Page 63 of Cottage on the Bay


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“Paul!” Peter crossed the room with his hand extended. “This is exactly what I hoped for. Thank you. That parade was spectacular. Gordon made a wonderful Santa, and the whole community turned out. Now I’m ready for an exceptional meal.”

Relief flooded through Paul’s chest. “I’m glad you enjoyed the parade. Shall we begin the dinner service?”

“Absolutely.” Peter glanced toward the windows where the Christmas market lights twinkled in the distance. “This is pure Montana magic. I’m glad my staff could experience it firsthand.”

“We’re glad you’re here, too,” Paul said to him. While Kathleen showed Peter to his table, Paul signaled to Harry, and the kitchen erupted into synchronized motion.

Within minutes, appetizer plates emerged. Jenny and two servers Paul had hired specifically for tonight distributed plates with choreographed precision.

Patrick appeared at Paul’s side. “The buses are locked and secure, and the drivers are having dinner in the kitchen.”

“Thank you for organizing that.” Paul appreciated Patrick’s steady presence.

“Happy to help.” Patrick lowered his voice. “How’s Susan holding up?”

“She’s doing okay.” And she was, which didn’t surprised Paul. Susan was spending as much time as she could with Lynda, helping in small ways that meant a lot to her friend.

The main course service began smoothly. Paul watched his guests cutting into perfectly cooked meat, savoring the herb crusts he’d labored over. Conversations grew animated. Wine glasses emptied and were refilled. The celebration he’d promised Peter Bennett was materializing exactly as designed.

Harry caught his attention from the kitchen doorway, giving a quick thumbs-up. Everything was proceeding according to plan.

Paul allowed himself a moment of satisfaction. Then his phone vibrated in his pocket. He pulled it out discreetly, expecting another update from Susan about the church dinner.

Susan’s name appeared on the screen: Matt had more scans today and the results came back. The swelling in his brain has gone down. The doctors are thinking of taking him out of sedation tomorrow. Lynda is crying with relief.

Paul’s breath caught. He read the message twice, letting the words sink in. Matt was going to be okay. After days of uncertainty and fear, there was finally real hope.

He quickly typed back: That’s incredible news. Tell Lynda we’re all thinking of her and Matt.

Kathleen was passing by with a water pitcher, and Paul reached out to touch her arm. “Kathleen, look at this.”

He showed her Susan’s message, and Kathleen’s hand flew to her mouth. Tears filled her eyes. “Oh, thank goodness,” she whispered. “Patrick needs to know.”

She hurried off to find Patrick, and Paul stood for a moment in the middle of his busy dining room, feeling gratitude wash over him. Matt’s recovery had been weighing on everyone in their community. The accident had cast a shadow over the entire holiday season, and now that shadow was finally lifting.

A few minutes later, Kathleen returned with Patrick. Both of them looked happier than they had all night.

“Susan sent it to me too,” Kathleen said, her voice thick with emotion. “I can’t imagine how relieved Lynda must be.”

“After everything she’s been through,” Patrick added, “she deserves this good news.”

Paul pocketed his phone. “Let’s make sure tonight remains perfect. For Peter, for this community, and because Matt’s improvement is worth celebrating.”

Kathleen squeezed his arm. “You’ve already made it perfect for the BioTech employees, Paul. Look around.”

He did. His dining room hummed with contentment. His guests were enjoying exceptional food, and his staff were working in seamless harmony.

Across town, Susan was creating her own kind of magic at the church dinner. And at the hospital in Polson, Matt was moving closer to waking up and seeing Lynda again.

This was what community meant. Not just the parade and decorations, but the people who transformed ordinary December evenings into something worth remembering.

Chapter 32

Susan shifted in the uncomfortable plastic chair, trying to find a position that didn’t make her back ache. The ICU waiting area at St. Joseph Medical Center had become her second home over the past three days. She knew which vending machine dispensed the least stale coffee, which nurse worked the early shift, and exactly how long it took for the automatic doors to open and close.

Across from her, Matt’s daughter Stephanie sat with her husband Mark, their fingers intertwined as they stared at the television mounted on the wall. Neither seemed to be actually watching the program. Their children, Lily and Ethan, were sprawled on the floor with a coloring book between them.

Amy, Lynda’s daughter, was typing on her laptop, catching up on work to distract her from what was happening on the other side of the doors.