Page 41 of Christmas at Pine Ridge Inn
“I think that’s all you can do. But Lila, remember that no matter what happens, you’ve found people who care about you here.” Brady’s green eyes were serious in the soft barn lighting. “That’s not nothing.”
“I know. And I’m grateful for all of it, especially for you.” She looked up at him, this man who’d become so much more than she’d expected when she first arrived in Pine Ridge. “I just feel like I’m so close to answers, but that they’re completely out of my control.”
“The important things in life usually are out of our control,” Brady said softly. “But I find they’re often worth waiting for.”
They finished with the horses and made their way back toward the inn, where warm light was beginning to glow from the kitchen windows. The rest of the world was still quiet, but Lila could see Carol moving around inside, preparing for the day’s festivities.
“Whatever happens today,” Brady said as they reached the porch steps, “I’m glad you decided to stay.”
He leaned down, pressing a kiss to her lips. It was gentle and sweet, and as soon as he pulled away, she missed the warmth of his lips on hers.
“I’m glad I decided to stay too,” Lila said, and meant it. Whatever uncertainty lay ahead about her birth mother, she was increasingly certain she was catching feelings for Brady. And like he had said, that wasn’t nothing.
By the time they’d returned from the barn and cleaned up, the inn was coming alive with Christmas morning energy. The scent of cinnamon rolls and coffee drifted from the kitchen, and Lila could hear voices and laughter from the dining room.
“Merry Christmas, you two!” Kimberly called out when they appeared in the lobby. She was already dressed in a festive red sweater, her hair pulled back with a sparkly headband. “Brady, Carol’s been looking for you. Something about the coffee machine.”
“Maybe someone should have asked Santa for a Brew Pro 11 after all,” Lila teased.
“Nah, I was saving my Christmas wish for something even better,” he winked at her before turning to head to the kitchen.
In the dining room, another feast awaited the group. The table was set with china that had tiny holly leaves with red berries around the edges of the plates, and the breakfast spread looked like something from a magazine. Fresh fruit was arranged in the shape of a Christmas tree, and thick-cut bacon lay mounded next to the tray of cinnamon rolls. The breakfast casseroles Carol had prepped the night before completed the buffet.
“This is incredible, Carol,” Ali said, already filling her plate. “I can’t believe you got up early enough to prepare all this.”
“Sarah helped me prep the casseroles last night and make the fruit tree, and the rest was easy,” Carol replied.
Brady appeared with a fresh pot of coffee, refilling everyone’s mugs. “Speaking of Sarah, has anyone seen her yet this morning or is she sleeping in?” he asked as he reached Lila’s place at the table.
Lila had completely forgotten about their usual morning coffee date in her haste to go tell Brady about the conversation with Carol. It was becoming a treasured part of her day, and she hated that she’d missed it.
“She’s not feeling well,” Carol said, glancing toward the stairs with concern. “She sent word down that she’s going to rest in her room today. I offered to bring her some breakfast, but she said she just needs to sleep.”
Lila felt a pang of disappointment. Sarah had been such a steady, comforting presence all week, and she loved Christmas. Lila hated that she wasn’t feeling well and couldn’t enjoy the day’s festivities. Maybe she’d be able to join the group later that afternoon after she’d rested up some.
As they finished up breakfast, Sophie began tapping her fork against her juice glass. “Before we disperse,” she announced, “Miles and I have a little surprise for everyone if you can join us in the lobby.”
They all followed Sophie and Miles and sat down on the couch and chairs closest to the Christmas tree they’d all helped decorate only a few days before. Lila noticed there were now presents under the tree that hadn’t been there the night before, and Miles picked up two of them. “We picked up a few little things at the festival for everyone,” he explained. “Nothing fancy, just a small token of appreciation for such a wonderful week.”
“You didn’t have to do that,” Carol protested, but her eyes were bright with pleasure.
“Nonsense,” Sophie said, helping Miles distribute packages. “Christmas is about sharing, and you’ve all made this such a special holiday for us.”
The gift exchange that followed was warm and heartfelt. Sophie and Miles had chosen thoughtfully—a hand-carved ornament for Carol and Tom that featured the outline of buildings on Main Street, locally-made soaps for the sisters, a beautiful bookmark made from pressed mountain flowers for Ali, an etched highball glass for Mike with Breckenridge’s ski slopes, and a handmade leather wallet for Brady. They’d given Lila a small pottery coffee mug with “Pine Ridge” painted on it in delicate script.
“So you’ll remember us when you’re back home and having your morning coffee,” Sophie said with a wink.
“As if I could forget,” Lila said, touched by the gesture.
Some of the other guests ran upstairs to bring down more small gifts, and soon the lobby was scattered with wrapping paper, and everyone was admiring their presents. Ali had found small bottles of locally-made maple syrup for everyone, and thesisters had bought everyone pine-scented candles. Lila felt bad that she had been so preoccupied with her own reasons for being in town that she hadn’t thought of anyone else, but thankfully Mike and Ali had been too busy skiing to do so either. She would get everyone’s addresses and send them something fun from California as a surprise.
As breakfast wound down and people began to disperse, Carol appeared at Lila’s elbow.
“Have you heard—” Lila began, then stopped herself. Of course, Carol would have told her if she had any news.
Carol seemed to understand. “Nothing yet, sweetheart. But the day is still young.” She reached over and squeezed Lila’s hand. “Try to enjoy Christmas morning. Whatever happens will happen when it’s meant to.”
The rest of Christmas morning passed in a blur of activity. The group gathered around the tree to admire their ornaments in daylight, Tom told stories around the fire about Christmases past at the inn, the group gathered around the dining room table to play board games, and Ali received regular updates from her sister, whose labor was progressing slowly but steadily.
