and Edie added, “It’s all part of the renovation and updating package.”
“And when I’m not working, I’ll be baking homemade treats to offer all the guests,” Eleanor said with a smile. “I’ve already got some special recipes planned for when we all gather for our Girls’ Week every year.” She winked at Lila.
Happy tears pricked Lila’s eyes. “We’re still doing our Girls’ Weeks?”
“Of course,” Charlotte said. “All families get together at Christmas, don’t they?”
Lila sat by the fire, the stockings dancing back and forth as the heat wriggled its way toward them, the tree alight with glittering festivity. She realized that her final Christmas wish had come true. She looked around the circle at these people who had become her family. It turned out that this wouldn’t be her last big Christmas after all—and it would certainly rank up there with one of the best Christmases ever.
Epilogue
Presley the cat darted across the newly fallen snow in the yard, as Lila tipped her head up to view the enormous gold star on top of the Balsam fir. It towered over the outdoor concert area at Fireside Cabins as the orchestra took their places for their first annual winter concert, a charity event Lila had started, all proceeds going to local underprivileged children. Over the last year, she’d seen her after-school and job-training program balloon to eighty-five kids, a group of them working tonight to get the concert underway.
Theo came up behind her, wrapping his arms around her, his hands on her belly bump that was getting bigger by the day and kissing her neck, his breath near her ear, giving her a shiver. After eight months of marriage, they’d decided it was time to add to their little family. She wound her fingers through his and leaned into him, running their fingers over the bump. She and Theo were having a baby boy. They’d decided to name him William after his grandfather.
“It all looks amazing,” Theo said into her ear. “But not as amazing as you.”
She twisted around and kissed him, his affection coming through in the softness of his embrace.
“I love you,” he whispered, peering down at her as if she gave him breath.
“It’s a full house tonight,” Eleanor said, walking through the line of outdoor space heaters and past the wall of poinsettias lined along the exposed rock of the hills behind them. “You’ve done an amazing job, Lila.” The old woman gave her a hug as she looked around the space in wonderment, her eyes glistening. “I never thought I’d see anything like this in my lifetime. Every cabin is full, every seat at the show already paid for; I’m doing double the merchandise orders than I had six months ago to keep the gift shop stocked; Gingerbread Mama’s had to take over the baking—I can’t keep up!”
Lila gave her a big squeeze, but it wasn’t as easy as it had once been, with Lila’s belly in the way. “It wasn’t only me—we have a lot of people to thank,” she said, just as Smash walked up to the three of them.
“I hardly recognized you,” Eleanor said, running a motherly hand along Smash’s tuxedo jacket. He was clean-shaven, had gotten a haircut, and he was barely recognizable in his spruce green bowtie.
“I can clean up every now and again.” He bent down and raised the leg of his tuxedo trousers, revealing a shiny pair of black cowboy boots. “Even got me some new dress shoes,” he said with a wink. “And I’ve got a little something planned.”
“Oh?” Lila asked. “What’s that?”
“Wait and see.” Smash and Theo shared a conspiratorial look.
“Hi, Theo!” Rex said, running toward them down the center aisle between the red velvet-cushioned benches. He looked absolutely adorable in his miniature tuxedo with a cranberry tie and cummerbund, his guitar case slung over his back. “I’m ready!”
“Sshh,” Theo said dramatically, eyeing Lila as if she couldn’t see it. He gave Rex a wink, making him giggle.
When everyone had taken their seats, the orchestra tuning their instruments, Lila stood at the back, feeling so proud of all she’d been able to be a part of so far. The tours of the grounds were pulling in visitors beyond just the cabin renters, they had a waiting list for vacation reservations, and they’d become so popular that Theo and Smash had considered building out into the hills a bit more, to add a few luxury cabins to appeal to those looking for wedding venues and engagement spots. They’d hired a