Page 21 of Christmas at Pine Ridge Inn
After she hung up, Lila felt marginally better about the situation. Jenna was right. She was getting ahead of herself. She didn’t even know for certain that Carol was her birth mother. All she had were coincidences and speculation.
Tomorrow, she would have to decide how to reveal to Carol why she’d really come to Pine Ridge. Tonight, she just had to figure out how to sleep while her world potentially shifted around her.
Outside her window, snow continued to fall on the quiet town. Somewhere in Pine Ridge was the answer to the question that had brought her here.
Eight
The morning of the Pine Ridge Christmas Festival dawned crisp and clear, with fresh snow sparkling on the rooftops like crystallized sugar atop gingerbread houses. Lila stood at her window, watching the town come alive as vendors set up booths along Main Street and others strung additional lights between the old-fashioned streetlamps.
She’d barely slept, her mind churning with questions about Carol and the baby ornament and the growing certainty that she was closer to answers than she’d ever been. Every time she’d drifted off, she’d jolted awake with new scenarios playing in her mind—conversations with Carol that revealed the truth, or worse, conversations that shattered her hopes entirely.
A soft knock interrupted her thoughts. Lila opened the door to find Sarah holding two steaming mugs. She was dressed in a cream-colored sweater and burgundy scarf that brought out the warmth in her brown eyes.
“I missed you for our morning coffee today. I thought you might need this before we head out to the festival,” Sarah said, holding out a cup to Lila.
Lila had purposely stayed in her room to try and calm her nerves, but now she regretted skipping what had become her morning ritual at the inn. It warmed her heart to think Sarah had wanted her there.
“You’re an angel,” Lila said, accepting the coffee gratefully and motioning for Sarah to come in. “I was just watching everyone get set up. It looks like the whole town is involved.”
“Pretty much,” Sarah agreed, settling into the wingback chair by the window. “That’s one of the things I love about Pine Ridge. When they do something, they do it together.”
Lila sat on the edge of the bed, cradling her mug and studying Sarah’s face. There was something about her presence that made Lila feel calmer, more centered. “How long have you been coming here for Christmas?”
“Oh, quite a few years now. After David passed, I tried spending holidays with various family members, but it never felt right. Too much forced cheer, too many people trying to fix my sadness.” Sarah’s expression grew distant. “But here, people let you be where you are. They don’t try to rush you through those complicated feelings about the holiday or pretend it doesn’t exist.”
“It’s exactly what I needed this year,” Lila admitted. “I lost my mother back in the spring, and the thought of Christmas without her ...”
Sarah’s eyes filled with understanding. “Oh honey, I’m so sorry. The first Christmas after losing someone you love is brutal.”
“How did you get through it?”
“The only way you can, one moment at a time. And by letting people like Carol and Tom take care of me, even when I wantedto push everyone away.” Sarah reached over and squeezed Lila’s hand. “There’s something about this place that helps you remember that you’re not alone, even when you feel like you are.”
The gesture was so maternal, so naturally comforting, that Lila felt tears prick her eyes. “Thank you. For understanding, I mean. And for the coffee and the company.”
“Of course,” Sarah said warmly. “We have to look out for each other.”
Downstairs a short while later, the lobby buzzed with excitement as the group prepared for their day at the festival. Carol moved among them with her usual energy, checking that everyone had warm enough clothes and coordinating meeting times.
“The craft booths open at nine,” Carol said, “but I recommend getting there early for the best selection.”
“I hope we find some good gifts for Mom and Dad,” Kendall said to Kimberly. “I didn’t have any time to shop before we left town.”
“Me either,” Kimberly said. “I’m sure there will be plenty to choose from.”
“Absolutely,” Carol assured them. “There are beautiful wood carvings, paintings, jewelry, pottery, you name it. Pine Ridge has quite an artistic community.” Carol’s eyes lit up with pride for her town. “And the bakery serves hot chocolate and cinnamon rolls in their booth, which I highly recommend.”
Brady appeared from the kitchen, carrying a thermos. “You had me at cinnamon rolls,” he said, grinning.
“Maybe we should do a quick turn around the festival before we leave,” Ali said to Mike, who had just descended the stairs with their ski gear. They were spending the day skiing in nearby Breckenridge.
“Not a chance.” Mike shook his head, smiling. “You’ll see something in a booth and get distracted and we’ll never make it to the slopes.”
Ali laughed. “You’re probably right.”
“I made you two a little breakfast picnic to go,” Carol said, picking up a basket from the front desk filled with muffins, apples, and bananas.
“You’re the best.” Ali gave Carol a big hug as she accepted the basket.
