by Danni Roan
When she pulled the quilt from the box and spread it over the bed, a cool breeze shivered down her spine and she could almost believe it was Christmas. For years, Christmas in July had been a great way to boost summer’s lagging sales in retail, and she hoped that offering this tiny patch of forever Christmas would do the same for the Old Inn.
Setting the beautiful quilt over the bed Jamie stepped back into the doorway colliding with something solid.
“Oh, I beg your pardon,” she said turning and laughing when she looked up into Carlos’s handsome face.
“We have to stop doing that,” the painter laughed. “It’s getting hard on your wardrobe.” He looked down at the smudge of yellow paint on her collar but Jamie only smiled.
“Carlos.”
“Jamie.”
They both spoke at once; laughing again and the bubbly sound filled the cottage, like the laughter on Christmas morning when gifts were passed around.
Carlos placed his hands on Jamie’s arms. “Your grandmother told me you were here,” he smiled. “I really wanted to see you.”
“I wanted to see you as well,” Jamie said. She didn’t know what to say next, but she wanted to say so much at the same time.
A light breeze swirled around them and Jamie shivered as if a wintery blast had blown off the lake.
Carlos pulled her close and knew he never wanted to let her go. “Jamie, I know it’s crazy,” he said throwing caution to the wind, “but I’m pretty sure I’m falling for you.” He grinned, letting her slip back as his heart beat faster. If his words had gone too far, not only would he lose her forever, he was sure to lose his job as well.
“Carlos,” Jamie said her eyes full of so many emotions he couldn’t read them all. “I don’t know what’s happening here, but from the minute I knocked you off that ladder, I felt like I’d unwrapped the best Christmas present ever. It’s like that tiny paintbrush I received from someone calling themselves Mrs. Claus,” she added with a laugh. “A perfect painter’s brush for my very own painter.”
“So you don’t think I’m crazy,” Carlos said pulling her back into his embrace.
“Oh no, I’m sure your crazy, but it’s my kind of crazy, and I think I’d like it if our crazy was a thing.”
Carlos leaned down kissing her never seeing the sprig of mistletoe that seemed to appear magically above them.
“Oh, excuse me,” Mrs. Rogers’ voice broke the kiss but Carlos didn’t let go of Jamie. He loved her, sane or not sane, he was never letting her go.
Mrs. Rogers grinned noting the mistletoe and thinking it a good spot for kissing. “I didn’t mean to interrupt,” she added with a cheery laugh.
“What can we do for you?” Jamie asked trying not to giggle. Something magical had just happened between her and Carlos, and she wasn’t letting it escape.
“I was wondering if you’d seen the girls,” Mrs. Rogers asked with a blush. “I mean…”
“We actually dropped by last night,” Carlos replied. “They were all having a fine time. Nothing to worry about at all,” he said noting that Jamie was trying desperately not to giggle.
“Oh thank you,” the older woman sagged with relief.
“Laura,” Mr. Rogers stepped up on the stoop. “Oh there you are,” he said wrapping an arm around her waist with a grin. “I thought we’d go for a walk along the lake,” he said waving at Carlos and Jamie.”
“That sounds nice,” Mrs. Rogers said with a smile turning with him. “This has been a wonderful get away,” she said as they walked away. “I even had time to wash my hair properly without being interrupted.”
Mr. Rogers pulled his wife in close escorting her out the door and down toward the sandy beach.
“They seem happy,” Jamie said snuggling into Carlos once more.
“I think this weekend getaway reminded them that they’re in love,” Carlos said with a smile. “Sometimes life can just take over, and you forget what’s most important,” he added looking down into her face with affection.
“If that ever happens to us, I hope we’ll have someone around to remind us we’re in love.”
Carlos smiled, “I know I’ve only just begun to get to know you, but I’ve already lost my heart?”
“Good,” Jamie said with a grin, “because I’m keeping it.” She leaned in kissing him under the mistletoe one more time. “I love you Carlos. Now let’s make this old place into something great.”
Epilogue
Carlos flicked on the lights in the tiny cottage with one finger as he carried his blushing bride over the threshold and into a wonderland of Christmas Cheer.
“I still can’t believe this,” Jamie giggled as he adjusted her weight in his arms. “Who in the world booked the cottage for us so far in advance? We didn’t even know we would get married at Christmas back then.”
Carlos grinned pecking her on the lips. “I don’t know who did it, and I don’t care,” he said. I get a whole weekend to spend with my new wife.”
Jamie wiggled delightedly in his arms feeling her silky white wedding dress bunch under her as Carlos slowly lowered her to the floor.
It had been a beautiful wedding and reception with family, friends, and festive spirits. Her parents, who had met Carlos and his siblings a couple of times, had come in as well and Jamie had been touched by their excitement about the whole good news. Her mother had gushed over the completed changes to the Old Inn and had teared up when she read the note from the Rogers expressing how much they loved their time in the Fourth of July Cottage.
Of course Jamie knew that some of those tears were for seeing her only daughter finally wed.
“You look amazing,” Carlos said pulling her back from her though. He was still holding to her waist, his hand resting on the crimson ribbon that accented her slim form, a bright contrast to the snowy white of the gown.
“You look pretty good yourself,” Jamie said kissing him one more time.
A warm fire crackled in the fireplace, and someone had left a basket of treats and sparkling cider for the newlyweds on the kitchen counter. Around them the trappings of Christmas sparkled filling the cottage with a warm glow that seemed to emanate from some secret place.
“It feels just like magic,” Jamie continued, “like Christmas lives here all year long.”
“Well it is Christmas,” Carlos said with a grin, watching her turn in the middle of the living room examining the cottage with fresh eyes.
“I have something special here,” she said lifting her little handbag as she pulled him toward the eternal Christmas tree. The tree had been decorated by Anita, and the shimmering icicles, and elegant red and gold baubles glimmered in the light of the fire.
Pulling a tiny box from her soft-sided purse, Jamie opened it lifting out the tiny paintbrush ornament that caught the light and sparked in dazzling starbursts.
“This belongs right here,” Jamie said. “I’ve kept it all this time, and I know it was a sign that we were meant to be together.”
Carlos covered her hand, and together they hung the odd little gem from an artificial bough.
“I can’t believe that it’s almost Christmas Day,” Carlos said pulling Jamie close. “Are you sure you’ll be ready to join the family by then Mrs. Jimenez?”
“I think I will,” Jamie agreed, “but for now I get you all to myself.”
***
Christmas morning broke to a flurry of fat snowflakes blowing in off of the lake, and Jamie hurried Carlos to the living room where the family would open presents.
Despite the cold weather, the inn was nearly full of guests, and they would have to hurry, so that breakfast would be on time. Jamie’s heart was full to overflowing with her new family close by and the inn busy. They had upgraded the cottage heating over the summer as well, and now guests could enjoy the splendor of the winter lake from a cozy den.
While Jamie and Carlos had honeymooned in the Christmas Cottage, Lavinia had moved Pablo and Anita into the family quarters, and the three of them had go
ne mad decorating and getting everything ready for Christmas Day. In addition, Jamie’s parents were also coming for dinner at the Inn for the day.
Pablo and Anita were already sitting by the tree impatiently waiting when the newlyweds came into the room, and Lavinia had coffee, cookies, and hot chocolate ready for everyone to enjoy. Jamie knew that the same fare would be waiting for the guests in the dining room as well.
“This is the best Christmas ever,” the old woman said clasping her hands under her chin with a smile. “The Old Inn is like a new place, business is booming, and best of all, I have a whole new family living right here.”
“Don’t forget Mom and Dad are coming for dinner,” Jamie said beside herself with joy.
Lavinia walked to the couple wrapping an arm around each one. “You two have transformed this place, and brought me so much joy.”
She chivied the couple toward the family circle. “I’m just so thankful for this new start,” she said. “Love, Peace, and Joy.”
The two teens giggled as Lavinia took a seat on the comfortable old sofa, and they started handing out gifts, laughing, talking, eating and ooing and awing over everything.
***
Outside a soft snow fell like a speckled curtain over the Old Inn muting its new colors and fresh coat of paint.
Carlos, Jamie, and the two teens had worked nonstop until after the first freeze to bring the painted lady back to her original glory. The main body clapboard siding was a soft green accented with burnt sienna across the middle section of the turret. Above the fish tail decorative shakes were painted a dark tan and picked out in white as was the heavy ornate trim work around doors and windows. Now she sat on the edge of the lake, like a shimmering jewel welcoming holidaymakers and offering them each exactly what their hearts desired.
The cottages trailed out behind the Old Inn like a colorful wedding train stretched around the curve of the lake in cheerful hues that welcomed the weary traveler, the tired businessman, the young family, or those needing a break from the cares of the world.
The wind whistled across the lake parting the curtain of snow for a moment and exposing a red ornately decorated sleigh as it dashed across the frozen shore behind horned creatures, so fleet of foot that even the deep snow didn’t bother them.
A joyful jingle echoed across the lake as the snowy curtain fell once more and holiday makers sprang from their beds to start a new day.
The End
Sneak Peek:
Chapter 1
Antoinette scotched her bottom up onto the large rock she was sitting on and squinted at the sky. The bright blue heavens reflected like jewels across the azure waves before her and she breathed with the easy, in and out rhythm of soft waves lapping at the shore.
At the moment the sky was empty but Toni, as she was known by her colleagues, was patient. Life had taught her that you had to wait and that things came slowly.
Reaching down she absently itched at the leg of her faded jeans ignoring the bumps under the fabric with a practiced hand. Sooner or later her quarry would drift her way and she sat poised and ready for the prefect shot.
A soft breeze ruffled the waves before her and the pines at her back whispered a sultry song. In the distance her keen ears picked out the sounds of what she had been waiting on all morning; the ragged squawk of sea gulls on the wind.
Adjusting her seat slightly and bracing her feet on the rocks sharp curve, Toni lifted her camera picking out the small specks gliding closer by the moment. She still couldn’t believe she had been commissioned to take pictures of sea gulls of all things, and to top it off not just random sea gulls but specifically Great Lakes sea gulls.
Mentally shaking her head as she breathed, slow and even, she wondered again about the job. The pay was fantastic but the area she had been asked to shoot was a little too busy for her taste. Still a job was a job, and if she kept her distance she shouldn’t have to deal with the people side of things.
She was beyond grateful to have found the Old Inn and its row of little cottages where she could keep to herself. Big Bear Cottage had caught her interest almost at once when making reservations online and her curiosity had gotten the best of her as she’d skimmed through the photos on the site of each lake side cabin.
The Big Bear Cabin was a painted in a deep yellow ocher and trimmed in deep slate black with accents of dark red. The entire cottage was full of back woodsy items like snow shoes, sleds, wood paneling, and photos. It had been the nature photos that had most drawn Toni to the cabin and as soon as she had gotten inside she had examined each armature shot with care.
Someone had a good eye for pictures and the crisp greens of the surrounding pine forests were nicely offset by cool black and white prints.
Above her the seagulls shifted their flight patter and Toni braced her elbows on her knees steadying her hands for the shot. As the white birds tipped toward her, sunlight glinting from gray and white feathers, Toni took careful aim and began to shoot, picking of each bird with rapid fire shutter click.
She marveled at the way the birds caught the breeze beneath their outstretched wings and hovered directly in front of her their orange eyes studying her as she captured the stillness of their flight.
While the bird dove and ducked, plunging toward the water or soaring high above Toni clicked away, her heavy camera and wide lens never wavering in her hand. Toni had learned long ago how to be still. How to hold yourself against a painful counterweight; how to breathe without even a wobble and the long hours of therapy, reconstruction, and painful treatment had given her not only life, but the ability to take pictures that captured the very essence of life.
Finishing an entire digital storage card on her camera, Toni finally sat back easing the painful muscles that had bunched and tightened while she’d taken her pictures then she switched out cards and took a few more shots as she climbed from her rock perch and headed down the shore.
Above the raucous cries of the gulls seemed to echo farewell and she randomly waved her camera over head snapping photos without even looking.
As she left the rowdy birds behind, Toni’s stomach rumbled and she wondered what was on the lunch menu for the day.
Mrs. Walton the proprietor of the Old Inn had a great restaurant with a fine offering that ranged from inexpensive sandwiches to juicy steak dinners.
Making her way around the shoreline toward the Old Inn, Toni stopped admiring the line of tiny holiday cabins that ran along the curve of the lake shore like some crazy colorful carpet leading you to the beautiful three story Victorian home that stood regally above them all.
The house had been beautifully restored to its original colors the year before and the light moss green clapboard of the base color centered all of the rest. The house was trimmed in white but was accented in a burn sienna band that covered the turret above the porch as well as the front door and another accent swatch on the other side of the house.
Above on the high gabled third floor, just below the widows walk the fishtail shakes had been painted a dark tan interlaced with white bands between. Overall the entire place was stunning.
Stopping Toni took several more photos of the old house and the brightly colored cottages that seemed to sparkle like sea glass along the shore. Each cabin had been renovated, and reopened the year before by Mrs. Walton’s granddaughter who had decided that each of the twelve cottages should have a theme.
There was of course Big Bear, the last of the cottages at the very end of the row, but there was also a Christmas Cottage, painted red and trimmed out in white to give the illusion of entering a winter wonder land.
The Fourth of July Cottage, a huge hit among guests was completely picked out in red, white, and blue with flag accents and soft welcoming air about it.
A light yellow Butterfly Butte had captured the eye of most guests with its lavender accents, bright flower boxes and scads of real and painted butterflies.
Looking away from the cottages Toni followed the line of the drive way to
another newly built cabin that closely matched the colors of the main house but proudly displayed a banner that read ‘Arts and Crafts’. Toni had spent a happy afternoon hiding out in the little shack with the unobtrusive teen who sold some of her work there.
Over all the Old Inn was a lovely spot, it was just too full of people. Looking out at the beach and the crowded walkways, Toni considered just diving back into Big Bear and making a sandwich. She didn’t like crowds; she didn’t like people staring at her as she walked unevenly toward the house.
She gazed at men and women paddling in the cold lake wearing shorts, or skimpy swim wear, and her eyes drifted to her right leg. She would never wear anything but long pants for the rest of her life and she knew it.
Making her way up the stairs of the wide wraparound porch Toni pushed her way through the front door and into the lobby of the Inn.
Chapter 2
“I’m sorry Mr. Atwood, I don’t know who delivered the package. As far as I can tell it came in the mail this morning,” Jamie Jimenez said kindly as she talked to a man wearing oversized sunglasses and a baseball cap.
“I hope this isn’t some sort of prank,” the man replied tersely. “From the North Pole,” he grumbled lifting a beautifully wrapped package that looked like a miniscule Christmas gift on display at a high end retail store.
Toni watched the man lift the package from the counter duck his head and move toward the door, roughly tucking the package into this dark windbreaker.
Stepping aside the photographer tried to offer a smile but he was gone without a backward glance.
“Oh, hello Ms. Goss. Can I help you?” Jamie asked her dark eyes and kind smile were welcoming and always made Toni feel at ease.