Christmas at Mistletoe Lodge: New Holiday Romances to Benefit St. Jude Hospital

by Sabrina York

  She joined a procession of cars making their way to Main Street. She remembered the church parking lot a couple of blocks away and turned onto a side street, hoping there would still be a space available. She snagged the last one, and she and Bella quickened their pace to get to the center of town.

  They slipped into Latte Da with a few minutes to spare. The high school band and choir were playing festive carols, and children were already in line waiting for Santa. She said a quick hello to the girls helping Jackie and fixed herself a peppermint mocha before giving Bella a nuzzle and a bowl of her kibble for dinner. She made her way outside. She wasn’t able to see much of the platform in front of the tree, where she knew Nick would be standing, but had a good view of the tall pine from her spot in front of the store.

  The speakers set up along the street carried Nick’s voice, welcoming everyone to the annual event. He told the crowd he was honored to serve as their mayor and preside over his favorite event in Snow Valley. The crowd roared with applause. He thanked the city employees and acknowledged everyone who had a hand in helping. “An old friend of mine told me to keep it short tonight, so with that, I wish you all a Merry Christmas and let’s kick off the season.”

  He urged the crowd to join in the countdown and pushed the plunger on the big red box, and the beautiful tree twinkled with thousands of colored lights. Emily saw snowflakes falling in the glow of the streetlamp and thought they were fake, until she felt moisture on her nose.

  The band continued to play, and the crowd sang along to “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” as the jolly old elf himself waved to the children. Like Latte Da, most of the businesses stayed open late to take advantage of all the foot traffic downtown.

  With the snow falling, Emily didn’t want to waste any time and waved goodbye to Jackie as she guided Bella down the street toward the parking lot. With almost everyone who lived in Snow Valley downtown, traffic was light on her way back out to the resort.

  Instead of parking in the lot, she left the Jeep under the covered portico and hustled up the steps, where she put her master key card against the reader and the door clicked. She joined Bella in front of the fire still burning in the fireplace, rubbing her hands together to warm them.

  She retrieved her clipboard with the list of trees and went upstairs to make sure all the decorations and ornaments were delivered. With the lodge empty, every creak made her jump. With the normal lighting off and only a few soft ones illuminating the space, the lights from the tree below were all the more beautiful. While she enjoyed the calm, the total silence was eerie. She was on her second to last room when she heard Bella barking. She never barked. Emily looked over the balcony and saw Bella standing at the entryway and a shadow at the door.

  10

  Once she reached the door, she saw Nick holding a huge takeout bag from Rosie’s. Emily let out the breath she had been holding and smiled, opening the door. Nick’s brown hair was white with snow, and she gasped when she saw how much had fallen since she’d arrived. Then she noticed the leash Nick was holding in his other hand attached to the red collar of a sweet golden retriever puppy. Bella rushed through the door and sniffed at the puppy.

  “Bella, come back inside.” Emily motioned for her to come, and Nick walked through the door. He smelled like Christmas and sawdust from the lumber yard. It was a familiar and comforting scent.

  He handed Emily the bag, and the aroma of garlic mingled with onions and Rosie’s famous au jus wafted from it. “I remember a girl I knew had an affinity for Rosie’s beef dips, so I thought I’d deliver dinner instead of having to go to a restaurant. I’m starving.”

  “They smell so good. We can eat over by the coffee bar.” She led the way, with Bella following them. “How old is your puppy?”

  “Buster is four months. He’s a handful.”

  She stepped behind the counter and filled a bowl with water for the dogs. “Am I right in thinking you’ll want a hot chocolate?”

  He shot her a boyish grin, the same one that had once sent her heart aflutter. It transported her back to high school when they would make hot chocolates in the back room of the hardware store. “Old habits, huh?” He winked, and it was like the last fifteen years vanished.

  She went about steaming the milk while Buster pulled at the end of his leash and finally sat down when it didn’t budge. Nick had slipped it under the leg of the chair before he sat down to make certain the pup didn’t get too far. Bella joined her new friend, and they both sprawled out on the floor.

  As they ate, Nick glanced across at the tree in the lobby. “Wow, that’s some tree.”

  Emily’s eyes danced with excitement. “I love it. It turned out great.”

  She delivered their hot chocolates, topped with whipped cream and shaved chocolate. He took a sip and moaned. “Yum and much better than the mix with hot water we used to make at the store.” They dug into their sandwiches and fries.

  After a few bites, Nick cleared his throat. “So, Em, I, uh, well, I’m not sure where to start, except to say—I’ve missed you, and I should have explained things a long time ago.”

  About to dip one of her fries in ketchup, she arched her brows. “Do go on.”

  “The week before we were supposed to fly to New York, Dad told me he was sick. Cancer. He was terminal and wanted to keep it a secret. He told me I couldn’t tell you.” Tears pooled in his eyes, and he reached for his cup.

  His voice cracked. “I should have found a way to tell you, but I was in shock. I didn’t know what to do. I just knew I couldn’t leave him on his own. He needed my help at the store and wanted to keep his illness from everyone as long as possible.”

  As she watched Nick struggle to maintain his composure, Emily blinked back tears. “I’m sorry, Nick. I know how close you were to your dad.”

  He inclined his head but, instead of saying anything, took another bite of his sandwich. After another swallow of hot chocolate, he turned to face Emily. “I thought you’d be home for Christmas, and I could tell you and explain it all, and you’d quit hating me, but you didn’t come home. Then Dad died, and it took all I had to just get through those days.”

  “I had no idea, Nick. I spent Christmas with my dad’s cousins in Philadelphia. We didn’t have the money for me to fly home that first year, and then as the years went by, it got easier to stay away. My mom kept encouraging me to stay in the city and take advantage of internships and other opportunities. Turns out, she was hiding an illness from me and didn’t want me to quit school or worry about her. She made Sara promise not to say anything.”

  Nick sighed. “Parents are always trying to protect us.” He met Emily’s darkened eyes. “I was already in the military by the time she passed away, but I should have called you when I found out. It just got harder, and I couldn’t imagine what I would say to you all those years later. I was at a loss after Dad and decided to enlist. I think I was trying to honor his memory, in a way. I didn’t love it the way he did and realized I joined to escape and got out when my time was up. Came back here and put all my energy into the store. I’ve been here ever since. Each Christmas, I thought you’d come home, but all these years…”

  A tear slid down her cheek, and she put her hand atop his. “I know. I could have called you, and I didn’t. I was afraid of all the memories here. You. My mom.”

  He brushed the tear from her cheek with his thumb. “You’re here now.”

  She smiled beneath her eyes. The gold flecks that were more prevalent when she was happy or excited, shimmered and reflected the lights from the tree. “Thanks to Sara, I’m here until Christmas.”

  He raised his cup to her. “Here’s to Sara.” He grinned, and his gaze urged her to join him.

  He hadn’t lost his ability to make her smile or make her problems seem smaller. “So, I need to finish a few things up here tonight to be ready for tomorrow.”

  “I’ll help. Just tell me what to do.”

  She laughed. “With pleasure.” They finished off the sandwiche
s, and he took the dogs outside for a break while she cleaned up the counter area.

  When he came back in, he stomped his feet on the mat depositing clumps of snow everywhere. “I think we’re in the middle of the huge storm they predicted for later tonight. It’s crazy out there.”

  Emily stepped to the windows in the lobby, her mouth agape. “There has to be almost a foot of snow now. It’s blowing so much that I can’t even see the parking lot.”

  Stepping behind her with the dogs in tow, he looked over the top of her head. “I don’t think we’re going anywhere tonight.”

  “Really?” Panic rose in her voice.

  “It’s no big deal. We’ve got everything we need. I’ll add some wood to the fire, and we’ll be fine. The storm is supposed to be fast moving, so it should be fine by morning. We’ll just have to dig out of here.”

  “I hope it doesn’t impact the party tomorrow.”

  “On a positive note, it will make for a perfect sleigh ride for Lydia and Bob.” He grinned and ruffled the top of Buster’s head. “Let’s get your work done.”

  He kept Buster with him, not fully trusting him to run around on his own in the lodge, which meant Bella clamored up the stairs to join them. They finished inventorying the two rooms upstairs and the sitting area, along with the trees placed at the ends of the balcony. The two balcony trees were tall, so she suggested they put the lights on them and decorate the tops. Stan had staged stepladders throughout the lodge and stashed a full-sized ladder in the service closet.

  She held Buster while Nick retrieved it. She handed him the end of the string of lights, and they passed it back and forth until all the strings they could fit on the tree were draped on the branches. They moved onto the green and gold ornaments, and Emily directed his hand while he tackled the highest branches. They added the wide gold ribbon and left the bottom of the tree bare so the kids would have something to do tomorrow.

  They transported the ladder to the next tree. As they worked, Emily was surprised to learn that Nick kept up with her articles online and read them all. Sara, it seemed, kept him informed of Emily’s career. They added the last red and gold ornaments to the topmost part of the tree. Emily stood back and admired their work, noticing Buster curled up next to Bella, both of them sound asleep.

  She stepped back into the hallway leading to the rooms and examined the trees, looking for empty spots. When she turned around, Nick was next to her. He pointed up to the sprig of mistletoe hanging above them, smiled, and bent to meet her lips. Caught off-guard, Emily’s first impulse was to resist, but within seconds, she relaxed and melted in his arms.

  She closed her eyes and let the kiss deepen, relishing the scent of his spicy aftershave mixed with the aroma of the fresh pine trees and the hint of sawdust that always clung to him. As he broke away, the stubble of his beard brushed against her cheek. She blushed, thankful for the low lighting.

  He slid his hands down her arms and took her hands in his. “Hard to resist the girl I’ve always loved under the mistletoe.”

  Emily’s lips tingled, and her head buzzed as she held Nick’s hand.

  He squeezed her fingers. “I’ve missed you, Em. I’ve missed us.”

  “Me too,” she whispered.

  Buster whined, signaling he needed to go outside. Nick hurried to him and scooped him up, rushing down the stairs and out the door. Bella watched the action, glanced at Emily, and followed.

  Emily retrieved some towels from the linen closet and made her way downstairs, still lightheaded from Nick’s kiss. She opened the door for Bella and watched as she played in the snow with Buster and Nick laughed at the pair. The snow was still falling, and the puppy was doing his best to bite at it. “I’m going to get the candy canes and start working on hiding them. You’ll watch Bella? I’m leaving towels here on the floor if you need to dry them off.”

  “Sure, we’ll come in soon.”

  Emily rubbed her arms and stopped by the fire to warm herself on the way to the library. She opened the huge box of candy canes and began stashing them, some in obvious places and some well-hidden. Sara had described it like an Easter egg hunt with candy canes. The guests who collected the most would get special gifts, and a limited number of special multi-colored ones also earned the finder a prize.

  She heard the front door and Nick talking to the dogs as he rubbed them with the towels. Finished in the library, she toted the box down the hallway, scattering more of the peppermint treats on her way. Nick was getting the dogs settled in front of the fire, with Buster curled against Bella, as if she were his mother.

  Tired from their outing, he left them there and tiptoed to the coffee counter, where Emily was concealing more candies. “I can finish those up, if you have some other things to do.”

  She smiled and handed him the box. “Don’t put any in the guest rooms, only the public areas.” Emily turned her attention to setting up the games and activities, and when Nick returned with an empty box, she handed him the box of charade cards to take to the lobby. After she was done with the coloring station, bingo, the guessing game, and the memory match game, she set out all the supplies for the gingerbread and cookie decorating stations near the coffee bar. The cookies and gingerbread pieces would be delivered in the morning.

  Nick came downstairs carrying a stack of blankets and pillows and deposited them on the couch in the lobby. He helped Emily tidy the library and stuff all the empty boxes into one storage container and ran it out to her Jeep. She sat with the dogs in front of the fire and held Buster to keep him from following Nick. Emily ran her hands over his soft puppy fur and rubbed his belly. “You are too cute,” she murmured as she leaned over him and he rewarded her with a lick on her nose.

  Nick returned and said, “What’s next?”

  “We’re done. Just need to get the food set up in the morning, and that’s it.” She glanced out the window. “It’s after eleven, and the snow is still falling.” She yawned and said, “Sorry, I’m tired.”

  “We can make a comfy spot here on the floor in front of the fire for tonight. They’ll have the plows out in the morning, but as it stands now, I don’t see anyone getting in or out of here tonight.”

  Emily shrugged. “If we have to be stranded in a snowstorm, I can think of worse places than the Mistletoe Lodge.”

  He moved a table and spread out a blanket on top of the thick area rug in front of the hearth. “I’ve always loved this place, even the old version from when we were kids.”

  She helped him add a sheet and heavy comforter to their makeshift campground. Nick added logs to the fire and kicked off his boots. She stacked the pillows at the far end of their giant sleeping mat, with the fire in full view in front of them.

  As soon as Emily shucked her boots and nestled into the pillows, Bella flopped down next to her, followed by her new shadow. Both dogs cuddled together and Nick squeezed into the remaining space they hadn’t yet taken.

  Faint snores came from Bella and Buster as the soft lights from the tree twinkled in the windows and golden flames danced before them. Emily’s eyes struggled to stay open, but she joined Nick in whispering about old memories and discussing their current lives with each other. It reminded her of the times they had camped under the stars in the foothills above Snow Valley. There was something about being surrounded by darkness and the light of a fire that had always made it easier to divulge secrets and dreams. As they talked and laughed, amid a few tears, the angst Emily had felt since hearing Nick’s voice in the coffee shop melted away as if they’d only been separated a few weeks.

  They were facing each other, talking over the mass of golden fur between them. Nick reached for her hand. “I know I may not deserve it, but I’d love a second chance. I don’t want to lose you again.”

  She squeezed his hand tight and smiled. “You’re not going to lose me. I’m not sure you ever did.”

  11

  Still holding hands, heavy clunks and flashing blue and orange lights woke them before six o’clock Satu
rday morning. Nick slipped on his boots and coat and took the dogs outside, making sure Buster was on his leash.

  Emily’s heart pounded and embarrassment colored her cheeks as she hurried to gather the blankets and pillows. It was all she could do to haul the jumble of bed linens upstairs. She tossed all of it in a laundry trolley she found in the closet and hurried back downstairs.

  She spied Nick talking to one of the snowplow operators, and when he turned to head back to the lodge, she stepped away from the window and put on her boots. She met Nick at the door and helped him dry off the dogs.

  “Marv had good news. He said they’ll have the roads plowed by eight, so there’ll be plenty of time to get the rest of the deliveries in here and the food readied. The party should go off as planned. He’s going to plow us a way out next.”

  “That’s a relief.” She led the dogs to the fire to finish drying. She tilted her head across the room. “We need to move that table back where it was, and everything will be back to normal.”

  He heaved it back into position while she went to the coffee counter. “How about something to drink while we wait? I could use some caffeine.”

  “Sounds great. Surprise me.”

  She gathered items from the refrigerator and made them each one of Sara’s chai tea lattes, adding a dusting of cinnamon in the shape of a Christmas tree to each cup. His brows rose when he reached for his. “Fancy. What is it?”

  “Taste it first and tell me if you like it.”

  He took a hesitant swallow and then tilted his head. “It’s good. I’m not sure what it is, but it sort of reminds me of pumpkin pie.”