Page 31 of Christmas at Pine Ridge Inn
Lila hadn’t really let anyone get close in a long time either. It was a mixture of a bad breakup a few years earlier and her dedication to her work. Then her dad had gotten sick, and she’d spent all her free time in Atlanta with her mom. And then, well, she’d ended up here.
“What about you?” Sarah asked, turning to her. “Do you have someone back home?”
She shook her head. “No, it’s been a while.”
“Well, there’s nothing quite so romantic as Christmastime, don’t you think?” Sarah said, her eyes twinkling as she looked over at Lila and then out to where Brady had walked across the yard with the little boy.
Lila watched as he kneeled so he was eye level with the kid, pointing toward the tree line where the tracks led deeper into the woods. The boy listened with rapt attention, his face glowing with wonder.
She wasn’t a grinch, but she did feel her heart grow two sizes—just like Tom’s depiction in charades—as she watched Brady high-five the little boy, then follow as the boy ran toward the trees. It wasn’t exactly romance Lila was looking for, but it had been nice to share her burden with Brady the night before. And he certainly was easy to look at, especially now that he wasn’t scowling at her and her suggestions anymore.
The group hunting for reindeer tracks had disappeared around the back of the inn, so Lila suggested they go in to warm up. The lobby was bustling with the usual morning activity. Sophie and Miles were warming their hands by the fire, the sisters were planning their day over coffee, and Ali and Mike were bundled up for another day of skiing.
Carol emerged from the kitchen carrying a fresh pot of coffee, her face lighting up when she saw Lila.
“Good morning, dear. I was just thinking about you.” Carol’s smile was warm but held a hint of curiosity. “Are you already packing your car? I hope you’re not rushing off too early. The roads can be tricky this time of morning.”
This was it. Lila took a deep breath, feeling Brady’s encouraging words from the night before echo in her mind.
“Actually, Carol, I was hoping I could extend my stay through Christmas. I know it’s last minute, but—”
“Of course!” Carol’s face broke into a genuine smile that seemed to illuminate her entire being. “I’m so pleased. Christmas Day just wouldn’t be the same without you here with us.” She paused, her expression growing softer. “I had a feeling you might decide to stay. I’m so pleased we’ve won you over.”
“Thank you,” Lila said, relief flooding through her. “I just realized I wasn’t ready to leave yet.”
“If you think the last few days have been fun, just wait until you see what we have in store tonight and tomorrow,” Carol said, patting Lila’s arm gently. “You’re part of our little Christmas family now.”
The words made Lila’s chest tighten with emotion. A quiet “Thank you,” was all she could manage.
Before Carol could respond, Sarah appeared at Lila’s elbow having refilled her mug with coffee.
“Did I hear you say you’re staying through Christmas?” Sarah asked, her eyes twinkling with pleasure. “That’s wonderful news. I was hoping you would.”
“Were you?”
“Of course.” Sarah’s eyes narrowed. “I suspected you were going home to spend Christmas alone, and I couldn’t bear the thought of that.”
Lila was surprised Sarah had discovered her plan. She had tried to make it sound to everyone like she had big plans, being vague so she wasn’t outright lying to them. “How did you know?”
“Just intuition,” Sarah said, putting an arm around Lila to squeeze her. “The holidays are for sharing with others.” Sarah’s voice was gentle but certain. “And sometimes Christmas has a way of bringing together just the right people to make it special.”
Lila studied Sarah’s face, struck by the warmth in her expression. There was something about the way Sarah looked ather that reminded her of her mother, and she realized there was nothing she wanted more than to spend Christmas with these people who really had begun to feel like family in just the few days she’d spent in Pine Ridge.
“Would you like to take a walk with me after breakfast?” Sarah asked. “I always enjoy a quiet stroll on Christmas Eve morning. There’s something peaceful about the town before all the day’s festivities begin.”
An hour later, Lila and Sarah were bundled in their winter coats, walking slowly down Main Street. The town was quieter than it had been during the festival, most shops closed for the holiday, but the Christmas decorations seemed even more magical in the soft morning light without the distraction of the crowd and the booths.
“It’s beautiful,” Lila said, breathing in the crisp air. “I can see why you keep coming back here.”
“Pine Ridge has always felt like home to me,” Sarah said, her voice thoughtful. “More so than anywhere I’ve lived, actually. I think I fell in love with Pine Ridge the way you fall in love with a person. I miss it when I’m away.”
“Have you ever thought about moving to Pine Ridge permanently?” Lila asked as they sat on a bench in front of the big Christmas tree they’d watch light the previous evening. “You clearly love it here, and it seems like it would be a peaceful place to live year-round.”
Sarah was quiet for a moment, her eyes fixed on the tree. “I’ve thought about it,” she admitted. “More than once, actually. It’s like there’s a piece of me here, and the closest I feel to being complete is when I’m here.”
“So, what’s stopping you from moving here?”
“At first, it was because I was caring for my mother, but she passed a few years back. Then it was my job I couldn’t imagine leaving. I’m a counselor at an elementary school.” Sarah’svoice grew warm with obvious affection for her work. “There’s something about helping kids navigate difficult times, being there when they need someone to listen ... It feels like the most important thing I could be doing with my life. I’ve watched for openings at the schools near here, but nothing yet. Maybe one day.”
