Page 22 of Roaring Fork Rockstar

Across the table, Flynn’s eyes glistened with tears. Holt, seated beside me, straightened, his attention immediately on his sister.

“Flynn?” he asked softly. “You okay, sis?”

She dabbed at her eyes with her napkin. “I’m fine. It’s just—this is the kind of Christmas I always dreamed we’d have someday.”

Something passed between the siblings then—a shared understanding that spoke of old wounds. Cord reached over and squeezed Flynn’s hand while Buck’s expression darkened momentarily.

“Well, now, we do,” Holt said, his voice gentle. “And it’s only going to get better from here.”

Flynn smiled, visibly pulling herself together. “The only thing that would make tonight better was if Porter was here too.”

“He’ll be here in spirit,” Cord assured her. “And we’ll talk to him later.”

The mood lightened as Sam, Juni, and Juni’s mom brought in dessert—an array of pies and cookies that had Luna’s eyes growing wide with excitement.

“Remember the rules,” I cautioned her. “One sweet tonight, one tomorrow.”

Her lower lip jutted out in a familiar pout, but she said okay.

After dinner and the visit from “Santa,” Buck gathered everyone for the reading ofThe Night Before Christmas. I was stunned by how engaged the three boys were. They couldn’t be more than two, three at the most, yet they sat still and listened.

By the time he finished, all four kids were drowsy, fighting to keep their eyes open. Luna had crawled into my lap midway through the story, her head now heavy against my shoulder.

“I think someone’s ready for bed,” I whispered, stroking her hair.

“Let me help,” Holt offered, standing and holding out his arms. “I can carry her to your room.”

Too tired to object, Luna went willingly into his arms, her own wrapping around his neck as her eyes fluttered closed.

Flynn led us to a spacious suite with a bedroom and an adjoining sitting area that had a fireplace, sofa, and chairs.

“I thought you two would be most comfortable here,” she explained. “The bathroom is through that door, and there are extra blankets in the chest if you need them.”

“It’s beautiful,” I said, genuinely awed by the room’s elegance. “Thank you for everything.”

“It’s our pleasure,” she replied, squeezing my arm. “Merry Christmas, Keltie.”

After she left, Holt gently laid Luna on the bed. I removed her shoes and covered her with the plush duvet, placing Bunny within easy reach.

“She’s out cold,” I whispered, tucking a curl behind her ear.

“Long day,” Holt said. “Lots of excitement.”

We returned to the sitting area, where Holt gestured toward the hearth. “Would you like a fire? Gets chilly up here at night.”

“That would be nice.”

He knelt in front of the fireplace, arranging kindling and logs like it was something he could do in his sleep. Within minutes, a warm glow spread throughout the room.

“Thank you,” I said. “Today has been… unexpected, but wonderful.”

“I’m glad you came,” he replied, dusting his hands on his jeans as he stood. “I should probably let you sleep.”

“Stay,” I said, surprising myself with the invitation. “Just for a bit. Unless you’re tired.”

Something flickered in his eyes—surprise, pleasure, I couldn’t tell. “I’d like that.”

He settled beside me on the sofa, both of us quiet at first. The events from the last couple of days swirled in my mind—Luna’s hospital visit, Remi’s unexpected appearance, this beautiful Christmas Eve with the Wheatons. It was too much to process, yet sitting here with Holt made it all seem manageable.

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