Quinn’s domain was a tiny windowless office just off the main laundry rooms. For a resort this big, they kept their laundry machines running nonstop. Detergent, bleach, and heated Egyptian cotton mixed unpleasantly in Zoey’s nostrils, but Quinn seemed oblivious to the smell.
“I wish there was more I could do for you.” With a wistful sigh, the hospitality specialist turned in her chair. “You looked so pretty in this last night.”
Warmed by the unexpected compliment, Zoey sat down in the other chair in the small office. “Thank you. I didn’t see you there. I saw Diego, but I didn’t recognize anyone else.”
“Oh, Diego is in training to be a butler. He and Grass are both in the running.” Lowering her voice conspiratorially, Quinn added, “I bet Hannah gives the job to Diego, even though Grass would be so much better at it. Mrs. Harris kept promoting all the out-of-towners over people from here. Hannah is trying to even things out. Which I’m completely in favor of, except have you noticed how Diego bares his teeth at everyone?”
Giggling, Quinn did an impression of Diego that was spot on. Quinn’s cheerfulness was infectious. Zoey had been down all morning, distressed beyond what was reasonable for a weeklong pseudo-relationship and unable to get Graham out of her mind, but she felt better being around Quinn.
“Is it like that even here in the resort?” Gesturing to the hotel around them, Zoey turned to Quinn. “Because it seems like out there, it’s town versus hotel to the extreme.”
“I think it depends on who you talk to. I really like meeting new people all the time. But there’s some people in town who are getting really frustrated. It didn’t used to be so bad, more like they thought the tourists were an annoyance, but whatever. Then a few years ago, someone got drunk and ran a red light.” Quinn’s large eyes gleamed in remembrance. “They sideswiped a car coming through the intersection. Killed almost an entire family.”
“That’s awful. Whose family was it?” Zoey couldn’t help but ask.
Shifting uncomfortably, Quinn glanced guiltily at the door as if someone might hear. “Diego’s family. He was the only one who survived the crash.”
Her heart went out to the awkward, grumpy concierge instantly. “That’s so sad. Why would he work here, then?”
“Because there are only so many jobs around here, and the hotel offers benefits a lot of the local businesses can’t. Health insurance, retirement, housing. And they pay for career training in the off-seasons. I’d never be able to afford college if it weren’t for the Shaws paying for classes. We don’t like to admit it, but without the hotel…”
Without the hotel, the community would suffer.
“I shouldn’t tease him,” Quinn whispered. “He has every reason to be grumpy.”
Reaching over to squeeze the younger woman’s hand, Zoey murmured, “Thank you. You’ve been very sweet to try and help me.”
When Zoey stood up to go, Quinn popped up to her feet, once more a bundle of energy and enthusiasm. “Are you looking forward to the fireworks?”
“Hmm?”
“Everyone is saying this year will be the best. Although after last night, who really knows what will happen now. Maybe next year’s will be even better if more people are around.”
“What do you mean?”
Quinn blinked owlishly. “You don’t know? All anyone can talk about is Ms. Montgomery’s plans for Moose Springs.”
“We had to make a dramatic escape prior to the scheduled programming,” Zoey replied drolly. “I think I need to talk to Lana. Do you know where she is?”
More than happy to be of help, Quinn immediately said, “Up in her rooms.”
Zoey tilted her head, confused by Quinn’s certainty. “I was just there. Lana’s not inside.”
“No, not the one she’s staying in with you. The other rooms she reserved. The executive suite and the presidential suite. Ms. Montgomery booked out the entire penthouse floor. Mr. Montgomery—oh my gosh, he is so gorgeous, isn’t he—and his companions are staying in one, and she’s running the other as an office space.”
“Quinn, can you get me into Lana’s suite? Her office, not Killian’s room. My keycard won’t let me access the penthouse floor.”
“Sure.” Quinn was more than willing to help. “But let’s take the staff elevator so no one sees. I’m technically not allowed to let any other guests on the penthouse floors.”
Seeming to enjoy sneaking around, Quinn led her to the service elevator allowing staff up to that level. The entire elevator ride, Zoey’s heart raced. Graham had been beside himself last night. Knowing something that mattered to him so much had been ripped away by the people visiting this hotel only made Zoey more anxious as they arrived at the suite.
Quinn unlocked the door for her, then disappeared down the hall with a cheery wave, returning to her work.
Stepping inside the hotel suite, Zoey’s eyes went immediately to the massive conference table running the length of one side of the suite. Easily capable of seating twenty people with plenty of room, the table had been set up with a miniaturized, lifelike display of the town, resort, and surrounding mountain ranges.
Everything was there. Even tiny places like the daycare and Frankie’s bakery had been accounted for. Shops so carefully unmarked and unnamed for privacy were fully disclosed for everyone to see. Places of high traffic were marked with colorful dots, with the largest dots gracing the various coffeehouses and gift shops around town.
The Tourist Trap had the largest dot of all.
“Killian, please warn me of when you’re coming over here.” Lana’s voice came from the other room. “You startle the life out of me every time I’m in the powder room and hear—oh. Zoey.”
Zoey nodded at the woman appearing from the suite’s far bedroom. “Just me. Lana? What is this?”
Distracted by the display, Zoey had failed to notice the display boards lining the wall, printed with computer-generated, artistic architectural renditions of—
Feeling the blood drain from her face, Zoey stepped back.
“Those are of Moose Springs. You promised Graham you didn’t buy the resort.”
Lana sighed. “No, dearest. I didn’t buy the resort. I promised him I wouldn’t, so I didn’t. But I might have to eventually. The Shaws don’t want to sell, but they’re broke. It’ll only be so much longer before the resort will fold and take the entire town with it. I care about Moose Springs far too much to let that happen.”
Sitting on the edge of a chaise lounge, Lana gave her a sad look. “Zoey, you come from a small farming town. Even without the influx of travelers passing through, your town would survive. Moose Springs is the ultimate tourist trap. A hundred years ago, there weren’t enough people to be strained by closing the mining operations. Now the population is too high, and the economy is based on supporting tourism. And unfortunately, for as many bodies as come through here, the resort just isn’t making enough money. I give them two years, maybe three tops before they would have to go under.”