The next few days were a blur of activity. Jessica played with Katie, and Lindsey got into the routine of helping the Wilson's with various jobs around the hotel each morning. Jake had to convince his mom Lindsey really did want to help. In the end, only her plea to be saved from boredom swayed Marion. After that, she helped paint, assembled furniture, decorated, and even picked out bedding from the internet. Lindsey had never had so much fun working in her life. The best part was Jake made sure there was something fun every afternoon.

Three days before Christmas, Lindsey sat at the kitchen table with Marion. Jake had been mysteriously absent all day, but so had his father. She was surprised at how lonely the day felt without him in it. Pushing the thoughts away, she watched as Marion added cinnamon, clove, and orange essential oils to water in a spray bottle.

“Here, you spray the pinecones and I'll hold the bag open. Just drop them in after they're good and coated. They'll make wonderful gifts.” Marion passed a large bag of pinecones and the spray bottle to Lindsey.

“Who are they for?”

“We'll hand them out at the Christmas dinner up at the resort in two days. Most of the town comes and this has become my thing. I'll tie them up with a little ribbon and mistletoe.” Marion smiled. “You need one for yourself?”

Jessica blushed. Jake hadn't kissed her again since that day they went snowmobiling, but she hadn't stopped thinking about it. It wasn't something she wanted to talk to his mom about though.

“Uh, I don't think so.” She spun a pinecone as she sprayed. The scent was wonderful.

“I understand, you know. Things are scary when they happen fast, and you've got plans. I just want you to know we've all fallen in love with you this week. You and Katie. If you did want to stick around, you're welcome to stay with us.”

Lindsey didn't know what to say. She couldn't be sure what Marion meant by it all. Was Jake in love with her? What did the offer to stay really entail?

Could I do it? Even thinking the question had her heart slamming around in her chest.

“You don't have to say anything,” Marion continued, “but having your help these last few days has shown me that I'm going to need to hire someone when Jessica goes back to school and we open for business. There's no way I can take care of everything on my own. Just think about that. You could keep Katie with you and not have to pay for a sitter.”

Lindsey dropped the pinecone. Everything calmed around her, even her thundering heart. Staying, wanting to stay, felt peaceful now there was the hope of a job. It was worth thinking about, even if moving to Wyoming was as crazy an idea as getting married at nineteen had been.

“Let me think about it.” Lindsey felt a bit breathless. She should call her brother. At least talk to someone else before she made a decision.

Jessica entered the kitchen. “Katie's down for her nap, and Jake just texted. He and dad are on their way back from their shopping trip. He wanted to know if you felt up to a little butter churning.”

“What?” Marion and Lindsey both asked and started laughing.

“I don't know, that's all the text said.” She held up her phone so they could read.

Ask if Lindsey is up for butter churning.

“Fresh butter would be wonderful! Tell him yes.”

“Well, then, I'm going to start some homemade bread.” Marion handed the ziplock bag to Jessica. “You two keep spraying.”

* * *

Jake couldn't wait until Lindsey saw what he'd bought. He had driven a hundred and fifty miles to get her Christmas present. His dad laughed beside him.

“You sure you don't want to save it until Christmas?”

Jake shook his head. “I can't be sure she'll stay until then.”

“Well, she's gonna love this.”

“I hope so.” Jake checked the GPS one more time. Only twenty more minutes and he'd finally see her today. The day had felt so long. They'd left early for Evanston, completed all the shopping they needed for the hotel, grabbed some farm supplies that were cheaper in the city, and then stopped at the dairy farm. Lindsey had been on his mind the entire time.

Jakes dad sang along with the radio, and Jake counted miles and minutes. The sun sat low in the sky when they pulled up to the hotel. He was out of the truck before his dad had cut the engine, and had the churn and the four quart can of fresh cream.

When he entered the front door, he heard music and laughter from the kitchen. That's where he found her—dancing in the middle of the floor with her daughter. She stopped when she saw him. Her face lit up with the smile he loved.

“Dadda!” Katie reached for him and Lindsey blushed.

“I'm sorry, I can't get her to stop calling you that.”

“She's still little and doesn't understand. It's okay.” He still couldn't tell her how much he liked that little voice calling him dad. Jake set the things down on the table and Katie jumped into his arms.

She patted his face. “Hun-gy.”

Everyone laughed. Jake noticed that Lindsey was staring at the milk can and box he'd set down.

“They're for you. An early Christmas present.” He liked how she touched the can, almost reverently.

“It's been a while since we had fresh milk. What's in the box?”

“Open it.”

She lifted the lid and peeked inside. Her mouth made a cute little “o” and her eyes widened to match. Finally, she reached in and pulled out the churn. It looked like an antique wooden churn with the dash to churn, but it also had an electric option.

“I didn't know if you'd want to churn by hand, or just get the fresh butter.” Jake shrugged and put the wiggling Katie on the ground.

“Pway!” Katie reached for the barrel.

“It's wonderful. Thank you.” Lindsey stepped closer and hugged him.

The moment lasted an eternity while also ending far too quickly. Jake wished he could keep her in his arms forever. “You're welcome.”

They stood there staring at each other another moment until Marion came in from the back porch. “Oh, you are back. We'll have dinner on the table in twenty minutes.”

“We'd better get busy then.” Jake opened the can of cream. “Shall we make some butter?”

* * *

Lindsey lay in bed staring at the ceiling long into the night. It had been such a wonderful evening. Jake kept her and Katie laughing while they made butter, ate, then sat with his family singing Christmas carols. She couldn't believe he'd bought her a butter churn.

No one had paid so much attention to her in years. Not even her brother. She'd called him before bed. He was still in New York for work and didn't know when he'd be coming home. When she told him about the car and being stuck in Wyoming, he'd sounded sorry but didn't offer to help in any way. Would he really be able to help her and Katie?

She tossed and turned, worrying about the future. There were no guarantees in West Virginia. If she stayed in Saratogo, she'd at least have a job where she could keep Katie with her. Finally, she sent a simple request heavenward.

God, what's the best thing for Katie?