“Isn’t it good news?” Bianca asked. “You don’t have to get on a plane today.”
Olivia pulled back. “We’re not leaving at all?” She sounded hopeful and surprised and maybe a little worried.
“Why would we?” Bianca trilled a laugh and glanced at Marshall, her gaze just as warm. “Christmas is about family, so we’re going to spend the holiday here.” She hugged Olivia harder, eyes still on her ex-husband. “Because we Hamptons are afamily.”
She stressed the word as though it needed extra emphasis.
Olivia frowned, clearly weighing the news in her sharp and analytical brain. “So… I don’t have to leave Park City?”
“No, you don’t,” Bianca said, smoothing her daughter’s sleeve. “Isn’t that wonderful? We’ll do Christmas in Park City! We can hit the slopes, shop in town, go out to dinner. It’ll be such fun, right, Marsh?”
He swallowed. “Where are you staying?”
“Oh, well…” She huffed a frustrated breath. “My decision was so last-minute, I’m still scrambling for an Airbnb or something. Goodness, though, this town is crowded with tourists over the holidays. The decent places are booked through New Year’s. Lifts are open, and there’s a waiting list everywhere. I guess I could just drag her to some motel on the highway.”
She waited a beat, looking at him with an expectant expression.
“Or…” She pressed her hands into a praying pose against her lips, all but batting her lash extensions at her ex-husband. “This place looks big. I’m sure you have a guest wing or?—”
“That’s not going to work,” he replied, leaving no room for argument.
“Oh…” She pouted. “That’s a shame, Marsh. I won’t be any trouble, I swear. I don’t eat much, I sleep late, and Olivia and I are supposed to be together this holiday.”
“But you and I aren’t,” he said.
“Oh, Marsh. It’s Christmas!”
Gracie took a step back, everything introverted in her really wanting to hide while Marshall and Bianca hashed this out.
“And this is my house at Christmas,” he said. “Of course you should spend your Christmas with Olivia any way you like. But not…here. Not in this house.”
“Oh, dear. I guess this was a bad idea,” Bianca said.
Marshall gave a soft “ya think” snort, but Olivia stepped up, looking…yeah, hopeful. She wanted her mom to stay here.
“I could still be with both of you that way, Dad,” she said. “I mean, Mom and I would do things but we could…” Her voice faded as Marshall looked at her, the war of emotions evident on his face.
He wanted Bianca to leave. He wanted Olivia to be happy. And as of ten minutes ago, he wanted a future with Gracie.
A beat passed and everyone in the room looked at Marshall, who had just enough pain in his eyes for Gracie to feel it.
He shouldn’t have to justify not hosting his ex. He also shouldn’t be the villain in Olivia’s eyes. And Bianca had a point about the timing—Park City was packed.
Gracie cleared her throat, already knowing exactly what to say even before she opened her mouth. It was the right thing to do—not ideal, but right.
“Actually,” she said, and four faces turned. “There’s another option. My family happens to own a lodge with plenty of beautiful cabins available this month. We just finished renovations and haven’t officially opened, so…”
“Miss Gracie!” Olivia exclaimed. “That’s perfect! And Mom, I can stay with you!”
“We can have more epic snowball battles,” Benny chimed in after staying weirdly silent all this time.
“And take sleigh rides and go sledding and it’s really close to the ski resort and, Mom, you’ll love Snowberry Lodge!” Oliviawas practically jumping with excitement, but Bianca did not look happy.
“Snowberry…” She cringed. “That sounds…quaint.”
“It is,” Gracie said. “My mother and aunt are having a soft opening of the newly renovated cabins this week. You could have the one that has two bedrooms and a fantastic mountain view.”
Bianca didn’t look convinced. “Is it…nice? I’m not a snob, but I like my Egyptian cotton sheets and room service.”
