Page 97 of Hope After Loss

“Yes. I’m excited. I’ve always wanted to go to Asheville. Do you think we’ll have time to see the Biltmore Estate?” she asks.

“It would be hard to miss it, seeing as I booked our rooms at The Inn on Biltmore Estate.”

Her eyes go wide.

I overheard her and Brandee talking about how much they wanted to visit the famous estate at Christmastime last year. The way Anna talked about the grand house was enough to have me on the phone, canceling my reservations at Hotel Indigo and booking two of the best rooms available at the inn. It isn’t nearly as convenient to get to the festival as the downtown spot, but the look on her face right now makes it worth the trouble of fighting traffic to make it into town every morning.

“Are you serious?” she asks.

“Yep. I figure we get enough laid-back country living in the valley and might as well enjoy a bit of luxury while we’re traveling on the company’s dime. You know, tax write-off and all,” I reply.

The smile that spreads across her face is as wide as the river is long, and it makes my chest ache.

Such a simple thing makes her happy.

Thirty minutes into our two-hour trip, she kicks her shoes off, and her sock-covered feet are perched on the dash of the truck. Her window is down, and her eyes are closed as her right hand waves in the wind.

We pull up to the inn, and I grab our bags as the valet tags the keys.

Anna’s eyes are filled with wonder as she takes in the luxury hotel with its grand architecture and surrounding mountains.

“Oh my, Weston,” she gasps.

I lead her inside, and we are greeted by the friendliest staff.

Our bags are swept away as we are given an overview of the hotel amenities.

It boasts several dining options, both casual and fine. A relaxing veranda, heated outdoor pool and hot tub, a fitness center, a world-class spa, and transportation to anywhere on the eight-thousand-acre Biltmore Estate, including the main house, gardens, Antler Hill Village, and the winery.

“And you’re booked in two of our Chateau Tier Grand King Rooms, so wait until you see the gorgeous mountain view from your windows,” the employee says as she hands me our key cards.

I look at Anna and wink.

I’m sure they are great views, but it will be hard to impress us when we walk out our doors and see some of the best mountain scenery every day.

We take the elevator to our floor, and I pass Anna one of the cards.

She stops at the door before mine.

“Get settled and freshen up. I’ll call down and make arrangements for transportation to the village, and we’ll have dinner somewhere there,” I say.

“Sounds amazing. Just text me.”

She opens the door and slips inside.

I walk one door down and find my bag has already been delivered to the room and is sitting on a luggage rack at the foot of the bed.

Nice.

I kick off my boots, visit the bathroom, and then stretch out on the big, comfortable bed.

There is a tap at the door beside the closet.

I hop up and undo the latch and pull it open.

Anna is standing on the other side, grinning.

“We have connecting rooms. Is yours as big as this one?” she asks as she walks through the threshold and starts to look around my space.