“Now go. I’ll look after the girls.” Julie waved them off. “Remember… keep an open mind.”
Jack and Holly left the girls and dogs with Julie and made their way back through the passage to the inn. Jack’s mind raced with possibilities.Had something happened with the inspection after all? Had Victor filed a new legal challenge? Was there another crisis?
They reached the library, and Jack pushed open the door.
He and Holly froze in the doorway.
Seated in the chairs in front of Charlie’s desk were two people Jack had never expected to see in his inn. Charlie sat behind the desk, her expression carefully neutral. William stood on oneside of the desk, and Logan on the other. Both men looked tense.
“What are they doing here?” Jack said through clenched teeth, his eyes fixed on the unwelcome visitors.
The man, who was a head shorter than Jack, stood up and walked toward him. “Hello, Jack. I know I’m the last person you wanted to see.”
He glanced back at the woman seated nervously in the chair. She looked like she wanted to disappear into the upholstery.
“You’re right,” Jack said coldly. “What are you and Terry doing here, Victor?”
19
JANE
Jane stood beside her father in the library, her stomach churning with nerves. The room felt too small, too warm, despite the winter chill outside. She glanced at the clock on the wall. Four fifteen. Any minute now, Pamela and Simon would arrive.
“I’m sorry it has to come to this, Dad,” Jane said quietly, her voice catching slightly. “I know it’s not what we wanted.”
Jack’s jaw was tight, his hands clenched at his sides. “Sometimes we don’t get what we want, sweetheart. Sometimes we have to accept what is.”
The resignation in his voice made Jane’s chest ache. After everything they’d been through, after all the work, all the community support, all the hope, it had come to this. They really didn’t need more drama and stress in their lives.
A knock at the door made them both turn as Marco stuck his head in the door. “They’re here. Do you want me to show them in?”
Jack looked at Jane. “Are you ready, sweetheart?”
“I still think Gran should be here,” Jane said softly.
“Sweetheart, we’re the Christmas bloodline; this has to be just you and me,” Jack told her. He turned to Marco. “Send them in.”
Jane took a deep breath, and Marco disappeared. A few moments later, the door opened again.
Pamela swept in first, looking immaculate in a cream-colored suit that probably cost more than Jane made in three months. Simon followed behind her, carrying his leather briefcase, his expression professionally neutral.
“Where’s Victor?” Jack asked, his voice flat. “Where’s Terry? We told you to bring them.”
“Victor had other business to attend to,” Pamela said smoothly, settling into one of the chairs at the large table. “And Terry... well, she’s not feeling well. The stress of everything, you understand.”
Simon took the seat beside Pamela, setting his briefcase on the table with a solid thunk. “Shall we get started? I’m sure you’re all eager to finalize this arrangement.”
There was something in his tone. Something smug. Like a cat that hadcornered a mouse.
Before anyone could respond, and as Jane and Jack were taking their seats, the library door burst open.
Charlie rushed in, her face flushed, with Holly and Julie right behind her.
“Jack, Jane, please,” Charlie said, slightly out of breath. “Don’t do this. Don’t sign anything yet. I might have another way.”
“Charlie, we’ve been through this,” Jack said. “There’s no other way.”
“There has to be,” Holly said, moving toward Jane. “Please, just give us more time. We can figure something out.”
