“I can give you a lift back, Charlie.” Holly jumped slightly at the voice that came from behind them. She turned to see Julie Christmas standing there with that serene smile of hers.How did the woman always manage to appear out of thin air?
“Julie!” Holly said. “What are you doing in town?”
“Darlene and I came to get dresses for the ball and to meet William for lunch,” Julie explained. Mrs. Hurling stepped out from behind Julie, giving them all a warm wave.
“That would be perfect,” Charlie said gratefully. “Thank you, Julie.”
“Our pleasure,” Julie said.
The ride back to Anastasia Island was filled with chatter and laughter. Holly sat with Trinity on one side and Maddy on the other, listening to them talk excitedlyabout the lamp decorating that evening and how excited they were for the next three nights. Holly didn’t realize she was actually holding her breath until she gulped in some air, as her nerves were so on edge. She pulled out her phone to check it again, wondering why Jack hadn’t called any of them to let them know the outcome of the inspection. Was it even over? Holly glanced at her wristwatch. Surely it wouldn’t have taken this long? She glanced at the bags and hoped that it wasn’t all for nothing, and they had missed something that the inspector had found and…
Holly shook away the bad thoughts.
When they pulled up to the inn, Holly’s heart gave its familiar leap. Home, she thought. This place had become home.
They piled out with their parcels, as they stepped over the threshold, Jane stopped so suddenly that Holly nearly collided with her.
“Wait,” Jane said. “Look.”
Holly looked past her and saw what Jane was pointing at. In the foyer, there was a sign—Follow the Path. And leading from the sign was a roped-off path with red velvet ropes and gold poles, like the kind that led to Santa at the mall.
“What on earth?” Isabella said.
Marco was behind the front desk, and when he saw them, his face broke into a huge grin. “Let me take your parcels.”
“Marco, what’s going on?” Jane asked.
Marco’s grin widened, but he shook his head. “You’ll have to follow the path to find out. Leave your parcels. I’ll see that they’re delivered to your rooms.”
“Thank you, Marco,” Holly said, though she was utterly confused.
Led by Holly, with Trinity and Maddy on either side of her holding her hands, they followed the roped path. Isabella and Christopher were right behind them, and Jane walked a bit slower with Gabe managing his crutches.
The path led them through the lobby, past the dining room, and into the guest lounge.
Holly stopped so suddenly that Christopher nearly ran into her back.
In the center of the lounge was the most charming little doghouse Holly had ever seen. It looked like a miniature Swiss chalet, complete with a snow-covered roof and tiny shutters on the windows. A small wreath hung on the door.
And standing beside it, looking ridiculously proud of himself, was Jack.
Around the room, several of the inn’s wait staff stood with trays of hot chocolate and Christmas cookies.
“What’s going on?” Jane was the first to find her voice.
Jack’s smile was so bright it could have lit up the entire inn. “Well, I have a surprise for all of you. I’d like to introduce you to the newest addition to theChristmas Inn.”
He whistled, and the door of the Swiss chalet doghouse pushed open.
Duke’s massive head appeared first, his tail already wagging. And right behind him, looking equally excited, was Brandy.
Silence fell over the group as eyes widened in shock and delight.
“I don’t understand,” Trinity said, her voice small and filled with wonder. “Is Brandy living here now? Is she ours?”
Holly’s heart swelled so large she thought it might burst.
“Yes, sweetheart,” Jack said, his own voice thick with emotion. “Brandy is ours now.”
