Lauren gave the room one last glance. She had everything, she was sure of it. But a part of her dreaded leaving this cabin for the final time. It had been her home for nine months. Even if she didn’t remember four of them, they seemed somehow deeply ingrained in every cell of her body.
Late last evening she’d walked to the barn with Tom and Tammy and gone over last-minute details. It was Lauren’s first time seeing the place lit up at night, the way it would be for most of their future events. The twinkle lights and draped white tulle softened the interior just as she’d hoped. And the towering stone fireplace was a magnificent focal point.
The whole room was downright magical. Any bride would be thrilled to be married or host her reception here. So many happy memories would be made in this building. She just wouldn’t be here to see them. The thought sent a pang of regret pinging through her like a pinball through a machine.
She shook away the melancholy thought as she slipped on her coat. Then she grabbed the box, her purse, and laptop bag. “Come on, Graham. Time to go.”
Tail wagging, the dog followed her outside.
She shut the door behind them and it latched with a cold click of finality. She’d pulled the car right up to the cabin to load it, remembering like yesterday when she’d moved in. Who could’ve known this place, these people, would have such a big impact on her?
Don’t think about that right now. Just get through this—you can mourn later.
She had to stay strong. It was time to drive over to the lodge and say her last good-byes to Tom, Tammy, and Jonah, who should be arriving shortly.
She’d parted ways with Meg last night after she’d met up with their single friends from church one last time. The woman had clung to her for a long moment, telling Lauren in a husky voice that she’d better keep in touch. Lauren wanted that. Meg had become like a little sister to her these past couple months. But Lauren wondered if staying in touch would only make it harder to let go of Jonah.
She opened the passenger door. She just wanted to get this over with and get on the road. Then she could focus on her new job. On her new life.
She was putting her things inside when Jonah’s voice called out, “Good morning.”
She backed from the car’s interior. “Morning.”
Graham greeted Jonah as if he hadn’t seen him in months.
Jonah seemed somber despite the grin plastered across his face. His breath fogged in the morning air. He looked so handsome as he offered Graham some affection. He’d barely made eye contact with her, which was probably why his gaze settled so quickly on the car. It was hard to miss the back seat, piled high with all her things.
Jonah straightened, the semblance of a smile wilting from his lips. “You’re all packed up?”
“I was awake early this morning and decided to go ahead and get loaded.” She glanced back at the cabin. “It’s all clean and ready for you.”At the end of the month, Jonah would be moving onto the property to assume the management position.
“You’re all ready to go?” His voice held a ragged edge.
Her throat constricted as if someone had tightened a corset around it. She shrugged. “No sense dragging this out.”
He winced.
She wished she could call back the insensitive words. But this good-bye would be hard for all of them. She had to somehow keep her composure.
She was an old pro at that. She opened her driver’s door. “We were just heading over to the lodge to say good-bye.”
Jonah stuffed his hands into his coat pockets. “Right. I’ll walk over with Graham and meet you there?”
“Sure.” She got into the car and started it up, watching Jonah take off across the property, Graham on his heels.
Two minutes later she was parking in the lot, her heart beating out a steady tattoo at what lay ahead. As she exited the car Graham bounded over.
Jonah had grabbed a snow shovel. “You can go on in if you want. I’m gonna clear the walk.”
There was barely an inch of snow and it would likely be gone by noon. “Okay.”
She headed inside where a fire was already crackling in the fireplace. The strains of “Silent Night” carried softly through the lobby speakers.
The stairs creaked as Tammy and Tom descended from their apartment, and Graham rushed to greet them, nails clicking on the wood floor.
Tammy’s gaze fixed on Lauren. “We thought we heard you pull up. You can’t already be packed and loaded.”
“I got an early start.”
