I stealthily tiptoe over and link arms with her. “Yep,” I whisper. “But first, we need to talk.”
Morgan shakes her head, giggling. “It’s gonna have to wait.” She leans closer, whispering now, too. “Jake has a little surprise for Ryan first!”
Ethan Hall
Owen and I walk behind the chatty group as everyone eagerly enters the inviting warmth of the lodge.
“You go on ahead,” Owen says, nodding his head toward the doorway. “I’ll put the snowmobiles away.”
“You sure you don’t want help?”
My brother waves me off. “Nah. You can make up for it by having one of your fiancée’s famous spiked hot cocoa’s waiting for me.”
“Done!” I quickly agree, knowing full well Owen is just itching for a chance to spend more time on the snowmobiles. He never could resist the grown-up toys. “Besides, you need the practice if you’re ever gonna beat me,” I call over my shoulder, earning an appalled expression from my older brother.
Owen snorts a laugh. “You know I let you win, right?”
“Is that how you’re going to soothe your ego from losing that race?”
“A big brother’s gotta do what a big brother’s gotta do!”
Rolling my eyes, I head inside as Owen leaps back onto one of the snowmobiles and speeds off toward the barn. I turn back toward the lodge, my stomach already growling with anticipation as I think about the Christmas cookies waiting for us inside.
Ahead of me, Jake has hefted a small tree over his broad shoulder. He holds it easily in place as he steps in through the doorway of the lodge. I can’t wait to see the look on Ryan’s face when he sees Jake’s thoughtful gift.
I pick up my pace and help Jake with the door, managing to slip inside just in time to hear everyone inside gasp.
“That’s a Christmas tree!” Ryan shrieks, excitedly. “Stacy! Stacy!” he yells. “Look! It’s a special big brother Christmas tree! Right, Jake?”
“You bet, buddy!” Jake sets the tree down and gives it a twirl. Snow sprays off it like tiny diamonds melting in the warm air. Ryan claps his hands and runs in circles around the glistening limbs, checking out the mini tree in all its green glory.
“It’s our own special tree for you to decorate!” Jake says. “Uncle Eric mentioned you missed not having one and Ethan was nice enough to let me cut this one down.”
Ryan’s eyes fill with wonder as he stares up at Jake like he might just be a real lumberjack. “Whoa! You cut this tree down for me? All by yourself?”
My heart swells with sudden and overwhelming pride, watching this scene unfold through the little boy’s eyes. He’s staring up at Jake like he’s looking at his hero!
This . . . This is what our lodge is all about. You can’t put a price on precious moments like these.
I quickly glance around for Donovan, hoping he’s watching. This is what I’d been wanting him to experience, so he’d know what’s most important to us. Now that Chloe and I are in charge of the lodge, I’m interested in taking things to the next level, but not at the expense of losing the magic her family has created here.
But, alas, Donovan isn’t paying any attention. He only has eyes for his fiancé as he makes a beeline toward her. Everyone else is enjoying the show though.
“I told ya he was pining for a Christmas tree,” Eric says, howling with laughter.
Morgan doubles over, snorting at her fiancé’s cheesy joke. I can’t help but laugh along with them. Those two couldn’t be more perfect for one another.
Jake shakes his head. “Dude, that joke wasn’t funny the first time.”
“Yeah, but it’s even funnier now!” Eric manages to gasp out.
Ava, excited just because her new friend is, joins Ryan by the little tree. “Can I help you decorate it?” she begs.
“Sure!” Ryan shouts and the two instantly begin chatting about their decorating plans. It’s so cute I want to melt.
“Didn't we make an adorable baby, baby?” Margot says to Owen when he walks in behind me.
He throws his arms around her. “The most adorable,” Owen murmurs right back.
I glance over my shoulder at them, a little envious of the beautiful family they’ve created. I want that for Chloe and me, but when is the right time? I’ve hardly been sleeping lately while trying to figure out if I should still go ahead with this surprise wedding.
Having these all-star guests at the lodge has been great, but it’s making me rethink my plan. I want our wedding to be special, but right now everything just feels hectic and rushed.
A knot begins twisting in my stomach again. I know there will always be a reason to postpone, but I don’t want to. I know all too well that life goes much too fast and I’m done waiting. I just need to find a way to make this work: satisfying our special guests and my bride-to-be.
“Who’s ready for fresh-baked Christmas cookies?” Margot asks eagerly.
“I could kill for one!” Morgan announces.
Margot grins. “Well you’re in luck. They just came out of the oven, no murder necessary.”
As the guests rush over to the tray Margot has put out near the fireplace, she catches her sister’s arm. “Co-Co, guess what? I’ve put some dough in the freezer for when Mom and Dad come back. We can make a second batch with them after the holidays.”
“You’re a genius, Go-Go!” Chloe says, hugging her sister.
It makes me so happy to see her enjoying herself.
“It was Chloe Martin’s idea,” Margot adds.
“Then she’s a genius, too,” Chloe adds before nabbing up two cookies, bringing one back for me.
“Thanks, babe,” I say, tucking her under my arm while enjoying the deliciousness.
Beside Jake, Ryan tugs his sleeve, looking rather pensive for such a little boy. “How will we decorate our Christmas tree? Ava and I used up all the extra ornaments already.”
Jake tilts his head, thinking for a moment. “I don’t know, buddy. Maybe if we ask nicely everyone will pitch in
