it. Maybe I’ll trim it for Sawyer’s wedding, but don’t hold your breath.” I hugged her. “This is Mitch, he’s my driver while I’m working at the mall by Hartford.”
“Welcome, Mitch, I’m Victoria Hawthorne. Let me have Diana, my house manager, get you settled in,” Victoria smiled. “Whenever you’re ready, feel free to join us back down here.”
“Thank you. I’ve got a bit of a headache after that drive.” Mitch waved to the family. “Mr. Hawthorne, let me know if you need anything.”
Diana appeared out of nowhere like she always had. She had Mitch follow her. I rubbed my hands together to warm them.
“Where’s the baby?” I looked around. “Where’s Poppy and Kellan?”
“It’s nap time, and they are both exhausted,” Victoria smiled. “I told them to go rest before the party tonight.”
“I don’t think it’s a good idea to have the baby around so many people,” Parker said, all serious. “We won’t be doing this party thing when our baby comes.”
“Parker, the baby will only make a brief appearance, then the nanny will take her back upstairs.” Victoria took a seat on the couch next to Mia. “Do you think I would let anything happen to my granddaughter?”
“Good point Mother, but we don’t know if our baby is a boy or a girl yet,” Parker replied. “Mia doesn’t want to find out in advance.”
“I like that, Mia.” I took a seat on the other side of her. “Keep it a surprise. I mean, how many real surprises are there in life. Am I right?”
“Asher! I’m shocked to hear that point of view from you,” Victoria gasped.
“What? Just because I’ve been the partier doesn’t mean I don’t have real opinions and views on life,” I pouted. “You guys have no faith in me.”
