Page 35 of Christmas at Pine Ridge Inn
“Sarah’s been such a dear, helping all afternoon,” Carol said, gesturing toward the dining room where Sarah was now setting the table. “But if you’d like to help me with the final touches in the kitchen in about an hour, I’d welcome the company.”
An hour later, they were working side by side, adding garnishes to platters and arranging rolls in baskets. Lila found herself studying Carol again. When Carol hummed softly while she worked, Lila wondered if she’d inherited her love of music from this woman. When Carol adjusted a flower arrangementwith careful precision, Lila thought about her own eye for design and detail.
“Carol,” she began, then stopped, not sure how to continue.
“Yes, dear?”
“I just wanted to say how grateful I am that you let me extend my stay. This place, being here with all of you ... it’s exactly what I needed this Christmas.”
Carol’s expression softened, and she reached over to squeeze Lila’s hand. “You know, Lila, from the moment you arrived, I’ve felt like you belonged here. There’s something about you that just fits with our little family.”
The words hung in the air between them, heavy with possibility and unspoken questions. Lila felt like they were dancing around the edges of something enormous, both of them perhaps sensing a connection they couldn’t quite name.
“Sometimes,” Carol continued, her voice growing thoughtful, “I think the people who are meant to be in our lives just find their way to us, as if by magic. In this case, a little Christmas magic, I suppose.”
Before Lila could respond, Brady appeared in the kitchen doorway. “Ladies, Tom’s calling for all hands in the dining room. Apparently, there’s some debate about proper candle placement that requires a committee decision.”
The moment broke, but as they made their way to the dining room, Lila caught Carol watching her with an expression she couldn’t quite read. Tonight, during Christmas Eve dinner, she was going to find the courage to ask the question that had brought her to Pine Ridge. Whether Carol was her birth mother or not, she needed to know the truth.
As she helped carry the final dishes to the dining room, where the rest of their Christmas Eve family was gathering around the candlelit table, Lila felt a mixture of anticipation and peace.Whatever happened next, she was exactly where she wanted to be this Christmas Eve.
Twelve
After a lovely five o’clock Christmas Eve service at the church in town, the group walked the short distance back to the inn for the big dinner Carol and Tom had planned. The table had been set before they left, and all that was left was to take the food out of the warming oven.
The dining room glowed with candlelight as the group gathered around the long farmhouse table for Christmas Eve dinner. Carol had outdone herself with the traditional feast—roasted turkey with herb stuffing, a baked ham, roasted vegetables that smelled of rosemary and thyme, and fresh cranberry sauce in cut crystal bowls that sparkled from the flame of the candle nearby. Formal china was set at each place, and fresh evergreen boughs wound down the center of the table, scenting the air with the smell of Christmas.
“This is absolutely beautiful, Carol,” Sophie said, settling into her chair beside Miles. “I can’t remember the last time I didn’t have to slave over a stove making a holiday meal.”
“You’ve really outdone yourself,” agreed Kendall, admiring the elegant table setting. “This is even nicer than dining in a fancy restaurant.”
Carol beamed with pleasure as she took her seat at the head of the table. “Christmas Eve dinner has always been special to me. There’s something magical about gathering with people you care about on this particular night.”
Tom stood to pour wine while Brady helped carry the last few dishes from the kitchen. The conversation flowed easily as platters were passed and plates filled. Lila found herself between Sarah and Brady, feeling surrounded by warmth and belonging in a way that made her chest tight with emotion.
“So, what’s everyone’s favorite Christmas tradition?” Kimberly asked as she spooned stuffing onto her plate. “Besides amazing dinners like this, of course.”
“Miles and I always open one present on Christmas Eve,” Sophie said. “Something small, usually new pajamas or slippers. It started when our kids were little, and we needed something to tide them over until morning.”
“We do breakfast for dinner on Christmas Eve,” Kendall added. “Pancakes, eggs, bacon, biscuits—it’s a feast. It’s completely different from this, but there’s something about breaking the rules on Christmas that makes it feel extra special.”
“What about you, Sarah?” Kimberly asked. “Any special traditions?”
Sarah’s fork paused halfway to her mouth. “This?” Sophie and Carol both laughed. “I can’t even remember what I did before I started spending my Christmases here.”
Just as Brady was asking Tom about how his parents had handled Christmas celebrations at the inn when he was growing up, Ali’s phone rang where she had it face down on the table next to her plate. She flipped it over and glanced at the screen with a frown.
“It’s my sister,” she said apologetically. “She’s pregnant and not due for another three weeks but let me just make sure everything’s okay.”
Ali answered the phone, moving slightly away from the table. The rest of them continued their conversation, but Lila noticed how Ali’s expression changed from casual concern to excitement mixed with panic.
“Oh my God, seriously? Right now?” Ali was saying. “But you’re not supposed to—okay, okay, I’ll look at flights. I love you, and I’ll be praying for the healthy arrival of my beautiful niece.”
She hung up and turned back to the table, her face breaking into a broad smile. “My sister just went into labor a month early. She’s at the hospital right now.”
“How exciting!” Kendall exclaimed. “Are you getting a niece or a nephew?”
“Yes, she’s having a little girl,” Ali said, sinking back into her chair. “I can’t believe it’s happening on Christmas Eve. Mike, we need to see if we can change our flight and head back tomorrow.”
