Page 60 of Promise Me This Christmas
“Bramble House B & B: A Marietta Christmas Tradition.That’s the headline,” Amy explained, before bending over the paper again.“From the moment you step into the walnut-paneled foyer, Bramble House envelops you like a warm hug from your grandmother—oh, I love that, Larkin.”
Carson glanced at Larkin, looking for a hint as to what was to come, but her expression was impassive.
Amy continued to read.There were passages explaining about the four unique Christmas trees, the delicious gourmet breakfasts, the comfortable rooms, all with uniquely Montana and Bramble family names.
“Going up the three-story staircase is like traveling through history.Framed photographs chronicle the lives of all the Brambles, beginning with Henry and May Bell, who moved from Boston to Marietta in 1870.They built Bramble House after earning a quick fortune in the copper mines.A long-standing rumor has it they also discovered a vein of rare Montana sapphires from which several pieces of family jewelry were fashioned.”
Amy stopped reading and looked at Chet.“My bracelet.What happened to it after the nurse insisted on removing it?”
“Don’t worry, sweetheart.I’ve got it.”Chet pulled the silver bracelet from his shirt pocket.
“This bracelet is reputed to contain some of the Brambles’ Montana sapphires,” Amy explained.
“Oh really?”Marjorie asked.“May I see it?”
Amy allowed the bracelet to be passed along, but waited until it was back on her wrist, the right one this time, before finishing the article.
“A lot could have gone wrong when Bramble House was sold after Mable Bramble’s death to a young former investment banker from Wall Street.Instead, in Amy Hardwick and her husband, Chet, the Brambles have found a loving custodian who preserves the entwined history of the town and the Brambles, while offering their guests the utmost in comfort and pampering.”
Amy set down the paper.Her eyes filmed over with moisture as she smiled at Larkin.“This is beautiful.Just beautiful.I don’t know how to thank you.”
“I reported the truth, as I always do,” Larkin insisted.“Albeit with a bit of a Christmas filter.But that had been what Marly was looking for in her Christmas Eve edition.And I delivered.”
“You sure did,” Amy agreed.“I’m going to have your article framed and hung in a place of honor.But right now—” she cupped her hand to her forehead “—I really need a nap.”
“You sure do.”Chet helped his wife to her feet, then retrieved Robin from Carson’s shoulders, which had begun to ache to be honest.“We’re going upstairs for some family time.Jo, are you okay down here?”
“I’ll help with the cleanup,” Carson said.
“No you won’t,” Jo insisted.“You and Larkin were a great help this morning, but I’ve got this.”
“I can help,” Marjorie offered.“In fact I was going to ask if I could prepare Christmas breakfast for everyone.”
Amy paused at the doorway.“Jo doesn’t work on Christmas, so we traditionally have a self-serve breakfast on the twenty-fifth.”
“I know, that was explained when we booked our stay.But I love cooking and baking at Christmastime, and I haven’t been able to do much of it this year.”
Amy thought of the many offers of help the older woman had made over the past week.Maybe she should have accepted some of them.
“I thought you’d enjoy a break from all that work,” Peter said.“That’s why I booked this holiday.”
Marjorie put her hand over Peter’s.“I’ve loved our time here.But it just doesn’t feel like Christmas if I’m not part of the action.”
“What do you think, Jo?”Amy asked.
Jo shrugged.“If Marjorie wants to cook, that’s fine with me.Come on in and I’ll show you around the kitchen.”
*
Carson had beenhoping for some time alone with Larkin, so when she offered to help him apply grout sealer at her grandmother’s house—totally a one-man job—he accepted.He was pleased with how the bathroom had turned out, and it was gratifying to see Larkin’s expression as she surveyed the final result.She tested the new support bars.
“Solid as a rock,” he assured her.
“You’ve done a fabulous job.Gran is going to be so happy.”
“Hopefully she feels safe and finds it easy to use.”
“I’m sure she will.Want some coffee?”
