AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I wanted to stay in my own little world a little longer with Patrick, but the things we needed to say would have to wait for a private time. And I was interested in George’s response.
George looked upon the handmade ornaments. “That year for Christmas, her gift to me was a cross-stitched heart ornament on which she had tenderly stitched the words,When I saw you I fell in love, and you smiled because you knew.It was one of her favorite things to say,” he said nostalgically.
Mom and Charlotte sighed.
I reflected back on the first time I met Patrick. Was it love at first sight? Sure, I was attracted to him. But there was more. A connection I had never felt before. It scared and confused me, considering I had just been dumped by the man I thought loved me. Come to find out, he didn’t really love me. He just didn’t want anyone else to have the opportunity.
“Do you still have the ornament, George?” Charlotte took a sip of her hot chocolate.
George let out a heavy sigh. “Every year since she passed away, I’ve looked for it when decorating my tree, but it’s disappeared. I have half a mind to believe she took it with her.” He lightly chuckled.
I wasn’t sure I believed that. I mean, I could swallow some of the downright weird things that happened at the inn, but that was getting beyond the realm of my beliefs. Honestly, it made me sad. I was going to go look in the attic for it tomorrow.
“I wouldn’t put it past her.” Not surprisingly, Charlotte and I differed in opinion on this one.
“Well, maybe someday when she’s ready to give it back, it will turn up,” George said as serious as could be.
“Is the inn haunted?” Rory sounded half-excited, half-disturbed by the prospect.
“Oh, yes.” George reached over and patted Rory’s knee. “Daisy lives in its very walls.”
“I guess as long as she doesn’t look at me in the shower.” Rory wrinkled his nose.
Everyone laughed.
“No, no. She only comes around to make sure those who are meant to come together, do.” George flashed Patrick and me a meaningful look. “Tonight, she is quite happy.”
What a coincidence—so was I.
“YOU’RE BEING SUCH A DORK.”Bridgette giggled, watching Rory wind himself up in a string of glowing Christmas lights.
Rory and Bridgette were both anxious to decorate the tree, so even though it was nearing midnight, we were still up.
“I’m totally lit,” Rory roared over the sound of the upbeat pop Christmas music the kids had turned on.
Patrick smiled, ever so pleased at the scene, while placing a homemade felt reindeer on the tree. He hadn’t said much while we decorated, but he couldn’t take his eyes off his kids, wishing to soak in every minute of this.
The reindeer ornament was fat in the middle with skinny legs. The stuffing had gone askew before Rory had sewn it up back at the cottage. It was perfectly imperfect, just like the tree. One side had more lights than the other, and the ornaments were eclectic to say the least. We’d given Bridgette and Rory free rein to decorate it however they saw fit. I don’t think I’d ever loved a tree more. To see them so happy and playful, knowing what they had been through, was a sight to behold.
“Izzy, show them the star we bought today,” Bridgette squealed. It was the first time she had called meIzzy. I liked it very much. Although I hoped her father always called meIsabelle. There was something about it. Perhaps it was the way he said it, like only he was meant to.
I had been saving the tree topper for the big reveal. Or maybe because it was so ridiculous. But I think that’s why Bridgette picked it out. She wanted something off-the-wall that flew in the face of her mother’s wrath.
I walked over to the couch where I had placed the canvas tote bag. I reached in for the wrapped star, of sorts. “Are you ready for this?”
Bridgette clapped her hands. Rory and Patrick gave me their utmost attention.
“Okay ... get ready to be ... well ... I’ll let the piece speak for itself.” I carefully unwrapped the copper monstrosity and held it up.
Patrick cleared his throat and pressed his lips together, probably holding back his real reaction, which would be to say how awful it was. Because it truly was.
Rory hooted and hollered. “That’s the best star ever.” He rushed to me, still tangled up in a string of lights, and grabbed the buffalo with a star on its back. Yes, I said buffalo. Bridgette wanted a big old buffalo atop their tree.
“I want to put it on the top,” Bridgette complained.
Rory rolled his eyes. “Fine, but next year, I’m doing it.”
“Dad, can you help me?” Bridgette asked.
