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Enough is enough.
“I hate you, Ash Johansson. This isn’t over.” Screaming at the top of her lungs, her words travel along the corridor.
I say a silent prayer that I never see that girl again.
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
Ash
“Where are we?” Lily holds her hands out in front of her as if she is a zombie, trying to feel anything to give her a clue as to her surroundings.
“It’s a surprise.” I move to her side. “You have three steps to climb. Careful.” Unable to see because of the blindfold, I hold on tight to her waist from behind, as she tentatively takes the first step, then the second and third.
“A little more.” I guide her to the open door that holds her surprise just beyond it.
Eager and alive with happiness, delight written all over her face, her mouth is spread wide in a smile.
“Take off your blindfold.” I look through the doorway of the log cabin I’ve booked for the next three days.
Adjusting to the bright light in front of her, she blinks once, then twice just as everyone shouts in harmony, “Happy Holidays.”
Lily throws her hands in the air. “You’re all here. Wherever here is.” Forehead wrinkling, she looks around at her surroundings.
“Farewells Pine Cabins,” I tell her. “Merry Christmas, Tiger.” My hand on her lower back, I usher her into the warmth and out of the bitter cold.
Candy, Bree, Troy, and Brayden greet Lily first, their kids in tow wrapping themselves around Auntie Lily’s legs. They love her and she’s grown close to them again since Bree and Candy are playing a more active role in her life. Lily is so good with them, promising them she’ll read them their bedtime stories and bake cookies with them.
My mom, sister, and her dog, Oscar, are here as well as mom’s new partner, John, who I am still unsure of, because, well, he’s not my dad, but mom seems to have fallen in love with him and ultimately, I want her to be happy. Lily’s dad, George, and his new wife, Diana, seem to love him too, and they all can’t be bad judges of character. And of course, no Christmas would be complete without Leon and Buster.
“This is such a wonderful surprise. We’re all spending Christmas Day together tomorrow?” She claps her hands together excitedly, overacting for the kids. “We have to go to sleep soon, because if we don’t, Santa won’t come. When do you think he’ll arrive?” she asks the little beaming faces gazing up at her, getting them hyped up.
This is exactly what she needed. Her friends, family, and us reunited. I never want her to feel like she is alone. She’s part of something incredible and without her, our friendship circle is incomplete. As is my heart.
Settled in, eventually we managed to get Troy and Brayden’s excitable kids to sleep. It’s great being part of their special day. If I could be granted only one Christmas wish in a lifetime, it would be a little family for Lily and me. We need a Christmas miracle.
Snacks out, mulled wine in hand, and hot chocolate for Candy, we all make ourselves comfortable on the multiple sofas in the ten-bedroom log cabin.
“So, what film are we watching?” Erika plonks herself down on one of the comfortable armchairs in front of the open log fire.
A knock at the front door alerts us to another guest. “Lily, could you get that?” I tap her knee.
“Just because you are off for the next few weeks does not make you exempt from other duties.” Using my knee to push herself to her feet, she walks across to the front door. “I hope I’m not preparing dinner for everyone tomorrow, too.”
No way. I have outside caterers organized for that. No one is lifting a finger tomorrow.
All eyes on her back, every one of us eagerly watches the next few minutes unfold as she twists the handle on the front door of the log cabin, then swings it open.
She takes a minute to comprehend who it is.
“Gemma,” she exclaims, completely taken aback. Then she leaps forward, wrapping herself around her sister tightly.
“Merry Christmas, Lily.” Gemma snuggles into her, a few of us welling up as the closest sisters I know are reunited once again. “Ash flew me home,” she explains, her eyes watery with emotion.
“I’ve missed you,” Lily confesses. “More than anything, I’ve missed you.” She leans out of their embrace and grabs the sides of her face, squashing her cheeks. “You’re really here?” Lily questions it as if it’s too good to be true.
Still holding on to Gemma’s face, she looks over her shoulder to find me. “You did this?”
I nod, and she looks back at her sister.
