“You doing alright back there?” the driver asked gently, watching me in the mirror.
I forced a small smile. “Yeah. Just thinking.”
“That’s what most people come up here for,” he said. “Thinking, healing, or escaping. Usually all three.”
I looked out the window again, swallowing the truth of his words. Escaping was exactly what I claimed to be doing.
Healing was what Bree hoped I’d do. Thinking… was the one thing I wasn’t ready for. This morning had been chaos. Bree packed my suitcase like she was racing a clock, kissing Nikole’s cheeks every chance she got.
“Mama’ll be back very soon sweetness,” she’d told her.
Miss Carla promised hourly updates. Bree’s mama was already deciding what the baby would eat for dinner. My child had been scooped up by my village like a warm loaf of bread straight from the oven, and I barely had a chance to argue.
“Go breathe,” Bree ordered as she shoved my suitcase into the Uber. “Go remember you’re still a woman underneath all that responsibility.”
Easy for her to say. She wasn’t the one coming back to the last place her life blew apart. The SUV climbed higher, and the familiar nervous flutter settled low in my stomach, the same one I felt last year without even knowing why. Only now I knew exactly what I was heading toward… or rather…who.
I pressed my lips together and looked out the window right as the main lodge appeared through the trees. I could see the stone and wood and warm light glowing from every window. Christmas decorations wrapped the building like it was a postcard: garland on the roofline, wreaths on every door, tall lit trees inside the lobby. My heart thudded harder than the tires crunching over snow.
“Welcome back to Winter Haven,” the driver said, pulling beneath the covered entry.
Back.The word hit more than the cold air when I stepped out.
Inside the lodge, everything felt familiar yet amplified. There was bigger trees, deeper colors, and more warmth. Guests gathered near the stone fireplace, bundled couples held mugs, and soft Christmas music floated in the air. The Christmas spirit wrapped around me the second I walked in. Last year, I came through those doors empty, not even thinking about the holidays. All I cared about was chasing peace of mind and relaxing. This year, I came as somebody’s mother…eager to put the pieces of the puzzle together.
The front desk clerk smiled when I approached. “Welcome back to Winter Haven, Ms. Sterling.”
I paused. “You remember me?”
She tapped her keyboard. “We keep guest history. You were here last December under the name Elise Winters.”
I stared at the alias on the screen and had to bite back a laugh. Elise. The fake name Bree had booked me under. I wasn’t expecting her to know that yet somehow she did.
“Not this time,” I said softly. “Just me.”
Her smile widened. “We’re happy to have you. In cabin seven for a seven-night stay, with spa access, a sleigh ride voucher, and a welcome basket included… oh, and we have a holiday mixer tonight at eight if you’re interested.”
“We’ll see,” I murmured.
Outside, the walk to my cabin was short, just long enough for the cold to seep through my gloves and nudge my senses awake. Snow crunched beneath my boots with every step. Each cabin had a wreath on the door and a small tree glowing inside the window. Cabin Seven sat a little apart from the others, quiet and inviting. Inside, the fire was already lit, the room warm and fragrant with pine and vanilla. A welcome basket sat on the table with chocolate, wine, and a handwritten note.
Ms. Sterling, welcome back. We’re honored you chose Winter Haven again.
I set my coat down and let the weight of it all rest on my shoulders for a moment. Last time I walked into a cabin here. I had no idea my life was about to shift from a stranger’s mouth, his hands, his voice against my skin, and from the baby growing inside me after. My throat tightened at the thought.
Before getting ready, I Face-Timed Bree and my baby girl.
After two rings, the screen filled instantly with Nikole’s round cheeks, big curious eyes, and her little curls all over her head. She slapped her palm against the screen like she knew exactly who she was touching.
“There she go,” I whispered, my heart softening. “Hey, mama’s baby.”
“Mmm-ma!” she squealed.
Bree shifted into view, bonnet on, face mask dotted with glitter like she’d been waiting for drama. “Okay, show me your face. You look like you halfway about to panic.”
“I’m fine,” I lied.
“You’re lying,” she replied. “But it’s okay. That green sweater dress gon’ fix your whole spirit. That man gon’ feel you before he see you.”
