She’d known he’d loved her. But knowing he also liked her implied a different kind of intimacy. It implied that she was someone he chose to spend time with because of who she was. That it wasn’t all about sparks and chemistry. He liked her for who she was, good and bad. He enjoyed her company.
The only texts that followed were of the housekeeping variety until she reached the one she’d sent in September, apologizing for not being more compassionate after the accident.
She skimmed the rest of the texts. She now had a fuller picture of their relationship prior to her accident. A more complete picture of Jonah. Post-accident, she knew him as a patient and caring man. He’d treated her with all the respect in the world. Had given her the time and spaceshe’d asked for—a big ask given the kind of heartbreak he must be going through.
The Jonah in the text thread was decidedly more gregarious. More forthcoming with his thoughts and feelings. Though since her accident she hadn’t exactly encouraged him to express himself. Doing so would’ve made her uncomfortable. Would’ve put pressure on her. He seemed to know that and responded in a way that let her off the hook.
Seeing the contrast of Jonah before and after her accident only strengthened her respect and admiration for him.
She glanced at the photo app, her heart booming in her chest. No doubt there would be many pictures of them, of Jonah, of memories that had been erased. But she’d seen enough for one night. And given her vulnerable state, she wouldn’t risk opening herself to him any further.
Lauren had never experienced the kind of Thanksgiving the Landrys put on. They set up a huge table in the lodge and fed not only the family but also welcomed guests and stragglers from town who had nowhere to go. All told, twenty-seven people were sitting around the tables in the lobby.
The day after Thanksgiving they set up the cutouts she and Jonah had picked up two days before. Lauren couldn’t think of that trip without remembering the Heelys he’d given her and the fun she’d had circling the motel’s potholed parking lot with Jonah egging her on. She hadn’t laughed so hard in years.
Business picked up the first week in December as the town’s Christmas on the Lake Festival got underway. Light displays featuring holiday scenes lit up the shoreline. People came from miles around to view the magical display, visit Santa in his makeshift cottage, sample the local hot chocolate, and listen to the symphony performing classical Christmas music.
At the resort the barn was coming along. The flooring was installed that first week of December. It looked just as Lauren had envisionedit. And as she gazed at the beautiful venue, so close to completion, she couldn’t help the little bubble of sadness that bloomed at the thought of leaving it behind. At the thought of leaving Pinehaven and the Landrys.
And yes, Jonah.
Since that fateful road trip they’d come to a sort of truce. He was busy finishing the last of his classes. However, that didn’t stop Tammy from setting up jobs for the two of them to tackle together. Her interference hardly escaped Jonah’s notice either, but they complied with Tammy’s requests. And Lauren found herself enjoying the tasks all the more. Jonah was fun and easygoing. He let her take the lead, set the pace. She would miss him when she left.
She would miss him most of all.
She brushed the thought away as she traipsed across the property only two days before her departure. She huddled into her coat as she made footprints in the newly fallen snow.
She’d been in contact with Olivia about her job, which would start January second. That gave her almost two weeks to settle into her new studio apartment.
When thoughts of her dream job failed to produce the usual infusion of adrenaline and excitement, she shrugged it away. She had a lot on her plate—a lot to wrap up here before she left. The barn was finished except for the twinkle lights, but there were a million of those. She’d wanted to hang them herself, but after her fall the Landrys insisted on hiring someone to do it. A small crew was coming tomorrow.
The fully occupied property required a good deal of her attention and she still had to pack her things. The cabin felt like home after so many months here.
The sense of sadness at leaving swept over her again. She’d become so close with the Landrys. They were the kind of family she’d always wished for. And the rustic resort—which at first had turned her off—had grown on her in ways she couldn’t have foreseen. She would miss the nightlysunsets over the lake, the colorful guests, the frequent sightings of deer in the woods and loons on the lake. She would miss the sense of community and the feeling of belonging in this family.
She brushed away the melancholy thoughts as she neared the lodge.
When she reached the steps Tammy exited the building. “Hi, sweetheart! Oooh, it’s freezing out here.”
“You need a heavier coat.”
“I’m stubborn—I refuse to take the winter coat out of storage until after Christmas.”
Lauren laughed as they passed on the steps. “Suit yourself.”
“Oh, shoot! I forgot our passports and I’m already late for my appointment with Ellen.” Ellen was her travel-agent friend. Tammy was surprising Tom with a spring cruise for Christmas.
“If you tell me where they are, I’ll take pictures and send them to you. Will that work?”
“Oh, you’re a doll. They’re in our little safe upstairs in the entry closet. The passcode is 5489. Thank you, honey!”
“No problem.” As Tammy rushed to her car, Lauren headed inside, instantly grateful for the warmth of the fireplace. She’d come to clean up the mess one of the families had made in the lobby. The pieces of several games and two puzzles were scattered haphazardly around the seating area. It would take a while to sort it all out. But she passed the clutter and headed upstairs so she could allay Tammy’s worry.
The lobby held the comforting scent of pine and looked like a Christmas wonderland with the sixteen-foot Fraser fir, decked out with ornaments, garland, and white lights. Ropes of lit garlands topped the mantel and wrapped around the wooden banister. Tammy sure knew how to make a place welcoming. She had a gift, both with décor and demeanor. She had the ideal personality and skills for the hospitality business.
At the top of the stairs, Lauren twisted the doorknob and found it unlocked. Tom had left with Meg to get supplies for the property, so she helped herself to the entry closet and found the safe situated on a shelf at eye level. She put in the passcode and levered the door open.
Her gaze skittered over two shelves, passing a small hanging-file box, a manila envelope, boxes of blank checks... Ah, there they were. The passports were stacked toward the back, just past a blue velvet jewelry box. She withdrew the passports, snapped photos of the picture pages, and set the documents back inside the safe. Then she sent the photos to Tammy.
