"So," she began casually, "I saw that young man helping you with the Christmas lights this morning."
I glanced out the window where Christian had been."Yeah, he's actually really helpful.And tall."
I decided to leave out the part where he caught me before I crashed to the floor, and how I groped his impossibly broad shoulders.
Grandma's eyes twinkled with curiosity."He's a hunk."
"Grandma!"
"It's true," she said."What's his story?"
I shrugged, reaching for another plate to scrub."Not sure yet.He doesn't talk much about himself."
She placed a dry plate on a shelf meant for bowls and handed me another one."You think he's in some kind of trouble?"
"I don't know," I admitted."He seems...guarded."
Grandma nodded thoughtfully."Well, sometimes people just need time to open up."She dried another plate and set it in the cupboard meant for glasses.
I forced myself to chuckle softly at her misplaced organization."Grandma, plates go over there," I said gently, pointing to the correct shelf.
"Oh dear," she laughed lightly, shaking her head."You'd think I'd know by now."
We continued our work in comfortable silence for a moment before she spoke again.
"Have you tried talking to him more?Maybe inviting him to join us for dinner?Maybe he needs a friend.Maybe he needs a girlfriend!"
"Grandma, no," I said."Well, maybe a friend, sure, but?—"
"Oh, come now."Grandma waved her hand."You've been alone too long, Claire-Bear.You deserve to have a friend.And when he looks likethat…"
I blushed."Look, I've thought about it," I said, rinsing off a fork."The dinner part.But he seems like he needs his space."
Grandma smiled knowingly."Sometimes a little kindness goes a long way."
I nodded, considering her words as I handed her the last dish to dry.
With the dishes finally put away—though not entirely in their proper places—I felt a sense of calm settle over me.The sun climbed higher in the sky outside, casting brighter light into the room.
"Thanks for your help, Grandma," I said sincerely.
"Anytime, sweetheart," she replied warmly.
As noon approached, I took a moment to sit by the window with a cup of tea.The inn was quiet again, a brief lull before guests would start trickling in for their midday meals.My mind wandered to Christian's guarded eyes and how they softened when he wasn't aware anyone was watching.
But there was no rush to pry open those hidden chapters of his life.Instead, I took another sip of my tea and enjoyed this fleeting moment of peace.
After tidying up the kitchen, I wandered into the lobby of the inn.The room radiated warmth and cheer, decked out in its full Christmas splendor.Twinkling lights wrapped around the banister of the grand staircase, their soft glow adding a touch of magic to the old wood.Evergreen garlands hung above doorways, dotted with bright red berries and golden ribbons.
Mom would have loved it.
The centerpiece of it all was the towering Christmas tree in the corner.I had spent hours carefully placing each ornament, from delicate glass baubles to handmade decorations collected over the years.Tinsel shimmered like icicles, and a star sat proudly at the top, its light casting gentle shadows on the walls.
Stockings hung by the fireplace, each one embroidered with names of family members and regular guests who had become like family over the years.I smiled at the sight, remembering the joy on their faces when they saw their names each year.
The fireplace itself crackled softly, but I noticed it was running low on wood.The flames flickered weakly, struggling to maintain their warmth.I walked over and grabbed a few logs from the nearby basket, stacking them carefully inside.
We were running low…
