“It’s a good idea,” Ben agreed. “We’ve just so rarely ever had the power go out up here. We’ve been spoiled. And speaking of spoiled . . .” Ben picked up a platter of Christmas cookies and started passing them around. “Who wants dessert?”
“Me!” Jeff said as he took a cookie and got one for Haley, too. “Always my favorite part.”
“So, what’s on the agenda for tomorrow?” Steve asked.
Everyone looked at Trisha. She was sitting in a chair, trying to get her tablet to work but not having any luck. “So far, nothing. It looks like the power on my tablet died, and I can’t recharge without any electricity. Not that it matters, because we’re not planning a wedding anymore.”
Haley gave Jeff a sad look. He kissed her on the cheek. “At least not for Christmas Eve. But we’re definitely getting married.”
“Someday,” Haley said.
Trisha stood up. “I think I’m going to go upstairs and turn in for the night. Ben, is it okay if I take one of these candles with me?”
Ben shook his head. “It’s going to get really cold tonight without any heat. We should all stay down here by the fire.” He walked over to a stack of rolled-up sleeping bags. “I got these out for everyone. You’ll be toasty warm.” He tossed one to Trisha. She looked at it like she’d never slept in a sleeping bag before. When Ben tossed one to Kathy, she, on the other hand, looked excited.
“Fun, just like camping!” Kathy said.
“When have you ever gone camping?” Haley asked her.
Kathy smiled. “I’ve seen it in the movies. I’ve always wanted to go.”
“I’ve camped all over the world, and I love it,” Steve said. “Fire one of those bags over here, Ben.”
Ben laughed as he threw one over to Steve.
Jeff went over and helped his dad hand out the rest. When he tossed a bag to Haley, he winked at her. “I told you this would be an adventure.”
Haley couldn’t help but laugh.
Hours later, Haley woke not knowing where she was. When she abruptly sat up in her sleeping bag, she realized she was in the sitting room with the rest of the group, sleeping on the floor by the fire. Max was by her side. He was awake, as well. She looked over at Jeff on the other side of her. He was sleeping peacefully. Looking at him, she felt a rush of pure undeniable love. She gently kissed his cheek.
She saw Ben sleeping on one couch, and Gail sleeping on the other. Trisha was sleeping in a chair. Kathy and Steve were also sleeping next to the fire and next to each other. Even Snowball the cat had come out of hiding and was curled up on the couch with Ben.
Haley shivered. It was getting cold. The fire was almost out. Carefully, quietly, she got up and put several more logs on the fire, and it roared back to life. She quickly ran back over to her sleeping bag and snuggled up inside. She looked over at Max, who was watching her. When he put his head down on her chest, she cuddled up with him before closing her eyes and falling back to sleep.
Chapter Nine
Haley woke up early the next morning to Max licking her face.
“What are you doing?” she whispered as she sat up. Max dropped his leash in front of her and wagged his tail and ran toward the front door. “Are you crazy?” she whispered to him. She looked around, and everyone was still sleeping. “We can’t go out there. There’s too much snow.”
But when Max started circling and looked like he was about to bark, Haley jumped up and put her finger in front of her lips. “Shhhhhh,” she whispered. “Everyone’s sleeping. Okay, I’ll take you out quickly. Just don’t bark.”
She quickly grabbed Jeff’s big snow coat and his boots out of the closet and put on his hat and scarf and put the leash on Max. “I can’t believe you’re making me go out here in this snowstorm. This was supposed to be my wedding day. You should take pity on me.”
Max wagged his tail and waited for her to open the front door. When she did, she was stunned. It wasn’t snowing anymore. The sun was just starting to come up, and there wasn’t a cloud in the sky.
“Whoa, what happened to the storm?”
For an answer, Max pulled her forward, and she had to run to keep up with him as he started playing in the fresh snow. Haley laughed. He was hilarious. He would bite the snow and jump and then bite the snow again. She made a snowball and threw it at him. He instantly devoured it. She was laughing again when a snowball hit her on the back.
“Hey!” She whirled around and found Jeff walking toward her. She laughed. “What are you doing?”
“Sticking up for Max. I saw you throw that snowball at him.” Jeff joined her and kissed her. “Good morning.” He shivered. He wasn’t wearing a coat.
“Oh no, I stole your coat,” Haley laughed. “I’m sorry.” She took off his scarf and wrapped it around his neck.
He laughed and looked up at the sky. “It’s warmed up a lot.”
“I know,” Haley said. “What happened to the storm?”
“It’s gone.”
“But it’s still cold and you don’t have a coat,” Haley said. “Let’s get you inside.”
Before they got to the door, it opened and Trisha was standing there. “Haley! Jeff! Get in here.”
“What’s wrong?” Haley asked as she and Jeff hurried toward the door. As soon as they were inside, they saw everyone was up in the sitting room, rolling up their sleeping bags.
“Nothing’s wrong,” Trisha said. “Everything’s finally right. Ben just got a call. Because the storm has passed and the snowplows are already out, they’re going to reopen Alpine Road.”
Ben and Gail joined them. “That means . . .”
“We have a wedding plan!” Trisha said.
“What?” Haley looked at Jeff. Her eyes were full of hope. “Really?”
“Really,” Gail said. “Ben’s been calling everyone, and they’re all coming.”
Haley gave Jeff an incredulous look. “So we can really get married. Tonight . . .”
“On Christmas Eve, just like we always wanted.” When Jeff kissed her, Max barked happily, and even Snowball made an appearance and meowed.
For Haley, the next few hours flew by like a whirlwind. She still couldn’t believe the storm was gone, and it was a perfect sunny winter day. It was her wedding day. It was really happening.
Laura had even surprised them all by showing up with her husband on a snowmobile. He dropped her off and said he’d be back with the car once the road reopened. Laura told them she didn’t want to miss anything. And now it was such a beautiful day, it had been perfect for a snowmobile trip.
Haley smiled, thinking about how Laura was already in the kitchen working away with Gail. After she’d heard about Steve’s success the night before, she had recruited him to help as well, while they waited for Haley’s mom to bring the rest of the ingredients. Since they only had a few hours to get everything ready, the original menu wasn’t going to work anymore, but Laura had assured Haley there were still enough things they could make that would be wonderful.
Haley had assured them that whatever they made, she knew it would be special, because it had been made with love.
As soon as they knew the wedding was back on, Trisha gathered everyone together and started handing out assignments. Haley had to admit it was impressive how quickly Trisha could shift gears and make things happen. There was no doubt she was a great wedding planner and everyone respected that, including Haley.
The guys were assigned to go get the Douglas fir branches they hadn’t been able to get the night before because of the storm. As soon as they got back, Trisha started showing Haley and Kathy how to put together a beautiful arrangement using all the things from the flower shop, including the white roses. Haley couldn’t believe how incredible they turned out.
As the sun started to go down, Haley kept looking out the window, excited for people to start arriving. But Trisha was firm, insisting that Haley wait until after the ceremony to see everyone, so she had time to get ready and could make a grand entrance.
; Haley didn’t care at all about making a grand entrance, but when she saw how hard Trisha was working to make the day special, she agreed to do what Trisha asked. Trisha had even had the photographer, Curt, bring along his sister, who specialized in doing hair and makeup. Haley agreed to stay upstairs and wait to see everyone.
Kathy had also pointed out it was bad luck to see the groom before the wedding, and with the way this wedding had gone, they all agreed they didn’t want to take that chance and jinx anything.
At least Trisha had let Haley’s mom and dad come up to see her, and they were all able to catch up while Haley was getting her hair and makeup done. Curt captured everything, getting some wonderful family candid shots that Haley’s mom was already raving about.
Everything, dare she even think it, was going wonderfully.
The last thing for Haley to do was put on Jeff’s mom’s wedding dress. Her own mom and Kathy helped her, as Curt took more pictures. It was a beautiful moment, and at one point, all three of them were crying. Trisha had instantly appeared with tissues for each of them. Trisha stood back admiring Haley in the dress. “The dress is beautiful on you,” she said, smiling a genuine smile. “Grace was a very special person. She was always like another mom to me. She was so kind and loving . . .” When Trisha’s voice got choked up with emotion and trailed off, Haley looked over and saw Trisha was holding back tears. She was surprised. It was the first time Haley thought about the fact that Trisha had known Grace and she had lost Grace, too. Her heart went out to her. She took Trisha’s hand. “You have done a beautiful job with this wedding, and I’m sure Grace is so thankful that you’ve done all this for Jeff and for Ben. That you were here when she couldn’t be.”
When Trisha’s eyes filled with tears, Haley handed her a tissue.
They smiled at each other—a real smile, for the first time.
“Thank you for saying that,” Trisha said. “I miss her very much, and Jeff and Ben, they’ve been like my family. I’ve missed them, too, these last few years.” Trisha wiped her tears and pulled herself together. “I’m sorry for the way I acted when we met. I really do love Jeff, but I’ve realized, watching you two, we never had what you have, and what I really loved was being part of this family. I can see how much Jeff loves you, and Ben, too. You make them happy and that’s all I want.”
Haley, touched, reached out and took Trisha’s hand. “Thank you.” She was starting to tear up, too.
As soon as Trisha saw that, she went right back into wedding planner mode.
“Don’t you even think about crying,” Trisha said. “You’ll ruin your makeup.”
Haley laughed. Trisha gave her a stern look, then after a moment, laughed with her. “Okay, let’s do this wedding,” Trisha said. “Before something else goes wrong.”
Haley laughed again. “Don’t even say that!”
Trisha headed for the bedroom door. “I’m going to go check downstairs to make sure everything is ready. We should be getting started in seven minutes.”
After Trisha left the room, Haley looked down and saw both Max and Snowball looking up at her.
“I’m about to officially become part of your family. I hope you guys are okay with that?”
Haley laughed when Max barked and wagged his tail. She decided to take that as a yes. As she slowly walked over and looked at her reflection in the mirror, she smiled and took a deep breath. With her eyes closed, she whispered softly, “I promise I will love and take care of your son, Jeff and Ben, always.” She opened her eyes just as Kathy came into the room.
Kathy looked stunning in her burgundy velvet cocktail dress. She twirled around in front of Haley. “I’m so glad I kept this dress.”
Haley smiled at her. “And it looks amazing on you. You’re glowing, but I don’t think it’s just from the dress . . .”
Kathy couldn’t stop smiling. Excited, she took Haley’s hand. “It’s Steve. I know you said not to get carried away, but I honestly think he might be the one to give me a chance at my own HEA, my happily ever after.”
“You know there’s nothing I want more for you,” Haley said. “He seems to really like you, too. This could be the start of something really special.”
Kathy shook her head. “I’m sorry. Look at me going on and on when today is about you. I think I just feel so much love all around me here, with you and Jeff and Ben and Gail. It’s really beautiful, and speaking of beautiful, I don’t know how all this worked out so well but you are truly one of the most beautiful brides I’ve ever seen. I am so happy for you. I love you, and I love Jeff.” Kathy walked over and picked up Haley’s bridal bouquet that was on the dresser. It looked magical. “This turned out so well. Wait, you added a pinecone . . .”
Haley smiled. “I did. It’s a Christmas tradition in Jeff’s family and now mine, too. When Jeff’s dad proposed to his mom he put the ring in a pinecone and proposed up at Star Peak. Ever since, it has been a tradition in Jeff’s family to go up to Star Peak every Christmas and get a pinecone to make a Christmas wish. Then you bring the pinecone back to the inn and put it in that basket of pinecones by the fire, with all the other Christmas wishes.”
Kathy smiled. “I saw that basket! I love this.”
Haley nodded. “And Jeff proposed to me the same way, up at Star Peak.” Haley smiled, looking at the pinecone in her bouquet. “This pinecone is my Christmas wish. I know Jeff will see it and understand.”
“Who knew all you needed was a pinecone to make a Christmas wish,” Kathy said. “I’m going to go find one immediately.”
They shared a laugh.
“Okay, let’s make sure you have everything,” Kathy said. “Where are your vows?”
Haley touched her heart. “They’re right here.”
Kathy looked concerned. “You don’t have a copy written down?”
“I never got a chance,” Haley said, “but that’s okay. It doesn’t have to be perfect. I know what I want to say. I don’t need to write anything down.”
Kathy smiled at her. “I knew you would figure it out. Okay, next. Making sure we have something borrowed—the dress that also counts for something old. You have the pinecone—that’s something new—but what about something blue? Wait, we forgot something blue!”
Haley reached out and took Kathy’s hand. “It’s okay. Don’t worry about it. We don’t need it.”
“What?” Kathy gave her an incredulous look. “Yes, we do. We are not taking any more chances jinxing this wedding.”
Trisha walked in smiling. “Don’t worry. There will be no more jinxing.” She held up a pretty white lace garter with a tiny blue bow.
Haley laughed. “No. That’s so old school. I don’t need that . . .”
Trisha and Kathy interrupted at the same time. “Yes, you do!”
Trisha gave it to Haley. “Keep it. I have plenty. It’s part of the wedding planner emergency kit I always have with me.”
“Wow, okay, if you both insist,” Haley said.
“We do,” Trisha said. “And it’s time to get started. Are you ready?”
Haley quickly slipped on the something blue and nodded. She knew, without a doubt, she was 100 percent ready.
Chapter Ten
Right as Haley was about to leave her room, her dad appeared. He looked so handsome in his black suit and burgundy tie. He smiled when he saw her.
“There’s my beautiful girl,” he said and took both her hands. “I just wanted to check in on you one more time to make sure you’re ready.” He kissed her hands.
Haley looked into his eyes. “I am.” She smiled. “Do you believe this is really happening, after everything we’ve been through?”
“I do,” he said. “Because when two people love each other as much as you and Jeff do, you’re meant to be together. Nothing can stop you. Not a flood, or a snowstorm, nothing.”
Haley kissed her dad on the cheek. “Thanks, Dad. You know, I started to get scared, but then I remembered what you’d always say about you and mom when times were tough
. . .”
“That true loves only gets stronger during the tough times . . .”
“And better,” Haley finished for him. “Because I love him with my whole heart.”
“That’s my girl. You know your mom and I have been talking, and we talked to Ben, and we’ve decided that we’re going to do a Christmas Camp at the B&B. We saw how much coming here helped you and we want to be able to create that same kind of experience for our guests. This is just the beginning for all of us and I just wanted to tell you how much your mom and I love you and how happy we are for you.”
Haley nodded. For a moment she was too emotional to say anything, but as he left she called after him. “I love you both so much.”
Haley took a deep breath, as she waited in her room alone. She knew that when the Christmas song Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas started playing that was her cue to start walking down the stairs where everyone would be gathered below waiting for her. The fact that it was Christmas Eve and that she would be walking down the same stairs she had walked down a year ago, when she had reluctantly come to Christmas Camp for the first time, never dreaming how much her life would change, felt like the perfect start to her own happily ever after.
Over the last year, by opening up her heart for the first time, she had experienced so much joy and love and laughter, and she couldn’t wait to start her new life with Jeff.
When she heard her cue she took a deep breath and looked around at all the angels in the room, she smiled. She felt so grateful for the journey she’d been on, even with all the ups and downs, because it had brought her here, where she knew she was meant to be. By finally learning how to open her heart and let love in, her entire future had changed. She couldn’t wait to marry Jeff and start that future together.
Feeling excited and confident, Haley opened her bedroom door and couldn’t help but laugh when she saw Max waiting there for her.
“You are the other love of my life. You know that, right?” Haley said.
Christmas Camp Wedding Page 9