The Christmas Inn

by Stella MacLean

  “You’re sure?”

  “Yes. I can’t buy Shane out and it doesn’t make sense to delay it any longer. If you’re right about Shane, you may still be able to save him from Gina.”

  “Are you sure you’re okay?”

  “I’m fine. Go back to work.”

  “Will you call me later and let me know how things are going?” Julie asked.

  “I will.” She closed her phone and climbed up onto the window seat with its fabulous view of the grounds and the mountains in the distance.

  Chatting with Julie had made her feel a little better, but she worried about Julie. Her friend was still in love with Shane, which meant that she would be very unhappy the day Shane married Gina. But Marnie had done her best to convince Julie to forget Shane and find someone else, to no avail.

  And she wasn’t doing much better on the love front. Even though Luke was suspicious of her, and had made her feel guilty, she’d never been more attracted to a man in her entire life.

  For now, she’d put him out of her mind, sign her agreement and fax it to Shane. After that she’d reward herself with a trip into Wakesfield. Scribbling her signature on the document, she gathered her bag, her coat and scarf and headed downstairs to see if she could send a fax.

  In the office, she discovered Mary working on a laptop, a distracted frown on her face. “Excuse me, but would you mind if I sent a fax?” she asked.

  Mary rose and came toward her. “No, by all means, and it’s so nice to see you. Are you enjoying your stay so far?”

  “Very much.” What else could she say? It wasn’t Mary’s fault that she was completely confused by her relationship with Luke, if it could be called a relationship.

  She fed the pages into the machine and dialed the fax number at the salon, and then waited for the document to feed through.

  “You’ve made a big impression on Ethan,” Mary said, shuffling some papers on Luke’s desk.

  “He’s so sweet.” And so like his father in many ways.

  “Luke loves him tremendously, and he is such a good dad,” Mary replied softly.

  “Yes, it’s so obvious.”

  “And what about Luke?”

  Marnie felt her cheeks warm. “He’s been really kind to me.”

  “I hope you don’t mind me saying this, but Luke doesn’t often show his feelings where people are concerned.”

  “What do you mean?” Marnie asked, downplaying her curiosity by pretending to be absorbed in the form generated by the fax machine.

  “Well, he’s been alone for three years now and I’ve often wondered if he’ll ever smile again—a real smile, I mean. Sure, he’s always kind and solicitous with everyone, but I can tell he’s still so sad.”

  Why was Mary telling her this? “I’m sorry to hear that. It must be very difficult to care for a toddler while trying to get over losing your wife.”

  “It certainly is. And a day doesn’t go by that I don’t wish he’d meet someone.”

  “I can understand that. After all, you’re friends and you care what happens to him,” she said, feeling suddenly very sorry for the man who, only a short while ago, had been driving her crazy.

  “You could help while you’re here.” Mary focused her clear gaze on Marnie.

  “How?” she asked, the catch in her voice betraying her.

  “Be his friend. He needs someone like you. I see how much happier he seems just in the past day with you around. He likes you, and he told me himself that he admires the fact that you ran your own business.”

  Basking in the compliment, she smiled. “That’s very kind of him.”

  “He wasn’t being kind. Believe me, Luke takes business seriously, and he meant what he said.” Mary heaved a big sigh. “Which leads me to what I really want to say. I see the way you look at him, the way he looks at you. Don’t let it be wasted. We get so few second chances in life.”

  “But…I don’t—”

  “I’ve said enough, and I’m sorry if I offended you. But I’m the one who made the booking for your stay here at the inn. The man pretending to be your husband wouldn’t take no for an answer. Luke told me it was your brother and that you’d apologized for the misrepresentation. I have no idea why you’re here, and it’s really none of my business—unless your being here could hurt Luke.” Her tone was direct. “He’s a little too old to be my son, but that doesn’t stop me from wanting what’s best for him.”

  Did it matter to anyone that she might also have a few concerns, that her feelings could also be hurt?

  “I hope that Luke and I can be friends. I’d like that a lot.”

  Mary nodded. “Thank you. And for what it’s worth, I hope you enjoy being his assistant.”

  Once she’d escaped from the office, Marnie bolted for the parking lot, snow smacking her face as the wind careened around the corner of the inn. Brushing off the melting flakes, she kept going. She had more on her mind than a little of the white stuff. Besides, it was the time of year for snow on the ground. Who wanted a green Christmas?

  Reaching her car, she tossed her purse onto the passenger seat and started the engine. She climbed back out, swept the snow from the windows, and got behind the wheel again. She gunned the engine as she swerved out of the driveway and down the hill toward town. When she reached the outskirts of Wakesfield she was forced to pull over as her pent-up emotions got the best of her. A car drove past her and she saw Jack at the wheel.

  “Jack of the great martini,” she mumbled as huge dollops of tears spilled down her face and onto her chin.

  If I had any sense at all, I’d turn around and drive back to Boston.

  Luke had been kind and wanted to help her, and what had she done? She’d lied to him. And she’d done it while fully aware of how much she hated the men she’d dated who had lied to her. She was a complete hypocrite. She’d behaved terribly and all because of what?

  Why had she put the one relationship with even the tiniest bit of potential at risk? To please her brother? She balled her fists on the steering wheel. Even if she still had a chance with Luke—which she highly doubted when he learned that she’d spied on his inn to get information for the owners, information that could cause him problems—he would never believe another word she said about anything.

  She had experienced firsthand the agony of discovering that she’d been lied to by Brad. It had destroyed all her hopes and dreams, and her ability to trust.

  She stared out at the dark clouds heavy with snow and wondered what she should do. If she went back and told Luke about the questionnaire, he’d be angry with her, which would mean the end for them. And when her brother learned that she had told Luke he would be furious. She was trapped.

  “I’m tired of all this!” she yelled at the windshield. She wiped her face and leaned back, her head on the headrest, completely at a loss as to what to do.

  What if the attraction was all in her mind? Luke had been sweet and kind, but that didn’t mean his feelings for her ran deeper. What proof did she have that Luke cared about her? So far, all he’d done was look dark and suspicious at her. The kiss they shared could have been just two lonely people easing their loneliness. Had her longing for a meaningful relationship driven her to believe that a single kiss meant something? After all, he’d tried to get her to leave. When that hadn’t worked, he’d been determined to keep her away from his married guests.

  What sort of man asks you to leave? A man who doesn’t want you there, you ninny! What more does the man have to do to convince you that his heart isn’t in the same place as yours?

  Her mind made up, she cranked the key and her car sputtered to life. She’d do a little Christmas shopping, search for a couple of new sweaters to replace the ones she’d lost in the basement flood and have a quiet lunch before doing what she should have done first thing this morning.

  Pack her bags and go where somebody gave a damn about her.

  Forcing her worries to the back of her mind, Marnie parked her car by a meter on the busy main
street running through Wakesfield, and shopped for her nieces and nephews and four sisters-in-law. She didn’t shop for her brothers—a gift certificate at their favorite men’s clothing store in Boston was what was expected of her each year. She spent the rest of the time picking out a few new sweaters for herself.

  When she reached a quaint little diner on the corner across the square from the post office, Marnie spotted the perfect window seat with a panoramic view of the street. Feeling ready for a break, she settled in with a glass of red wine and a hamburger while she listened to the Christmas carolers strolling in the square.

  She wondered if Luke ever came here. Maybe he’d sat right where she was sitting now, and watched the same scene she’d been enjoying. A pang of yearning clutched her heart, tightening her throat. Taking a deep breath, she focused her attention on the throng of people outside the window when out of the corner of her eye she spotted Francine scurrying along the street and waved to her.

  Francine smiled, bobbed her head and pointed at her glass of wine.

  Marnie nodded and then waited for Francine to come in and join her. “How are you?” she asked as Francine took off her jacket and sat in the chair across from her.

  “I’m great! Can’t wait for Christmas. What about you?”

  “The same, really excited about all of it,” Marnie said.

  After ordering her wine, Francine leaned her elbows on the table. “Wow! Did you hear the latest weather report?” she asked.

  “No, I didn’t.” Marnie put her glass down, glad to have someone to chat with and take her mind off things.

  “Luke asked as many of us as possible to stay at the inn overnight in case the roads are closed tomorrow. I came here to pick up a few things before I head back over there. Do you need a lift?”

  “I have my car, but thanks. That’s really kind of you.”

  “Well, to tell you the truth, it’s a little more than kindness.” Francine toyed with the cocktail napkin under her wineglass. “You’re the hot topic around the inn.”

  Luke would love that, she thought ruefully. “Why?”

  “We’ve haven’t seen Luke look happier than he has in the past twenty-four hours, and we’re convinced it’s because of you.”

  If his scowling and paranoia were seen as a happier version of Luke, she’d hate to see what he looked like when he was sad. “Luke looking happier makes me a hot topic?”

  “I have to tell you. Luke has never allowed a woman in his office, except for Mary Cunningham, that is. Not since Anna died.”

  “And that’s the basis for your conclusion? That he let me into his office?” she asked, skeptical, but with just a hint of hope rising to the fore.

  “You have to know Luke. For the past three years the guy has spent his days grieving his wife, and believe me it’s not a pretty sight. He’s moped around for far too long, and we all want him to find someone new.”

  “Am I the first suitable candidate who’s come along?” She frowned in disbelief. “You’re telling me there are no available women his age in all of Wakesfield?”

  “Oh, yeah, there are. And lots of them are interested in Luke. It’s just that he’s not interested in them.”

  Well, maybe she could hope that there was at least a granule of truth in what Francine was saying, which reopened the issue of whether she should go back home, or whether she should stay and find out if there was any chance that there was something between them. The coward in her wanted to hit the highway. She pushed up her sleeve to check her watch. Three-thirty. Her hamburger forgotten, she looked outside and realized that she could hardly see across the square to the post office. “If I’m going to leave, I’d better get a move on.”

  “Leave for where? The inn?”

  “Yeah, the inn,” she decided. “At least for now.”

  “Do I detect a hint of indecision in your voice?”

  She shrugged and took one more sip from her wineglass. “I can’t see any reason for me to stay.”

  “You mean that business over your brother?”

  “How did you know about that?”

  “You haven’t lived in a small town, have you? Or worked at an inn before, right?”

  “No, I haven’t,” Marnie admitted.

  “Trust me. Everyone knows everything.” Francine smiled. “I’m glad your brother isn’t your husband, and I’m even happier that you decided to stay after you told Luke the truth.”

  There really were no secrets in this town. “Why?”

  “Because, like I told you. I want the guy to be happy. Anna was my friend, but she’s not here, and she wouldn’t want Luke to be so lonesome for so long.”

  * * *

  ON THE WAY BACK TO THE Mirabel Inn, Marnie replayed Francine’s words. Everyone wanted Luke to be happy and seemed to believe that she was the woman for the job. The question was, did Luke?

  With “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” blaring on the radio, and her ancient snow tires spinning and catching on the ruts created by the snow, she turned up the driveway toward the inn. What she saw when she took her eyes off the road took her breath away. The falling snow softened the edges of the imposing old structure while the floodlights gave a gauzy glow to the elegant windows draped with cedar wreaths. The front door held the largest wreath Marnie had ever seen, and beyond it, a tall Christmas tree glittered in the lobby.

  Marnie brought her car to a halt, enchanted by the sight. With the snow swirling around the driveway and wrapping the lovely old building in magical light, The Mirabel Inn was the most beautiful Christmas scene she’d ever witnessed.

  What a romantic spot for a Christmas getaway! Who wouldn’t love to be wined and dined in a place with this much grace and style? What a brilliant plan on Luke’s part. And she’d thrown a monkey wrench into it all by showing up at the door.

  Suddenly it all came together for her.

  She was spying on this wonderful place for her brother, who was taking orders from people who didn’t work here, who had no personal involvement and whose actions stood to hurt someone she had come to care about. Meanwhile, she was living a fantasy life as she gathered the information that could damage someone’s career. It wasn’t right, and she was sorry for her part in it.

  She was packing her bags and heading back to Boston. Whether she and Luke stood a chance with each other she didn’t know, but she didn’t intend to go on lying to him. She’d tell him the truth, explain that she needed to go home, and she’d give him her home number in the unlikely event he did want to see her again. Then she’d call Julie and let her know to expect her late this evening. It would mean driving for long hours in the snow, but she didn’t care. All she wanted was to escape with as little personal embarrassment as possible.

  She pressed on the gas, and the car fishtailed in response, nearly going off the narrow driveway. She turned the wheel to correct the swerve, and gently moved her car forward to park near the entrance. Thank heavens she’d be out of there soon, and safely on her way back to Boston and away from this storm.

  As she turned off the ignition, she noticed a man stood framed in the open door, the light blazing around him. She looked up at him, realizing too late that it was Luke.

  Here’s your chance.

  Mesmerized by the sight of him, she was unable to look away as he came around to her side of the car. As he opened her door a blast of snow covered Marnie, making her gasp. “Isn’t this beautiful?” she commented, getting out of the car, forgetting all about her parcels and barely remembering to grab her purse.

  “It is. Certainly not a night to travel,” he said, his words whipped away by the blowing wind.

  She gazed up into his face to see a look in his eyes she’d only ever seen on her brothers’ faces before, when she’d first come home after her accident. A look that made her feel protected and warm, despite the icy air. “Is the weather report that bad?” she asked, following him to the front door.

  “Worse, actually. It looks like we’re in for a bad storm. I’ll get someon
e to park your car. We’ve already had several cancellations for tomorrow, and we’re getting organized in case there’s a power outage.”

  What? She’d finally made up her mind, and she was about to be stopped by a storm? Not likely. “Guess I’d better hurry, then, before they close down the roads,” she yelled at his back.

  “Hurry to do what?” he demanded, stopping so abruptly she bumped into him.

  He turned and grabbed her shoulders. “What are you talking about?”

  “I…I think it would be best for everyone if I left.”

  He scowled at her as the snow created a mantle of white across his broad shoulders. “You are not leaving here tonight under any circumstances,” he ordered. She saw the raw fear in his eyes. Was he remembering a storm three years ago? A storm that took his wife from him?

  He put his arm around her shoulder and drew her close as they walked in step up to the door. “I was looking for you to tell you that there’s no reason for you to leave—storm or no storm.”

  “Really?” Her heart jumped in her chest.

  She was afraid to leave and afraid to stay, but a storm that threatened to close the roads meant she had no choice but to remain here. “I guess I’ll just hunker down and wait for the snowplow tomorrow morning,” she said, happy to know that he wanted her to stay.

  “The plows may not be here in the morning, more likely the afternoon, but we’ll see how much snow we get.” He held the door for her as they walked together inside the inn.

  Walking beside him, visions of spending a romantic night in front of a roaring fire while snow swirled outside the window sent her imagination into overdrive. But Luke clearly had something on his mind, if the set of his jaw was any indication.

  She peered up at him to discover that he was frowning at something down the hall.

  So much for romance.

  She was nursing her bruised fantasy when he suddenly stopped by the tree. “Marnie.”

  He said her name as if he wanted to say more, so she waited.

  Go ahead, set yourself up for a fall. You’re an expert in that department.

  The grandfather clock broke the silence as it struck five o’clock. “Did you need to talk to me about something?” she asked, still clinging to the hope that she might have a chance with him.