Two dogs bounded in after them. A Great Dane, all legs and enthusiasm, nearly knocked into the desk before a sharp whistle from the man brought him back. The second dog, a Belgian Malinois, moved with controlled grace, her attention tracking everyone in the room.
“This is my fiancée, Holly Bennett,” Jack said, pride clear in his tone. He gestured to the younger woman. “This is my daughter, Jane.” Then to the man. “Her fiancé, Gabe. Who is also Holly’s son.” His hand dropped to the girl’s shoulder. “And this is Trinity, Gabe’s daughter.” He glanced at his family. “Everyone, this is Dr. Eve Reynolds, Dr. Mia Gray-Duncan, and her daughter, Lila.”
“It is so wonderful to meet you all,” Holly said, stepping forward to shake Eve’s hand first, then Mia’s, then Lila’s.
Jane’s smile was open and welcoming. “It is nice to meet you. My dad said you were arriving from California today. That is such a long trip.”
Gabe nodded in agreement. “Welcome to Anastasia Island. I hope the flight was not too rough.”
“It was fine, thank you,” Mia said, her voice steady but thin. “The Inn is beautiful. It has a lovely, warm, welcoming atmosphere.”
“Thank you,” Jack took that one. “It’s been in the Christmas family for generations.” His eyes swept over them. “You three must be tired after your long journey.”
“Right.” Holly’s brows shot up, and she smiled warmly. “I’m sure you would like to get settled in your rooms and rest for a bit.”
The Great Dane decided at that moment that Eve looked like someone who might pet him. He ambled over, sat beside her,leaning into her. Eve reached down automatically, her hand finding the dog’s massive head. His tail wagged hard enough to create a breeze.
“That’s Duke,” Gabe said with a laugh. “He thinks everyone is his new best friend.”
“And this is Brandy,” Jane added, gesturing to the Malinois who sat perfectly still, watching everything with intelligent eyes. “She is a little more reserved.”
Lila dropped to her knees immediately, her face lighting with the kind of joy that had been missing since they’d left Los Angeles. “Oh my gosh, they are gorgeous. Can I pet them?”
“Of course,” Jane said. “Duke will be thrilled. Brandy might take a minute to warm up to you.”
The conversation continued, voices overlapping in the way big families did, everyone talking and no one minding the interruptions. Eve kept one eye on Mia, who stood with her fingers worrying at the locket around her neck.
Jack stepped around his family with a key in his hand and turned toward Mia. “I have something for you.”
Mia’s eyebrows lifted. “We already have our room keys.”
“I know,” Jack said. “Eve’s and the one you and Lila are sharing have interconnecting doors, just like William requested. But there is another room on the other side of yours and Lila’s room.” He smiled warmly at Mia. “I hear you are a top trauma surgeon in Los Angeles.”
Mia gave a tight smile, her shoulders stiffening slightly. “I wouldn’t say top.” She swallowed. “But yes, I am a surgeon.” Herbrow furrowed, concern flickering across her features. “Why? Is everything okay?”
Eve sighed internally. Trust Mia’s brain to go straight to something being wrong, to someone needing medical help, to responsibility landing back on her shoulders.
“Everything is fine,” Jack assured her, holding the key out. “This is the room on the opposite side of yours and Lila’s room. It’s the only one with a large spa bath. My mother and I thought you could have the room. At no extra charge, of course.”
Mia’s eyes widened, genuine surprise breaking through the careful composure she’d been holding since they’d arrived. Her eyes misted slightly, and Eve felt her chest squeeze. No one ever really did things like this for Mia. She was always the one taking care of everyone else. Always the one carrying the weight. Always the one holding the pieces together.
“Are you sure?” Mia reached out slowly, her fingers closing around the key like she was afraid it might disappear.
“Trust me,” a female voice said from the doorway.
They all turned.
A tall, beautiful woman walked in, her presence commanding without being overwhelming. Behind her came another teenager, around Trinity’s age, and a tall man who moved with the quiet confidence of someone who knew exactly who he was.
The woman’s smile was warm and genuine as she looked at Mia. “It is the best room in the inn. I’ve stayed in it a few times and that bath...” She put her fingers to her lips for a kiss. “To die for. It literally melts all the stress away.”
Jack gestured to the newcomers. “Isabella, Christopher, meet Dr. Eve Reynolds, Dr. Mia Gray-Duncan, and her daughter Lila.” He smiled at the teenager. “And this lovely young lady is Maddy, Isabella’s daughter.”
“It is lovely to meet you,” Isabella and Christopher said in unison, their voices blending in a way that suggested they were a couple.
Maddy smiled shyly and moved toward Trinity, showing they were good friends.
“Likewise,” Eve, Mia, and Lila chorused back.
