Page 50 of Christmas at Pine Ridge Inn
As they walked back toward the inn hand in hand, Lila realized that sometimes the most important journeys weren’t about going somewhere new, but about finding your way back to where it all began. It was, she thought as they climbed the porch steps together, the perfect Christmas miracle.
Epilogue
One Year Later
Lila stood in the kitchen of Pine Ridge Inn rolling out dough to make cinnamon rolls for the next morning’s breakfast. Through the window, snow was falling as Christmas lights on Brady’s cabin twinkled in the distance.
A year ago, she’d been a hospitality consultant living in a sterile condo in California searching for a mother she’d never known. Now she was helping Brady run the Pine Ridge Inn, using her expertise to help him modernize their operations while preserving everything that made it special and unique.
Of course, they still debated about what needed to be updated, but he’d let her buy the Brew Pro 11 and even called his latte this morning, “Not half bad.” It was progress.
“How are those coming along?” Brady asked, appearing behind her to wrap his arms around her waist and press a kiss to her temple.
“Almost ready for the morning,” she said, leaning back against his warmth. “I still can’t believe how much I love doing this.”
“Even the early mornings?”
“Even the early mornings.” She turned in his arms to face him. “Though I have to admit, knowing I get to see you makes getting up a lot easier.”
Tom and Carol had officially retired, leaving Brady in charge. They still lived on the property and helped out, but it was more out of habit than obligation. They both loved meeting all the guests and having time to spend with them while Lila and Brady tended to the chores.
Lila had landed and successfully completed the job in Breckenridge. She had a new one starting after the New Year in Colorado Springs for a month, but she’d been living in her old room, the Pinecone Room, between assignments so she could help Brady at the inn.
The front door chimed with the arrival of guests, and Lila could hear Carol’s warm voice greeting someone in the lobby. Their holiday guests would be checking in that afternoon, and Lila couldn’t help thinking the group could never be as great as last year’s had been.
“I should go help Carol get everyone settled,” Lila said, but Brady’s arms tightened around her.
“She’s got it handled. Why don’t you finish up here and then come join us in the lobby? I think you’ll want to meet our guests.”
Something in his tone made her study his face. “Is it someone famous?” she guessed.
“Just finish the cinnamon rolls first,” he said, pressing another kiss to her forehead before disappearing toward the lobby.
Ten minutes later, Lila wiped her hands on her apron and made her way to the front of the inn. She could hear voices and laughter from the lobby, more animated than usual for guests who’d just met each other.
She rounded the corner and froze.
Sophie and Miles were sitting on the couch by the fireplace, looking exactly the same as they had a year ago. Kimberly was standing by the Christmas tree; her hands pressed to her mouth as if trying to contain her excitement. Kendall was snapping photos with her phone.
“Surprise!” Sarah called from across the room, her face glowing with delight.
Lila stared in shock as the pieces clicked together. “What—how—” She spun around to look at Brady, who was leaning against the doorframe with the biggest smile she’d ever seen.
“You did this,” she breathed.
“We all did,” Brady said. “Sarah helped coordinate everyone’s schedules, and Carol handled the fake reservations so you wouldn’t suspect anything.”
Before Lila could respond, the front door opened again and Ali walked in, her hand resting on a distinctly rounded belly beneath her winter coat. Mike followed behind her, carrying their luggage and grinning.
“Ali!” Lila rushed over to hug her carefully. “You’re pregnant!”
“Due in March,” Ali said, her eyes sparkling with tears. “I couldn’t miss this. None of us could.”
Lila looked around at the faces surrounding her—the people who’d become family that first week, who’d witnessed herbreakdown and breakthrough, who’d celebrated when she found Sarah, and cheered when she decided to stay in Pine Ridge.
“I can’t believe you’re all here,” she whispered, overwhelmed by emotion.
“We missed you,” Sophie said, rising from the couch to envelope Lila in a warm hug. “All of us. We’ve kept in touch, but it’s not the same as being together.”
