by Jenny Hale
Happy tears pricked Lila’s eyes. “We’re still doing our Girls’ Weeks?”
“Of course,” Charlotte said. “All families get together at Christmas, don’t they?”
Lila sat by the fire, the stockings dancing back and forth as the heat wriggled its way toward them, the tree alight with glittering festivity. She realized that her final Christmas wish had come true. She looked around the circle at these people who had become her family. It turned out that this wouldn’t be her last big Christmas after all—and it would certainly rank up there with one of the best Christmases ever.
Epilogue
Presley the cat darted across the newly fallen snow in the yard, as Lila tipped her head up to view the enormous gold star on top of the Balsam fir. It towered over the outdoor concert area at Fireside Cabins as the orchestra took their places for their first annual winter concert, a charity event Lila had started, all proceeds going to local underprivileged children. Over the last year, she’d seen her after-school and job-training program balloon to eighty-five kids, a group of them working tonight to get the concert underway.
Theo came up behind her, wrapping his arms around her, his hands on her belly bump that was getting bigger by the day and kissing her neck, his breath near her ear, giving her a shiver. After eight months of marriage, they’d decided it was time to add to their little family. She wound her fingers through his and leaned into him, running their fingers over the bump. She and Theo were having a baby boy. They’d decided to name him William after his grandfather.
“It all looks amazing,” Theo said into her ear. “But not as amazing as you.”
She twisted around and kissed him, his affection coming through in the softness of his embrace.
“I love you,” he whispered, peering down at her as if she gave him breath.
“It’s a full house tonight,” Eleanor said, walking through the line of outdoor space heaters and past the wall of poinsettias lined along the exposed rock of the hills behind them. “You’ve done an amazing job, Lila.” The old woman gave her a hug as she looked around the space in wonderment, her eyes glistening. “I never thought I’d see anything like this in my lifetime. Every cabin is full, every seat at the show already paid for; I’m doing double the merchandise orders than I had six months ago to keep the gift shop stocked; Gingerbread Mama’s had to take over the baking—I can’t keep up!”
Lila gave her a big squeeze, but it wasn’t as easy as it had once been, with Lila’s belly in the way. “It wasn’t only me—we have a lot of people to thank,” she said, just as Smash walked up to the three of them.
“I hardly recognized you,” Eleanor said, running a motherly hand along Smash’s tuxedo jacket. He was clean-shaven, had gotten a haircut, and he was barely recognizable in his spruce green bowtie.
“I can clean up every now and again.” He bent down and raised the leg of his tuxedo trousers, revealing a shiny pair of black cowboy boots. “Even got me some new dress shoes,” he said with a wink. “And I’ve got a little something planned.”
“Oh?” Lila asked. “What’s that?”
“Wait and see.” Smash and Theo shared a conspiratorial look.
“Hi, Theo!” Rex said, running toward them down the center aisle between the red velvet-cushioned benches. He looked absolutely adorable in his miniature tuxedo with a cranberry tie and cummerbund, his guitar case slung over his back. “I’m ready!”
“Sshh,” Theo said dramatically, eyeing Lila as if she couldn’t see it. He gave Rex a wink, making him giggle.
When everyone had taken their seats, the orchestra tuning their instruments, Lila stood at the back, feeling so proud of all she’d been able to be a part of so far. The tours of the grounds were pulling in visitors beyond just the cabin renters, they had a waiting list for vacation reservations, and they’d become so popular that Theo and Smash had considered building out into the hills a bit more, to add a few luxury cabins to appeal to those looking for wedding venues and engagement spots. They’d hired a full-time chef and had a five-star restaurant on premises, as well as a little red barn that served local beer and wine.
“Let’s get to our seats,” Eleanor said, taking Lila’s arm.
“Our seats?” Lila questioned. She’d planned to watch from the back to allow all the seats to be used by the visitors.
“Yes, ma’am,” Eleanor replied. “Front and center.” She led Lila to the very front row and gestured to a couple of open spots next to Trudy and Judd. Charlotte, Edie, and Piper, who were visiting for the week, had also settled in beside them.
Lila took a seat, Eleanor sitting down beside her, just as the orchestra became quiet. Smash, Theo, and Rex walked out on the stage, standing behind three microphones. Smash lowered one for Rex. There was a noticeable excitement buzzing among the crowd as they realized that Smash Perry had taken the stage.
“What are they doing?” Lila asked. This definitely wasn’t what she’d had planned.
“You’ll see,” Eleanor said, an enormous smile plastered across her face.
“Hello, everyone. Thank you for coming,” Smash said into the microphone. “We know you came for classical Christmas music, but we wanted to start off the night with something for our host. Lila Evans, this is for you.”
Rex took the mic, to the hush of the crowd. And a cappella, he started to sing, his little voice echoing beautifully through the hills.
“There’s a light in my soul
When you walk through that door
Your smile so innocent
of all that came before…”
Suddenly, the orchestra set in, accompanying them as Theo sang a new verse she’d never heard until now, the other two harmonizing:
“I wonder how I’ll ever be
All that you deserve
When everything you are to me
Is all I need and more.
You are my wish, my hope,
My future and my faith
That there is more to this world
Than just the dreams we chase.
You taught me how to love,
And showed me what was real
And for the rest of my life
I’ll tell you how I feel…”
As the orchestra continued to play, Theo walked down from the stage and took Lila’s hand, guiding her up the steps in front of the audience. Her three girlfriends cheered from the front row. “Lila and I got married in a private ceremony at our favorite waterfall,” he told the onlookers. “But that meant that I never got to do this in front of a crowd.” He turned to Lila. “I love you with everything that I am.” Then he dipped her back into his arms and kissed her to the cheers of the audience.
Lila knew right then that this was the second-best Christmas she’d had, and she had a feeling it was also just the beginning of an exciting future packed with special holidays and happy memories that would fill her heart.
If Christmas at Fireside Cabins has left you full of festive spirit, and in the mood for spiced apple cider and Christmas cookies, then don’t miss out on A Christmas to Remember, the amazing bestseller from Jenny and the perfect festive treat!
Get it here.
A Christmas to Remember
A beautiful story about the magic of childhood Christmas memories, the strength of family and falling in love when you least expect it.
Everyone loves Christmas—don’t they?
Carrie Blake loves her job as a nanny but, while her friends are settling down, all of Carrie’s spare time is spent with other people’s families. Though it breaks her heart, her New Year’s resolution is to embark on a new career and fix her love life.
As Carrie starts her last job, she’s sure she’ll be going out on a high—the house is amazing, the kids are adorable, and she’s in charge of decorating the tree!
The only problem could be her boss… single-dad, Adam Fletcher might be both handsome and successful, but he’s always working. Doesn’t he realise he’s missing out on precious moments with his son and daugh
ter?
As Adam’s family arrive for Christmas including his sensitive sister, Sharon, and his fun-loving, elderly Grandpa, Walter, Carrie realises that she might just have found the perfect allies in her quest to persuade Adam to loosen up. There’s still time for Carrie to make this the best Christmas ever… after all, Christmas is the time for miracles, isn’t it? Let the festivities begin!
Fans of Carole Matthews, Susan Wiggs and Scarlett Bailey—and anyone who loves the sound of Christmas songs and the sparkle of decorations on the tree—will adore this festive holiday treat!
Get it here!
Hear More from Jenny
If you can’t wait to read more from Jenny Hale, you can sign up here to be the first to know about her new Bookouture releases. We promise not to share your email with anyone else, and we’ll only contact you when there’s a new book out.
Books by Jenny Hale
The House on Firefly Beach
Summer at Firefly Beach
The Summer Hideaway
The Summer House
Summer at Oyster Bay
Summer by the Sea
A Barefoot Summer
Christmas at Fireside Cabins
Christmas at Silver Falls
It Started With Christmas
We’ll Always Have Christmas
All I Want for Christmas
Christmas Wishes and Mistletoe Kisses
A Christmas to Remember
Coming Home for Christmas
Available in audio
The House of Firefly Beach (available in the UK and the US)
Summer at Firefly Beach (available in the UK and the US)
The Summer Hideaway (available in the UK and the US)
The Summer House (available in the UK and the US)
Summer at Oyster Bay (available in the UK and the US)
Summer by the Sea (available in the UK and the US)
A Barefoot Summer (available in the UK and the US)
Christmas at Silver Falls (available in the UK and the US)
It Started With Christmas (available in the UK and the US)
We’ll Always Have Christmas (available in the UK and the US)
All I Want for Christmas (available in the UK and the US)
Christmas Wishes and Mistletoe Kisses (available in the UK and the US)
A Christmas to Remember (available in the UK and the US)
Coming Home for Christmas (available in the UK and the US)
A Letter from Jenny
Thank you so much for reading Christmas at Fireside Cabins! I hope you enjoyed Lila and Theo’s story and found it to be a heart-warming Christmas escape.
While you’re sitting by the fire with your cup of cocoa, if you’d like me to drop you a line when my next book is out,:
sign up here!
I won’t share your email with anyone else, and I’ll only email you when a new book is released.
If you did enjoy Christmas at Fireside Cabins, I’d love it if you’d write a review. As an author, hearing wonderful feedback from readers is as exciting as unwrapping the perfect Christmas gift, and it also helps other readers to pick up one of my books for the first time.
Still craving a little more holiday cheer? Check out my other Christmas novels: Coming Home for Christmas, A Christmas to Remember, Christmas Wishes and Mistletoe Kisses, All I Want for Christmas, We’ll Always Have Christmas, It Started With Christmas, and Christmas at Silver Falls.
Until next time!
Jenny xo
Coming Home for Christmas
Christmas is a time for family… isn’t it?
Allie Richfield loves Christmas, so when she lands a job as House Manager for the amazing Ashford Estate—which includes organizing the Marley family festivities—she is in her element. With a budget bigger than her life savings and a team of staff, how hard can it be?
As one-by-one she meets the Marleys, she’s about to find out…
Allie’s new boss, Robert, might be gorgeous, but he’s also colder than the snow outside and refuses to come home for Christmas. Robert’s playboy brother, Kip, flirts with her relentlessly; and his sister, Sloane, arrives home with baggage—both the divorce-kind and the Louis Vuitton kind. Their ninety-two year old grandmother, Pippa, spends her day grumbling at them all from her mobility scooter.
With Robert intending to sell Ashford, it’s the Marley’s last chance to create some happy memories in their family home—and Allie is determined to make it happen… even if it takes a little Christmas magic! With the festive spirit in full swing, she might even discover a little happiness of her own…
Fans of Trisha Ashley, Susan Wiggs, Carole Matthews and Susan Mallery – and anyone who loves the sound of carols and the twinkling of lights on the Christmas tree – will adore Jenny Hale’s feel-good novel.
Get it here!
Christmas Wishes and Mistletoe Kisses
An uplifting, beautiful story about never letting go of your dreams, the special magic of a family Christmas… and the rush of falling in love under the mistletoe.
Single mother Abbey Fuller loves her family more than anything, and doesn’t regret for a moment having had to put her dreams of being an interior designer on hold. But with her son, Max, growing up, when a friend recommends her for a small design job she jumps at the chance. How hard can it be?
Nick Sinclair needs his house decorated in time for his family’s festive visit—and money is no object. What he doesn’t need is to be distracted from his multi-million dollar business—even if it is Christmas.
When Abbey pulls up to the huge Sinclair mansion, she has a feeling she might be out of her depth. And when she meets the gorgeous, brooding Nicholas Sinclair, she knows that she’s in real trouble…
With the snow falling all around, can Abbey take the chance to make her dreams of being a designer come true? And can she help Nick to finally enjoy the magic of Christmas?
Get it here!
All I Want for Christmas
A feel good Christmas romance to warm your heart
All I Want for Christmas is a big, cozy Christmas story about the importance of family, the strength of childhood friendships, and learning to trust your heart.
Christmas comes once a year… But true love comes once in a lifetime.
Snowflakes are falling, there’s carol singing on every corner, and Leah Evans is preparing for a family Christmas at her grandmother’s majestic plantation house in Virginia. It won’t be the same now that her beloved Nan is gone, but when Leah discovers she has inherited the mansion, she knows she can give her daughter Sadie the childhood of her dreams.
But there’s a catch. Leah must split the house with a man called David Forester. Leah hasn’t heard that name in a long time. Not since they were kids, when Davey was always there to catch her.
Now David is all grown up. He’s gorgeous, successful, and certain of one thing: Leah should sell him her half of the house.
They can’t agree, but as they share memories over wine by the log fire, Leah notices a fluttering in her stomach. And by the look in his eyes, he’s starting to feel it too.
Will it be Leah or David who must give up their dreams? Or, with a little bit of Christmas magic, will they finally understand Nan’s advice to them both about living life without regrets… and take a chance on true love?
Fans of Carole Matthews, Susan Wiggs and Susan Mallery—and anyone who likes the glow of Christmas lights and the rustle of wrapping paper—will fall in love with this feel-good Christmas treat.
Get it here!
We’ll Always Have Christmas
An enchanting story about the magic of Christmas, the importance of family, and the joy of falling in love during the most romantic season of the year…
Christmas has always been a special time for Noelle Parker. Winter evenings spent with family and friends, drinking hot chocolate and eating cookies at her family’s cozy bakery have shaped her love for all things festive. But this year everything is changing…
<
br /> The beloved bakery is facing closure and Noelle needs a miracle to save Christmas.
Determined to raise funds for the family business, Noelle sets about revamping the bakery while juggling a surprise new job, caring for the elderly and cantankerous William Harrington in his luxurious, sprawling mansion.
As Noelle melts the frostiness of the house with cake baking, snowball fights and glittering decorations, she helps William to reconnect with a romance that has spanned decades and unexpectedly finds herself falling for his grandson—the gorgeous but mysterious Alexander Harrington…