Page 28 of Mistletoe and Magic

"Good to know I have at least one talent that impresses you," she quipped with a laugh that was part music, part solace.

"More than one, Felicity. Believe me." His voice softened, and he found himself caught in the pull of her gaze, a dangerous tide of arousal rising within him.

They stood there in a bubble of intimacy amidst the clatter and clamor, two souls finding quiet in the eye of the storm. It was a moment of respite, a shared dream sweetened by sugar and hope yet shadowed by the specter of the lodge's uncertain future.

"Jace?" Felicity's voice cut through the thrum of his racing heart. "Whatever happens, this place... it's more than just a building. It’s going to do so much for the community."

"Thanks, Felicity. That means a lot." But even as he spoke, the echo of the bank's threat reverberated in his mind—a balloon payment looming like a guillotine over all he had built.

She seemed to sense his turmoil, reaching out to touch his arm gently. "You're not alone in this. We'll find a way. We could always use the bakery as collateral."

He looked down at her hand on his sleeve, touched by the enormity of her offer and her willingness to stand by him, but he knew he couldn't accept. Her dreams were not his to gamble with.

"Come on," Jace said instead, taking her hand and leading her away from the construction site. "Let's go upstairs. I want to show you something."

As they ascended to the owner's suite, the noise of the renovation faded into a distant hum. He opened the door to the bedroom, where the evening light cast a warm glow on the bare walls waiting for a personal touch.

"I love the feel of your flat, the warmth and intimacy," he said, watching her reaction closely. "Will you help me bring that same feeling here?"

Felicity's eyes lit up, the prospect of creation seeming to banish whatever it was that had been mulling around in the dark shadows of her mind. "I'd love to, Jace. Let's make this place as special as the memories we're going to create in it."

And for a spellbinding second, as they stood amidst the potential of empty rooms and unspoken promises, Jace allowed himself to believe that together, they could conquer any challenge, financial or otherwise.

The following day, Jace's hands were steady as he dialed back the bank manager's number. He worried that there would be no good news given in the phone call. In fact, he had a feeling there was only impending doom. He had known the call was coming—felt it in his bones—but hearing the finality in the bank manager's voice was like an icy plunge into the reality of his situation.

"Jace, I'm sorry," the bank manager said, his voice barely concealing the tremor that Jace knew was not due to the cold weather. "The board is firm. They won't approve the loan, not even against a full personal guarantee."

"Is this because of Prescott and Sapphire Development?" Jace's question hung in the air, sharp and accusatory.

There was a pause, a silent confirmation before the bank manager continued, "I'm afraid there's little I can do. Sapphire Development holds considerable sway here, Jace. Several of the board members were quite impressed with her vision for a resort up at Northwind. You might want to start considering other financial avenues."

"Thank you for the advice," Jace replied somewhat sarcastically, the words tasting like ash in his mouth. He replaced the receiver gently, resisting the urge to shatter something, anything, to match the chaos roiling within him.

Felicity watched him from across the room, her eyes reflecting concern as she pushed up her glasses, a silent gesture of support. She moved closer, her presence a balm to his fraying nerves. "What did they say?"

"They're turning me down," he admitted, feeling the warmth drain from his body. "No loan. No way to make the balloonpayment. I need to find an investor, or I’ll lose everything; my family legacy will be lost."

She reached out, her touch light on his arm. "We'll figure this out, Jace. I know there are a lot of pending expenses, but it’s just the balloon payment, right?"

“Yeah, ‘just,’” he laughed.

Her optimism was infectious, even in the face of despair, and Jace felt a small inkling of hope amidst the dread. He let out a long breath, trying to focus on her comforting scent, vanilla and cinnamon, rather than the acrid taste of defeat.

"Maybe we should take a break from all this stress," Felicity suggested, a playful twinkle lighting up her eyes. "You look like you could use some distraction."

"Distraction sounds perfect," he agreed, the corner of his mouth lifting in a half-smile. He caught her hand, entwining their fingers. "Help me forget about bank managers and balloon payments for a while?"

"Challenge accepted," she whispered, her breath warm against his cheek as she leaned in close.

For a moment, as their laughter mingled and their worries faded into the background, Jace allowed himself the luxury of forgetting the looming threat to his family legacy. But as the laughter died down, the stark reality settled back in—a shadow over their fleeting joy.

He turned to her, his eyes earnest. "But seriously, Felicity, I’m going to need to think about investors. Someone who believes in this place as much as I do."

"We do,” she corrected. “Let's put our heads together, then." Her resolve matched and bolstered his own. "Your lodge is more than just a business, Jace. It's a home. A sanctuary. And I won't let it fall without a fight."

In that moment, Jace saw not just the woman who had filled his days with light and his nights with unbridled passion but afierce ally, ready to stand shoulder to shoulder with him against the coming storm. Together, they could brave the uncertainty of the future, their bond an anchor in the tempest of doubt and fear that threatened to engulf them both.

Jace's muscles ached as he lifted another panel into place, the sharp tang of fresh paint stinging his nostrils. Around him, the lodge buzzed with the sounds of hammering and sawing, a symphony of construction that spoke of progress and the promise of celebrations to come. New Year’s Eve was approaching, and that meant, hopefully, the grand unveiling of all they'd worked for, yet Jace was worried that it would all be for naught. His uncertainty about finding an investor or a loan of some kind in time was a constant worry.

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