“How nice,” Preston said. “Do you know where they are coming from? Are they from Florida?”
“I don’t really know.” Julie frowned thoughtfully. “I’m sure William will tell me later.” She flipped through the computer booking system. “Oh, yes, we do still have a room available for you, Preston,” Julie told him. “It’s on the second floor and has a balcony facing the sea.”
“That’s great, thank you, Julie,” Preston said. “I’ll take it.”
“I’ve booked it for you,” Julie assured him. “We look forward to seeing you in a few days.”
They exchanged a few more pleasantries, then Preston ended the call.
Julie stared at the phone for a moment before setting it down. She was updating the booking system with William’s guest when her phone bleeped. It was William with the names of his guests: Dr. Eve Reynolds, Dr. Mia Gray-Duncan, and her daughter Lila Duncan. So two doctors. William had said they needed to heal and revive. Julie briefly wondered what had happened when Jack appeared beside her, hands shoved into his pockets. “More bookings?”
“Three,” Julie said, and then corrected herself as she counted. “No. Four. William’s friends and Preston for a few weeks.”
Jack’s eyes lit. “That’s great news. It’s been a good Christmas. A good season.”
Julie exhaled slowly, a quiet release of tension she hadn’t realized she’d been holding. “Yes,” she said. “We’ve been very lucky this year.”
They stood side by side behind the front desk, the place that always felt like the Inn’s heartbeat. Julie glanced at the screen.
“We only have four more rooms available for the New Year’s Eve weeks,” Julie informed him as she noticed him glancing at his wristwatch. “What time did Holly say they would all be back?”
“In two hours,” Jack told her. “I can’t believe how quiet the inn is when they’re all gone.”
“I know,” Julie said with a sigh, glancing around. “We’ve become so used to all of them being here. I can’t imagine what it’s going to be like in a few days when they all go to Miami.”
“I wish they would go after the New Year,” Jack muttered.
“As Holly said, the sooner they wrap up in Miami, the sooner they can all start putting down roots here on Anastasia Island,” Julie told him. “You know, you can go with them, sweetheart. I can run this place by myself. William said he’d help me.”
“Absolutely not,” Jack told her, and before he could say more, the Inn phone rang.
Jack reached for it. “Christmas Inn,” he answered, voice bright and professional.
Jack glanced at Julie as he listened, then nodded. “Yes, we do,” he said into the receiver. “Yes, for a few weeks. Let me take your name.”
Julie handed Jack a pen and a notepad that he had jotted on before he repeated the name carefully. “Calvin Strand,” he said, eyes lifting to Julie. “All right, Mr. Strand. We’ll see you in two days.”
Julie’s eyebrows shot up.
One more room.
One more arrival in two days.
Julie typed the name into the booking systems again, noting that two days’ time would be a popular day for check-ins.
“Now we’re nearly full,” Jack turned to Julie as he put the phone down. “We only have two more rooms available. There’s no way I can go to Miami and leave you here.”
“Or you just don’t want to go to Miami,” Julie pointed out, hiding a smile. “We both know just how much you hate that place.”
“Yes,” Jack said with a laugh. “There is that too.”
Somewhere in a wooded area not too far outside of St. Augustine
A man stood outside a cabin, splitting wood beneath a pale winter sky. The axe rose and fell in a steady rhythm, the sound sharp against the quiet. His breath fogged in front of his face, then vanished.
He wore a flannel shirt, old jeans, and worn work boots. His hands looked practiced, the kind that didn’t waste motion. When the log cracked, it split cleanly, and he set the pieces aside without looking down, already reaching for the next.
The phone in his pocket vibrated.
