Where are you two? We’re here and waiting.
Cole stalks out of the gift shop with a satisfied grin on his face. “What’d you get me?”
“We’re late for dinner. We can open them afterward.”
We find our family sipping lime green, almost glowing, Grinch cocktails in martini glasses. The cute holiday drinks are garnished with two cherries on a plain toothpick.
“What are you two wearing?” Sadie laughs at our ridiculous sweaters.
“You’re jealous you don’t have one,” Cole teases.
“I am actually.”
The conversation is light and merry, just like the holiday. Christmas music plays in the background. We discuss tomorrow’s event and share what we explored today in the lodge. Cole, Sadie and I tell our grandparents about our horseback riding adventure. Grams and Fred tell us about their romantic ride on the horse drawn sleigh ride. I can’t help but feel like this is where I’m meant to be. And these people are the ones I’ve been missing in the city, alone in my apartment, eating takeout. We order candy cane cake dessert even though we’re all stuffed. It’s not difficult to finish off the delicious slices.
“I have something to announce.” Grams taps a fork on the side of her empty martini glass.
“The floor is yours.” Sadie slouches back with a grin on her face. Whatever grams is about to announce, she already knows.
Grams pulls her shoulders back and sits straighter. “I’ve spent my life doing what I love for a town I love. The Whiskey Ridge Creek residents are my family and every day I catch up with them in the Bakeshop. But the time has come for me to pack away my baking utensils. I’m retiring in the new year.”
My mouth drops open. “You said you’d never retire. You said retiring is what puts people in an early grave.”
“Sweetheart, stopping puts you in an early grave. I don’t plan on stopping. Quite the opposite.” My grams shares a look with Fred. A doting, in love, sort of look. “I’m retiring to travel with Fred.”
Cole coughs and half spits out a mouthful of his green alcohol. “What?” The word sounds ragged and painful dragging up his chest. He mops up his beard with a napkin. “Granddad, you’ve never wanted to travel.”
“Son, when you find the right person to love”—Fred and Betty lace their hands together on the table—“you want to see the world with them.”
“You two.” Sadie fans her hand in front of her tearing eyes. “You’re so adorable.”
“You two dislike each other.” Cole doesn’t sound as thrilled. “I hate to be the one to burst your bubble, but love and lust are two completely different things.”
My chest grows a little heavy. I know he’s talking about our grandparents, but his words resonate our weekend.
“Son, I know the difference,” Fred says.
“Do you? You two had some serious hate going on and suddenly you’re shacking up? That sounds a lot like lust and very little love. You can’t base your future on a couple of tumbles in the sheets.”
“Tell us how you really feel.” I sip the Grinch cocktail to keep from saying more.
“I’m not talking about us,” he growls at me.
“I didn’t say you were.”
“Besides, you’re leavin’.” His words are filled with such anger.
“I know.”
“About that, Maggie —” My grandmother softens her gaze at me. Kinder than Mr. Growly Bear beside me. “I’m giving the bakery to you and Sadie.”
“What?” It’s the only word I can form.
“I know you’re striving for fame in the city, but sweetheart, you don’t love your job. And although you might not earn as much as your fancy city job, you’ll have the freedom to bake like you did this weekend. And be paid for it.”
My heart swells with emotions I can’t even control. “Grams, I don’t know what to say.”
“Say yes, child.”
