by Parker, Ali
“You know I love spending time with them.”
“He’s all alone up there,” I told her.
“That had to make for a very nice weekend.”
“It did, but I meant, he’s all alone. He doesn’t have a family. He says he doesn’t mind. I do believe him when he says he’s at peace there. It’s hard not to be. The retreat is absolutely idyllic, but he’s alone.”
She looked thoughtful. “Does that make you want him more or less?”
I shrugged. “I don’t know. I invited him to spend Christmas with us.”
Her eyebrows raised. “You did?”
I nodded. “I did.”
“Cadence, that’s wonderful. I’m happy for you.”
“He shut me down,” I said, bursting her little bubble. “However, he did invite us, all of us, to spend Christmas at the retreat.”
She clapped a hand to her heart. “Oh, my goodness. That’s very generous.”
“We’re not going. I’m not going to crash his place. I think he was just being nice.”
“Why not? Will he have guests?”
“No, but—”
“Cadence, you just got done telling me the man was going to be alone. Are you really going to leave him up there all by himself? On Christmas?”
I shrugged. “He says he likes the quiet.”
She looked at me before nodding. “I think I’d like the chance to get away. I would love to see this place. The girls have talked about it nonstop this weekend.”
I wanted to go. I absolutely wanted to go. I was hoping she would tell me it was a horrible idea. I wanted her to talk me out of whatever it was that was happening between us. He was making me feel things I was afraid to feel. If she told me it was a horrible idea and would damage the girls, I wouldn’t go. I would be able to tell him no and not feel too badly about it. I would long for him, but I would be confident knowing I was doing the right thing.
“Mom, I don’t know if I want to go out of town for Christmas,” I said, trying to encourage her to give me that excuse I needed.
“Where are we going?” Hazel asked.
I whipped around, not realizing they had come into the kitchen. “What? Go? We’re not going anywhere.”
“You said you don’t want to go,” Hazel reminded me. “Where don’t you want to go?”
I looked at my mother, wondering if she had set me up. “Nowhere. You shouldn’t listen to people’s conversations.”
Hazel did not believe me. My mother smirked and looked at my daughter. “Your mother was just telling me she’d like to go out of town for Christmas.”
“Really?” Autumn asked. “Where?”
I was in it now. Maybe I had done it to myself. The very second I told them where we were considering going, they wouldn’t let up. Sure, I was the parent, but I was a human. I would not be able to stand up to their begging and pleading with me to go back.
I resigned myself to the situation. “How would you guys feel about going back to the retreat to stay a couple of days for Christmas?”
Hazel and Autumn both started jumping up and down, clapping their hands. “Yes!” they shouted in unison.
With that kind of reaction, there was no way I could change my mind. I just hoped Gabriel wouldn’t rescind his offer. It would crush the girls and then I would have to crush his beautiful balls.
I looked back at my mother, who was smiling with a satisfied look on her face. I turned back to face the girls. “Gabriel has invited us to stay a couple of days. Nanny too. We’ll have Christmas dinner there and stay one or two nights.”
I wanted to set the expectations fairly low, just in case. I knew I wasn’t giving Gabriel enough credit, but time and experience had taught me to be careful, especially where the girls’ hearts were concerned. I refused to let them be hurt by another insensitive man.
“Yeah!” they shouted in unison.
“We get to go see the birds again,” Hazel said with a smile.
“And go for another nature walk,” Autumn chimed in.
“I want to play games by the fire again,” Hazel added. “I’m going to take my book this time.”
“I guess that’s settled,” I said, looking at my mother. “I better call Gabriel and let him know. I really hope he knows what he is getting into.”
“I have a feeling he’ll be very happy with the news,” my mother said.
I couldn’t help but smile. “I think you’re right about that. He did seem to enjoy the girls when we were there. He’s a very social man. At least, I feel like he’s very outgoing. It’s hard to imagine him spending so much time alone.”
My mom shrugged a shoulder. “Maybe that’s why he is social. He craves human contact.”
“Are we going to have presents there?” Autumn asked.
“We might have a couple there,” I answered. “We’re celebrating Christmas as a family in a beautiful place. It’s going to be about being together and being in an enchanting place and less about gifts. We can have our gifts at home.”
She didn’t look convinced. “Will we have one present? It’s Christmas. We have to have presents.”
“We’ll see,” I said. “I think we’ll play games, drink hot chocolate, and maybe sing Christmas carols. Isn’t that a big enough gift?”
Both of the girls looked at me as if I was crazy. I wouldn’t say they were spoiled, but they had become accustomed to opening a stack of gifts on Christmas morning. I would have to get creative with that side of things.
“I think that sounds lovely,” my mom added, backing me up.
I smiled at the girls and shooed them out of the kitchen. “Grab your stuff. We need to get home.”
Once they were out of the kitchen, I turned back to my mother. She looked like the cat that ate the canary. She was happy to be fixing me up. “I am looking forward to meeting your man,” she said. “We’ll talk about the meal this week.”
“Gabriel wants to order in the sides. I told him you would insist on making a ham.”
“He can’t order in!” she said, aghast. “I’ll take care of dinner. It will be my way of thanking him for his generosity. I assume there is a kitchen?”
I nodded. “I didn’t actually see it, but he said there was. He also has a small kitchen in his cabin.”
“Great! This is going to be so much fun! I can’t wait to tell the girls at book club tonight. They are going to be so jealous.”
I smiled, happy to see her so happy. She deserved a little happiness. “I’m sure he’ll appreciate that. I’ll let him know. Thank you, Mom. For everything. I do appreciate you watching the girls.”
“You’re welcome. I want you to be happy. I know you say you don’t need a man to be happy but having someone to walk through life with is a treasure. If you find it, you can’t let it go.”
I shook my head. “You’re getting way ahead of yourself. It’s a meal together.”
“I think it’s more than that, but I promise, not a word.”
I rolled my eyes. “Liar. You’re not going to be able to stop prodding me for information or encouraging me to go after him.”
She burst into laughter. “I’m your mother. Of course, I will!”
I could see her excitement. I didn’t believe her excitement was solely about going to the resort. She wanted to meet the man. I was okay with that. I gave her a quick hug before ushering the girls out the door.
With the girls loaded in the car, we headed back to our place. The girls talked nonstop about the resort. I was happy they were so excited. I didn’t get to buy them fancy gifts or take them to Disneyland, which meant I didn’t often get to see them giddy. They were giddy now. Gabriel had no idea the gift he’d given me. I loved seeing them so happy. I was already thinking of the many ways I was going to thank him for being so kind.
“We’ll have to take marshmallows this time,” I told them. “And maybe hot dogs. Nothing beats a hot dog roasted over a fire.”
“Really?” Autumn asked with excitement. “We can have a campfir
e?”
“Not a campfire, but I think Gabriel will let us roast them over the fire in the fireplace. We’ll need to make a list of things to take.” I was talking more to myself than them. I was already making mental checklists of food, clothes, toys to keep the girls entertained and so on.
“Is he your boyfriend?” Hazel asked.
I nearly drove off the road. “What?”
“Do you like him?” she pressed.
“Why do you ask that?” I asked, feeling completely guilty.
“He seems to like you,” she said, sounding much older than her eight years. “He was smiling at you a lot. There’s a boy in my class that smiles at me. My friend told me he likes me.”
“We’re friends,” I answered truthfully.
“I like him,” Autumn announced.
“Me too,” Hazel agreed.
I couldn’t wait to call him later. I promised him I would before I left. I spent the next several hours cleaning the house and making sure the girls got their homework done. I let them have their TV time while I used my laptop to do a little holiday shopping. I had a special gift in mind for a very special someone.
I waited to call him until after the girls were tucked into bed. I had a feeling they were going to fall asleep thinking about their upcoming vacation. I knew I would be. I crept into my bedroom, closing the door to keep the girls from overhearing, and made the call I’d been dying to make all day.
“Hi there,” I said when he picked up the phone.
“Hey yourself. I was just thinking about you.”
“Oh, what were you thinking?” I asked in a low voice.
His baritone laugh sent goosebumps over my skin. “I don’t think I can say it over the phone—might be illegal.”
I smiled. “Funny, I was having similar thoughts.”
“Did you talk to your mom and the girls?” he asked.
“I did. Everyone is thrilled with the idea of spending a few days up there. Are you sure you’re up for it? It will be anything but peaceful.”
“I’m ready. I’m thrilled. I can’t wait. I promise I will make sure it’s a special Christmas for them and you.”
I couldn’t help but smile. I knew he would. “I can’t wait.”
Chapter 21
Gabriel
I climbed down the ladder and took a step back. I couldn’t help but smile. The dining hall looked amazing. I didn’t want to pat myself on the back, but it looked good—like really good. Like it could be a great picture to add to my website for the retreat. I had gone the extra mile. Hell, I’d gone an extra ten miles to make sure it was perfect.
I moved the ladder out of the center of the room and looked at Leo, who’d been directing me from below. His help had made things move along much faster and saved me the trouble of climbing up and down the ladder a million times to make sure the row of lights was straight.
“Hit it,” I told him.
He grinned and flipped off the main lights before pushing the button to turn on the hundreds of twinkling lights strung from the open rafters. I walked over to turn on the lights for the massive tree Leo and I had personally chosen and cut down on the property. I wanted a massive tree. Unfortunately, after we had dragged it to the dining hall, I realized a big tree would not easily fit through a small door.
With a lot of cussing and grunting, we got it inside and set it up in front of the arched windows that overlooked the forest. We’d decorated it without really knowing what we were doing. It had been a blast. The alcohol we’d consumed while decorating probably made it a little more fun.
“Damn,” he said with reverence in his voice. “This is incredible. I’m tempted to stick around.”
I took a few steps back and nodded. “Perfect. It’s absolutely perfect. The inside matches the outside. I cannot wait for them to see it.”
I was in awe of the beauty. We had gone all out. I wanted to make Cadence and her family’s visit special. I had gone to Home Depot with the intention of picking up a few strands of lights but I’d come home with my truck loaded down with half the Christmas department. I justified the spending by telling myself I could use the decorations for years to come.
“This is pretty damn amazing,” Leo agreed. “We can use these lights for weddings and birthday celebrations. We should have done this years ago.”
“I agree. I’m not so sure I want to expand the dining hall. It’s got a special charm.”
The dusting of snow outside the large windows in the dining hall made it look like something out of a Thomas Kinkade painting. It was spectacular. I knew the girls were going to love it. I was excited to see their faces when I showed them into the dining hall. Even the biggest Grinch on the planet would be transformed into a Christmas lover after seeing our display.
“You really outdid yourself,” Leo said, coming to stand beside me. “This looks very professional.”
“Would you believe this is the first year I’ve ever put up a real tree?” I asked.
“Yes, I would believe it. Remember, I was the one trying to decorate the damn thing with you.”
“You can’t blame my inexperience. I think the whiskey sours you were forcing me to drink had a hand in my clumsiness.”
He chuckled. “Forced. Good story. Keep with that.”
I grinned. “That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.”
“I’m going to grab the camera. This has to go on the website. I have a feeling we’ll be booked for the next ten years with the way this looks. All that’s missing is a cute little family dressed in matching plaid.”
I chuckled. “I’ll make sure to get a picture of Hazel and Autumn roasting marshmallows over the fire. Cadence said it is all they’ve talked about. Don’t take a picture before I get those centerpieces on the tables.”
He groaned. “You sound like such a girl.”
“I worked hard on those things and watched the same instructional video at least a hundred times. You get the camera and I’ll get the centerpieces.”
“I’m happy to know you won’t be alone,” he said, his voice serious.
I grinned. “Me too. I’ve got enough food stuffed into the pantry to feed a small army and every snack under the moon. And plenty of wine, champagne, and a little rum to ward off the chill.”
“You’re only a little excited,” he said with a laugh.
I clapped my hands together, looking around the dining hall. “Just a little.”
“This is certainly over the top,” he commented. “I don’t think I ever had a Christmas quite like this. It’s like a real-life winter wonderland.”
“I want the girls to have a magical experience. I want them to see the beauty of Christmas and feel important and special. Cadence keeps telling me it isn’t about the gifts. She’s right. I want them to truly feel the magic of the season. I’m setting the mood.”
He laughed again. “You’re definitely setting something. They’re going to love it. I hate to be a party pooper, but I need to get to the airport. It’s going to be a madhouse.”
“I’ll take you,” I said.
“Thanks. My stuff is already in the car. Follow me to my house?”
“I’ll be right behind you.”
I turned off all the lights, plunging the dining hall into darkness with the cool, cloudy day outside. I took one last look around, wanting to make sure I took care of every detail. When I stepped outside the hall, the candy-cane lights lining the path on either side were shining bright. I had a projection light planted in the ground facing the wall of the dining hall that produced rotating snowflakes.
Leo was already gone after I got my coat from my cabin. I drove to his house, picked him up, and headed for town. I was going over all my plans and the decorations in my head. It had to be perfect. I knew it was a lot to ask Cadence to give up her usual family traditions to come to my retreat. I wanted to make sure it was perfect and she didn’t regret her decision.
“Did you get the presentation done?” Leo asked as I drove down the two-lane hi
ghway into town.
I shrugged. “I don’t know if it even matters. I think I need to focus my efforts on growing the retreat on my own.”
“The guy liked you,” he insisted. “You could do so much with an infusion of cash.”
“I’m at a point where I think I can take a loan from the bank. Not quite half a million, but I can get a loan and do some upgrades around the place. That will bring in more revenue. It will be a slow process, but I’ll get there.”
“Don’t give up,” he said sternly. “Give your best presentation and fight for that money. You do a lot of good for the wildlife. You have a reputation around the area for rehabbing wounded loons and other birds in an unofficial capacity. People know you and they know your work. I know they would love to see you be able to do more.”
I shrugged. “We’ll see. I’m not giving up, but I’m not making a wish list anymore.”
“Take Cadence and her kids,” he said.
“Take them where?” I asked, glancing over at him.
“To New York. You can pass them off as your family.”
“No!” I practically shouted. “I’m not going to scheme to get money, especially a donation. That isn’t cool.”
“Them demanding you be married with kids is not cool,” he retorted. “That’s archaic. There are plenty of single men and women who do just fine on their own. Not everyone needs to graduate high school and immediately walk down the aisle.”
I shook my head again. “I can’t do it. That’s shady as hell and I’m not shady.”
He scoffed. “You don’t have to necessarily introduce her as your wife. Maybe the appearance of her will be enough. Of course, if she had a shiny ring on her finger, it could help seal things up.”
“No way. I’m not going to ask her to do it either. She’d tell me to fuck off. I’m not going to ruin what I might have with her by lying and scheming.”
“You like her,” he stated.
“Duh, that’s a given.”
“Why don’t you talk to her about the situation?” he suggested. “If she likes you enough, she might offer to be your lady love for the day to help you out. It isn’t like anyone is going to get hurt by it. It’s one night of schmoozing. Once you get the money, you can tell them she left you. Hell, that might even get you more money.”
