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All the children climb onto stools while the adults stand around the island and dig into the delicious, warm porridge.
The room is filled with laughter and excited chatter, making the moment truly magical.
And as we reach the bottom of our bowls, Trixie squeals. There it is, the hidden almond, nestled among the grains in her dish, waiting to bring her all the luck.
The children gather around her legs and cheer as she scoops it up in her spoon and pops it into her mouth.
The crowd disperses when Hal announces there is gingerbread eggnog in the great room while we stay behind to clean the pot and load the dishwasher.
“That was amazing, Isaac. Thank you,” Alice says.
“Yes, I think we might add porridge night to our traditions here at The Gingerbread Inn,” Willa says.
Bob pops his head in the door. “Sela, Sammy is here to fetch us. Do you need a ride home?” he asks.
“Yes, I’ll be just a moment. I’ll meet them outside,” I reply as I finish rinsing the bowl in my hand and adding it to the machine’s rack.
Alice and Willa go to say their good-byes to Norah and Trixie, leaving Isaac and me alone.
I guess this is it.
A heavy feeling settles in my chest as the thought that I might never see him or Cobie again sinks in.
I open my mouth to speak, but he quiets me when he steps in and takes my mouth with his.
“I don’t want to say good-bye yet,” he whispers against my lips.
“Me neither,” I murmur.
“I’m going by Hannah’s shop to see Bran’s boat after I put Cobie to bed. Can I come see you after?” he asks.
“I’ll leave the shop door open for you. Just lock it when you get there. The stairs to my loft are behind the glass flower case.”
He gives me one more quick kiss, and then I step out of the kitchen in search of Cobie.
I find her and Lexie sitting at the coffee table in front of the stone fireplace, writing a wish on a slip of paper and stuffing it into their wishing bottle.
“Hi, Cobie. I just wanted to say good-bye. I hope you and your daddy have a wonderful Christmas in Paris,” I say as I bend down to her.
She hesitates for a moment before standing and throwing her arms around me in a tight hug.
“I’ll miss you, Sela,” she cries.
I wrap my arms around her and pull her close.
“I’ll miss you too, sweet girl. I had the most fun with you these past few days. Oh, I have something for you.”
I stand and find the package where I hid it under the Christmas tree. I pick it up and hand it to her.
“Can I open it?”
I nod.
She sits on the sofa and carefully tugs the bow and paper from the box. Once it’s open, she peels back the layer of tissue to reveal the gift inside.
“What is it?” she asks.
“It’s a carved map of the state of Idaho. I placed a star right over Lake Mistletoe. That way, you can always find your way back,” I explain as I point to the tiny gold star nestled in the raised mountains.
