Page 90 of The Christmas Eve Delivery

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EPILOGUE: MILES

One year later…

I stood back and admired the Christmas tree. This year, it was tall and properly proportioned to fill the lobby. Unlike last year’s scrawny, meager little tree, this one was grand and covered in shining glass ornaments and twinkling lights.

“Oh, it’s beautiful,” Lydia cooed as she stepped into the lobby.

She had Nick on her hip, and he was chewing on his fist. He gazed up at the lights.

If I could tell what he was thinking, I would have said he wanted to eat it. That child explored the world by putting everything in his mouth. It was a challenge to keep ahead of him and baby proof for his safety. Especially when we lived in a practical construction zone.

Large areas of the inn had been stripped down to the lathe and plaster sub walls so that we could remodel and reconfigure our living quarters, just as Lydia had wanted. She was getting a modern kitchen and a full ensuite bathroom with a walk-in closet for her new master bedroom.

As soon as our home within the Sweet Mountain Inn was completed, I’d have a crew out and start working on upgrading the commercial kitchen and start looking for someone to outsource running a cafe for the inn.

“How was the site today?” Lydia asked as she stepped up to me and leaned in against my shoulder.

“Everything’s going well.” I wrapped my arm around her and tickled Nick on the chin. He was a little drooly. I ended up wiping my fingers on the back of his pajamas.

“They should finish the roof on the main building before it gets too cold, and then we can start all the interior work. Lake Lodge is on target for having a soft open in the late spring. And all the investors are happy.”

“Good news for Christmas,” she said. “Still planning the big grand opening for the Fourth of July?”

“Absolutely.”

Nick let out a big yawn.

I slid my hands around his tiny little ribs and lifted him from his mother’s arms.

“Let me go put this guy down for bed. He’s got a big day tomorrow.” I kissed him on top of his head. “He had a big day today,” Lydia said as she grabbed his little feet and moved them back and forth. “He had his first birthday. Merry Christmas Eve, baby.” She talked baby talk at him.

“And tomorrow, he gets his second Christmas,” I pointed out.

“You did a wonderful job of making sure he had another beautiful Christmas tree,” she said wistfully. She followed meback to our rooms and watched as I wiped up our son’s little face and rocked him until he cracked another big yawn.

I didn’t set him down in his crib until I was certain he was almost fully asleep. He made some snuffling noises and settled in as soon as I put him down. I stood there and watched him sleep for a bit.

That was my boy. He had changed everything about my life. I lived in a small town, and I loved it here.

I looked up at Lydia. She was the other reason I loved it here.

“Hey,” she said.

She reached her hand out to me, and I took it, allowing her to drag me away and into our room.

“I have something for you,” she said with a smirk on her face.

“Oh, really?” I knew what that smirk meant, and I was looking forward to the presents she was willing to give me. “I have something for you too.”

I reached deep into my pocket and pulled out a small silk drawstring bag.

“What’s this?” Lydia asked.

I held her hand and sank down onto one knee.

“Miles?” she asked. Her eyes filled with tears as she realized what I was doing.

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