There was a dusting of snow on the ground when we reached the Pines Camp, even though it had been a crisp fall day back in Manhattan.
I’d been caught so off guard with the engagement, and the fact that I’d said yes, that I hadn’t given much thought to what we’d be doing once we arrived.
“I’m surprised Anne’s here at this time of year,” I said.
“She’s packing up some of her belongings, and we’re going to sign the paperwork.”
“You were already buying this place?”
Archie smiled. “I’ve been talking to them about it since the beginning of the summer, but I want it to be yours. I know how much you enjoy socializing and entertaining, and this is the perfect place to do that. We’ll change anything you like to make it more accommodating.”
This was starting to sound like a lot of fun. Ruthie had been right—any place this difficult to get to had a certain appeal, an exclusivity that made it seem even more mysterious and magical than it already was.
“It’s nice to see you again, Olive,” Anne said as we climbed down from the carriage. She was wrapped in a fur shawl, looking elegant as usual.
“We’re so happy to be here.” I was beaming. I knew it and yet I couldn’t help myself, I was desperate to tell someone the news.
“Olive?” She looked inquisitively from Archie to me. “Archie? What is it? You’re keeping something from me.”
“We’re engaged!” I jumped a little and held out my hand. It wasn’t the way she would have announced it, I’m sure—she would have waited for us to be seated inside, luggage unpacked, sipping tea from bone china—but I wasn’t her, and I was giddy with excitement.
“I am thrilled to hear this,” she said. “Raymond! Come on out here, we have some fantastic news—and let’s put some bubbly on ice!”
We spent the next few days touring the property and meeting the rest of the guides we’d somehow inherit with the camp. Jose showed us around and walked us down to the vegetable garden and the small farm that housed chickens, two dairy cows, a goat and some sheep. And the stables! Four beautiful horses were being fed when we passed by.
“What are we going to do with all of this, Archie?” I asked when Jose went into the stables. “It’s lovely, but I don’t know what to do with these animals.”
He took my hand and led me into the chicken coop, where he opened a little door at the end of an enclosed shed. He reached in and took out two eggs.
“We’re going to make omelets!” he said. “The staff live here year-round, they know what to do. They’ll take care of the animals, just like they’ll take care of the property, and in the dead of winter they’ll fill the icehouse with blocks of ice from the lake so we’re well stocked for summer. Believe me, Raymond and Anne have this place running like a well-oiled machine.”
Being in the wilderness was freeing. The air was clean, the views of the lake and the forests beyond were magnificent. Jose rejoined us, and as we were about to head back up the hill to the main lodge, I saw one of the horses had stuck her head out of the stall and was watching us.
“Here, feed her these and she’ll be your friend for life,” Jose said, placing a few carrots in my hand. “This here is Lady. We think she might be going to foal early next summer.”
She stretched her neck out and started nudging my hand impatiently. “All right, Lady, hold on.” I opened my hand flat and let her take a carrot off my palm, her wet lips and nose making me laugh. She munched on it quickly and sniffed my hand for more, so I held another one out for her and smoothed down her long, muscular neck.
“Some people say if you blow in their nostrils it helps them bond with you,” Jose said. “I think it’s an old wives’ tale myself, but some horse folk swear by it.”
“I’ll come back and visit you, Lady,” I said, admiring her long eyelashes, her sharp eyes looking at me.
Later that night after dinner with the Belmonts in the main lodge, Archie and I collapsed into bed.
“How far did we walk today?” I asked.
“A long way.”
I lay on my back, stretching my legs one at a time, pointing my toes. “What if we got married right here?” I asked.
“Here?” He propped himself up on an elbow and smiled. “I thought you’d want to do something ritzy in the city, at the Plaza or someplace.”
I lay back. “My whole life is pretty ritzy. I have so much glamour onstage and our city life is so fun and extravagant. I love it, don’t get me wrong, but this would be special, different and real.”
“Our friends could join us here,” Archie said.
“Can you imagine the fun—transporting everyone up here by train and boat?” I said. “It would be a party before the party even begins.”
“It should be summer,” Archie said.
“End of summer, or Ziegfeld will be furious if I’m not there for the midsummer shows.”
Archie laughed. “Whenever you want, Olive. I will be the luckiest man alive.”
I snuggled into him. “And I will be the luckiest girl.”