Madison laughed. “Dad, you don’t buy mashed potatoes, you have to make them.”
John’s eyes widened. “Got it. Of course, we’ll make them.”
Laura gave him a look that said, Hang in there, and then turned her attention to Susie and Ian. “What about you two? What are some of your favorite Christmas dinner dishes?”
“My family always has turkey,” Susie said with a smile.
“And we usually do Italian. Lasagna or baked ziti,” Ian added.
Susie shook her head. “But you’re not Italian.”
“But that’s our tradition.”
Susie and Ian looked at each other like they still had a lot of things to figure out.
“Who’s next?” Laura asked.
Gail raised her hand. “I always make a special cranberry sauce for my son. It’s his favorite.”
“And my mom makes the best pie,” Susie jumped in.
Excited, John looked at his kids. “And our favorite pie is apple, right?”
“Pumpkin!” they said in unison.
“I give up!” John said in mock despair and dropped his head into his hands.
“Apple’s your favorite, Dad, not ours,” Blake said.
John lifted his head. “Well, see. I even forgot that!”
When the teenagers laughed, John joined them.
Laura turned her attention to Haley. “Okay, Haley, what about you?”
Haley looked at Jeff and at Ben before answering. “Well, honestly, I haven’t really done the traditional Christmas dinner in a while . . .”
“What about when you were little? Do you remember anything from then?”
Haley tried to think and then remembered one time when her mom had made stuffing. They hadn’t had a turkey, but they’d had the box stuffing. “Stuffing! We had stuffing,” she said proudly.
“Stuffing, perfect. Do you like it with gravy from the turkey?” Laura asked.
“I think we probably had gravy from a can, if we had any at all,” Haley said. “But I’m sure gravy from the turkey would be great.”
“I love turkey gravy,” Gail said.
“Me too,” Susie said, and then looked at Ian. “Don’t worry, you can put the gravy on your Italian food.”
Everyone laughed.
“Okay, it sounds like we have our Christmas menu!” Ben said. “I know it’s been a long day, so everyone, you’re on your own. We won’t have any more activities tonight. You can take some time to relax and enjoy one of your last nights here, and yes, Haley, that means you can have your computer and cell phone.”
Haley tried to look innocent. “I didn’t say a thing.”
“But you were going to.” Jeff smiled at her.
“Am I that predictable?” she asked.
“Yes!” everyone said at the same time.
When Haley laughed, everyone laughed with her.
A FEW MINUTES later she was pacing around her room talking with Kathy on FaceTime.
“So, you’ll be home in two days. We definitely need to celebrate,” Kathy said while doing a little celebratory dance.
Haley forced a smile. “Sounds good.”
Kathy gave her a suspicious look. “What’s wrong? You should be dancing around, too. You’re almost out of your Christmas jail sentence.”
“It hasn’t been that bad . . .”
Now Kathy looked really intrigued. “What? What do you mean it hasn’t been that bad? That place is Christmas twenty-four/seven, and you don’t do Christmas. It’s that guy, isn’t it? The owner’s son? You said you were staying away from him, concentrating on work. What happened?”
“Nothing . . . everything. I don’t know,” Haley said, looking more confused than ever.
Kathy took a deep breath. “Okay, at least tell me you’re done with your Tyler Toys pitch, because Tom finished yesterday, and I hate to say it, but from what I’ve seen, it’s pretty amazing.”
Haley looked out her window and watched Jeff playing with Max.
“Haley, are you still there?”
“Sorry. I’m here.”
“So, what are you doing to beat Tom?” Kathy asked.
When Haley looked away, Kathy’s eyes grew huge. “You’re still not done? But you have your pitch in just a few days . . .”
“I know!” Haley shouted into the phone then immediately looked apologetic. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I’ve never had such a hard time coming up with a campaign pitch. I have some time to work right now, so I’m going to put something together. You know I work best under pressure.”
“Okay, but if you want me to put together a storyboard for your pitch, you’re going to need to start sending me some of your ideas. Anything. Tonight. Or else I won’t be able to get it done.”
“Got it. I promise I’ll send something tonight. I have some ideas, I just need to pull everything together.”
“Okay, well, don’t let me keep you. Go to work! Text me once you’ve sent it.”
“Thank you. I’m on it. Talk soon.” Haley hung up and with a look of determination sat down on her bed, opened up her laptop, and brought up the file of Tyler Toys campaign ideas. With her fingers posed over the keyboard, she squeezed her eyes shut and willed herself to come up with a fabulous idea.
But when after a few minutes nothing came to her, she stood up, went back to her window, and looked outside, where Jeff and Max were still playing. “Go back to work,” she told herself. “You need to come up with something. Anything.” She marched back over and picked up her computer, and this time she sat down at the little desk. She moved an angel so her laptop would fit on it. “Okay, let’s do this.” She sat up straight and forced herself to smile, but when still nothing came to her, she stared forlornly at the angel. “I need help.”
She jumped up, went to her closet, and took out the shopping bag that had the Tyler Toys doll that she’d bought for Anna. She put the doll next to the angel, stood back, and stared at them. “Okay, you two. Help me come up with something amazing for this Christmas pitch. It needs to be traditional, heartfelt, authentic, magical, and charming.” Haley picked up the Tyler Toys doll and the angel. “It needs to be a love story to Christmas.” As soon as she said the words out loud, her face lit up. She had an idea! Excited, she quickly sat back down at the desk and put the angel and Tyler Toys doll next to each other again. When her fingers started flying over the keyboard, she knew she was onto something special. She didn’t even realize she had started humming “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” . . .
SEVERAL HOURS LATER, when Haley finally pulled herself away from her laptop, she wandered into the sitting room looking for Ben but found Gail sitting by the fireplace knitting a red scarf.
“That’s really pretty,” she said, admiring the work.
“Do you knit?” Gail asked.
Haley laughed. “I wish I had time to knit. I don’t even have time to order a scarf online.”
“I’d be happy to show you how if you’re interested. It’s really easy and relaxing.”
“Thank you, that’s very sweet. I’m actually looking for Ben. Have you seen him?”
“I think he’s in the library.”
“Great. I’ll try to catch up with him. Enjoy your knitting!”
A minute later, when she peeked her head into the library, she found Ben putting away some books.
“Gail said I might find you in here . . .”
“Haley, what can I do for you? You’re all done with work already?” Ben’s eyes twinkled. It was clear he was teasing her.
“How did you know I was working?”
“Because that’s what you do with any free time you have.”
“Okay, true, but I was working on my Christmas toy pitch and it is all about Christmas, so that should make things better.”
Ben laughed. “Whatever you want to tell yourself. So, what can I do for you?”
Haley held out her hand. In her palm was the pinecone she had found at Star Peak earlier.
Ben l
ooked surprised when he saw it.
“It’s from Star Peak. It’s a Christmas wish pinecone,” she said.
Now Ben looked even more surprised. “That’s where Jeff took you earlier?”
She nodded. “You seem surprised?”
“I am. Star Peak is our special place. As far as I know, he’s never taken anyone there before.”
“Really?”
“But I’m glad he took you.”
Haley handed him the pinecone.
“What’s this? I thought this was your Christmas wish pinecone.”
“It is,” Haley said. “And my Christmas wish is for you to get your wish. You’re always helping all of us, and I wanted to give you something, whatever it is that you wish for.”
Ben looked touched. “That means a lot to me, Haley. Thank you.” He gave her an affectionate pat on the back. “It looks like you might have found it . . .”
“What? The pinecone?” Haley asked, confused.
“No.” Ben smiled back at her. “Your Christmas spirit.”
Chapter 27
When Haley got back to her room, she saw someone was waiting for her. Max. He was sitting patiently with his leash in his mouth and wagging his tail. Haley couldn’t help but laugh. “Okay, you win. We’ll go for a quick walk.” When she bent down to pet him and put on his leash, he caught her off guard and happily licked her face. She jumped back. “Eww, come on, not the face!” As she wiped her cheek with the back of her hand, she kept her eye on Max. “That was sneaky! Don’t be trying it again. We don’t have that kind of relationship.”
Max barked, wagged his tail, and started to trot down the hall, dragging his leash behind him.
“Hold on, I’m coming.” Haley hurried to catch up to him.
As soon as they walked outside, the icy, cold night air took Haley’s breath away. She bundled up even more, wrapping Jeff’s scarf around her neck. She was going to hate giving it back to him. It was always so cozy and warm and had become the favorite part of her borrowed winter wear. As Max pulled her around to the back of the inn, she was surprised to find Gail standing alone looking up at the sky.
“Hi there,” Haley called out. “I thought we were the only crazy ones to be out here tonight. The temperature has really dropped.”
Gail smiled when she saw her. “It really has. I think they said it’s going to get down to around five degrees tonight.”
“I guess that means it’s too cold to snow. I hope it stays that way so we don’t have any trouble driving home in two nights when Christmas Camp is done.”
Gail gave Haley a sad look. “I can’t believe the week has gone by so fast.”
Haley nodded. “I know. My work deadline keeps reminding me of how fast it’s really going.”
“How are you doing on that?” Gail asked.
Haley smiled a little. “I think I’ve come up with my pitch. I’m sending it in to my friend Kathy tonight. She’s our graphic designer, and she’ll help pull everything together in time, I hope.”
“Do you think your time here at Christmas Camp has helped?”
“Definitely,” Haley answered without thinking about it, surprising herself. She looked back at the inn. “I’m actually going to miss it here. I would have never thought that barely a week ago when I arrived.”
Gail laughed and looked down at Max. “I think Max is really going to miss you when you go, too.”
Haley bent down to pet Max, but when he tried to lick her face again, she gave him a stern look. “We talked about this, Max. Don’t even think about it.”
Gail laughed. “See how much he likes you.”
“He only likes me because I keep taking him on his walks.”
“I think it’s more than that,” Gail said. “Dogs know a good person when they see one.”
Haley covered both of Max’s ears with her hands. “Don’t tell him. I don’t want it going to his head, but the truth is, I think I’m actually going to miss him.” She took her hands away from Max’s ears and gave him a quick hug. “You’re a good dog, aren’t you, Max?” Max licked her face before Haley could stop him. “Seriously?” She threw up her hands. “I take back everything I just said, especially the part about you being a good dog.”
When Max just wagged his tail more, Gail laughed. “Thanks, you two, for cheering me up.”
Haley was instantly concerned. “What’s wrong?”
Gail waved off Haley’s worry and tried to smile, but Haley noticed that her smile didn’t quite reach her eyes. “I just haven’t heard from my son, Ryan. I know I shouldn’t worry. He has a pretty high security clearance in the military, and he’s always traveling somewhere on some mission, so I know he can’t always call or email, but still . . .”
Haley put her arm around her. “It’s hard. I can’t even imagine.” She looked up into the sky. “But he has a lot of people watching out for him, right?”
Gail smiled a little as she followed Haley’s gaze up into the sky. “He does. You’re right. Thank you for reminding me.”
Haley shivered. “It is really getting cold out here. Should we head in?”
Gail zipped her coat up even higher. “I think I’m going to stay a few more minutes.”
Haley took off Jeff’s scarf and wrapped it snuggly around Gail’s neck. “Then you’re going to need this until you finish the scarf you were knitting.”
“Oh, thank you,” Gail said, snuggling up in the scarf. “But that scarf is going to be a Christmas gift.”
“Nice gift,” Haley said.
“I hope so.” Gail admired the scarf Haley just gave her. “This is a lovely scarf.”
“It’s not mine. Jeff let me borrow it.”
When Gail smiled a knowing smile, Haley raised her eyebrows. “There’s that look again,” she said. “I know what you’re thinking, about Jeff and me.”
“There’s a Jeff and you?” Gail’s smile grew.
“What? No.” Haley rushed to correct herself. “I just meant . . . Oh, forget it. My brain is frozen. I’m heading in. Why don’t I leave Max with you to keep you company.” She handed Gail the leash.
“Great idea. Thank you,” Gail said as she looked down at Max. “And you can lick my face all you want.”
Haley shook her head. “Max, you are the most spoiled dog I’ve ever known. I’ll see you guys inside.” As she headed back to the inn, the night air seemed even more biting. Out of habit, she went to cover up with Jeff’s scarf. When she remembered she’d given it to Gail, she missed it, just like she knew she was going to miss a lot of things at Christmas Camp.
When she got inside she went looking for Ben. She had a few quick follow-up questions for him about the franchise. She was about to head into the library when she heard Ben and Jeff inside, having what sounded like a heated conversation. She didn’t want to interrupt, so she turned to go, but when she heard Jeff say her name, she stopped. She knew she should just keep walking, that this was none of her business, but when she heard him say her name again, she couldn’t help herself. She went around the corner so they couldn’t see her but she could still hear them.
“Haley told me you took her up to Star Peak,” Ben said.
“I did. We just took a quick trip. She needed some inspiration for work.”
“I think it must’ve helped. She brought me her Christmas wish pinecone and said her wish was for me to have my wish.”
Haley peeked around the corner to see Jeff’s reaction and was pleased to see that he looked impressed.
“Wow, that was nice of her,” he said.
“It was very thoughtful,” Ben said. “And we all know what I’m wishing for this year . . . a way to save the inn.”
Jeff looked frustrated. “Dad, you know that’s not possible, but what is possible is to sell this place for a good price and start a new chapter with me in Boston. I know we said we weren’t going to talk about this until after Christmas Camp, but we only have one more day, and we’re running out of time. Just let me show you something.”
&
nbsp; Haley watched as Jeff walked over to the desk, picked up a manila envelope, and handed it to his dad.
“What’s this?” Ben looked like he wasn’t sure if he wanted to really know.
“Open it up and see,” Jeff said.
Ben pulled out some photographs, and Jeff quickly came around so they could look at them together. “We just took the pictures for our waterfront condos. They’re going up on the website now. Aren’t they great?”
Ben looked impressed. “They are. You did a wonderful job of preserving the old wharf but still creating something modern that people will want to live in.”
“People like you, I’m hoping.”
When Haley saw Ben’s smile fade, she felt bad for him and for Jeff.
But Jeff just kept talking excitedly. “The corner condo is available. I thought after the Christmas Camp is over we could go and look at it together. There’s a great swimming pool and a gym, and it’s only about a mile from me, so you could even walk to my place. We can spend a lot more time together.”
Haley leaned back against the wall. She couldn’t watch any more. It was too hard for her to see Jeff looking so excited about having his dad move to Boson when she knew that wasn’t what Ben planned to do at all and that she was now part of that plan.
In bed that night, she tossed and turned. She kept thinking about how tomorrow would be her last day at Christmas Camp and her last day with Jeff. Before she closed her eyes the last thing she saw was the angel on her dresser glowing in a stream of moonlight coming through the window.
THE WEATHER COOPERATED for the last day of Christmas Camp at the Holly Peak Inn. The sun was sparkling, and there wasn’t a cloud in the sky.
Unable to sleep, Haley had gotten up with the sunrise. She had already showered and dressed and was putting the final touches on her Tyler Toys campaign pitch. Sitting next to her on the bed was Max. He was sprawled out watching her work. She had let him jump up on the bed because he had looked so sad when he came into her room. It was like he knew she was leaving. Haley glanced over her Tyler Toys pitch idea one more time and then looked at Max. “I did it! And it’s good! Really good.” She attached the proposal to her email to Kathy, and with a flourish, she pressed send.
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