Chapter Twelve
The next few days werethe happiest Rill could remember. Auntie O had messaged her that their trip was going well and that Fern was working with a natural healer and seemed to be doing fabulously. At the very least, they were both in high spirits.
She spent time with Owen every day. They did inn chores together, shoveled snow together, watched holiday movies, sat by the fire and read. The comfort and bliss of being part of a couple, no matter how unofficial, was invigorating. Her heart was filled with growing joy that was dampened by the certainty that she had a job to return to, and a career to build.
The inn bustled with guests arriving for the holidays. It was hard to believe it was already the twentieth of December and only days until Christmas. All the cabins were full as were the rooms in the main part of the inn. A full house. No room at the inn. She chuckled at the Christmas analogy and how it echoedLittle Drummer Boywhich played on the radio.
“What’s so funny?” Owen asked as they prepped the dining room for breakfast. Guests in the cabins could, and often did, come to the buffet breakfast they served each day. It made for early mornings. Not as early as it was for the kitchen staff, but early enough that both Owen and Rill were yawning as they worked alongside the chef.
“I was just thinking that we’re booked solid. You know, no room at the inn. Christmas.” She was relieved when he smiled at the somewhat lame joke.
“That is mildly amusing. Business is great. What’s on tap for today? I’d like to spend a bit of time in the shop if you can spare me.”
“Of course. Full house and full staff today. I’ll be busy in the office with paperwork. You don’t have to work 24/7 you know. Regular working hours are fine. You do get weekends off, except in emergencies.” She liked having him by her side every day. They worked well together, often anticipating each other’s needs. Sometimes she felt that they were akin to an old married couple with no need for conversation to get the job done.
Breakfast came and went in a flurry of activity and before they had time to breathe, it was over. “That was insane.” Owen slumped against the dining room wall when the last family finally returned to their cabin. “I had no idea how much teenagers ate.”
“Me neither. That boy ate twelve waffles and probably a full pound of bacon. No wonder he’s so enormous. I’m sure he could wrestle a bear.” She chuckled.
“He’s only sixteen, but he’s top in the province in his weight category in wrestling. Strong as an ox, according to his father.” He fell silent for a moment. “Sometimes it bothers me that some families have so much and others have so little.”
“Me too.” She often wondered about the inequality of life. “That’s why I have a couple charities I give to every year. The inn also gives money and toys to Santa’s Elves. And, I know you give a lot to the less fortunate, like Glover’s family.”
“I do what I can.”
“I’m headed to Santa’s Elves tomorrow for their final prep meeting. It should be fun.”
“Do you want an extra pair of hands tomorrow? I’d be happy to help out. I knew the inn collected for them, but I didn’t realize we were hands on as well.”
“Auntie O’s notes mentioned it, so I contacted the organizer. They are looking for strong backs to collect the donation bins from local businesses and plenty of hands for sorting the food and toys. Once everything is sorted, they’ll need people to build baskets based on the families’ needs. A lot has been done already, but they’re in the final prep stages. It’s going to take hours to wrap the final gifts.”
“I’d love to help with that.” He flexed his muscles, stretching the seams of his flannel work shirt to near bursting.
She beamed at him, her heart swelling with joy. He was practically the perfect man. Kind, generous, well-built, a sense of humor.
“We leave at seven-thirty in the morning. Be there.”
