Page 34 of Christmas at Pine Ridge Inn
“And do the managers always get grumpy about your suggestions?”
She smiled, shaking her head. “No, they’re usually owned by corporations, not individuals, so it’s a little less personal. The management track at the big resorts tends to be such that people move around a lot.”
“So how are you enjoying the personal touch here in Pine Ridge?” He gestured at the landscape before them, obviously proud of himself for treating her to a fun afternoon.
“More than I thought I would,” she admitted, bumping her shoulder against his playfully.
They were quiet for a moment as they took in the scenery. As she watched the smoke puff from the chimney of the inn down below, she was curious if Brady would one day take over the inn, so she asked him.
“We’ve talked about it,” he said. “Tom and Carol would like to start traveling more, especially during the quieter times of the year, so I’ve started taking over more of the back office work already. I was always afraid they might sell since they didn’t have children to leave it to ...” His voice trailed off, no doubt remembering their conversation from the previous evening.
Would things change if she was indeed Carol’s daughter? It was a ridiculous thing to even think about right now. Even if she was, Brady was the person who deserved to inherit the inn. He was the one they’d actually helped raise. And besides, she couldn’t get ahead of herself.
“Don’t look at me,” she said, holding up a hand and laughing. “I’m not trying to home in on your inheritance.”
“Good.” He smiled at her. “Because we aren’t getting that Brew Pro whatever you want. I’m sure it would take a degree in electrical engineering to fix that thing.”
“You know,” she teased, “that’s what extended warranties are for.”
“You just like to spend other people’s money, don’t you?”
She shrugged. “It is actually kind of fun.”
“Well, this place can’t afford someone like you.”
“Oh, I’d write up a plan for this place for free if I thought you’d actually follow it.”
“But you know better, right?”
“I do. You’re a lost cause.”
“Or maybe just not properly motivated,” he challenged, wiggling his eyebrows.
“Okay, Romeo,” she said, playfully punching his arm. “We better get back so we can clean up for this big Christmas Eve feast Carol promised.”
“I’m wearing you down,” he said as he gathered up the trash from their lunch and stuffed it back in his bag. “You’re almost having fun.”
“Iamhaving fun,” she assured him. “Thank you for helping get my mind off things.”
“Of course,” he said, untying Thunder from where he was secured to a tree.
Now that it was time to head back, the conversation Lila needed to have with the woman she thought might be her birth mother occupied her thoughts.
“Any advice on how to approach Carol?” Lila asked him.
“Follow your instincts. You’ll know when the moment is right.” Brady helped her back up onto Thunder, his hands lingering at her waist for just a moment longer than necessary. She missed his touch the instant it was gone. “And remember, whatever happens, Carol is a good person. If she is your birth mother, any pain or surprise will come from a place of love, not rejection. Remember that you’ve had more time to process this than she has.”
The ride back to the inn felt shorter than the ride out, perhaps because Lila was more comfortable in the saddle now, or perhaps because she was dreading the end of this peaceful interlude. As they approached the stable, she could see warm light pouring from nearly every window of the inn, the lights wound around the porch railing adding a festive glow.
Inside, the lobby buzzed with Christmas Eve preparations. Sophie and Miles were stringing popcorn for the tree, the sisters were arranging evergreen boughs on the mantel, and Sarah was polishing silver candlesticks at the dining room table. The scene was so picture-perfect, so full of warmth and tradition, that Lila felt a pang of longing for all the Christmases spent at her childhood home.
Carol appeared from the kitchen, wiping her hands on an apron decorated with holly and berries. “How was your ride?” she asked, her face glowing with the pleasure of someone who loved seeing others enjoy themselves.
“Magical,” Lila said, meaning it. “The town looks so beautiful from up there.”
“Yes, it’s beautiful this time of year,” Carol agreed. “I’m so glad you got to see it. Now, I hope you both worked up an appetite, because we’re planning quite a feast for tonight.”
“Is there anything I can help with after I get cleaned up?” Lila asked.
