Home for the Holidays

by Sara Richardson

  Together, she and Sassy marched back up the hill to the main house. Dahlia had to slow down as they approached, thanks to the altitude. Dr. Ike had obviously been right about her aunt’s health. The woman seemed to be in tip-top shape. She could hardly keep up with her. They walked around to the back door that led into the kitchen. Sassy opened it for her. “After you my dear.”

  “Thank y—” The second Dahlia stepped inside, she froze.

  Rose and Mags were seated at the table with two men. They had their backs to her, but her sisters were still in their pajamas, their hair all rumpled and looking out of sorts. There’s something she never thought she’d see. Rose didn’t usually leave her bedroom until every strand of that beautiful blond hair had been sprayed into place.

  “Dally, I’d like you to meet my friends.” Sassy slipped past her and nudged her around to the other side of the table. “Colt and Ike are two of the most eligible bachelors in—”

  “Ike?” She nearly tripped over a chair leg. Now that she’d come around the table, she had a clear view of his face. And why did her aunt feel the need to announce how eligible he was? Sassy had better not get any big ideas about setting them up…

  “Morning,” he said, cheerfully lifting his coffee mug in a toast. “Nice to see you again.”

  A few awkward seconds of silence passed before Dahlia mumbled a quick “good morning” back. She’d never been good with surprises. They set her off-balance. Especially surprises in the form of a good-looking man who seemed to wear his confidence as prominently as he wore that plaid vest. It bugged her that she’d noticed his good looks. She hadn’t noticed a man in that way since Jeff had walked out the door. In fact, she’d been set on never noticing another man’s good looks again, but with Ike that was nearly impossible.

  “Oh good.” Her aunt clapped her hands seeming delighted. “You two already know each other.”

  “We don’t know each other,” she rushed to explain. Hopefully she wasn’t blushing. “We sort of ran into each other on the road when I drove into town yesterday.” And he’d turned on that very pleasant grin.

  “She almost hit a moose,” Ike informed everyone. “And then she almost hit me,” he added, settling his gaze on hers.

  Dahlia looked away. “I didn’t almost hit you,” she corrected, holding her post behind the chair. “You came out of nowhere. And you were walking in the middle of the road.” She peeked over at him again, and yes, he was still staring at her. But that couldn’t be genuine interest in his eyes. Nope. No way. She’d fallen for gazes like that once before.

  His shrug didn’t dispute the accusation. “I wanted to make sure she didn’t hit Brutus.” He offered the explanation to the man her aunt had introduced as Colt, as though he would understand.

  The man nodded. “Sounds like Ike here saved you from a mess. Hitting a moose is no picnic, trust me. And Brutus is one big moose.”

  “He didn’t save me exactly.” She didn’t need a man to save her. She’d been on her own for over a year now. Dahlia slipped off her coat and hung it on the back of the chair. “I’m surprised to see you here.” Surely Ike wasn’t part of the reinforcements Sassy had mentioned. Why would her aunt’s doctor be helping at the inn?

  He set down his coffee mug. “We’re here for operation Christmas extravaganza.”

  “Ike lives at the inn too,” Sassy chimed in. “On the other side of the pond.”

  “You live here?” Well, he certainly hadn’t mentioned that when they’d met. It seemed like an important detail. Though she hadn’t exactly given him much time to say anything after he’d dug her car out of the snow…

  “He’s renting one of the cabins while he builds his beautiful new home outside of town,” her aunt explained. “It’s perfect, really. He’ll be available to pitch in day or night and do some of the heavy lifting as we get things ready.”

  Day or night. Wonderful. He would be around twenty-four/seven.

  “Happy to help.” Ike leaned back in his chair all casual and relaxed. Gazing at him now, Dahlia realized he wasn’t good-looking. He was downright gorgeous. Without the hat on his head, his thick dark hair offered the perfect frame for his playful eyes, which appeared a bit darker than hazel in this lighting. And now she was staring right back at him, which was probably what he wanted.

  “Colt here owns the hardware store. He’s real handy too,” Sassy said, tugging Dahlia’s attention away from Ike. “I figured we were going to need all the help we could get.” She sat down at the head of the table, leaving only one seat for Dahlia. The one right next to Ike.

  Great. Surprises were difficult enough but add an overly confident, handsome man who charmed with a simple smile, and she was guaranteed to fumble around in awkwardness while she did her best to appear unaffected. Well, she had to remain unaffected. She wasn’t interested anyway. Not in dating. Not in giving her heart away. How could she when it was still in pieces? Jeff chose to abandon her. She’d begged him to come back. She’d told him she would change. And he’d said right to her face that she wasn’t enough for him.

  Ike filled her mug with coffee for her and pushed the creamer in her direction as though it was the most natural thing in the world for him to be thoughtful.

  A softening rippled through her heart before she steeled it back up.

  “Thanks.” Dahlia purposely didn’t turn her head toward him. Instead, she added a splash of creamer to her coffee and tensed her shoulders against the desire to look at Ike.

  Her sisters didn’t seem to be faring any better than her. Currently, Rose was scooping fruit salad onto her plate with a glower while Magnolia chugged coffee.

  This should be a fun breakfast.

  At least if there was one thing Dahlia could do in the face of an uncomfortable situation, it was eat. She’d been up for quite a while, and her morning walk had left her famished. While she filled her plate with a cinnamon roll and a helping of egg casserole, Sassy officially called the meeting to order.

  “I’m thinking the best plan of action is to divide and conquer,” her aunt announced.

  “For sure,” Mags agreed through a yawn. “We’ll be a lot more efficient if we can each do what we’re good at.”

  “Exactly.” Sassy’s head bobbed in a definitive nod.

  “That sounds good to me.” Dahlia tore off a piece of her cinnamon roll and shoved it into her mouth. Still not looking at Ike…well maybe a peek.

  “You’re the boss,” he said to Sassy. “I’m willing to do whatever I can to help you after all you’ve done for me.”

  Okay, that was sweet.

  “You’re such doll,” Sassy said to Ike. “Not to worry. Everyone will get their fair share of work. Mags, I would like you to handle all the dessert preparations. We need a variety of festive cookies and your famous cupcakes as well.”

  “Sounds perfect.” Her sister seemed to light up at the prospect of spending the next few weeks in the kitchen.

  “Rose, you will be in charge of the decorations.” Their aunt handed her a small scrapbook. “Here’s what we’ve done in the past. It doesn’t have to be the same by any means, but we have to turn this place into a Christmas wonderland.”

  “Consider it done.” Rose focused on the pictures, not making eye contact with anyone. Especially not that man sitting across from her. Dahlia took the opportunity to study Colt. Unlike Ike, he didn’t seem intent on charming anyone. She wouldn’t call his expression a scowl, but it did seem closed off somehow.

  “Colt will be available to help with the outdoor decorations,” Sassy went on. “Hanging up lights and wreaths at your direction, of course.”

  This time her sister’s head snapped up fast. “Great,” Rose muttered, giving the man across from her a good, long glower.

  Yikes. Dahlia took another bite of cinnamon roll and washed it down with a swig of coffee. She must’ve missed something before she’d walked in.

  If Sassy picked up on Rose’s attitude, she didn’t let on. “And Dahlia you’ll work with Ike
to get this place cleaned up. I desperately need your organization skills. We can hire out the cleaning, but you and Ike will be overseeing it all, from the exterior to the interior.”

  Whoa. Hold on. Sassy was partnering her up with Ike?

  “Sounds like a plan.” Ike served up a wink along with his grin this time. “We’ll make a great team.”

  Would they? Dahlia couldn’t seem to speak. It shouldn’t be a big deal to work with him, but simply being around him gave her this unsettled, out-of-control feeling. Chalk it up to the fact that her confidence with men had taken a hit when her husband had decided she wasn’t enough for him anymore. She cleared her throat to gain control over her voice. “I can handle the cleaning on my own. I’m sure there’s something else Ike can help you with. Like you said, we should divide and conquer.”

  “Oh, trust me, sweetie.” Sassy waved her hand in the air, her red nails glittering. “We’re going to need at least two people on the cleanup crew.” She reached over to pat Ike’s hand. “You should see how nicely he’s fixed up the cabin he’s renting. He’s the perfect person to help you spruce this place up.”

  Before Dahlia could protest again, Sassy moved on. “I’ll be floating between all three of you, helping with everything I can. Oh, that reminds me.” She jumped up from the table and hurried to her purse, which sat on the counter near the stove. “I have a credit card for each of you, so you can purchase the supplies you’ll need. I’ve come up with a budget for supplies.” She handed out a paper and a credit card. “But you let me know if you need more. This is only a start.”

  Dahlia peeked at her paper. It might be enough to rent a dumpster…

  Ike leaned in and looked over her shoulder, bringing with him the scent of coffee and spice. “No problem. We’ve got this.”

  “Right,” she agreed, her voice shaky. The money wasn’t the problem at all. Years ago, she and Jeff had lived on a tight budget. She could make the funds stretch.

  The real problem was, she couldn’t seem to stop the telltale fluttering in her chest when Ike smiled at her like that.

  Chapter Eleven

  Magnolia

  So apparently you two have been holding out on me.” Mags lifted the mug to her lips, sipping the richest, most decadent salted caramel hot chocolate she had ever tasted.

  After the big breakfast meeting, she and her sisters had decided to take a trip downtown to start compiling the supplies they would need. They simply couldn’t walk by Grumpy’s coffee shop without stopping in. The man had served them himself. Even back when they were young, Grumpy had looked ancient with silvery white hair and thick woolly eyebrows, but he still had a quick smile and, aside from the slight arthritic hunch to his shoulders, he hadn’t seemed to change.

  “Do tell…” Mags licked remnants of Grumpy’s homemade whipped cream off her lips. “There are likely only two hunky men in a town this size and you each know one of them already?” she teased.

  “Hunky?” A testy grunt accompanied Rose’s hearty eye roll. “Colt is not a hunk. He’s surly and brutish and…well, he’s flat-out rude.”

  “He didn’t seem so bad to me.” During breakfast, Colt hadn’t said much, but to her he seemed to be one of those strong silent types. When Rose had made up her mind, however, she typically wouldn’t be swayed, so Mags turned her attention to Dahlia, who was overly focused on sipping her skinny, sugar-free, coconut milk vanilla latte. Grumpy almost had a conniption when she’d ordered that instead of his hot chocolate. “You failed to mention that the man you met on the road yesterday bears a slight resemblance to one of those firefighters on the charity calendars I sent you two for Christmas last year.”

  “He’s not that good-looking,” Dahlia said, tracing the rim of her mug with her finger. “And anyway, I hadn’t noticed his looks. I was too busy trying not to run him over and then I was too busy trying not get trampled by a moose. The man’s looks weren’t at the top of my mind.” Dahlia had put her mask on…the one that hid her emotions. Mags had never mastered the mask, but Dahlia had it down by the age of ten. Maybe it was because she’d been the oldest, the one who always had to be responsible.

  “Well, not only is Ike good-looking, in case you didn’t notice…” Mags wanted to laugh. Dally had to have noticed. “He’s also friendly and fun.” He had a lightheartedness that made it seem like he didn’t take things too seriously. If you asked Mags, her sister could use a little more lightheartedness in her life.

  “Sure. He’s nice.” Dahlia delivered the words in a robotic fashion.

  Rose glanced at Mags with a wicked grin. Uh-oh…

  “Have you been dating anyone?” Rose asked with a raise of her waxed eyebrows.

  “Ha. Very funny.” Dahlia’s stern glare got her sarcasm across. “When would I possibly have time to date anyone? I have two children. Well, three if you count my ex-husband.”

  Mags cracked up. “Good point.” Not a phone call went by where Dahlia didn’t mention she had to do something for Jeff. Jeff needs me to pick up the kids early. Jeff couldn’t take the kids this weekend. Even after divorcing her, Jeff sure relied on Dahlia an awful lot.

  Rose leaned closer to their sister. “Well maybe you should do something for yourself,” she whispered slyly. “Sassy made sure to mention Ike is single. And I’ve seen the way he looks at you. He didn’t fill up my coffee mug for me, honey. And anyway, you shouldn’t have to worry about Jeff anymore. You’re divorced. He needs to figure it out all by himself.”

  Mags was about to agree but the sadness filling Dally’s eyes stopped her. “I don’t care about dating. You two couldn’t possibly understand the responsibilities that go along with having children. They’re the most important thing in the world to me. I don’t need anything or anyone else.”

  The words grated against that raw landscape of Mags’s heart, the area that bore the marks of miscarriages and lost dreams. She flinched against the pain, holding her breath, gagging back the automatic sob that rose in her throat. She did know. She knew that a baby would be the most important thing in the world to her, too. If she could ever have one…

  “All I’m saying is that your kids are growing up.” Rose’s tone gentled. “They’re not babies anymore, honey. They’re going to start finding their own lives, and you deserve to have a life, too. You deserve someone who’ll take care of you the way you take care of everyone else.” Rose looked at Mags for confirmation, but the tears had started to build. They were about two seconds from spilling over, and she didn’t want to do this now. Not here in public.

  “Excuse me.” Mags pushed back from the table and wobbled her way across the café and into the small, two-stall bathroom. Bracing her hands against the tile countertop, she let her head drop, let the tears come. It was too hard to hold them off when the grief caught her by surprise like that.

  The door creaked behind her. “Mags?” Dahlia sounded panicked. “Are you okay?”

  “Oh my God.” Rose rushed in and put an arm around her. “Are you crying?” She didn’t wait for an answer. “What is it? What’s wrong?”

  “I’m sorry.” One minute she and Rose had been teasing Dally and the next she was having a breakdown in the bathroom. She was so tired of being on this emotional roller coaster. For a long time, she’d blamed the tears on the IVF drugs that constantly messed with her hormones, but even after a few months of being off them, she still couldn’t control her emotions. She couldn’t hide the pain the way everyone else seemed to. “We should go. We still have a lot of shopping to do.” She lifted her head and swiped a Kleenex from the box on the counter. She couldn’t unload all of her problems on her sisters in a bathroom of all places.

  “No.” Rose moved to block the door. “We’re not leaving this bathroom until you tell us what’s going on.”

  “We’ve got all day,” Dally added, moving in shoulder to shoulder with Rose. “So, spill it sister.”

  Mags closed her eyes. She didn’t even know where to start. The infertility, the miscarriages had been her se
cret for so long. She’d guarded it closely. It had been too difficult to talk about, especially on the sporadic phone calls with her sisters. “Eric and I can’t have a baby.” That was the truth of it. No matter what they did, no matter how many treatments, how many supplements, how many relaxation and positive vibe techniques they’d tried, they couldn’t. And every time it had failed, she’d felt like it was her fault. That she’d missed something. She hadn’t done everything right…

  “Oh, honey.” Dahlia’s eyes filled with tears, too. She rushed over and wrapped her arms around Mags. “I’m so sorry. So, so, so sorry. I didn’t know. I never would’ve said that if I’d known.”

  “I know you wouldn’t have.” Magnolia’s throat ached from crying. “You couldn’t have known. It’s okay.” She shouldn’t be falling apart over one statement, but she’d been holding it together for such a long time it was like her heart had finally cracked. Now the tears wouldn’t stop.

  Rose left her post at the door and laid her hands on Mags’s shoulders. “There must be something that will work. I know it’s harder for some people, but there are so many options these days—”

  “We’ve tried them.” Mags cut her off before Rose could go into her problem-solving mode. “We’ve tried everything. Every option. We’ve lost three babies. Had four failed fertility treatments.” The crushing weight of it bore down on her heart again.

  “Why haven’t you said anything?” Dahlia stroked her hair, tears freely streaming down her cheeks now. “My God, Mags. You didn’t have to go through that by yourself.”

  “What does Eric say?” Even the unshakable Rose had gotten choked up.

  Mags sank back against the counter. She was so tired. “He said he’s done trying. That it’s not worth it. All the money we’ve spent.” All the months they’d planned out their sexual encounters like they were business meetings. “He said he doesn’t care if we ever have children.”