Ryan’s nose wrinkles uncertainly. “Like what?”
Jake looks at a loss for words, but Morgan steps in. “We can decorate your tree like I used to decorate my special snowmen. We can borrow socks and hats and scarves and gloves. That’ll make it even more special, too. There will be no other tree like it in the world.”
Jake kneels down to Ryan’s level. “Doesn’t that sound cool? It’ll have personal touches from all your favorite people.”
Ryan nods enthusiastically and Jake scoops him up. “Alright. Let’s do this!” He clears his throat, commanding the room. “Everyone,” Jake announces loudly, grinning from ear-to-ear. “We need to find some special Christmas decorations for Ryan’s tree! Whatever you’ve got, let’s do it! Morgan, I'm looking at you with those glittery earrings I know you brought. Donovan, I know you brought papers and contracts and stuff. We can cut them into streamers. Eric . . . you can contribute something fun, right?”
“Duh! I’ll make the popcorn!” he offers, enthusiastically.
Ava looks up at him, curiously. “So we can make popcorn strings for the tree?”
Eric winks at her. “Also that.”
Everyone bustles about the lodge, finding everything from colored paper to yarn pulled from an old ugly Christmas sweater. Eric and Ava make short work of the popcorn. There’s probably more in their mouths than on the tree, but it’s really starting to come together. With Morgan’s glittering accessories and Margot’s genius idea to hang some of the cookies as ornaments, the little tree is just as well-decorated as the huge ones we feature in the lobby.
When it’s done, we all gather around it, admiring the various decorations that everyone came up with. Morgan’s collections of earrings sparkle, and Eric is particularly proud of his guitar string popcorn garland. Donovan and Chloe added paper ornaments that the kids helped color. Stacy and Jake found a gold glittery glove in the lost and found to use as a star. Owen and Margot added cute touches with Ava’s tiny mittens and socks, while Co-Co and I rustled up some tinsel and fake snow forgotten in the supply closets.
Even though the decorations were a bit last-minute and random, they came together perfectly—just like this whole group.
Morgan May
Outside the windows of the beautiful lounge area, snow falls against an ebony canopy. Night has fallen, leaving the grounds quiet and tranquil.
A sea of red Christmas sweaters parts as the lodge staff members set out food, plates, and polished silverware on a large table. Until now the staff has pretty much stayed behind the scenes. But it seems Co-Co has called in reinforcements for this incredible meal.
“Look at this spread!” I gasp, hands flying to my face as I take in every delicious option in front of me. “Baked brie, cranberry crostini, roasted potatoes! My mouth is watering!” I gaze over the appetizing table. It all looks completely amazing and it smells divine!
I’d worked up quite an appetite snowmobiling. The Christmas cookies were good but after decorating Ryan’s tree we went sledding and built a snowman. I’d burned enough calories today to polish off every dish the staff was setting on the table.
The table itself is covered in a cheery red and black checked buffalo plaid tablecloth. A rustic burlap runner bisects the massive tablescape, with plenty of fresh poinsettias and candles shimmering atop it. And the place settings actually bring tears to my eyes.
They’re all different, each delicately etched with a vintage Christmas design that makes me remember the ones my mother used to collect.
After much prodding, Co-Co, Ethan, Margot and Owen have all joined us for dinner. Ava and Ryan are here too, happily occupying their very own kids’ table set up nearby. They seem to be enjoying the kid-friendly vibe, already laughing with one another and talking about how many Christmas cookies they’re going to eat before bedtime.
I find Eric glancing over at them, longingly.
“Wishing you were at the kids’ table?” I tease.
He grins. “You know I’m just a big kid at heart.”
“I do know that,” I say, leaning in to kiss him. “It’s one of the things I adore about you.”
“Just one?” he jokes.
I pinch his side and lean into his embrace, letting his laughter boom through me. This man fills me with so much joy. And the way he opened up to the group today when we were snowmobiling . . . it floored me.
I don’t think I’ll ever truly understand how different our childhoods were. But in some small way, I think being in Pine Island is making up for all the Christmas memories he missed making as a kid. And that fills my heart with so much appreciation for Co-Co and her generous family.
When they opened up their home to us, they opened up Eric’s heart.
As though he’s reading my mind, Eric kisses my forehead before addressing the group. “You all really know how to treat people!”
Co-Co beams proudly. “We do what we can.”
“You’re always so modest, Co-Co!” Margot teases. “We work our butts off to prepare the best—or at least our staff did when it comes to this meal!” She raises her glass to the Christmas-sweatered army still delivering dishes. “Thank you guys! We couldn’t have done it without you.”
Everyone raises a glass, giving a well-deserved toast to the staff.
“Enjoy!” Co-Co says and we all dig in.
“I’m so glad your family joined us for dinner,” I say to Co-Co around a delicious bite of steak.
“Me too,” Stacy adds. “You guys have gone out of your way to treat us like family while we’ve been here. It’s made this trip so special.”
“It’s been our pleasure,” Ethan says from next to his speechless fiancée.
Co-Co looks at me uncertainly. “It really has been wonderful having you here. And I’m so honored you included us in dinner. I didn’t want to feel like I was imposing or anything.”
I can’t help but laugh. “Are you joking? There's no way you’d be imposing! If anything, we are. We’re the ones who showed up last-minute and
