“Yes, Parker. Even though I’d lose a lot of money.”
She studies me for a beat, as if unsure whether I’m being sincere.
I can’t quite explain it, but a part of me wants her to succeed. Wants her to save Holley Ridge. Wants her to receive this Christmas miracle.
Regardless of what it means for my firm’s bottom line.
Finally, she lifts her glass and clinks it against mine. “To Christmas miracles.”
CHAPTERFOURTEEN
PARKER
“I guess it’s time to get you back to Holley Ridge before you turn into a pumpkin,” Callum remarks as he helps me into my coat after a longer than expected dinner.
Even once we finished our main courses, neither of us seemed ready to leave, so we stayed for dessert and coffee. And more coffee. And even more coffee.
Through it all, Callum didn’t once bring up the possibility of me selling him Holley Ridge. Once I told him I wouldn’t consider any offer until after Christmas, he stopped pressuring me. For some reason, that meant more than his willingness to compromise on his plans for the property.
For someone who scoffed at me last week for manifesting a solution, he suddenly seems quite accepting of my desire to hold out for a miracle.
Callum places his hand on my lower back as he leads me through the lobby of the hotel where the restaurant’s located, holding the door open as we step outside into the chilly night air.
But unlike when we were last outside, it’s now snowing.
And quite heavily.
“Where did this come from?” Callum frowns as he surveys the snowflakes falling in the dark sky, the streets and buildings draped in white.
“That’s winter in the mountains for you.” I shrug. “It can come out of nowhere. And just because it’s a clear forecast in Sycamore Falls doesn’t mean it will be in these mountain towns that are at a higher elevation.”
He faces me. “What should we do?”
I chew on my bottom lip, debating our options. I may have spent most of my life living in an area that gets frequent snow. I still hate driving in it, the roads slick and visibility limited.
At the same time, I hate the idea of being gone from Holley Ridge longer than necessary. Since I opened the inn, I haven’t spent a single night away.
But I’d rather Callum not have to drive sixty miles in this weather. He seemed to be a safe driver on the ride up here. It’s not him I’m worried about, though. It’s all the other drivers on the road.
Pushing out a long sigh, I lift my eyes toward his. “We should probably play it safe and stay here for the night. It’s coming down pretty hard. It’s all winding mountain roads on the way home. Plus, if you don’t have four-wheel drive or chains for your tires, highway patrol won’t let you past the first checkpoint.”
“It’s a rental so I doubt it.” He nods toward the front doors of the hotel. “Should we see if they have a couple of rooms available?”
“Sure.”
Callum holds the door for me, a wall of warm air hitting us the second we step back inside.
“How can I help you this evening?” a chipper woman in her thirties asks as we approach the front desk.
“I was wondering if you have any rooms available,” Callum says, his voice exuding power and control. “We came up for dinner and didn’t anticipate getting stuck in a snow storm.”
“This certainly came out of nowhere, didn’t it? Living in the mountains is always an adventure.” She types on her keyboard for a few moments. “It looks like you’re in luck, though. We do have a deluxe room available.”
“Do you have two?”
“Sorry. Just the one. It’s a busy time of year for us, as you can see.” She gestures around the lobby, dozens of people milling about, taking in the decorations and ambience.
“Are there two beds at least?” Callum asks.
