Ethan picked them up and busied himself. “It’s an adjustment. They wanted to give her something different. Last year was hard on both of us and I think they wanted to try something new. Out of the comfort zone.”
Adrienne nodded slowly, wondering what he wasn’t saying, but recognizing that it wasn’t her place to ask. “That’s why I’m here too. I have a deadline for my novel and also I needed to try and get back my Christmas spirit in a healthy way this year. I realized that wasn’t going to happen at home.” She looked around. “Mind…the place looks much different than it did on the website.”
Ethan froze at this and when she caught his chocolate gaze again, he flushed. “I…I’m sorry about that. It’s…I haven’t…” He took a deep breath. “It was always my wife that decorated for Christmas. I’m really sorry that I didn’t update the photos on the website.” He paused, still holding her credit card. “Do you stillwant to stay here? I understand if this isn’t what you wanted. I won’t charge you any fees if you change your mind.”
His wife. Adrienne peered at him intently, and saw the whole picture as clear as day. The sorrow in her own soul was echoed in his, a mirror image of pain. She slowly shook her head. “Please charge my card. I look forward to my stay here.”
And oddly, she realized, as his face bloomed with a smile, she realized that was true. Even with the disappointing lack of decorations, she had the feeling that something big was about to happen this trip.
Hopefully it included a break in her writer's block.
The morning dawned,and with it, no miraculous recovery of her words. No mind-altering excitement for Christmas. Adrienne rolled over and sighed. Despite these facts, she was determined to…something. Make the most of her vacation no matter what.
As soon as she stepped onto her porch, Ava walked by. What a small bundle of happy energy this little girl was, as she bounded up the porch towards her. Adrienne couldn’t help but smile at the girl.
Adrienne walked past the two rocking chairs on the cabin’s porch and gestured to the swing. Ava hopped on it and Adrienne joined her.
“Are you on winter break from school right now?”
“Yeah.” Ava kicked off and got the swing going. “I don’t have to go back until January.”
“That’s nice. Are you enjoying it so far?”
Ava shrugged and the typical bubbliness that had surrounded her, dimmed a little. “I love Christmas, but it’s not the same since Mom died.”
Adrienne felt her heart constrict. “How so?”
Ava shrugged again. “I guess it’s just not festive. We didn’t even decorate this year. Last year was so hard on Dad when we tried that I didn’t even want to ask him this year. I’m sure it’ll be fun at Nana and Papa’s but it’s not here. Christmas here was always magical.”
She’d seen the photos online. She didn’t doubt it had been magical to a child. She pushed off to give them a good boost and then let her legs dangle just like Ava’s on the swing. “I lost my parents this year. It’s my first Christmas without them and I’m struggling too.”
Ava’s eyes widened. “Is that why you’re here?”
Adrienne nodded. “Yeah, I kinda hoped it would give me the Christmas spirit back. Christmas has always been my favorite.”
Ava pouted. “What’s your favorite thing?”
Adrienne cocked her head, thinking. “It’s hard to pin down my favorite. I liked a lot of things.” Liked. She hated how she referred to it in the past tense. “What about you?”
Ava let out a large breath. “I love the Christmas lights. When I was a kid, Mom and I would lay down underneath the tree and look up at the lights from underneath. There was nothing like it, on a really cold night. We’d get a blanket and put it over the vent that was by the tree, and snuggle our feet together under it as we laid there. You had to be Really Careful though, or you’d Burn Your Tootsies.”
Adrienne laughed at the image. “Yes, I imagine so. Wow. I haven’t looked up from under the tree like that since I was a kid. That sounds like fun.”
“Do you have a tree?”
“Kind of. I mean, I put one up at home, but it wasn’t the same. I don’t have one here.”
Ava stood up quickly and got a look of determination on her face. “Well, that’s it then! We need to get you a tree for your cabin!”
Adrienne couldn’t help but smile at this. “Oh we do, do we?”
“Yes! There’s a tree farm not too far from here and we can get you a tree and decorate it! We have loads of lights you can borrow. I’m sure Dad won’t mind.”
A real tree? Adrienne smiled at the thought. They had rarely done real trees at home, with her Dad having hated the dropped needles and sap. One couldn’t deny how amazing it would smell, though. Like bringing the magic of the vista in front of her to her room. Maybe she’d even be able to write.
“Sure. Let’s do it.”
Ava squealed and jumped up and down. “This is going to be so much fun! We’ll bring Christmas back to you, Ms. Croft! Let me get my jacket.”
