“We don’t want to saddle Nicole and Gracie with debt,” MJ said. “If something should happen to us…”
“Nothing will happen,” Jack said confidently, “but I understand the position.”
“And if we did sell?” Cindy looked from one to the other. “Those girls would be set for life.”
Jack nodded. “I get that, but I’m sure they’d rather have Snowberry for another generation than a fat bank account.”
“I know Nicole would,” Cindy said. “But Gracie has a child.”
“Gracie would weep if we lost this place,” MJ said. “But she’d also weep if she owed the bank two hundred thousand dollars and couldn’t pay it back.”
The conversation trailed into silence. The only sound was the crackle of the fire and the faint creak of the old lodge settling for the night.
MJ swallowed the lump in her throat. “I just…I want to believe that we can keep this place going forever. But what if we can’t?”
“We’ll figure it out together,” Cindy said, pushing up. “I need to head home.”
MJ rose to gather the cups. “All right, you two. I’m going to put these in the sink and crash.”
“I’ll walk you to your car,” Jack said to Cindy, “then hit the hay myself. More sleigh rides tomorrow, and I’m as tired as Copper.”
She gave them both a warm hug and carried the cups into the kitchen. She was still thinking about the conversation when she heard a tap on the mudroom door.
This late?
She walked over, kind of hating that she hoped it was Matt. And really hating the dip of disappointment when she opened the door and found Jack.
“Oh, hi. Is everything okay?” she asked.
“So okay,” he said, grinning like a fool. “Never been better, MJ.”
She laughed lightly, ignoring the cold air to just take in the contentment on his face. “Another cocoa?”
“No, but I need a favor,” he said.
“Anything, Jack.”
“Can you organize a New Year’s Eve party here at the lodge? Nothing huge, just the family and close friends. I’d like…to have everyone together.”
She frowned but nodded. “We usually have a gathering on New Year’s Eve. Something special?”
“I’ll say.” He slid into a slow smile, his dark eyes shining. “I’m going to ask Cindy to remarry me.”
She gasped and took a step backward. “Really?”
“I want to ask her right at midnight and start the New Year with her as my fiancée,” he announced, as proud as any young man who planned a proposal.
“Jack,” MJ said with a sigh. “That’s so sweet.”
“And I want the whole family to know how much I love her.”
She pressed a hand to her lips, tears welling. “Of course I’ll arrange it.”
“Thanks, MJ.” He gave her another hug, tight and long. “You’re the best sister. And you’re freezing.”
She inched away from the open door. “But my heart is warm. I’m happy for you.”
“Thanks. G’night.”
