Page 112 of The Trouble with Mistletoe

“I’m sorry I was such a schmuck when you told me about him. I guess… I don’t know.” His body deflates with his sigh. “I didn’t want to think he’d hurt you. I always thought of him as a son.” He pulls back, holding me at arm’s length. “But you’re my daughter. I should have had your back, and I didn’t. I just hope you’ll give me the chance to make it up to you.”

“It’s okay.” I give him a smile. “I forgive you.”

“Not sure I deserve it.”

“I’m not forgiving you for you. I’m doing it for me.”

“I’m proud of you.” He pulls me close again, kissing the top of my head like he used to when I was a little girl. Then he releases me. “What do you say to a game of Trivial Pursuit? Like we always used to do on Christmas?”

“Hope you’re prepared to lose.”

He drapes an arm over my shoulder and steers me out of my room. “We’ll see about that.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

JOSHUA

The week between Christmas and the start of the new year always feels a little bittersweet at Holley Ridge.

The lights are still strung up. The giant Christmas tree still stands at the center. And the market is still packed.

But the magic has started to fade.

Christmas has come and gone. The presents have been opened. The cookies have been eaten. And Santa has returned to the North Pole to rest before beginning his preparations for next year.

In a few days, all of this will disappear, too.

The lights will come down. The booths will be disassembled. The wreaths will be taken off the doors. And the ornaments will be packed away until next year.

Holley Ridge will go back to being an inn.

Which is why, after finishing everything I need to do for the day, I don’t immediately head home.

Instead, I wander the grounds.

People are still everywhere. Families are bundled in coats and hats. Couples hold hands. Kids drag their parents toward the hot chocolate stand or beg for one more ride on the train.

Everyone seems determined to squeeze every last drop of Christmas out of the season before it’s over.