Page 37 of Christmas at Pine Ridge Inn
“Like I just lit a fuse and now I’m waiting for the explosion,” she admitted.
As the rest of the group prepared to bundle up for the traditional Christmas Eve sleigh ride, Lila could see Carol and Sarah standing close together as they cleared the dining room table of dishes, their heads bent in quiet conversation.
“It’s a beautiful night for a sleigh ride,” Brady said softly, his hand briefly touching her back in a gesture of support. “Whatever the truth is, we’ll face it tomorrow.”
Lila felt a mixture of anticipation and terror about what Christmas Day might bring. She’d come to Pine Ridge looking for answers about her past, but she was beginning to realize she might be about to discover so much more than she’d ever expected.
Twenty minutes later, they were all gathered in the lobby in their warmest coats and scarves. Tom had hitched the sleigh to Thunder and Buttercup, whose breath Lila could see through the window creating small clouds in the crisp night air.
“The sleigh only holds two at a time,” Tom announced, “so we’ll do four trips. Just a quick ride up and down Main Street since it’s so cold. Who wants to go first?”
“We will, if that’s okay,” Ali said immediately, taking Mike’s arm. “I want to get back and call my mom for an update on my sister.”
Lila watched as they settled into the sleigh under thick wool blankets, and Tom guided the horses away into the snowy night.
“We can go next,” Sophie said when Tom returned, and Miles helped her down the porch steps toward the sleigh.
When the older couple returned from their trip down Main Street, the sisters claimed the third ride.
“I guess that just leaves us,” Lila said to Sarah, who had just returned from cleaning up the dining room with Carol.
Sarah shook her head with an apologetic smile. “Actually, I think it’s too cold for me, and I’ve done it so many times before. Would you mind if I stayed back and helped Carol get the breakfast casseroles ready?” She looked to Brady with a knowing look. “I bet Brady here would take a ride with you.”
“Sure. We can let Tom come in and warm up, and I’ll drive the sleigh for our ride.”
“Yes,” Sarah said, nodding. “You two go have a romantic little sleigh ride, just the two of you.”
Lila felt her cheeks flush at the idea. “I’d love that,” she said to Brady.
Outside, Brady helped Lila climb aboard the bench where Tom had been sitting and tucked the heavy blankets around their legs. They sat with their shoulders touching as Brady guided the horse out onto Main Street.
“This is incredible,” Lila whispered as they glided down the deserted Main Street. The only sounds were the soft jingle of harness bells and the whisper of sleigh runners over snow. Above them, stars glittered in the clear winter sky, and the quarter moon cast everything in silver light. All the festival lights were still twinkling from the lampposts and storefronts, creating a magical canopy of warm golden light that reflected off the snow.
“One of my favorite parts of Christmas here,” Brady said, his voice low in the peaceful atmosphere. “I’ve been on this ride dozens of times, but it never gets old.”
They passed Emily’s Yarn & Quilts, its windows glowing softly, then the bakery where they’d bought hot chocolate during the festival. The Christmas tree in the town square stood tall and magnificent, beckoning them toward it.
“It’s perfect,” Lila breathed, leaning against Brady’s warmth as they took in the magical scene. “It’s like having the whole town to ourselves.”
Brady brought the sleigh to a gentle stop in front of the Christmas tree so they could fully appreciate the scene. “Perfect company too,” he said quietly, and when she looked up at him, his green eyes were serious in the moonlight.
The quiet intimacy of the moment made everything feel suspended in time. As she turned back to admire the tree, Brady’s gloved hand found hers under the blanket, wrapping around it in a way that felt safe and reassuring.
“Lila,” he said softly, and something in his voice made her look up at him. The Christmas tree lights cast a warm glow over his face, highlighting the tenderness in his expression.
Before she could say anything, he leaned down and kissed her. It was gentle and sweet, their cold lips warming against each other. When they broke apart, she could see her breath mingling with his in the cold air.
“I’ve been wanting to do that again since the tree lighting ceremony,” he admitted, his forehead resting against hers.
“Me too,” she whispered back, feeling her heart flutter in a way she hadn’t experienced in years. She snuggled into his side, resting her head on his strong shoulder.
“So, tell me about your work,” Brady said after a moment. “All this traveling you do for consulting. What’s your schedule like?”
“It varies,” Lila said, grateful to have something other than her adoption to discuss. “Sometimes I’m gone for a week, sometimes just a couple of days. I try not to be away from home more than two weeks at a time, but that doesn’t always work out.”
“And home is California?”
She nodded. “Huntington Beach. Though honestly, it’s never really felt like home. It’s just a good base because most of my work is on the West Coast or in Hawaii.” She paused. “What about you? Do you ever get time off from the inn?”
