So this was Blackwood Inn. JC Chasez stared up at the large rustic-looking lodge. Despite its simple name and rugged charm, it was a modern structure. It was reportedly well-run, intimate, and the best perk of all for him, fairly anonymous. The Blackwood had a reputation for privacy. No paparazzi had ever shown up at the door. He wanted to relax, learn to ski, and escape being JC Chasez, the entertainer and celebrity for a while. He had even made reservation under Joshua Chasez. The woman who had taken his information had given no indication she recognized his name — Thank God!
Reaching into his rented SUV, JC pulled out the large duffle bag, his sole piece of luggage for his stay and started up the well-cleared walk. Despite it being late November, it appeared this part of Colorado had received significant snows. The place looked like a picturesque Christmas card with the bright sunshine sparkling off of the snow laden trees and shrubs. The inn’s wide, wrap-around porch was decked out in festive, welcoming decorations.
Said porch was currently the location for a Norman Rockwell scene that brought a genuine smile to the tired man’s face.
A boy and a girl in their early elementary school years were sorely testing the dignity of a large, old Golden Retriever. The two blonde children had tied a silly hat that resembling a cartoon bear’s head to the stoic canine’s head. The old fellow was the epitome of patience and forbearance.
Chuckling as he topped the steps, JC said, “I’m thinking he’s not exactly diggin’ that.”
The boy gave him a mischievous grin. “Nope.”
“Jasper doesn’t mind,” the little girl argued.
“My name is Sam,” the boy told JC. He pointed to the girl. “This is my sister, Olivia.”
JC shook Sam’s hand and nodded to the girl. “Pleased to meet you, Sam and Olivia. My name’s Jace..." He stopped himself before he could use the initials that had replaced his name years earlier. "Joshua Chasez. You can call me Josh.”
“No, we can’t,” Olivia announced. “Mom says we can’t call strangers by their first names, Mister Chasez.”
“Oh... Kay...” JC was saved from further comment when an older boy with dark brown hair flew out of the front door.
“What do you think you’re doing to my dog!” he demanded as he snatched the hat from the dog’s head and tossed it into the snowy bushes.
Sam pushed ineffectually at the bigger boy. “Hey! He’s our dog, too!”
“Barney is your dog.” The older boy stroked the dog’s greying muzzle. “Jasper was Dad’s dog. Now he’s mine,” he said with a hint of sad reverence. “If you want to put that dumb thing on someone’s head, put it on Barney.”
Olivia had a very good reason the suggestion wasn’t feasible. “Barney won’t let us.”
“At least he’s that smart,” the dark-haired boy snorted.
Olivia turned big blue eyes on JC. When she was older that beguiling look was bound to break hearts. “Mister Chasez, could you, please, get that hat for me?” she asked sweetly.
JC could see where the ridiculous hat was out of reach for all three children. “Sure.”
Setting his bag down, JC stretched over the wooden porch rail. Just as his fingers grasped one furry flap, he heard the door bang open and the older boy shout, “Barney no!” Suddenly, JC was briefly airborne. The considerable weight of something hitting the back of his legs had given him flight, depositing him face down amidst the snow-topped hedges.
“Mom’s gonna be mad,” the older boy muttered.
A woman’s voice followed soon after in horrified exasperation. “What have you done!”