Page 36 of Healing Hearts at the Christmas Inn
"They really do," Holly agreed. "It's nice to see."
"So you're doing the gingerbread competition?" Isabella glanced at the bags in her arms. "Actually, I need to pick up a few more things from this store. Mind if we join you? I can help you pick out the best supplies."
"We'd love that," Charlie said before Holly could protest.
“Actually, we need to register first,” Holly pointed out, smiling. “Why don’t I go do that and I’ll meet you all back in the shop?”
“That’s the best idea,” Isabella told them. “Once you register, they send you here to get some supplies, and you want to get here before the best freebies that go with your registration are snatched up.”
“Can you buy other decorations?” Charlie asked.
“Sure, but the ones that come with your entrance fee are just as good as the bought ones.” She led Charlie and Trinity into the supply store, the girls still talking a mile a minute.
Isabella proved to be an excellent guide, steering them toward the best royal icing and pointing out which candy decorations held up better than others.
"Trust me on the gumdrops," she said, loading several bags into their basket. "The cheap ones melt. These ones are perfect."
By the time Holly joined them. They had everything they needed and started to head back to the park, and to Charlie’s surprise, her somewhat quiet, shy, and reserved niece was still chattering excitedly with her new friend. They walked together, heads bent close, sharing secrets and giggling.
Isabella stopped at the side of the park and checked her watch.
"I really should get back," she said reluctantly. "I have prep work for tonight."
Maddy's face fell. "But Mom?—"
"Can Maddy stay?" Trinity blurted out, looking between Isabella and Holly. "Can she help us with our gingerbread house? Please?"
Isabella hesitated, her eyes moving from her daughter to the three of them. "I don't want to impose..."
"You're not imposing," Holly said warmly. "We'd love to have her. The girls clearly get along, and honestly, we could use someone who knows what they're doing."
"Please, Mom?" Maddy's eyes were huge and pleading.
Isabella wavered, and Charlie could see the war playing out on her face. She was a single mother, probably accustomed to arranging childcare and navigating the logistics, which were often complicated. But there was also relief there, barely hidden. Relief at having help, at not having to scramble.
"Are you sure?" Isabella asked, directing the question at all three of them.
"Positive," Charlie said firmly. "We're happy to keep her for the afternoon. And honestly, this day is on me. My treat."
Isabella started to reach for her purse. "Let me at least?—"
"Nope." Charlie held up a hand. "My vacation, my rules. We'll take good care of her, I promise."
Isabella's eyes glistened slightly, and she nodded. "Okay. Thank you. Really." She turned to Maddy. "You behave, understand? And call me if you need anything."
"I will!" Maddy was already pulling Trinity toward their assigned station, the two of them lost in plans and ideas.
Isabella called out her thanks again as she hurried off, and Charlie, Holly, and Trinity, along with Maddy, settled at their building station. The whistle blew to start, and chaos erupted.
Charlie had expected it to be simple. Cute. How hard could building a gingerbread house be?
Turned out, very hard.
Their walls kept sliding apart. The icing was either too thick or too thin. Trinity kept eating the gumdrops they were supposed to use for decoration.
But the girls were amazing, and Charlie couldn’t remember when she’d last laughed so hard. Her heart warmed seeing both her sister and niece also having so much fun. Moments of reprieve from their haunting grief.
Luckily Maddy came to their rescue once she’d contained her laughter. And as it turned out, the girl had inherited her mother's talent. She directed them with the confidence of a seasoned architect, showing them how to reinforce the walls and create perfect mortar for the icing. Trinity, organized and methodical, kept everything running smoothly, handing over supplies before they were even asked for.
