Chapter 5
Holly woke up at five the next morning to get everything under control so she could concentrate on having fun with Mason. It sometimes bothered her that she had to concentrate on having fun, but she’d been working at the inn as long as she could remember. Had taken over as acting manager when she graduated her hotel management course at age twenty. And been running ragged ever since.
Uncle Clarence had suggested hiring an assistant manager more than once, but he should have known better, being in charge of the books. There just wasn’t enough left over after paying everyone else. She pushed down the quick bout of anger she felt at Uncle Clarence for getting them in this bind in the first place. It had been for her mother.
Yes, he should have come to them and discussed it, but what would Holly have said? No, let’s not save mom’s life? All she could do was move forward. If only she could figure out a miracle.
The computer system showed no new reservations, unsurprisingly. Happily, though, two of her sick employees had messaged that they’d be in that day for their regular shifts. She breathed a grateful sigh. She wouldn’t have to clean Mason’s room after all. Not that she was beneath cleaning, she did it all the time. It only meant more time with him downtown.
She smirked at thinking of tiny Maple Valley as downtown. Still, she loved it there. So homey and clean, with the rolling hills in the background and bordered by forest land. The trees would be in full fall color, something she never got sick of seeing.
Honestly, she understood why Ivy wanted to get out. She had a serious talent for interior design and she’d wanted to utilize more colors than red and green, silver and gold. She never could have made a proper living up here. And yet, Holly couldn’t help but wonder if her younger sister was miserable surrounded by buildings, never seeing the stars twinkling at night due to the light pollution. Central Park was great, but nothing compared to the wild acres of forest that surrounded the inn and Maple Valley.
She finished up on the computer, made sure the kitchen was as clean as it could be, scrubbing a few pots that had been left to soak and then putting them in the industrial dishwasher. She checked the gift shop and made sure to leave instructions for Uncle Clarence, who would be in charge of it while Dani was still out sick. Thank goodness for her mother’s fabulous homemade candies. People still came almost every day to buy them and to take pictures in front of the big tree in the lobby or the Rudolph statue in the back courtyard. If only they wanted to stay. She passed her uncle, trudging sleepily toward the gift shop.
“I already set everything up,” she said. “You can go back to sleep for a while if you want.”
“No, it’s all right,” he said. “Your mother has her follow-up today and I want to get some other things under control so we can go to that without worrying.”
Holly was pleased her mom had made the doctor’s appointment she’d been threatened to make, but upset this was the first she’d heard about it. Normally she saw her family members every day for at least a quick check-in with each other, but with so many employees out sick, they’d all been doing double and triple duty.
Seeing how exhausted her uncle looked made her somewhat understand why he might sometimes think about letting the place go. Somewhat. But not enough. If he wanted to retire, he could. She’d hire someone to replace him. And keep better tabs on what that person was up to.
She set out the complimentary continental breakfast in case Mason wanted it, feeling slightly foolish. She missed the days when the place was constantly bustling, missed hearing the oohs and ahs of the guests as they basked in the magic of the place. Two years ago they would have been booked solid for December by now, and she still didn’t have a nibble for their biggest season. Her stomach turned sour as the bank intruded on her thoughts for the hundredth time that morning.
“Stop worrying,” she said out loud, forcefully placing a tray of bagels onto the breakfast room counter top. If Mason didn’t want them, the employees and her uncle wouldn’t let them go to waste.
“Yes, please don’t worry,” Mason said.
She whirled around to find him standing in the doorway and smiling at her, but with a hint of concern around his brows. He wore a dark gray sweater and dark jeans with rugged hiking boots. She almost giggled. Did he think she was taking him through the woods? They had sidewalks, for goodness’ sake.
“Here, have breakfast. The coffee should be done brewing in about two minutes. I just have a few more things to take care of and then I’ll join you.”
She tried to squeeze past him but he gently took her by the shoulders. His autumn eyes scanned her face. “Is everything all right? Please don’t feel obligated to show me around if you’re too busy.”
She shook her head, looking down. How embarrassing to be caught acting anything other than charming and welcoming in front of a guest. Her worries had nothing to do with him.
“Oh, no, everything’s fine. I’m almost fully staffed again. Just have to do a few more things, then we can set out.”
He continued to look at her, his forehead crinkling. “You don’t owe me for yesterday. I had a great time. In fact, I wouldn’t mind more DIY projects if you have any.”
She rolled her eyes at his obviousness. She liked it, though. It was kind of him to show concern and offer to help out again. “Absolutely not. I’m appalled I made a guest do all that work as it is. We’re going to town and having a fantastic day.” She blushed at his widened eyes. The last bit had come out rather forcefully.
“Okay, first of all, I’m appalled that you think of me as a guest. After rolling around in dust underneath a stage I would think I’m as good as family.”
Now her face felt like it was fully on fire. Family? After two days? She couldn’t deny she’d had more fun yesterday than she’d had in a long time, all while doing her mundane chores. And it seemed like they’d been trying for that kiss for a lot longer than two days. Everything she knew about him so far she liked and everything she didn’t know about him she couldn’t wait to find out. As usual, being in his presence had swooshed away her anxiety like a warm, soothing shower.
“Then maybe you won’t mind driving? It’s either that or we take the van we use for airport pickups and well, here, look for yourself.”
She took his hand and led him to the breakfast room window, swinging open the curtains with a flourish. There was the glossy brown van with holly wreaths and jingle bells painted on the sides, a big red nose attached to the front grill, and tall, fuzzy antlers perched proudly on its roof.
“Oh, we’re definitely taking that,” he said, face full of awe.
“Are you kidding?” she asked, unable to tell.
“I’m more serious about this than I’ve ever been before. My life won’t be complete until I ride in a red-nosed reindeer van.” He grinned at her and squeezed her hand. “If you really don’t want my help then hurry and finish up while I eat my complimentary breakfast. I want to see this town of yours, Holly.”
She felt a glow that rivalled seeing all the presents under the tree on Christmas morning and hurried away to finish her chores.
***
Mason didn’t like the way he was feeling. He didn’t like the anxious look on Holly’s face when he’d silently watched her go about setting up the breakfast room. He was early, wanting to catch a glimpse of her before the other guests came down and stole her attention. He wanted to get her away from her cares for one day.
He’d never seen anyone work so hard. He knew it was partly because most of her staff was ill, but he suspected she worked just as hard on a fully staffed day. The concern he felt for her settled in his stomach, not leaving any room for the bagel and cream cheese he’d put on his plate. He pushed it away and went outside, breathing in gulps of the fresh country air.
Only a few minutes later Holly came rushing out, apologizing for making him wait. He hid a scowl, wishing she’d stop treating him like a guest. But what did he want her to treat him like? What did he want to take away from this little vacation he was taking from reality?
When she unlocked the Rudolph van and made a game show hostess gesture toward the fleece covered passenger seat, he told himself to forget about analyzing what he and Holly might be to each other. He was having fun. Pure, unadulterated fun, that had nothing to do with taking out prospective investors or clients and wining and dining them. As much as he loved the nightlife in Manhattan, he hadn’t had the kind of fun he’d been having with Holly since he was a kid. He wanted to continue, that was all he knew. All he needed to know.
Holiday music wafted from the speakers as soon as she turned the ignition key. With yet another apology, she reached to eject the CD. “We can listen to a local station,” she said. “Just push the button until you find what you like.”
He grinned at her and slid the CD back into the player, humming along showily with Jingle Bell Rock. After a stunned silence, Holly giggled and hummed along with him. After several songs, they turned off the highway onto a tree-lined lane that could have been the subject of any oil painting. The rich autumn hues made him catch his breath. He always thought he got enough nature from Central Park, but apparently he was wrong. This was a whole lot of nature.
“Wow,” he said, then felt stupid, as if he’d never seen a tree before. Holly’s inn was surrounded by forest land. “You’re probably used to all this splendor.”
“I never get sick of it,” she said. “I think it can’t be prettier than in fall, but then when the branches are all bare and covered in snow, I think that’s so breathtaking and poignant. And then when it all comes back in spring, I’m positive that’s when it’s the most beautiful.”
He had a sudden greed to see all the seasons. Not just see the changes in the trees, but see them through Holly’s eyes. With Holly. Well, it was only a few hour’s drive. He shook off his strange yearning for nature and looked at Holly instead. He found her even more breathtaking than the scenery and twisted in his seat to get a better view of her. He wanted to be with Holly, even as he was with her. He wanted more. And he didn’t understand it at all.
Forget it, he thought. Just enjoy the good company. This doesn’t have to be serious. And yet it felt serious.
They passed through a charming town, complete with a steepled church at the top of the hill, an imposing town hall with a cobbled courtyard, and a high street lined with shops. Holly pulled the big van into the church parking lot and smiled.
“Isn’t it so pretty? I want to get married here one day.” Her face turned red, then magenta, then darker than a purple grape. “One day. A long way away. Not sure to who.”
He laughed at her obvious discomfort, finding her as charming as the quaint little town. “It makes me think of a painting. All of this could be the subject of a painting.”
“It probably is,” she sighed. “We get all our art from locals. That snow scene in your suite was painted by a very spry eighty-year old lady. Come on, we can walk down one side of Main Street and see everything. Get some food and then walk back up the other side.” Her brow knitted and he could tell she was worrying about something. Again.
“Don’t tell me you’re in the show again tonight?” he asked, already disappointed he wouldn’t get her for the entire dinner.
“Just the elf number again. Although Mona’s supposed to be back tonight. You should keep an eye out for her. She’s got a great voice and I know she’d love to sing more often. Especially on Broadway.”
He nodded noncommittally. As if Broadway shows were so easy to book. He’d have loved for one of his clients to book an off-off-off Broadway show.
He enjoyed looking in the windows of the various shops as she pointed out the history of each, who the owner was and how long they’d been in town. Everyone they walked past greeted her warmly and exclaimed excitedly when she introduced him as a guest from NYC. Guest, again.
They ate at the sandwich shop she’d talked about, and it was as good as she’d advertised.
“You keep acting surprised that anything’s actually nice up here,” she said. She swatted away his attempt to pay for lunch and laid down her card.
He gave up and let her pay, determined to leave an outrageous tip when he checked out to make up for it. Thinking about checking out made his comfortably full stomach turn over.
“Do I?” he asked with a frown. “I don’t mean to. God, I hate people like me if that’s the case.”
“Well I suppose we can be insufferable in our own way. Always bragging about the fresh air and lack of traffic.”
“Insufferable?” he asked with a laugh. She was clearly teasing, but there seemed to be some truth to it. He had been surprised that her dinner show performers were as good as they were. That her restaurant food had rivaled any four star restaurant in the city. That he was enjoying this miniature town as much as he was. “Surely not insufferable.”
She winked at him and signed the bill with a flourish. It was like an arrow straight to his heart. He faced a moment of struggle, like a fish on a line. Watching her chatting with the restaurant owner, he stopped struggling. He was hooked. If he thought she was the most adorable thing on earth just standing and speaking to someone, he was well and truly hooked.
They continued up the other side of the street. He barely registered any of the shops, totally focused on Holly. Her sparkling eyes, her expressive hands. She stopped short in front of one of the storefronts. It was empty, the windows chalked over and a for rent sign hanging on the door.
“Oh no,” she said, cupping her hands to the window and peering inside. “Mrs. Waverly’s bakery was here.” She grabbed his hand and hurried to the next shop, throwing open the door so forcefully the bell clanged instead of tinkled.
“My goodness, Holly,” a man behind the counter said. Signs behind him advertised starched collars and free ironing. “Have a dry cleaning emergency?”
“What happened to Mrs. Waverly? I haven’t been to town in a while, but no one said anything. Is she sick?”
“Oh, hon, don’t fret. She’s fine.” The man patted her hand. “Business just wasn’t doing that well for her. She was planning to retire and go live with her son in a few years anyway.” He sighed. “I do miss those scones every morning, though. And who knows when the place will get rented again.”
“If ever,” Holly said, not appeased by the man’s explanation. She seemed more upset. “How awful to have an empty storefront on Main Street.”
“It worries me too, hon, I’m not going to lie. I hope this isn’t the beginning of the end.”
Holly introduced Mason as an afterthought and they left. He was surprised there weren’t more vacant storefronts. When he’d driven through the towns on his way up to Amanda’s house, it seemed like every other shop had foreclosure signs in their empty windows. Sadly, it was the fate of many small places to wither away until they eventually disappeared. There was probably a large chain grocery store somewhere nearby that had cheaper baked goods and sent Mrs. Waverly to an early retirement.
As they continued on their way, Holly was quieter and less animated in describing everything. He looked down at her and saw a tear slide down the side of her cheek. He stopped and took her by the shoulders.
“Holly? Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.”
He huffed and led her to a wrought iron bench a few yards away. She followed docilely and sniffled as she sat next to him.
“You’re not fine, you’re crying. Are you sick? I can get the van and pick you up.”
“I’m not sick,” she said, wiping her face. “Sorry. I’m okay, really.”
“Holly, I can see you’re upset. Is it because I’m a guest? I’m checking out right now. Then you can think of me as a friend.”
“No, don’t check out,” she said, laughing pitifully. She sighed and turned to him, a skeptical look on her face. He could almost see the inner war she was having with herself. He wondered when she’d last been able to share her problems with someone. Finally, he saw the decision in her eyes. She was going to trust him. He almost pumped his fist in triumph. “It’s only that I don’t want this to be the beginning of the end.”
He didn’t laugh at her. As dramatic as it sounded, he could see the true worry in her eyes. The sadness. “The end of the town? It’s only one shop. It’s still a vibrant, bustling town. And I’m sure your hotel has a lot to do with that. Probably most of the guests end up shopping or eating here.”
She sniffled again. “What guests? You’re the first one in almost a month. We’re struggling, too. Just like Mrs. Waverly. We make all our own bread and pastries, but if I’d known—”
“I’m sure she’s perfectly happy with her son,” Mason said. He patted her hand, then linked his fingers with hers. “It’s not as if she’s on the street begging for change. But wait, I’m the only guest? The place is packed every night. I assumed some of them were staying.”
“No. Fortunately people still come for the restaurant and the shows … At least I hope they aren’t putting up with the shows to get to eat the food.”
“The food is amazing,” he said. Then, at her stricken look, hurriedly added, “But the shows are fun, too.”
She turned to him and raised her brow. “You’re a talent agent. You must go to shows all over the city. If you’re being a friend now, please be honest. What do you think of ours?”
He twitched. Honest? Should he be? “They’re fun,” he repeated. “Light and fun. Maybe they could be spicier? A little more adult?”
She looked scandalized. “They have to stay family friendly. That’s non-negotiable.”
“I don’t mean adult like a strip show,” he said, exasperated. “A little less corny.” He almost said less Christmassy but feared she’d take his head off. “A little more swagger. Get a hot guest singer in.”
Now she rolled her eyes at him. “Well, we’ve tried that. But Beyonce was all booked up.”
He chuckled. “Okay, not that much swagger.”
“I know what you meant,” she said, a wavery smile on her lips. “Thank you for the advice. And for listening. Seeing that empty shop really shook me.”
“This town doesn’t seem like it’s anywhere near to dying,” he said truthfully, still comparing it to the towns on his way to Amanda’s house. “It’s clear to me you’re good at what you do. Your rough patch could be the economy. Could be some new Christmas hotspot opened up in Montana that all the yuleophiles need to check out and get out of their systems before they come crawling back to you.”
“Yuleophiles?” she said with a real laugh this time. “And there’s no new Christmas themed resorts. Believe me, I keep tabs.”
He faked a shiver. “You sound like you’re in Santa’s mafia. Do the elves only make toys or do they break kneecaps, too?”
“We just threaten people with the naughty list and that does the trick,” she said, all traces of her tears gone. “Thank you for the compliment as well.”
He raised a brow. “Did I compliment you?” He looked her up and down. “I should have. You look fetching today in your going-to-town clothes.”
“Fetching is a word my uncle would use. He’s only in his forties but he acts like a grandpa most of the time. I guess he’s as worried as I am.” She scowled for a second and shook her head as if trying to release some unpleasant thoughts. “But I meant for saying it’s clear I’m good at my job. It’s nice to hear. My mom and uncle work so hard I don’t think they notice. My sister doesn’t give a figgy pudding either way, just assumes it’s magic that keeps the inn running.”
“Well as a person who also runs a business, I know how hard it is.” He put his arm around her and instead of jumping like a rabbit to escape his clutches, she sighed and leaned ever so lightly against his shoulder. He couldn’t help hug her a little tighter. “I thought all my old clients would follow me to my new agency, but most of them didn’t so we’re scrambling to get enough new ones to make the rent. Which, in case you haven’t heard, is pretty high in Manhattan.”
He couldn’t believe he was sharing his troubles with her. Normally he’d want a woman he was interested in to think he had everything under complete control. But Holly was different. It seemed he couldn’t help being honest with her.
She groaned. “Rent.” The word hissed out of her mouth as if she was trying to spit poison she’d accidentally ingested. “My grandfather bought that house and land free and clear. That shouldn’t even be on my list of things to worry about.”
“Have you ever thought about going somewhere else?” he asked. “Working for someone else would probably pay more and be less stress. You’re definitely qualified to run any hotel.”
She closed her eyes for a brief moment and her face went slack. He wondered if this was something she thought about all the time. Her happy place, perhaps. He’d only been out on his own for three months and he often thought about going back to being a cog in one of the larger agencies, just to be able to work fewer hours. Having your own business was a twenty-four hour affair. In fact, he had rescheduled two online meetings and had ignored the thirteen new email inquiries he’d gotten that morning in order to spend time with Holly. He’d pay for that later, but at the moment it was completely worth it.
“Working for someone else would definitely pay more,” she said with a snort. “But the inn is my home, not just our family business. I couldn’t— I wouldn’t want to abandon it.”
As if his lips had their own mind, he dropped a kiss on her forehead. “I admire that,” he said. Her eyes darkened and she blinked several times. And she didn’t pull away, tipping her head back instead. He smiled a slow, curling smile. “Where’s your phone?” he asked mischievously. “Mine’s turned off so no worries there.”
She answered his smile with one of her own and put her hand on his chest. “It’s in my bag. I wouldn’t be able to hear it if it rang.” To prove her point, she reached behind her and shoved the purse further down the bench. She eased herself closer to him so their legs touched from hip to knee. “Do you think this might be it?”
He pulled her closer and leaned in the rest of the way. “I believe it is.”
Their lips touched lightly and the mere feather glance of her mouth against his inflamed him with longing. He pressed harder and she sighed happily as she accepted the deepening kiss. He slid his hand from her shoulder up the side of her neck, her soft skin making his fingertips come alive. Adrenaline surged through his body as if he’d gotten a great surprise and at the same time he felt completely calm. At home.
It was October but he didn’t feel the stiff wind that gusted over them. He slipped his hand behind her head to feel that silky hair between his fingers at last. He’d been thinking about it since he first had dinner with her. It was everything he’d imagined. He chuckled lightly against her mouth, thinking it was better than Christmas morning. All the anticipation leading to finding wonderful presents.
“What?” she whispered, leaning back and smiling at him. He liked the slightly off-kilter glaze she had in her eyes and wanted to keep putting it there.
“I just compared this kiss to Christmas morning in my mind,” he admitted, once again stunned that he said all his thoughts around her.
“That’s good,” she said with a sly grin. “Because it’s always Christmas at the inn. You won’t have to wait another year for it to roll around again.”
“I don’t want to wait another second,” he said.
She nodded eagerly and he dipped his head for one more of what he hoped would be many, many kisses.