they did. It was hardly a Christmas miracle, but the fact that it hurt no one was miraculous.
He thought about Jane and wondered if she was as bad as he thought. She only wanted what everybody wanted; to love and be loved, to have some measure of success and security. There was no way she’d be able to manipulate his father, not Eaton Hunter. If she made him happy, and his happiness made him wish for Max and Lauren’s contentment then why not support them—support her? She was keeping his grandmother alive, and that was an important contribution to everyone’s life.
He’d have to go back and apologize for his mean words and thoughts. All he wanted was to protect his father and his family. Surely, she could understand that. They were all on the same side. It was the Christmas season, after all. A time for giving. A time for family.
Maybe they should have them over for dinner, finally bring the two families back together.
He found Lauren in the lodge, standing behind the desk.
“What would you say if we had my family over for dinner? They could see the lodge and see how happy it makes us.”
She smiled. “Are you trying to make my father turn over in his grave?”
“You’re joking, right?” he asked, not so certain.
He watched her eyes for any sign of distress, but only a sly smile showed.
She rocked her head back and forth. “If anything would make my father rise from the dead, it would be Eaton Hunter dining in his lodge.” She closed her eyes, and when she opened them again, she grinned. “I think it’s a great idea. You can’t cross a canyon without a bridge. We can be that bridge.”
Lauren seemed genuinely excited. Her ever-present cook, Ruthie, not so much. Lauren calmly decided on a menu of filet mignon and lobster tail, steamed and buttered asparagus tips, a fresh garden salad, potatoes au gratin, and chocolate mousse for dessert. She was bent on impressing his father, and that impressed him.
She didn’t like his father, but it was important for the two families to unite. It was the only real chance for a future between them, and Lauren seemed to see that as clearly as he did.
To see her take command and not second-guess herself in the face of her obviously skeptical mentor, Ruthie, filled Max with awe.
He could already imagine their family holiday meals. Their children sitting at the table. Girls and boys with her hair, her eyes, and her strength.
Their future together had never felt more certain. To imagine that his father might sit at the Matthews’ table was almost inconceivable.
It felt like a miracle, like the power of the season had softened the old man’s heart to allow the magic of the lodge to secure their futures as a single family.
Chapter Thirty-One
Lauren
Lauren tried to ignore her nervousness. She hadn’t been in the same room with the legendary Eaton Hunter since she’d been a kid. She hardly had any memory of him at all, though she’d had plenty of opportunities to imagine what kind of man he was: ten feet tall, ate cars for breakfast, and belched fire after lunch.
The facts were reassuring after her childish imagination ran away.
He was far less terrifying than she had believed.
“Welcome to Sunshine Lodge,” she said and stepped aside so Ethel, wheeled by Jane and Eaton, could enter. She guided them to a table off to the side that she’d reserved and set up for their family dinner.
Max pulled out her chair, and when he slid it in, he whispered, “Thank you,” in her ear.
Eaton was a robust, barrel-chested, aging man. Sure, he was intimidating, but she could sense that he didn’t mean to be, it was just how he presented.
Her nerves were in a titter as she watched him take in the surrounding lodge. Even the slightest glance made Lauren worry that they hadn’t sufficiently dusted, or the pine logs in the fire weren’t fragrant enough.
Max took her hand and gave it a squeeze of support.
“It’s been a while since I’ve been here.” Eaton scanned the dining room. “Not much has changed.”
She wondered if that was meant as a jibe.
He cleared his throat. “Sometimes, keeping things the same is important. One should feel comfortable in one’s skin,” he looked at Max, “In one’s home.”
Lauren smiled. “I’m so happy you could come to my home. To truly see its beauty and appreciate its intrinsic value.”
Eaton smiled. “I’ve always seen its value.”
He was very polite, almost too