Page 70 of Healing Hearts at the Christmas Inn
He disappeared into the back room and emerged with a tall ladder, positioning it carefully against the tree. Julie handed him the card, and he climbed steadily, navigating around branches with practiced ease.
At the top, he carefully hung the card right next to the angel, securing it so it wouldn't fall.
When he climbed back down, the girls clapped. Jane looked over from where she'd been examining a display of ornaments, confusion on her face.
"What are you all doing?" Jane asked.
"Nothing," Trinity said innocently. "Just making sure your wish is in the perfect spot."
Jane's expression softened, and she crossed back to them. "Thank you. Both of you. Even if I don't know what you wished for."
"You will," Maddy said confidently, exchanging a conspiratorial look with Trinity, who added. "On Christmas."
Julie looked at the card hanging by the angel and the other two carefully placed by Trinity and Maddy. A smile spread across her face, and her heart warmed as she sighed. William stepped up beside her.
“Well, my dearest Julie,” William whispered, “it seems your predictions may just come true after all.”
“Not may, William,” Julie smiled confidently. “They already are.” Her eyes drifted to the windows, where she saw Jack, Holly, Charlie, and Logan walking toward the shop. “They already are.”
21
ISABELLA
Isabella heard the shuttle arrive back at the inn and went to the front door, her heart picking up pace. She stood in the doorway and watched as the Christmas and Burke/Bennett families piled out, all of them laughing and talking, faces bright with happiness.
Her eyes immediately found her daughter, and her heart lurched. She couldn't remember ever seeing Maddy so happy or having a friend like Trinity. Maddy was highly intelligent, a high-potential individual, they called her, which often made her seem strange to other children her age. The school was doing its best, giving her advanced work and extra assignments to keep her challenged, but Isabella knew it wasn't enough. She was saving every penny to send Maddy to a school for gifted children where she'd be understood and challenged appropriately.
But watching Maddy now, laughing with Trinity like they'd been friends for years, Isabella felt some of that worry ease. Maybe what Maddy needed most wasn't just an academic challenge. Maybe she needed this—friendship, belonging, joy.
"Is that them?" A deep voice rumbled behind her, making her pulse jump.
She turned to see the tall man with golden blond buzz-cut hair, hazel eyes, and a smile that dimpled, making his startlingly handsome face even more so. He and his friend had checked into the inn a while ago. The moment her eyes had met his, she’d felt something shift inside her.
She shook herself from her musings. "Yes." Isabella nodded.
"Good." The man grinned. "Thank you for doing this."
"Of course." Isabella smiled, turning back to block the doorway as the man disappeared into the dining room.
"Mom!" Maddy's voice pulled her attention back to the group approaching. Maddy ran into Isabella's arms, and she caught her daughter close, squeezing tightly and kissing her soft hair.
"We had such a great time," Maddy said, pulling back to look at her mother with shining eyes.
"I'm so glad, honey," Isabella said, looking up as the rest of the party stopped in front of her. "You all look like you could do with another hot chocolate and some of my Christmas cookies that I've laid out as a little Christmas cheer surprise in the dining room."
"Ugh," Charlie groaned good-naturedly. "That is so sweet of you, but I don't think I could eat any more."
"Oh, I think you can, and you will!" Isabella said, her voice brooking no argument. "I made them special."
"It's a lovely thing you've done," Holly said. "But I think we're all sugared out."
"We can't be rude," Julie said, stepping around them as they all moved aside for her.
Isabella glanced back toward the dining room, then looked at Julie, who asked, "Did our new guests arrive, Isabella?"
"Oh, yes." Isabella nodded, trying not to smile too widely.
"Good, good," Julie said. Isabella stepped aside, pulling Maddy with her so they could all enter. Julie turned back to the group. "Now come on, everyone. We can have at least a cookie and a sip of cocoa." Her eyebrow rose in that way that said she wouldn't accept arguments. "Let's go see Isabella's Christmas surprise."
