Page 49 of Christmas at Pine Ridge Inn
“It’s a true Christmas miracle,” Tom said, his deep voice gentle.
The breakfast that followed was filled with questions and stories and tears of joy. Sarah shared the story of Lila’s birth, how she’d gone into labor during the Christmas Eve snowstorm. Carol chimed in with what she remembered. They both focused on the miracle of Lila’s birth and not the difficult choices that came after.
“So, what happens now?” Kimberly asked as they finished eating. “Are you both leaving today?”
“Actually,” Lila said, glancing at Sarah, “we’re going to stay in Pine Ridge for a few more days. Just the two of us. We have thirty-four years to catch up on.”
“And then Lila’s going to come visit me in Denver,” Sarah added. “I want to show her where I live, introduce her to my friends.”
“That sounds perfect,” Sophie said warmly. “What a way to start the New Year.”
As the meal wound down and people began heading upstairs to pack, the mood grew bittersweet. These strangers who’d become family over the course of a week were about to scatter back to their regular lives.
“We have to stay in touch,” Kimberly said, pulling out her phone. “All of us. I want to know how things go with you two.” She glanced between Lila and Brady and wiggled her eyebrows. “And with you two as well.”
The next hour was filled with tearful goodbyes. Sophie and Miles were the first to leave, promising to send photos from their next adventure. The sisters lingered longer, neither ready to go back to their normal lives.
“This isn’t goodbye,” Kimberly said fiercely as she hugged Lila and Sarah together. “We’re family now. Real family. And families stay in touch.”
“Always,” Kendall agreed, wiping at her eyes. “And if you don’t invite us to your wedding, I’ll never forgive you.” She looked pointedly at Brady.
Lila laughed despite her tears, glancing at Brady, who was helping Tom load luggage into cars. “I think you might be getting ahead of yourself.”
“I don’t think so,” Kendall said with a knowing smile. “I’ve seen the way that man looks at you. Trust me on this one.”
When the last car disappeared down the snowy driveway, Lila felt both empty and full at the same time. The inn seemed enormous with just the five of them—her and Sarah, Brady, Carol, and Tom.
“Well,” Carol said, surveying the quiet lobby, “it’s always strange when everyone leaves. The inn feels so big and empty.”
“Not empty,” Sarah said, settling into one of the chairs by the fireplace. “This place is always full of memories and love.”
They spent the afternoon in comfortable quiet. Tom and Brady worked on some maintenance projects that had been put off during the busy holiday week. Carol caught up on paperwork in the office. Lila and Sarah sat by the fire, sometimes talking, sometimes just being together.
As evening approached, Brady found Lila in the lobby where she was curled up in a chair reading one of the books from the inn’s small library.
“Want to take a walk?” he asked. “The snow’s stopped, and it’s beautiful out there.”
They bundled up and stepped out into the crisp evening air. The world was pristine and white, the only sounds their footsteps and the distant call of a winter bird. They walked slowly along the sidewalk into town, neither in any hurry to reach a destination.
“How are you feeling?” Brady asked as they paused to look back at the inn, its windows glowing warmly in the gathering dusk.
“Like everything in my life has shifted,” Lila said honestly. “A week ago, I was alone in the world, planning to spend Christmas by myself. Now I’ve had the most amazing and unexpected holiday ever. I have Sarah, and this place, and you.” She looked up at him. “Especially you.”
“Speaking of spending holidays alone, what are your plans for New Year’s?” He grinned at her as he grabbed her hand and turned her toward him.
“Well, I asked Carol, and it sounds like my room is available on New Year’s Eve. I thought maybe I’d come back from Denver and spend it with you. I’m very superstitious about the whole kissing someone at midnight thing.”
“I say we practice, just to make sure we don’t mess it up when it’s the real thing.”
She smiled up at him and nodded. “Yes, you know I like to be prepared.”
“Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four ...” he began.
“... three, two, one,” she finished as he cupped her face in his gloved hands and leaned down to kiss her. His lips were full and warm, and it felt like coming home. Right here, in Brady’s arms, is exactly where she belonged. She could feel it in her bones.
Kissing Brady, soft and sweet under the starry Colorado sky, Lila felt all the scattered pieces of her life clicking into place. She’d found so much more than she’d come here for, even more than she could have ever dreamed.
Behind them, the inn glowed with warm light, Sarah and Carol and Tom inside preparing dinner for their smaller group.
