Christmas in Pine Island: A small town holiday romance

by Christina Benjamin

  Taking Chloe’s hand, I lead her out of our suite and toward the staircase. Behind us, I spot Morgan and Eric in the hall. The two lovebirds are certainly taking their time. They’re leaning against their door, whispering in one another’s ears.

  I smirk to myself remembering the honeymoon stage Chloe and I shared. We couldn’t get enough of each other. But anyone can have that kind of physical attraction. It’s finding common ground and important things to share with your significant other that really matter later.

  I'm lucky enough to have truly found my partner in Chloe.

  Her fingers intertwine with mine as we make our way downstairs. Her movements are elegant and smooth. I admire the way her dark hair tumbles over her shoulders. She’s so beautiful without even trying. Sometimes, when I look at her, I’m just . . . speechless.

  My heart squeezes painfully with the love I feel for her. It’s bittersweet, this unyielding affection I have for her. Because as much as I love her, I’m equally scared I’m going to lose her.

  I know it’s irrational to think that way. What happened with Vivian was a devastating accident. It’s not likely Chloe will get swept away by a storm, but I can’t seem to push the worry from my mind that something else might swoop in and steal away the overwhelming joy she brings to my life.

  As if she can sense my worry, Chloe glances my way, her lips pulling into a frown. “What’s wrong?”

  I shake my head, giving her hand a squeeze rather than telling her what’s on my mind. Even if I could find the words, this isn’t the time or the place. I can hear Morgan and Eric a few paces behind us, and already Co-Co’s enthusiastic voice is ringing through the lobby as she greets us.

  Once we’re all together, Co-Co addresses the group. “Okay, are you ready for your first adventure?”

  Ryan cheers even though he doesn’t know what we’re doing yet, but I have to admit, the exuberant hostess’s enthusiasm is contagious.

  “Snowmobiling!” Co-Co announces.

  “And you’re coming along with us, right?” Ethan adds, playfully throwing his arm around Co-Co.

  The hazel-eyed woman nods. “Yes, of course. I mean, I kind of want to stay here and bake cookies with the girls and the kids, which is the other option, by the way,” she adds. “But I’ll be going with the snowmobile group in case anyone needs a nurse.” She flashes a spirited grin at her fiancé.

  “Wait, really?” Jake asks, worriedly, his arm suddenly hooking around Stacy, pulling her closer. “Do you usually need medical assistance on these kinds of trips?”

  “No, but you can never be too prepared,” Co-Co replies.

  “Count me in,” Eric announces.

  “Me too,” Owen says.

  “I’m out,” Stacy says, her eyes looking a bit larger than usual.

  “Me too,” Margot adds.

  With Stacy being pregnant, it’s a no-brainer that she’ll be skipping the extreme winter sport to stay behind and make cookies with the kids. I’m guessing so will my Chloe. Like me, she tends to enjoy the finer things in life, which are normally indoors. But Jake . . . I’d automatically assumed the athlete of our group would jump at the chance to race through the wintery wilderness on a snowmobile.

  Morgan laughs. “Don’t worry, Stacy! I'm going with the boys, so I’ll be keeping a close eye on them.” She sets her hands on her hips, grinning at the guys. “Or should I say they’ll be keeping an eye on me, since they’ll be eating my dust?”

  Eric laughs. “Oh, it’s on!” His eyes swivel to me. “What do you say, Donovan? Chloe? You guys in?”

  I look at my beautiful fiancée, but she’s already shaking her head. “I think I’m in the mood for cookies,” Chloe says.

  I squeeze her hand, to let her know that’s perfectly okay, but add softly, “I think I’m in the mood for some wilderness.”

  Chloe balks in surprise. “Really?”

  “We’ll get to see a lot of the grounds while on this snowmobile tour, right?” I ask interestedly.

  I’ve been studying the map of the place on one of the lodge’s pamphlets since we arrived. I'm eager to see if the land has been appropriately utilized. I mean, with a plot this big, they could host even more people if they expanded a bit.

  “Yep!” Ethan confirms, though he gives me a look that tells me he’s on to me.

  “Then count me in,” I say.

  Morgan throws one fist up into the air. “Then let’s ride!”

  Jake Eckhart

  Stacy’s arm tightens around mine for a moment as everyone else starts discussing how fast the snowmobiles go.

  “I can stay here with you,” I murmur into her ear, gently pulling her against me. Instinctively, she nestles closer against my side. “I don’t want you to worry about me while I'm out with everyone.”

  Honestly, the last thing I want is to leave my pregnant fiancée. Even though riding a snowmobile as fast as I can down one of these snowy, beautiful hills sounds super enticing, I don’t want Stacy out of my sight. I love her so fiercely it physically pains me to be away from her. My sole purpose in life is to make sure she’s safe and comfortable at all times.

  Stacy tips her head up and gently wraps her arms around me. Her fingers dance over my side, feeling my muscles through a long sleeve shirt that clings to my rugged form. After a moment, she shakes her head, a small smile forming on her sweet mouth.

  “No, it’s okay. Since I can’t ride one of the snowmobiles and Ryan is still too small, you have to go out and experience this winter wonderland for the both of us.”

  “Are you sure?”

  She nods. “You know I can’t pass up an opportunity to bake. Ryan and I will save you some cookies. Plus, I'm looking forward to bonding with Margot a little. I’m hoping she can help ease some of my new mom fears.”

  “Fears?” I ask, but Ryan interrupts before Stacy can answer.

  “I don’t want to stay here!” He’s gotten a little flustered about not being old enough to ride the snowmobiles. His outburst is heading towards full-blow meltdown stage when Margot steps in with a suggestion.

  “Ava and Darcy are staying here,” she says. “They’re going to help bake cookies so Santa is sure to stop here in the morning.”

  I sigh with relief when the woman’s bribe works. I mouth a silent ‘thank you’, to Margot and let her lead Ryan away to play with Ava and Darcy once she’d calmed down.

  I turn my attention back to Stacy, smoothing my hand down her back, relishing the curves of her body that I’d already memorized long ago. “Sweetheart,” I say, softly. “I really don’t mind staying back with you and Ryan . . .”

  Everyone else is starting to walk toward the door of the lodge. It’s now or never.

  I know I’ve been a little extra overprotective since I found out about Stacy’s pregnancy, but I just don’t want to miss any part of it. It’s already going by so quickly. It scares me at times, how fragile and brief the time we have in this world is.

  Then again, I also know there will be fewer chances of bad things happening here. Ethan has assured me that the lodge is private and safe. And I’ve seen that for myself in the short time we’ve been here.

  “This is what we came here for, Jake,” Stacy says in a gentle but firm tone. “Remember what you said before we left? That there won’t be as many opportunities to be spontaneous once our baby is here? This is one of those opportunities, and I think you should seize it.”

  A little taste of adventure would be fun . . .

  I make up my mind and nod, stepping away from her just enough to slip my jacket on. I drag a warm knit hat over my brown hair, tugging it down to cover my ears.

  I bend down and pull Stacy in for one more kiss. “You’re right, sweetheart. I’m gonna go have some fun while I can, especially since this is just the first of many kids for us.”

  She gulps, eyes rounding slightly as her voice drops to a whisper. “Wait, what? Exactly how many kids do you think I'm going to pop out, Jake?”

  A laugh rumbles through
me. I pull her against me one last time, bending all the way down to kiss the top of her head. “Well, we need enough to field a football team, right?” I kiss her cheek. “I’ll be back soon. Don’t forget to save me some cookies!”

  She just nods, her cheeks glowing as I head out through the door.

  “Look who’s managed to separate himself from his better half!” Eric teases as I join everyone by the snowmobiles.

  I grin at him, eyes glinting. “That’s funny coming from the guy who’s going to end up sharing a snowmobile with his better half.”

  “Not a chance!” Morgan yells as she leaps onto one of the nearby snowmobiles. “I'm riding solo this afternoon. You guys can eat my snow!”

  Eric King

  Like a pack of swift snow foxes, the snowmobiles race over the frosted fields. Wakes of snow are left behind us as we weave through the trees. They tower over us like silent watchmen wearing coats of snow. My head fills with lyrics and my heart feels wild and free. Every icy breath I take is scented with pine. It’s as exhilarating as it is soothing.

  This little adventure started out simple enough. Donovan begged for a tour of the tree farm’s perimeter, but only about fifteen minutes passed before Jake, Morgan and I started smack talking with Ethan and Owen about which of us could ride faster. Only a few seconds after that, the five of us took off while Co-Co shouted at us not to break any bones.

  Now, I'm at the front of the pack, speeding along as fast as this snowmobile will take me. Ethan and Owen are only a hair’s distance behind. I can tell they’re close because I can hear them laughing over the cold breeze whipping past me. The rest of the pack is behind us just trying to keep up.

  “I told you, you can’t keep up with me!” I holler as loud as I can before letting out a war cry that scares a few birds from the surrounding trees. “I'm Easy E! Fast as can be!”

  “How long did it take you to come up with that one?” Owen calls right back.

  I let out a loud laugh, shaking my head as I throttle the snowmobile a little faster. The trees we designated as the finish line swerve into view. Victory is so close I can almost taste it.

  “Go, Ethan, go!” calls Co-Co from somewhere near the back. She’s driving far more carefully than the rest of us, which is probably the wise decision.

  “Don’t count me out!” Morgan yells as she guns it until she’s almost caught up to me.

  “You’re all a bunch of show-offs!” Donovan hollers.

  He’s lagging behind with Co-Co despite his best efforts. His voice is strained with effort as he tries to speed his snowmobile along.

  Though I know Donovan only wanted to check out the lay of the land, probably scoping out a potential pitch, I also know how competitive my best friend is. Losing kills him. I know he’d never throw a race. He’s trying so hard to keep up with us he probably hasn’t been able to get a good look at the property at all.

  I guess he’s just not as good as he used to be when it comes to horsing around. The guy needs to hang up the suit more often and have a little fun.

  “Victory is all mine, baby!” I bellow, throwing up one victorious arm as the distance between my snowmobile and the finish line closes.

  At the last second, another snowmobile blows straight past mine, launching over the finish line just ahead of me. I skid to a stop behind the victor, jaw dropping in shock.

  “What in the world?” I gasp.

  The driver pulls off their helmet, revealing long blonde locks.

  Morgan smirks at me before tossing her hair over her shoulder. “I told you not to count me out,” she says with a confident wink that makes me fall in love with her all over again.

  “Never,” I say, rushing over to sweep her off her feet. “We’re the dream team,” I announce, hoisting Morgan into the air as everyone else pulls up on their snowmobiles. Even Donovan makes it . . . eventually. “First and second place, take that!”

  Laughing, we all stretch our limbs and head over to a small clearing. There, we settle down on overturned logs to drink from thermoses of hot cocoa and eat the snacks that Co-Co packed. Out here in the snowy wilderness, our hearts still racing, hot cocoa warming us . . . it’s like we’re kids again.

  I can almost tap into that Christmas excitement I last felt when I was very, very young.

  “What can you tell us about the tree farm?” Donovan asks, biting into his peanut butter and jelly sandwich. I smirk at the surprised face he makes, probably stunned by the taste.

  “Haven’t had one of those in while, huh?” I ask, nodding to the sandwich.

  Donovan shakes his head, but there’s a brightness to his keen blue eyes that I haven’t seen in a while as he turns his attention to Ethan, Owen, and Co-Co with interest.

  I bite back a groan, exchanging a knowing look with Jake. Donovan might have a genius mind when it comes to business, but that guy seriously does not know how to relax for a second.

  “Well, it’s been passed down in the Price family for generations,” Co-Co explains happily. She pauses to take a sip of hot cocoa and gazes fondly around. “It means the world to me. Everything I see here reminds me of how much I adore my family and how hard we’ve all worked to come as far as we have.”

  “What do you mean?” Donovan asks.

  “Well, I guess it’s not until we almost lost it that I truly appreciated the importance of this place.”

  “Chloe’s dad got sick this year,” Ethan explained.

  “I’m sorry,” we all murmur.

  “It’s okay,” she says. “He’s doing much better now. And since Ethan and I were able to step up to help take over the reins, my parents don’t have to consider parceling off the land to the highest bidder.”

  Morgan gasps. “You can’t sell this place!”

  Co-Co smiles. “Don’t worry. If people like you keep coming here, we won’t have to.”

  I find myself speaking up, my voice lacking its usual lightness. “Seriously, though. Don’t ever sell this place. Come to me before it comes to that. This place is truly something special. It’s more than a vacation.”

  Co-Co looks a bit shocked by my conviction, but she offers me a kind smile. “Thanks, Eric. That means a lot.”

  “No, thank you,” I say. “This place . . . It’s the living, breathing spirit of Christmas. A place to make memories that will last a lifetime. I didn’t have a good childhood and because of it, my adult life was more of a struggle than it had to be. I’ve been studying all the beautiful family photographs you have around the lodge. The smiles on the faces of your family, your guests . . .” I pause trying to collect my thoughts. “What you give to each and every person who walks through your door . . . It’s priceless. Places like this . . . they can make all the difference by showing people what real family should be like, what they can one day have if they only believe in it.”

  Everyone’s quiet for a moment, digesting my words. Morgan snuggles closer, tightening her arms around me.

  “Sorry,” I mumble. “I didn’t mean to bring you all down.”

  “You didn’t,” Co-Co says. “I just don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone capture the essence of this place so eloquently before.”

  “Well, he is a rockstar,” Donovan teases, instantly lightening the mood.

  I grin gratefully back at my best friend. If there’s anyone here who knows why this place means so much to me, it’s him. “Cheers to that!” I say, lifting my thermos.

  Everyone raises their own canisters filled with hot cocoa as laughter rises in the air again and we fall back into easy conversation. As I look around, I see no difference between my crew of pals and these new ones that we’ve made. We all fit together like puzzle pieces. I’m suddenly really glad we did this . . . took this chance to come out here.

  Not only are we making memories with our best friends. I have a hunch we might have just made some new friends, too.

  Margot Price

  In front of the fireplace, Ryan and Ava take turns flipping through some of the Christmas story
books we laid out in the lobby. Ava, who isn’t a great reader yet, makes up most of the stories while Ryan throws himself full-heartedly into performing each character’s voice. His Scrooge is deep and raspy, for a seven-year-old, and his Rudolph is high-pitched and sweet. Ava is loving every second of it, constantly collapsing into a fit of giggles.

  “It’s like those two have known each other all their lives,” Stacy says as she slides up to the counter, sipping on apple cider. “Isn’t it adorable?”

  “More than adorable,” I gush, happily.

  Chloe Martin swirls her spoon in her hot cocoa, lifting it up eventually to steal a mouthful of whipped cream from the top of the warm beverage. She slips the fluffy, white goodness between her lips as her gaze shifts between her friend and me. She still seems rather sad but making cookies has helped. I mean, how could it not?

  “Motherhood must be so exciting,” she offers, hesitantly mustering up a smile. “It’s like a brand new chapter in your life.”

  While I nod, Stacy clears her throat. “How did you know you were ready to start your family?”

  I laugh. “Oh we weren’t ready at all. Ava was a big surprise, but honestly, it’s the best thing that’s ever happened to us. It really made Owen and I take stock of what was most important in our lives.”

  Stacy nods. “And you both still live in the city?”

  “Yes, we’re in Manhattan.”

  “Us too,” Chloe beams.

  “What was that like?” Stacy asks. “Living in the city with a baby?”

  “It’s actually easier than you might think. There are so many great kid-friendly things to do in the city, great childcare and tons of parent groups. It’s really very convenient.”

  I watch the petite brunette’s shoulders sag with relief. If I didn’t know better, I’d think she was making more than just polite conversation. Could she and the Hartbreak Kid be thinking about having kids?

  The idea fills me with overwhelming joy. I feel my emotions bubbling to the surface suddenly and find I have to wipe my eyes.