Page 33 of Healing Hearts at the Christmas Inn
Jack closed his eyes, just for a moment, and let himself imagine what it would be like if this were his normal. If every morning started with a run beside Holly, if every evening ended with her smile across the dinner table. If the inn were full again, alive again, the way it had been when his father was alive.
For the first time in years, the thought didn't terrify him. It didn't feel impossible.
It felt like something worth fighting for.
Jack opened his eyes and straightened his shoulders. He had work to do. Repairs to oversee, a business to save, a family legacy to protect. But as he turned away from the dining room and headed back to help Logan, he found himself already looking forward to maybe meeting Holly for coffee later that afternoon and tomorrow morning’s run, and suddenly things that had felt impossible a moment ago felt possible.
Maybe his mother was right after all; Christmas is a time of magic and miracles. Because that’s what they really needed—a miracle!
11
CHARLIE
The morning sun was already warm by the time Charlie, Holly, and Trinity piled into Charlie's car after breakfast. Charlie slid behind the wheel of the vehicle, adjusting the mirrors while Holly settled into the passenger seat and Trinity bounced in the back like she'd had three cups of coffee instead of orange juice.
"Can we do everything?" Trinity leaned forward between the front seats, her eyes bright. "The ornament workshop and the gingerbread competition and whatever else we find?"
Holly laughed, reaching back to squeeze her granddaughter's hand. "We'll do as much as we can fit in. That's the whole point of today. Exploring Anastasia Island."
Charlie pulled out of the inn's parking lot and onto the main road that wound through Anastasia Island. The morning was beautiful, the kind of December day that made Florida feel like a different planet compared to the rest of the country. Sixties and sunny, with a breeze off the ocean that carried the scent of salt and something green and alive.
She'd slept better than she had in months. Maybe it was the ocean air, or the comfortable bed, or just the fact that she'd finally disconnected from work. Her phone sat in her purse, silenced, and she'd only checked her email once this morning. A personal record.
"There's supposed to be a community center near the beach," Holly said, consulting the brochure Jane had given them at breakfast. "They're doing holiday workshops all week. Ornament making starts at ten."
"Perfect." Charlie glanced at the clock on the dashboard. Nine forty-five. "We've got time to find parking and maybe grab coffee."
Trinity made a face. "Coffee is gross."
"More for us then," Charlie said, catching her niece's eye in the rearview mirror and winking.
They drove through the island slowly, taking in the sights. Small beach cottages, painted in cheerful pastels, lined the streets, their porches decorated with wreaths and garlands. Local shops advertised holiday sales in their windows. Even in daylight, strings of lights were visible everywhere, wrapped around palm trees and strung between lampposts, waiting for evening to bring them to life.
Charlie found herself relaxing in a way she rarely did. Her shoulders dropped from where they'd been permanently hunched near her ears. Her jaw unclenched. Even her hands on the steering wheel felt looser, less like she was gripping a life preserver and more like she was just... driving.
When was the last time she'd felt like this? Not just relaxed, but present. Not thinking about cases or clients or the mountain ofwork waiting back in Miami. Just here, in this moment, with her sister and niece, heading toward a day of Christmas crafts and whatever else they stumbled into.
"Turn left here," Holly said, pointing. "I think I see the community center."
Charlie followed her direction and pulled into a parking lot that was already half full. The community center was a low, sprawling building painted pale yellow with white trim. Banners hung across the entrance announcing the holiday workshop schedule, and through the windows Charlie could see tables already set up with craft supplies.
They climbed out of the car, and Trinity practically skipped toward the entrance. Holly caught Charlie's arm, holding her back for just a moment.
"Thank you for coming," Holly said quietly. "I know you had to clear your calendar."
Charlie squeezed her sister's hand. "Where else would I be?"
Holly's eyes shimmered, but she blinked it away and smiled. "Come on. Let's go make some ornaments."
The inside of the community center smelled like pine and cinnamon, with undertones of coffee and something baking. Long tables filled the main room, each covered with supplies. Wooden ornament blanks, paint in every color imaginable, brushes, glitter, ribbons, stencils. A few families were already seated, and a cheerful woman with gray hair pulled back in a bun stood at the front, directing people to open spots.
"Welcome, welcome!" The woman beamed at them. "First time at our workshop?"
"First time on the island," Trinity said, her eyes wide as she took in all the supplies.
"Oh, how wonderful! Well, you've picked a great time to visit. We've got activities planned through Christmas Eve." She gestured toward an empty table. "Go ahead and settle in anywhere you like. We'll get started in about ten minutes."
They claimed a table near the window, and Charlie found herself genuinely excited as she surveyed the supplies. When was the last time she'd done something creative? Law school, maybe. Before that. She'd taken an art class in college, painting and sculpture, and loved it. But there'd been no time for hobbies once she'd started at the firm.
