Love at Christmas Inn Collection 2 Read online

  “Yes, sir.” She nodded vigorously. “I promise.”

  “Okay, then…”

  She scampered off. Riley turned to Hope. “The rink must be part of the inn’s new renovations. I had no idea it was even here, let alone open for the season. Did you?”

  “Of course not.” She shook her head slowly as tears stung her eyes. “At least not until yesterday afternoon when we returned to the inn after our walk to the chapel, and Ari Christmas had a package waiting at the lobby desk for me.”

  “Yes, I heard her tell you it had arrived the day before, and she’d forgotten to give it to you. What was in it?”

  Hope shrugged as the tears spilled over. “Something my grandparents thought I should have with me during my stay here.”

  “Oh, your grandparents…are they okay?”

  “They’re fine. They just thought I should have…” Her voice cracked. “My figure skates. But I don’t want them here. I don’t. Not when I’m trying so hard to forget all I’ve lost.”

  Her denial was so strong it sounded fake, even to her. Confusion riddled her, because a voice in her head said she should never skate again, but her heart…it had not quite caught up with the program. How could she be both yearning and loathing something—or someone?

  Like Riley? He and skating seemed to be wrapped up together in a not-so-neat little Christmas bow. She wanted to trust him, longed to spill to him everything she was feeling and start new and fresh. But she just couldn’t bring herself to do it.

  He’d burned her once, and she didn’t plan to go for twice.

  “Maybe it’s time to stop trying to forget what you’ve lost, and instead work on remembering what you still have.” He reached for her hand. “Hope, I know you. And for you, skating is like breathing. So, denying yourself the joy of skating is akin to denying yourself oxygen.”

  She must sound like a whiny brat to him. She did have a lot to be thankful for. She knew that. But she just couldn’t refrain from a little complaining.

  “If you truly believe that, then why did you write that horrid article? Why did you take away everything I worked so hard for?”

  “It’s…complicated.”

  “Nothing is that complicated.”

  “I know you don’t understand, but I had good reason. I’ve seen things…know things. I was trying to protect you.”

  “Protect me? You ruined me!”

  “I’m sorry you feel that way, but you just have to trust me. It—”

  Just then his cell phone buzzed. He drew it from his pocket. “I’m sorry, it’s a text from Julia. She’s back at the cottage, resting.”

  “Is she all right?” Concern flooded Hope. Did Julia have something to do with this? Had whatever happened to her made Riley overly cautious…wary?

  “I think so. Just give me a minute.”

  Hope held her tongue long enough for him to scan the message.

  “She’s fine, just checking on Cassie and me.” He zipped back a quick reply. “That’s a relief.”

  “Oh, she’s not feeling well?”

  “Just a little run down. She decided to catch a little rest before tonight’s activities begin.” Riley took her hand in his. His fingers were warm and strong, and they chased the chill from hers. “Oh, Hope…were you so upset over receiving the skates that you didn’t come to dinner and karaoke, or any of the meals today?”

  “I didn’t feel like singing and…I wasn’t hungry.”

  As if on cue, her belly grumbled, branding her a fibber—at least partially. Sure, she’d lost her appetite, but the discovery that a skating rink sat on the property, complete with a cute little coffee and hot chocolate kiosk to help keep guests warm, was only partially responsible. The package from her grandparents had delivered the knockout blow.

  She was sure they hadn’t intended to send her into a funk, but that’s exactly what had happened when she’d removed the wrapper and found her figure skates inside along with a pair of earrings her mother had crafted of antique buttons for her before she’d passed away—a pair she hadn’t worn in ages. There was no note enclosed, since one wasn’t necessary. Having shared a home with them since her mother’s death the summer Hope had turned eight, she knew instinctively the point her grandparents were trying to make.

  Don’t live angry, Hope.

  Memories had flooded back, spiraling her into darkness. She’d taken to her bed, sobbing, until every angel holding sentinel about the room seemed to whisper that it was time for her to rouse herself, punch through the memories, and take a walk.

  So she had wrapped herself in the warmth of her wool scarf and long, down-filled coat, and slinked down the stairs to the lobby, where Ari Christmas and Lydia Forrester were so tangled up in a technical issue at the computer that she passed by undetected.

  She’d slipped past the dining room. There, she’d glimpsed her empty seat at the table where Riley, Cassie, and Julia sat enjoying a dinner that, despite its scrumptious aroma, held little appeal for her. It struck a chord that she missed Riley, and she couldn’t for the life of her fathom why. Yet, she almost turned into the room, torn between joining him and remaining engulfed in the darkness that had taken her prisoner.

  She’d ventured out into the late afternoon air and wandered down the walking trail, her lungs burning with each breath as she forced herself to place one foot in front of the other until it finally came into view—the skating rink.

  A quick look at the crisp, shimmering ice was all she could manage before she broke down, turned tail and headed back toward the inn. She collapsed onto a bench along the walking trail, near the pool house, and let loose everything she’d been holding so tightly inside. And, as she sat there crying, she wasn’t sure what had her so upset—the fact that she’d never competitively skate again, or the realization that somewhere along the way she’d lost the joy of skating, and herself, and longed to have both back again.

  “It’s going to be O.K., Hope.” Riley stroked hair back from her forehead. “You’ll feel better when you get something in your stomach. When’s the last time you ate?”

  “Not since I snatched an apple from the snack table in the dining room when we returned to the inn yesterday afternoon.” She was embarrassed to admit it. Had she really been so foolish to skip meals for more than twenty-four hours?

  “Come on, then. Let’s head back inside where it’s warm. Graham Forrester is holding a meal for you.”

  “For me? But dinner’s long over.”

  “It’s time you started to realize that people care about you for more than your skating talent, Hope.” He brushed a thumb tenderly along her jawline. “Yes, they care about you. I care about you.”

  “Me, too, Miss Hope.” Cassie scampered over from where she’d been peering into the windows of the pool house to climb on Hope’s lap. “I love you bunches.”

  She kissed Hope’s cheek.

  “Oh…” Hope pressed her cheek to Cassie’s soft curls. “Thank you for that. Thank you, sweetie.”

  And there they sat all together, listening to the night sounds as stars winked from overhead. Finally, Cassie stirred and shifted on her lap.

  “Do you think it’s time for the Christmas tree decorating party yet, Uncle Riley?”

  “Yes,” he murmured. “I think it’s just about time.”

  Chapter 7

  “WATCH ME, UNCLE RILEY!”

  Riley turned to see Cassie take a few choppy strokes on her borrowed ice skates before falling on her bottom and sliding across the ice. Unhurt, she giggled.

  “Keep trying, Sassy-girl,” he encouraged. “It takes lots of practice to make it all the way across the ice, but you can do it.”

  Cassie looked up at him, her blue eyes shining. “I wish Miss Hope was here to help me.”

  “She’ll get here eventually.” Though she’d been adamant that she’d never skate again, Riley knew in his heart Hope would return to the ice…eventually. In what capacity, he wasn’t sure. But, whatever she decided, he hoped her love of skati
ng would rejuvenate. “In the meantime, I’ll help you, pumpkin.”

  Cassie rolled her eyes. “But you keep falling, too.” Already a teenager in training. Yikes.

  “Keep trying, then. You’ll get it.”

  “We should have asked Miss Hope to come with us,” Cassie pouted. “I don’t understand why you wouldn’t let me invite her.”

  “Because it’s not nice to force people to do something just because we know it’s best for them,” Julia chimed in from the bench where she sat, sipping hot chocolate. “Hope will come to the rink when she’s ready.”

  Riley was having a hard enough time skating on his own. Cassie was right—he deserved the eye roll. He had no idea how Hope had developed such talent, even with all the hours of practice she had logged over the years. Mastering the blades was downright difficult.

  Which circled back around to the fact that Hope now refused to enjoy the talent she’d worked so hard to cultivate. It was sort of like growing a garden just to watch it wilt. Riley couldn’t help but feel a little to blame.

  He’d made the mistake of asking her why she didn’t just switch gears and compete in the singles competition, since skating doubles was no longer an option, at least for the time being. She’d nearly bitten his head off.

  “That just shows how little you know about the figure skating world. The two are totally different. Even if I could skate single, I’d have to climb the ranks and requalify all over again. That could take years. Look at me, Riley, I’m ancient. I don’t have years left to run a new skating gauntlet.”

  He’d laughed in spite of himself. Ancient? He was looking at her, all right, and all he saw was a subdued but graceful beauty. Without all the stage make-up required for competitions, he found her even more attractive. He couldn’t help himself—he was impossibly drawn to her.

  “Hold my hand, Uncle Riley, so you don’t fall.” Cassie waddled up to him, peering up with such innocence and eagerness he thought he might melt despite the chilly breeze. He smiled and took her hand. “Let’s keep trying to skate together—at least until Miss Hope shows up. She’s going to. The angels told me so.”

  Hope paused at the ridge overlooking the skating rink. Laughter rang out, warming her against the just-this-side-of-frigid December breeze as she watched Riley and Cassie take turns falling while they attempted to circle the ice together. With Cassie’s small mitten-clad hand in his, Riley looked like a natural. Hope imagined him a father, gently guiding a child of his own. The thought made her ache in a way she’d never felt before.

  One day he’d be another woman’s husband, with children of his own. And she’d be…well, she just wasn’t sure. But she suddenly felt lonely at the thought of her and Riley heading back to Chicago…back to their separate lives.

  She stood mesmerized, considering her options. She could turn back to the inn and close the door to her future, for good. Or she could take one step forward and see where it might lead.

  Don’t live angry, Hope.

  The laughter spurred her on. At their slow rate of speed, Riley and Cassie’s sporadic tumbles seemed more of a nuisance than a danger, and their good-natured merriment was proof of the fun they were having.

  Fun she was missing out on.

  Hope hurried down the walk, crossing by the pool house before the rink opened up to its full splendor before her. The air was scented with freshly brewed coffee and she purchased a cup before heading over to the bench where Julia was seated.

  “Mind if I join you?” she asked.

  “Not at all.” Julia scooted aside and patted the space that had opened up beside her. “It’s so good to see you again.”

  Hope chuckled. “It’s only been an hour since we sat together at breakfast.”

  “Even so…” Julia sipped from the contents of her cup. From the rich, cocoa scent Hope pegged it as hot chocolate. “I enjoy spending time with you. For the record, Riley and Cassie do, too. Cassie has insisted all morning that you would show up.”

  “How did she know, when even I didn’t?”

  “She said the angels told her.”

  Hope thought of the ethereal figures keeping watch in her room. Could they possibly…?

  She shook her head to clear it, and turned her attention once again to the rink.

  “They look like they’re having fun.” Hope motioned toward the ice, where Cassie was doing her best to help Riley remain upright.

  “It’s a hoot to watch. Riley’s a trooper, though. He’s probably covered in bruises, his toes screaming in the too-small skates, but you’d never know.”

  Hope sipped her coffee. “Think he can use some help?”

  “Yes, but I’m…” She motioned to her legs. “Not really any help—at least not in the skating department.”

  “Do you mind me asking…?” Hope glanced at the cane that seemed to be Julia’s faithful companion.

  “What happened to me? No, I don’t mind at all. I was in a car accident last summer, heading to a work-related picnic. My husband was driving, and he lost control of the car as we were exiting the interstate.”

  “Oh, I’m terribly sorry. Is that—?”

  “Yes, the accident is what killed Ron. It almost took my life, as well. Thankfully, Cassie was spending the afternoon with Riley, so she was spared.”

  “I’m so sorry.”

  “I am, too.” She sat back, her go-cup nestled between both hands to warm them. “You see, I’m the reason why Riley investigated the story on your skating partner to such lengths. That wasn’t his initial intention, but when his research revealed the addiction and the danger it brought to you…well, the story shifted.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “You see, like your skating partner, Ron had undergone surgery several months before the accident.”

  “Oh, yes, Warren had knee surgery.”

  “Ron’s was to repair damage to his spine. Anyway, the pain was so unbearable, he was prescribed painkillers to take the edge off. They helped at first, and made things better. But soon enough he couldn’t function without them. It became a habit he couldn’t seem to break. I urged him to seek help, because I saw what he couldn’t grasp. He was headed to a bad place…down a dark hole…and he was taking Cassie and me with him. The day of the picnic was especially difficult, and unbeknownst to me, he doubled up on his dose. The rest, well…” She motioned to her legs. “Nerve damage. I’m in physical therapy, but it’s going to take some time to make the full recovery the doctors continue to tell me is within reach. Sometimes the pain is tough, but I refuse to give into it, for Cassie’s sake…and for mine.”

  “I had no idea.”

  “Riley saw first-hand how quickly an addiction can form, and how much damage it can bring. When he got wind that your skating partner was battling a problem, he had a tough decision to make, and he did what he thought was best for everyone involved—especially you.” She shook her head. “Riley’s a good guy, but I don’t have to tell you that. I think you already know, somewhere deep down inside.”

  “I do.” She nodded vigorously, because the words were true. “So the story…”

  “It may have begun as just a story, but in the end it was all about you, Hope. Your safety, your welfare. You.” She drained her go-cup. “Have you ever walked along the beach following a big storm?”

  “No. Why?”

  “You should do that sometime, because it’s then that the most beautiful treasures wash ashore. Sometimes it takes a storm to reveal the treasure.” She reached for her cane. “Now that you know the truth, what are you going to do with it?”

  Chapter 8

  HOPE STARTED OUT EARLY THE next morning. What a wonderful gift she received in watching the sun crest over the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains just beyond Christmas Inn. Hints of orange and cheerful, rosy pinks slid liked melted sherbet across the sky until a burst of color spilled over, bringing forth a new day.

  And a new beginning, Hope marveled as she plopped into a rink-side bench and nudged her fee
t into her figure skates. As she carefully laced each boot, she felt as if she was reunited with an old, treasured friend. She tugged at her earlobes, checking that the earrings her mother had fashioned for her on a long-ago day were still safely in place. She smiled as her fingers stroked the pretty porcelain buttons, remembering how she’d worn them the first time she’d ever gone skating.

  The ice waited, beautifully crisp and smooth from last night’s grooming. She’d be the first to glide onto it today. Everyone else was still sound asleep in their beds at the inn. Well, everyone except Ari Christmas, who’d smiled at her from the lobby desk as she’d passed by with her skates in her hands, and Graham Forrester, who was busy preparing a hearty breakfast. He’d met her as she passed by the dining room and had graciously handed her a go-bag with a specially-prepared breakfast sandwich, as if he’d expected her to come by seeking fuel for her pre-dawn excursion.

  She’d spent less than a week at the inn and already Hope felt like a member of the Christmas family. Lovely, how that could happen with such ease. Now, as she headed toward the ice, she thought it might be nice to extend her stay in the angel guest suite for an extra day or two. The thought of leaving these beautiful grounds and all they offered caused an odd sort of melancholy deep in her chest.

  That offering included Riley. What fun they’d had at the Brewster Family Theater last night, watching the holiday show starring Emilee and Jason Taylor. The short trip into downtown Hope Creek had been Riley’s idea, and she was so glad she’d accepted his gracious invitation. Emilee and Jason made a delightful pair as they ran through their entertaining repertoire of holiday songs, and she was sorry she’d missed them at the inn on karaoke night.

  Hope had made a promise to herself that she’d miss out on no more of the fun. It was time to let go of the past and embrace the future with all its possibilities.

  Including Riley. As Hope took a tentative step onto the ice, she marveled at how the anger and resentment she’d harbored over the past several months had shifted from the negative into something uplifting and positive…with tiny tremblers of excitement. It was as if her time here at Christmas Inn had scooped out all the sadness and wrapped her in a warm, comforting quilt of hope.