Page 4 of Reunion at Mistletoe Lodge
“There they are, Mom.” Oscar’s voice was filled with excitement as he tugged on Barb's winter coat, his arm waving frantically over his head.
“Barb! Oscar!” Heather called out, her voice cutting through the hum of the airport. She hurried forward, her arms open in a welcoming embrace. “I’m so glad you had a safe flight.”
“It’s so good to finally have land beneath my feet.” Barb sighed tiredly, smiling when her eyes landed on Emily, who was rushing toward them.
“Heather, you took off like a freaked-out stallion!” Emily groaned, breathless, as she reached them. She immediately hugged Oscar. “Hey, handsome.Rose is going to be so glad to see you. She’s bored with no other kids but babies at the lodge.”
“We have a new baby, too,” Oscar answered her and pointed proudly to his sister. “I’m also looking forward to seeing Rose.”
Before Heather could say anything more, Emily’s eyes widened, looking at Charlotte. She gasped, rushing forward with a delighted expression. “Oh my goodness, is that little Charlotte? I’ve been dying to meet her!” She grinned at Barb. “Can I hold her?”
Barb laughed softly as she handed Charlotte over to Emily, who immediately began cooing and fussing over the baby. “She’s a bit fussy from the flight, but I’m sure you’ll work your magic.”
Emily cradled Charlotte gently, her face alight with joy. “She’s absolutely precious, Barb. Look at those little cheeks!” She swayed Charlotte back and forth, soothing the baby with practiced ease. “Welcome to Denver, sweetheart. I hope you’re ready for some holiday cheer!”
“Is it true we’re going to Frisco in the limo again?” Oscar’s eyes glowed with excitement. “I loved riding in it the last time.” He grabbed Heather’s hand.
“It’s right outside waiting for you,” Heather assured him before turning to Barb. “Garth, our new driver, is getting all the luggage.”
Barb followed Heather, Oscar, and Emily, who couldn’t take her eyes off Charlotte, out of the terminal. Exiting the terminal, the cold blast of air hit her in the face once again for a few minutes before she slid into the warm limo.
“Gosh, I’d forgotten how cold Denver could get in the winter,” Barb said, settling beside Emily and Charlotte while Oscar sat beside Heather, facing them.
“Our chef packed some food and beverages for you,” Heather told Barb, pointing to the large picnic basket.
“Oh, cool.” Oscar breathed a sigh of relief. “I’m starving.”
“You’re always starving.” Barb laughed at her son.
Heather opened the basket while Barb pulled out a bottle. “I don’t have anywhere to heat this for Charlotte.”
“Chef thought of that too,” Emily told Barb, turning to Heather. “Can you take out the portable bottle warmer and plug it into the USB port?”
“Sure,” Heather said, pulling the device out and connecting before taking the bottle. “This shouldn’t take long.”
“Where’s Phoenix?” Barb asked Heather.
“He’s at home at the lodge with Giles,” Heather replied, shaking her head. “Giles hardly lets him out of his sight.”
“At least he’s involved in his child’s life,” Barb pointed out, not able to hide the twinge of bitterness in her voice. “How is Phoenix?”
“Beautiful,” Emily answered, glancing from Heather to Barb. “It must’ve been nice having your babies a few weeks apart.”
“Yes,” Barb said, nodding, ignoring the familiar ache in her heart when she thought of the pregnancy she once again went through with the baby's father absent. “I was glad I could help Heather through her first baby.”
“You were so great,” Heather said. “I can’t believe I didn’t even realize I was pregnant until Barb was eight weeks.”
Barb laughed, remembering that day. “We went into the larger town so I could get a scan. It was a scorching day, and Heather passed out in the waiting room. They ran some blood tests and then, after a scan, found out that she was two weeks further along than me.”
“How could you not know you were eight weeks pregnant?” Emily rolled her eyes at her cousin. “Really, Heather, you’re a veterinarian.”
Heather shrugged. “I’m not the most regular with women’s things,” she pointedout. “I’ve had the operations on my leg and all the medication for that. I just thought that had affected my cycle.”
“It was nice, though, to be pregnant with you,” Barb told Heather, swallowing the burning lump in her throat. “It helped me cope.”
Heather leaned forward and squeezed Barb’s hand. “Maybe now that you’re back…”
“No!” Barb shook her head. Her features set stubbornly. She glanced at Oscar, who was now eating his way through a pile of sandwiches with headphones on and watching something on a tablet. She lowered her voice. “I’ve decided to file for the big D.”
