Wedding at Mistletoe Chalet

by Dani Collins

  How did he make her want to laugh yet feel strangely moved in the same moment? Maybe because he wasn’t joking. She saw nothing but sincerity in his expression. Affection, too.

  Emotions roiled through her, lifting her heart and settling it on a wave of reciprocal affection while tingles of excitement for the future sparked through her along with apprehension of the great unknown. Meanwhile, something wistful hovered in the background. Where might she be if she’d had him as a sounding board all this time?

  If only.

  The moment became way too big for this little conversation over a kitchen table that didn’t even belong to them.

  “Don’t you dare tell me you’re not sure you’re up to it,” Finn warned.

  “No.” She drew a big breath, trying to pull herself together by looking around the kitchen. “I could do this. Not by myself and not the cooking part, but even Wendy has help for that. Obviously there’s still a lot to learn, but I could wear the hats required to run something like this. I’m confident about that part. It’s more about being sure it’s the right move. The job I’m in is very secure and predictable. I’m not someone who jumps off roofs for the fun of it.” Her mouth quirked.

  He didn’t laugh. He was taking her completely seriously.

  “If something like this is what you want, then go after it. That football scholarship was a great opportunity for me. I understand completely how hard it is to turn your back on something that is mostly right.”

  Her heart caught in her throat and her eyes began to sting. Something like her?

  His expression shifted. Grew somber.

  “Getting where you want to be takes time,” he said gravely. “The sooner you start, the sooner you’re there.”

  Somehow she felt like that was about her.

  Her heart began to race and she broke eye contact, looking out the window. Her pulse took another skitter and trip as she saw the cat.

  “There’s Ted.” Kristen rose with alarm as the machine crawled into the yard. She wondered if she should find Wendy and wake her.

  She quickly trotted downstairs to meet Ted as he came inside with Sarah.

  “Is something wrong?” Kristen peered through the windows to see Ted only had a few guests with him. They gathered their gear and carried it toward the parking lot. “Where’s everyone else?”

  “Lunching at the day lodge. Everything is fine. I checked in with highways and they’re plowing our road. Some of the guests have to get on their way.” He nodded at where they’d disappeared to grab their luggage from their cabins. “I’m heading back up, but wondered if you wanted to join us?” Ted looked past her to where Finn had followed her down the stairs.

  “Are you kidding?” Finn’s brows went into his hairline.

  “I couldn’t have got all that snow moved and taken everyone up this morning. I want to thank you,” Ted said.

  “Give me five minutes to get my gear off my roof rack.” Finn shot back up the stairs so fast, they all laughed.

  “I’d invite you to join us as well, but Sarah said you two have plans,” Ted said.

  Sarah turned from hanging her coat, cheeks and nose red from the cold, but glowing. “Do you mind if we run into town, since the road is going to open?”

  The Entwhistles were leaving first thing tomorrow morning, so Kristen said, “Not at all. But I’ll have to check out the guests and finish turning over their cabins before we leave.”

  “I’ll help with the cabins after I change and eat lunch,” Sarah said.

  “The lasagna is still warm. It’s on the stove.”

  “Thanks.” Sarah went upstairs.

  “Where’s Wendy?” Ted asked.

  “Resting. I’ll make sure Sarah tells her what’s going on before we leave. I’ve started the dinner prep. She only needs to listen for the phone.”

  “Thanks.” He nodded. “I mean that. Thank you. It’s really comforting to know she has help and can rest when she needs to.”

  “Of course. This is a busy time of year. It’s easy to get run down.” Kristen kept her most tactful expression on her face, as if she believed Wendy had a case of holiday fatigue.

  Finn appeared outside with his board under his arm. His boarding pants were slung over his shoulder, his boots already on his feet.

  “Someone’s excited.” She bit back a grin as she watched Finn jerk on his gloves and hat like a man in a hurry.

  “He’s in for a treat. The conditions are fantastic.”

  “Have fun,” she called as the men boarded the cat.

  “You’re not coming?” Finn asked with a sudden frown.

  “I have things to do. I’ll see you later.”

  She didn’t remember until she was in the car that Finn’s parents were expecting him. He might have already left by the time she got back.

  And she didn’t know which was worse—his leaving without saying goodbye, or staying so she would have to say it face to face.

  *

  “Okay, I want to show you something because I’m not sure,” Sarah said as they drove. She dug into her shoulder bag and brought out a knitted red scarf in a soft-as-cashmere type of yarn.

  “Did you make that? It’s really pretty.”

  “Thanks. We learned to knit and crochet when our class went on a field trip to a pioneer town last year. I made this one for Wendy and I started one for Dad, then I forgot about it all summer. But look. It’s an infinity scarf.” Sarah held it up to show the red wool made a full circle. “Could I use it as, like, a ring? That they could put on each other?”

  “That’s a great idea! As far as blessing their union, I think it would mean a lot to both of them that you give them something you made yourself.”

  “Okay. Thanks.” She put it back in her bag with a satisfied smile. “I thought it was a good idea, but then I was worried I was the only one who would think so.”

  “It’s fantastic. And listen, I thought of a way you could get people to write speeches without telling them why. Say you’re putting together a Christmas present for your dad and Wendy, that it’s a book of favorite memories. Something like that. Tell them to send you a little story or a moment when they knew they were right for one another. Then, at the wedding, you spring it on them that they have to read it out loud.”

  “Ha. And I could tell Dad and Wendy to do the same thing about each other and they could read that for their vows.”

  “Yes! Sarah, this is going to be so awesome.” She was so proud of this girl for what she was doing.

  “Except I’m doing so much sneaking around, Santa is going to put me on his naughty list and I won’t get any presents. Thanks, Santa,” she said with deep sarcasm.

  They both cracked up.

  *

  The bargain store in the mall had a half dozen artificial Christmas trees at the front of the store, all decorated with fun themes. The country one had chicken and cow ornaments, the pride one was bands of colored balls arranged in a rainbow that wrapped the tree at an angle. There was one covered in tiny gift boxes, one covered in owls and pussycats. Another had oversized ornaments that were brash and eye-catching so it exploded with festivity. The last one was pastel and calm, the ornaments miniature cradles and baby rattles in pink and blue and yellow.

  Kristen wondered if she could sneak one of those up to the counter as a little something for Ted and Wendy without Sarah catching her. Maybe she would say it was for her brother’s wife.

  Sarah asked where they would find silk flowers. They were directed to a limited selection down an aisle toward the back. Sarah paused before a lattice covered in a display of poinsettias and holly. Kristen took in the selection of tulips and daisies, roses and carnations. Some were natural colors, some were neon.

  “The roses look the nicest, in my opinion,” Kristen said when Sarah came to stand next to her. “But they only have them in pale yellow.” She gathered a few together. “Maybe with some of this greenery?” She added a fake fern.

  “Oh. I looked online and we can jazz
up the bouquet with some pearly things. We’ll look at the jewelry in a sec. Also some pretty ribbon, maybe, to hold all the stems together.” Sarah added some of the peach-colored carnations, which made the roses look warmer and richer. “Let’s look in the craft section.”

  They found a length of gold ribbon edged in lace.

  “Oh. Look at this,” Kristen said, finding some gold tulle with little sparkles in it. “That might be nice behind the flowers?”

  Sarah nodded and they carried on to the jewelry section where they found bracelets of golden beads and earrings with faux diamonds and pearls. “Like, if we stuck these in at different places to make it more sparkly?”

  “So pretty,” Kristen agreed.

  They made sure to grab some craft glue and tape and went back for a rose for Ted’s lapel, then browsed the sale racks because they were right there near the cash register.

  “This would look nice on you,” Kristen said of a peasant-style summer top.

  Sarah looked at the price tag then into her basket. “I don’t think I have enough.”

  “I can pay for some of that.”

  “Thank you, but I want to pay for it all myself if I can.”

  “I understand.” Kristen wondered if she would have a chance to get back here before Christmas. It was only three days away. “Oh,” she murmured as she started to move a men’s hockey jersey that had been stuck into the women’s section by mistake. “Feel this. It’s really nice. Finn’s team, too.”

  “Really.” Sarah put on a tone of significant interest.

  Kristen rolled her eyes and made sure Sarah saw it.

  She checked the size, measured the sleeves against her own. She was sure it would fit him. A joke gift was one thing, but this would be an even bigger signal of interest than she was prepared to put out there. She couldn’t buy it for him, but she churlishly didn’t want to leave such a find for someone else. She slung it over her arm.

  “Do you want to get married?” Sarah asked.

  Three guesses where that question had come from. Romantic speculation pretty much radiated in waves from Sarah’s red-gold hair.

  “I always assumed I would at some point,” Kristen allowed.

  “To Finn?” Sarah averted her face so she was giving Kristen a sly side-eye.

  “I don’t think of him like that.” Why did that feel like a giant lie? Especially when she glanced toward the toy section, wondering if she would find a book with cartoon drawings of a moose over there. Two gifts? That was over the top.

  “But you dated. You must have thought of him ‘like that’ then.”

  “We were really young. It was more about hanging out and having fun. We both knew we were crazy to try to stay together once summer ended. Maybe if we’d been at the same college, we might have had a chance.”

  “Couldn’t you have changed schools?”

  “Yes.” She had wanted to. When she heard about his concussion, she had been ready to drop her courses and go straight to him, but he’d broken up with her.

  Kristen hugged the jersey to her middle, still hurt, but finding herself on his side as she continued.

  “But just like you have to be careful about peer pressure making you want to drink a milkshake when you know it’s not good for you, you have to be careful about changing your life plans for a relationship. When Finn and I were dating, I was tempted to change to his school, even though I had worked really hard to get into the one I wanted. Imagine if I had. He wound up switching to med school. I wouldn’t have the education I wanted or been with the boyfriend I’d changed my lane for. Or he might have stayed in football to stay near me. He wouldn’t be a doctor, which is what he really wanted.”

  He hadn’t broken up with her for another girl. He had actually been thinking about her best interests, not even solely his own. She couldn’t fault him for that.

  “But if you guys belong together…”

  Kristen didn’t want to disabuse Sarah’s rosy vision of love at her tender age of twelve. “If we belong together, it will happen when the time is right.”

  “Like now,” Sarah said with a smug smile.

  “He’s spending Christmas with his parents. He’ll probably have already left by the time we get back.” She glanced at the time on her phone, heart panging at the lack of a goodbye text.

  “Will you do me a favor?” Kristen asked, trying to shift the tone if not the subject. “Will you see if there are any kids’ books with drawings of a moose? Finn would go crazy for one. I want to try this on.” She grabbed a shirt she had no intention of buying.

  Sarah nodded and headed toward the toy section. Kristen spirited the little summer top she thought would suit Sarah to the counter. She was still clutching the jersey.

  “Oh, these, too,” she said to the clerk, adding a couple of novelty items from the shelf below the register that she could throw in Sarah’s stocking.

  She looked behind her, nervous that Sarah might catch her, but even more self-conscious about the jersey. She could give it to her brother for his birthday. It was a good price. She couldn’t make herself leave it behind.

  “Kristen, look!” Sarah came up to the counter as the clerk was handing Kristen her bag. Sarah had found a stuffed moose playing a guitar.

  “That’s perfect!” Kristen touched the terry-towel fur. “Finn plays guitar, you know. At least, he used to. I don’t know if he still does.”

  “It’s only four dollars. Can I see if I have enough and get it for him?”

  “You found it. Of course.”

  Sarah’s gaze went to the bag. “Did you get the jersey?” she asked with a pert expression as she began setting all her items on the counter.

  “For my brother,” Kristen said.

  “Mmm,” Sarah said, highly skeptical.

  Kristen tugged the girl’s braid and making her giggle.

  “After this, we should get Wendy’s parcels. I don’t want to forget,” Kristen said.

  Sarah sobered as she watched the balance add up, holding back on the moose to see if she had enough money. “I hope Finn’s still there when we get back.”

  Kristen did too and was disturbed to realize how much.

  Chapter Eight

  Finn’s car was still in the parking lot when they got back, Kristen noted with a subtle exhalation of relief.

  Ted had just returned. Guests were trickling back to the cabins and Ted was stowing the last of the gear. Wendy was starting dinner and Kristen quickly dropped her purchases in her room before she jumped in to help.

  She resisted the urge to ask, Where’s Finn?

  She soon had her answer when she brought some platters into the dining room. Finn was in the lounge with a young couple from Nebraska. The husband hovered over his wife, who sat on the sofa.

  Finn sat on a hassock in front of her and gently examined the woman’s bare ankle. He still wore his snowboarding pants and his hair was every which way from being under a hat.

  “What happened?” Kristen asked, crossing to see. “Is it broken?”

  “I don’t think so,” the woman said, wincing as Finn checked her range of motion. “I’ve had a fracture before. This feels like a strain, but I’m supposed to work New Year’s Eve so I asked Finn to check it.”

  “You’re a dancer, aren’t you?” Kristen recalled. She looked to Finn, trying to read the diagnosis in his calm expression.

  “I was fine all day, then I slipped getting out of the cat,” the woman said with aggravation.

  “You were tired. My legs feel like noodles and I only put in a half day,” Finn said wryly. “Let’s ice it and see if this swelling goes down. I’ll wrap it for you after. You’re heading home tomorrow?”

  She nodded.

  “Keep it elevated as much as you can. If it’s still bothering you once you’re home, check with your doctor. It might need an X-ray, but I think it’s just a strain and should settle down pretty fast.”

  Finn fetched an ice pack and the husband helped his wife up the stairs so they co
uld shower and rest.

  “Hi,” Finn greeted Kristen as they were left alone in the dining room. He stole an olive off the board she set out. “Where did you go today?”

  “I had some errands in town. How was your day on the slopes?”

  “Fantastic. You have to get up there.”

  “I will, but…” She wanted to be on hand for Wendy and, “I was helping Sarah with something. I’m glad you had a chance to try it, though. I, um, figured you would be on the road by now.” She tried not to betray how conflicted she was about that.

  He glanced toward the darkening window. “I have to call Mom and tell her I haven’t even left yet.”

  “Are you worried about the, uh, ankle?” She flicked her gaze toward the loft where the dancer had disappeared.

  “No. Ted could keep an eye on her. He had his hands full with the gear when it happened so I took over first aid, but he’s certified as a first responder. He also has fire fighter training and knows how to build a snow cave in an emergency. He can certainly handle a twisted ankle.”

  Sarah came in. “Finn, Dad says he’s driving back to the shed if you want a lift.”

  “Thanks. He wants a hand moving a few things around out there. I’ll see you in a little bit,” Finn promised Kristen as he left.

  “I’m going to go with them,” Sarah said. “I want to see something. I have another idea.”

  “Oh. Okay.” Kristen was curious what else Sarah could possibly need for the wedding, but she was more concerned about the blues that were closing in around her.

  She wasn’t usually so affected by men. She dated on and off, when she met someone nice, but things always seemed to fizzle. She was starting to fear it was because she always compared other men to Finn—and how he made her feel. No one else made her feel smart and pretty, lighthearted and well liked and, dare she admit it? Happy.

  That was the perplexing part. She felt happy for no other reason than that he was around. She finished what she was doing and went back into the kitchen.