1
HOLLY
Holly’s heart still pounded in her chest as she watched Trinity refuse to let go of Gabe, her small arms wrapped around his neck like she might never release him again. The dining room filled with the soft sounds of movement as everyone gradually remembered that cookies and cocoa were waiting, but Holly couldn’t take her eyes off her son. He looked older, more weathered than when she’d last seen him almost three years ago—had it really been that long?
The Florida sun had nothing on wherever he’d been stationed—his skin carried that particular bronze that came from desert heat and endless days under unforgiving skies.
“Baby girl, you’re gonna have to let me breathe sometime,” Gabe said, but his voice carried only warmth, no real complaint. His hand moved in slow circles on Trinity’s back, the same soothing motion Holly remembered from when Trinity was a toddler with nightmares.
“Five more minutes,” Trinity mumbled into his shoulder, and everyone in the room laughed, the sound breaking the spell of frozen wonder that had held them all.
“How about we sit down, and you can still hold onto me?” Gabe suggested, shifting Trinity’s weight. Holly caught the slight grimace that crossed his face, there and gone in an instant, but a mother’s eyes missed nothing.
Isabella had already moved to the table, arranging plates and napkins with the efficiency of someone who’d done this a thousand times. The cookies were works of art, snowflakes dusted with pearl sugar, trees piped with perfect green frosting, stars that sparkled with edible glitter. Steam rose from the pot of cocoa, filling the air with the scent of chocolate and cinnamon.
“These look amazing, Isabella,” Charlie said, reaching for a snowflake. “You’ve outdone yourself.”
“Wait until you taste them,” Isabella replied, but her attention had shifted to Christopher, who stood slightly apart from the group, looking uncertain about where he fit in this family reunion.
The moment of awkwardness was broken by the sound of clicking nails on hardwood. Duke appeared in the doorway, his massive frame pausing as he assessed the room full of people. His tail started its slow wag, building momentum as he recognized familiar faces and spotted new ones.
“Duke!” Trinity finally released her father, dropping to her knees as the Great Dane bounded toward her. The dog’senthusiasm sent her tumbling backward, laughing as he covered her face with kisses.
Gabe instantly reached for his daughter but stopped when he realized the only danger Trinity was in was being licked and loved to death by the huge puppy.
“Easy, boy,” Jane called, but she was laughing too. Duke’s joy was infectious, his whole body wiggling with excitement as he moved from person to person, demanding attention from everyone.
“Now that’s a dog,” Christopher said, kneeling to meet Duke at eye level. The Great Dane immediately pressed his huge head against Christopher’s chest, nearly knocking him over.
“He thinks he’s a lap dog,” Logan warned, but it was too late. Duke had already decided Christopher was his new best friend, trying to climb into his lap despite being roughly the size of a small pony.
“I can see that,” Christopher laughed, struggling to stay upright as Duke’s weight threatened to topple him completely.
Julie moved through the chaos with the grace of someone who’d managed family gatherings for decades. She placed a gentle hand on Gabe’s shoulder, her eyes bright with unshed tears. “Welcome to the Christmas Inn, both of you,” she added, including Christopher in her warm gaze. “We’re so glad you’re here.”
“Thank you for accommodating us at such shortnotice, Mrs. Christmas,” Gabe said, standing to greet her, holding out his hand, only to be trapped in a hug by Julie.
“None of that Mrs. Christmas business. I’m Julie.” She turned to Christopher, who’d finally managed to get Duke to sit, though the dog’s tail still swept the floor in wide arcs. “That goes for you, too, young man.”
Christopher smiled and embraced Julie in a warm hug, making Holly’s grin widen. Christopher was like a second son to her and had spent most of his school years with them as his parents travelled a lot, being war correspondents.
Jack stepped forward, his handshake firm and welcoming. “Good to finally meet you, Gabe. Your mother talks about you constantly.” His eyes crinkled at the corners, and he turned to Christopher. “And you must be Christopher?”
“That’s right,” Christopher answered, shaking Jack’s hand. “This is a great place you have here.”
“Thank you,” Jack said.
Logan added his own greeting, clapping Gabe on the shoulder with the easy familiarity of someone who understood military bearing. Charlie hugged her nephew tightly, whispering something that made him smile.
Jane hung back slightly, one hand on Duke’s head as the dog leaned against her leg. She offered a quiet “Welcome to the inn,” that carried weight Holly couldn’t quite identify. There was something in the way Jane looked at Gabe, a recognition perhaps, of someone else who’d carried loss.
Trinity had reclaimed her position at her father’s side, her hand firmly grasping his. “Dad’s hurt,” she announced to the room with the matter-of-fact tone children used for important news. “He’s wearing a special boot.”
Holly’s eyes dropped immediately to Gabe’s right leg, noticing now what she’d missed in the emotion of the moment. A medical boot, the kind that spoke of recent injury, not quite healed.
“It’s nothing serious, Mom,” Gabe said quickly, reading the concern that must have shown on her face. “I landed badly and cracked my fibula.” He patted the boot. “This keeps it steady while it heals. Another few weeks and I’ll be good as new.”
“He’s downplaying it,” Christopher said, his tone carrying the steady certainty of someone who’d been there. “He broke his leg saving three civilians. The landing was bad because he shielded a kid with his body when a wall came down.”
