Love at Christmas Inn Collection 1 Page 5

  When they returned to the suite, Bertie opened the boxes and examined each of the wreaths. One was all white with red and white candy canes crossed in an “x.” Red, curling ribbons filtered through the white bristles of the wreath. In another box, the long, garland for the four-poster bed lay complete with small, sparkling pieces of oranges and apples, cinnamon sticks and berries. The glistening fruit was one of Ari’s favorites. But not the only one. All of the decorations were incredibly beautiful.

  “If they pass your inspection, Miz Bertie, I’ll get started putting them in their places. I don’t want my workmen to fall behind.”

  A twinge of guilt swept over Ari. “Is that why you gave up your Thanksgiving weekend, to take care of the decorations?”

  He ducked his head. “Only part of the reason. I do have other duties and a timetable to keep.”

  Not for the first time, Ari wondered what was so important about the contract’s deadline. But now wasn’t the time to ask. “Do you mind if I tag along? I might be able to offer a hand and I’d feel better after causing you to give up your weekend.”

  “You didn’t—” Taylor paused. Ari was certain he was going to tell her no but he changed his mind. “Sure. Why not?”

  Yes, indeed, why not? Don’t you like me, Taylor Knox? Because I sure like you. Am I still just a nuisance to you?

  Maybe, working by his side, she’d have the opportunity to get some answers. Picking up her boxes, she skipped to catch up with his long-legged stride.

  He turned to her. “By the way, my granny says thanks for the invite to the tree-trimming party.”

  Ari laughed. “The Knox family deserves their own private party. They’ve practically brought the inn back to life by themselves, from the renovations to the decorations. You all seem to have a talent gene I’m missing. I couldn’t have done it without all of your help.”

  “If you want to fit in you need to say y’all. Not you all. And I don’t know how you could be missing a talent gene. What about that painting you’re doing in the chapel? I thought your aunt said you were ‘all that.’”

  The teasing twinkle in his eye made her heart do flip flops. Maybe he did like her after all. A pure rush of pleasure got in the way of her tongue. All she could do was smile at his teasing.

  “Let’s tackle that garland first. You were right. I wouldn’t trust anyone else to mount it on that four-poster bed.” He led the way to the suite. A box of tools and a step stool sat inside the room. Taylor stepped up on the stool and temporarily secured the garland with tape.

  “What do you think? Is the swag even?”

  “No, the left side is longer.”

  He adjusted it, then began to drill small holes in the posters to secure a wire for the garland. When he finished, Ari swept up the wood shavings and gave the posts a quick polish.

  “Thanks for showing me this brand.” She held up the polish. “You think it will work well for the pews in the chapel?”

  “Sure. It’s the best.” He pulled out the white garland with the candy canes. “I presume this is going in my room.”

  “Are you in the North Pole suite?”

  “Yep, that’s me. Complete with a white bedspread and a fake polar bear rug.”

  Ari couldn’t stop the giggle that slipped out. Taylor did that a lot…made her laugh. Just another of the many reasons she liked being around him. “I thought the rug might be a little over the top, but when I found it online for such a good price, I couldn’t resist. I thought some little boy might just love it.”

  He lifted his tools, the stool and his boxes then gave her a wink. “Guaranteed. This little boy loved it. But…I was afraid my work boots might do some serious damage so I asked housekeeping to leave all the white stuff in the wrapper till I’m gone.”

  Gone. That word took all the laughter out of Ari. He led the way to his room. He’d pulled the large desk that normally sat by the wall closer to the window. Gray light spilled over the rolled plans and a stack of papers at least a half foot high.

  “Forgive the mess. Final construction phases are full of inspections and paperwork.”

  Final. He placed the wreath above the mantel and measured each side. All the while the words “gone” and “final” tumbled through her mind. The work at the inn would be completed soon. Taylor had mentioned enough times how he was determined to finish before Christmas. She also had the sinking feeling he had something big on the agenda for his next job.

  “Is this even?”

  His question jolted her out of her thoughts. “No. A little lower.” She chewed her lip as he moved the wreath and glanced back for her approval. She nodded and he turned back. Ari took the leap.

  “Taylor, I understand you need to meet the contract on time, but I get the feeling there’s another reason you’re so determined to be out of here by Christmas.”

  Climbing off the stool, he grinned. “There is. January first, I’m retiring.”

  “Retiring…you’re too young.” Her tone sounded as shocked as she felt.

  “True. I won’t be retiring permanently. I’m handing the reins of the business over to Bobby. Then I’m hitting the road on a motorcycle and heading out into the wild blue.”

  Heading out. Leaving Hope Creek. Just when she’d found him.

  “I—I see. How long will you be gone?”

  “As long as it takes.” The grin on his lips was bright and happy. He wanted this very badly. She wanted to want it for him. To wish him luck and to be as excited as he, but she couldn’t form the words or shape her mouth into any kind of a smile. If she tried, it would probably come out as a grimace.

  Instead, she feigned interest with a brisk question. “So where are you headed first?”

  “I have no idea. I’m just going to see where the road takes me.”

  She nodded. “OK. I guess the more appropriate question is what are you looking for?”

  He pondered her question and the smile faded. “I don’t think I’m looking for anything. I just…I want to see what’s out there.” He did it again, that gesture where he lifted his neck and shifted his shoulders as if he were releasing a heavy weight.

  “It’s just…I’ve been taking care of my family since I was nineteen. I went to college just long enough to learn what I needed to get my contractor’s license. Then I started running the business. I’ve been tied down ever since. It’s time for me to be free, to find out where I fit and what I want.”

  Oh, Taylor, you are shifting a weight off your shoulders, a weight you’ve carried for far too long. You deserve to not be tied down, to be free. I need to be happy for you, happy you’re leaving…even if I think I’m falling in love with you.

  7

  Taylor took a sip from a disposable coffee cup that had the words Christmas Inn on one side and a sparkling Christmas tree on the other. Inside was hot cocoa that didn’t come out of a package. In fact, it was so creamy it melted in his mouth. It had to be the Christmas Inn recipe he remembered from his youth.

  A ten-foot tree complete with strings of lights filled one corner of the lobby. Nearby, boxes and boxes of ornaments waited for little hands to hang them. A fire roared in the oversized hearth and Christmas tunes played softly in the background.

  He took another sip of his hot chocolate and studied the tree imprinted on the side cup. Specialties like this were hard to find. He had no idea where it came from or how much it cost but he knew who was responsible for it.

  Ari walked toward him. She’d just come from the kitchen and even though she wore a slight frown, it didn’t detract from her beauty. The woman was a piece of art in motion. She’d swept her hair up into a messy but perfect bun at the back. Wispy tendrils brushed her face and her neck. Her dress was some sort of blue velvet that appeared touchable and silky at the same time. The dark blue was the color of a midnight sky, but the way it moved over her was like poetry. He needed to look away, needed not to love the way she glided toward him or the way her smile lit her brown eyes. But he couldn’t stop staring. Al
l he could do was watch as something special sparked in her eyes when she turned his way.

  Him. Taylor Knox.

  Yes, she was beautiful. Pampered and spoiled. That dress probably cost more than his pick-up truck. But when she looked at him like she was looking now, life blazed into full color.

  “Hello.”

  Even her voice, so soft and sweet, seemed full of rich color, like blue rippling waves. For a moment, he couldn’t readily find the power of speech.

  “Hello yourself.” He gestured around the inn’s common room full of invited guests and townspeople. “Your party is a grand success.”

  She frowned slightly. “Tell me that later, after you see the cookies. We had a bit of a foul-up in the kitchen. But Paulina’s got it under control.”

  “I wondered why I hadn't seen Paulina.”

  “Yes, she’s on top of it. I know she and I got off to a rocky start, but she's a great manager. We’re lucky to have her here.”

  Taylor smiled.

  Ari caught the expression and smiled, too. “Yes, I’ve told her so, many times in recent days. I even texted my dad with a great recommendation.”

  He nodded. “I’m sure she’ll appreciate that.“

  She looked around. “So does it feel like the old days?”

  He lifted his cup of hot chocolate. “With some new improvements. You've done an incredible job. You're very good at this event management type stuff.”

  “I’m just finding that out.” She gave him a bemused smile. “I’m discovering a lot of new things about myself.”

  She ducked her head. A wisp of hair floated near her mouth, brushing close to her lips. A cryptic expression slid over her features. Was it puzzlement? Confusion? Or just plain sadness?

  “OK. No fair. No mysteries. You can’t hand out a leading line like that, then clam up.”

  He couldn’t resist. Reaching out, he tugged on that wisp of hair. His fingers brushed close to her lips…so close he felt the intake of her breath.

  “What did you find out about yourself…besides the fact that you’re fantastic with a two-step.”

  Light laughter bubbled out of her. The lilting sound rippled through his body.

  Just then, Santa came out of his clock house. They both turned as he marched to the end of his perch and O Tannenbaum trilled across the room.

  The room grew quiet while everyone watched Santa, in his white-and-gold-trimmed gown, beam down on them. When the song ended, he rolled back inside and the dark wood doors closed.

  Ari smiled. “Sorry. It’s seven o’clock. Time for me to go to work.”

  Did she really have to start the festivities or was she just using it as an excuse to avoid his question? Ariana Christmas was proving to be as unpredictable as this year’s weather. She walked to the center of the room and held up her hands. “Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, may I have your attention?”

  The room quieted but excitement ruffled through the air like the feathers of a bird on high alert.

  “First, let me thank you all for joining us tonight. It’s been a long time since we had a tree-trimming party at Christmas Inn, and we’re so glad you could all come. Thank you.”

  The crowd clapped and someone whistled. Taylor suspected it was his brother Bobby, sitting nonchalantly next to Granny on the center sofa.

  Ari gestured to three maids, all dressed in their finest old-style uniforms, black with white aprons. Even Jason and his fellow bellhops wore black slacks and shirts and white bow ties. Leave it to Ari to think of the little details that would make this a truly old-fashioned Christmas. The maids stood on one side of the tree, the bell boys on the other, right next to opened boxes of Christmas ornaments.

  “We’ll start with the youngest to the oldest. If I could have all the children ages two to six come forward and line up beside me.”

  With squeals of laughter, children dressed in their finest ran toward Ari. She smiled as the herd rushed forward and surrounded her. One little cutie with long blonde curls and a big red bow wrapped her arms around Ari’s leg and hugged. She almost tumbled backwards before catching herself. Her delighted laughter trilled across the room, right into Taylor’s heart. Bending swiftly, she scooped the little girl into her arms and started a very serious conversation. Taylor couldn’t hear the words but the toddlers curls bobbed back and forth in the affirmative. Suddenly, she threw chubby arms around Ari’s neck and hugged her.

  Ari pressed a quick kiss to the little girl’s temple and Taylor’s heart stopped beating.

  Something about that beautiful child in Ari’s arms…the bouncing blonde curls…Ari’s complete innocence and adoration. The sight touched him so much, he had to look away.

  Ariana was nowhere close to innocent. Why had that thought and image popped into his mind? Maybe she was right, and he was catching too much of the Christmas Spirit…Christmas Inn style. He needed to get a grip.

  “Now…” Ari carried on, completely unaware of the havoc she’d created in Taylor. “Do you all have your ornaments?”

  The little decorating crew nodded almost as one. “Great. Now, see my Aunt Lizzie sitting at the piano? As soon as she starts to play, I want all of you to walk forward—slowly and carefully—and hang your decoration on the tree. OK?”

  Another nod from the miniature munchkins. Lizzie launched into a rousing rendition of O Tannenbaum again and the children surged forward, scrambling for a place on the tree. When all their ornaments hung in slightly chaotic array on the branches, Ari called for the next age group and Lizzie played Silver Bells.

  The decorating went on for almost an hour before Ari called the last band of teenagers to the tree. Lizzie played one more round of the Christmas tree song. The kitchen staff, dressed in traditional white coats and tall hats, came out bearing trays of cookies. Taylor recognized his favorite chocolate chip cookies from the Hope Creek Bakery.

  So that was the catastrophe in the kitchen. Something more had happened with Chef David Lewiston. Taylor suspected the cookie affair would be the last straw and Lewiston would be on his way to new employment. But somehow Ari and Paulina had worked together and solved the problem. He had to admire Ari’s efforts to overcome Paulina’s resentment. In fact, he was finding a lot to admire about Ari…and that was not a good sign.

  The last of the decorations now adorned the tree, and Ari gave a signal. Someone dimmed the common room’s lights and the Christmas tree flared to life. White lights twinkled and caught the colors of the ornaments, creating rainbows of flashing lights that danced around the room. One of those rainbows flashed across Ari’s face as she stood close by. A smile played across her lips and she looked up with such contentment, Taylor knew Ariana Christmas had finally found her place.

  It was a good thing. It made him happy to see her happy. Maybe too much of a good thing. He needed to be not so pleased because no matter how much he enjoyed watching Ari, no matter how glad he was that she’d found her place here in Hope Creek, he was not staying. His dream was out there, waiting for him to find it. He’d put this trip off for too long. He had to find his place, God’s purpose for him. As dedicated as he was and always had been about helping his family, those efforts never provided the contentment he craved. Not here anyway. But it was out there some place—he knew it. He needed to get out there and find it.

  He turned his back and drank down the last of his hot chocolate. Someone walked up behind him and even before he turned around, he knew it was Ari. How? Did he smell her sweet perfume? Had he recognized her step or just sensed her presence? That thought scared him.

  “Well, that went better than I expected.”

  Taylor nodded. “You’re obviously good with kids”

  She laughed and the sound eased his irritated nerves. “Yes, who knew? I've never been around children much. I spent most of my life in hotels where spoiled little children rampaged through the halls tearing up things. That's my experience with children. Not very good, I'm afraid.”

  She paused and gave a little sha
ke of her head. “But I shouldn't be so critical. I was one of them.”

  A memory filtered through Taylor's mind, one that could help him get back on stable ground. “I seem to remember an article about a very expensive New York hotel room trashed by two young men fighting over one lovely young debutante.”

  The pretty glow on her features darkened slightly. Guilt swept over Taylor. He hated being the dark cloud in a bright night but it needed to be done, for both their sakes. Ari didn’t need to get involved with a man with one foot out the door.

  “They weren’t fighting over me. It was a party and they’d been drinking. I wasn’t even a part of it, but my name was the most recognizable so they put it in the report.”

  “Are you saying you didn't earn your reputation?”

  Genuine hurt flickered across her features. She looked across the room. Taylor stomped on the rush of guilt that flooded through him.

  “No. I'm not saying that. I’ve done things I'm not proud of. That's why I'm so happy to be here and now—” She gestured around the room. “Now I know this is what’s important. I’m glad to be here.”

  He couldn’t deny that truth. “You’re right. It’s good to be on the right track. The community will benefit from it. I wish you the best of luck.”

  He tossed his cup into the trash, preparing to leave when his brother Bobby joined them.

  “Hi, Ari.”

  “Hey, Bobby.”

  “Great party. Granny wanted me to thank you again.”

  “Oh? Is she leaving?”

  “Yeah, she’s getting tired.” He turned to Taylor. “She rode here with Missy and our sister promised to stay until after the party to, uh…” He cleared his throat. “Re-arrange the heavy bottom half of the tree a little more artfully. I rode my motorcycle so Granny was wondering if you’d mind driving her home.”

  Ari let her hand rest on Bobby’s forearm. Taylor’s insides tightened.