Katie's Quest

Chapter Nine

Kieran's first thought when he saw the Grand Floridian Hotel was that it didn't look like a hotel at all. In fact, with its vaulted red roof and conical spires, it reminded him much more of a castle, or perhaps some sort of old-timey mansion. Everything about it, from its soaring towers to its huge bay windows to the literal red carpet laid outside its front entrance, screamed of elegance and luxury. Kieran couldn't help but gawk at it. He knew he looked ridiculous, knew he looked as provincial and naive as a rural farmer coming to the big city for the very first time, but he just couldn't muster the energy to care right then.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" Katie asked.

"It's amazing," he agreed. "I knew the hotel was going to be nice, but I wasn't expecting...this."

"If you think this is impressive," she said with a wink, "just wait till you see what it looks like on the inside."

"Just so long as you promise to catch me if I faint," he replied drily.

She giggled. It reminded him of small crystalline bells tinkling. "Of course I will, if it comes to that. I know you'd do the same for me."

That and more, Kieran thought, but he didn't dare say it aloud.

The moment Kieran pulled up outside the hotel's front entrance, a man--dressed in what was unmistakably a valet's uniform--seemed to appear from nowhere. By the time Kieran put the Porsche in park and switched the engine off, the valet was already hurrying over to attend them.

"Welcome to the Grand Floridian Hotel!" he said, with a big smile. "Do you have a reservation?"

"We do," Katie said, fishing her phone out of her pocket to show him the email confirmation she'd received. "We just need to get our bags and check in at the desk."

The man peered at her phone's screen. Whatever he saw appeared to satisfy him. "Wonderful! We're so happy you're staying with us, both of you." The way he said it, it didn't sound rehearsed. "Shall I park your car for you?"

"Er...yes, please," Kieran said. "Just let us get our stuff out first."

"Of course, sir," replied the valet. He took a step back, waiting patiently, as Kieran popped the trunk and began getting their luggage out. Katie's suitcase, he noted, was about twice as heavy as his own. Kieran was used to lifting heavy things in his father's shop, but even he struggled a little with its weight.

He was so focused on the task at hand, he didn't see Katie turn to the valet and discretely hand him a $50 bill. "Whatever he wants, whatever he asks for, give it to him," she said, with a conspiratorial smile. "There's more where this came from if you do. Make sure the rest of the staff know, okay? I want my friend to get the royal treatment."

The man took the tip eagerly and stuffed it in his lapel pocket. "I'll see to it, ma'am," he replied, in an equally quiet voice. "He will lack for nothing."

"Thank you so much." Katie beamed, and walked back over to Kieran just as he finished unloading their bags. He made to carry them inside, but the valet nearly fell all over himself to do it first. "Oh, no, sir. Please, allow me. We'll take your bags up to your room once you've checked in."

Kieran tried his best not to let his relief show and failed miserably. "Thank you."

Katie elbowed him playfully. "Awww, what's the matter? My bag too heavy for you?"

"As a matter of fact, yes. What'd you put in there, cinderblocks?"

"Just the necessities," she assured him.

"Necessities for what?" Kieran drawled. "A zombie apocalypse?"

Katie rolled her eyes good-naturedly but said nothing. The valet led them inside--even stopping to hold the door for them both despite the bags he was carrying--and Kieran promptly stopped dead in his tracks.