The Mills & Boon Christmas Wishes Collection. Maisey Yates

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СКАЧАТЬ bent over backwards with the weight of the tree in her arms.

      “He’s lugging an even bigger one behind me somewhere. But it’d be good to put it down. Any time soon.”

      I rushed forward to take some of the weight, fir needles poking me in the eye. “Argh!”

      “Golly, and you call me a city girl!” Amory laughed. “Let’s put the smaller one in the lobby and Micah can take the other to the ballroom, yeah, Clio?”

      Blinking away the sting I said, “Yes, perfect!” Decorating the tree was the cherry on top when it came to Christmas, the scent of earth and pine heavy in the air, the unmistakable perfume of the festive season! Waking up on Christmas morning with the snow-covered mountains in the distance, and trudging downstairs to warm myself by an open fire, peeking in stockings, drinking a gingerbread coffee – it was all to come and I could hardly wait. In the coming years I imagined some grand festive seasons if only I could make it through these first frugal times…

      For a moment all the stress about the bridal expo vanished, and the thought of spending Christmas with my friends and family in the place I’d always dreamed of living thrilled me. I was exactly where I was meant to be.

      The only thing casting a pall over my new life was Mom. She had refused to come back to Cedarwood and wouldn’t explain why. I knew she was somehow connected to the old owners who’d abandoned the lodge, and that she refused to talk about the overgrown maze hiding in the gardens, but she wouldn’t say anything more, and her silence made it so much worse. As though she couldn’t trust her own daughter with a secret. Those past hurts all resurfaced, as they tended to do at Christmastime.

      Still, I was working hard on rebuilding our relationship, even though she made it difficult – I was seeing her once a week, having dinner, attempting to have that mother-daughter relationship I’d always dreamed of. I hoped to slip out the next day and visit her before we really knuckled down to the expo preparation. I also planned to swing by the Evergreen library to see if I could find any old articles about what exactly had taken place here all those years ago. There must have been something in the papers or at least a photo or two of the place in its heyday. I’d spent hours searching the web as well, but a place as small and out of the way as Evergreen didn’t exactly have much of an online presence. I couldn’t find anything that told me what had actually happened all those years ago.

      When I mentioned the mystery to any Evergreen local they were conspicuously vague. But I couldn’t let it go. I had to find out what had happened. It was more than idle curiosity, it was a feeling that the future wouldn’t be as bright until we’d dealt with the past, lay those old ghosts to rest.

      Isla shuffled along, hefting the tree into a corner, her breathing heavy. Amory tried her best to help but toppled on heels she refused to stop wearing. I’d given up weeks ago, and was back to wearing ballet flats for comfort as well as safety with the amount of running about I did. Once the tree was in place we stood, hands on hips, and admired it. The green pop of color brought the lodge alive – I knew it was these touches that would make the brides coming next week sit up and take notice. Cedarwood Lodge was definitely a gorgeous place to spend time and, more importantly, get married!

      “Let’s decorate it!” Isla said, beaming, her freckled skin luminous with her efforts.

      Even Amory was getting into the Christmas spirit, though she did her best to act indifferent. “I’ll get the box of decorations.”

      Isla’s cheeks were ruddy from the cold and her eyes twinkled with happiness, just like the constellation of stars Micah would buy for her. She’d fallen head over heels for him and things were going well for the lovebirds. They tried to hide their affections but didn’t always succeed, I must have walked in on them kissing a hundred times since they started dating, and it always embarrassed them more than me. I loved love, and gave myself an imaginary pat on the back for playing Cupid with those two.

      Covertly scrutinizing Isla, I did what I did best: I began planning a wedding. Imagining what color bouquet would suit her best (red and ginger bird of paradise flowers that would pop against her white dress, and complement her glorious red mane of hair), what song they’d choose for their first dance (‘Come Away with Me’ by Nora Jones). But I shook the mental preparation away, lest she see my eyes had glazed over and I was lost to the netherworld of wedding planning… Not to mention there’d been no actual proposal either. I was getting ahead of myself; it must’ve been the thought of all those brides about to descend. I had weddings on the brain and, seeing romance blossom before me, it was impossible not to plan their perfect happy ever after.

      Micah trundled in with the second Christmas tree. Though it was twice the size of the other one he had it over his shoulder like it weighed next to nothing, and I couldn’t help but laugh as Isla gave him the goggle-eyes. “Where would you like this fine specimen?”

      “The ballroom, please,” I said, pointing the way, almost giddy over so much wonderful Christmas preparation.

      When Amory came back with decorations, we bent to the box, pulling out lengths of tinsel and ornaments. Holding a delicate handmade porcelain angel in her hands Amory said, “I’m only helping if I get to put the angel on top.”

      I clucked my tongue as I weaved the tinsel over the tree. “You are such a child.”

      “You’re only saying that because you wanted to do it.”

      “True,” I laughed. “Lucky there’s two trees.”

      “Before you start bickering about who does what, can we discuss the plan for the expo?” Isla joked, managing to drag her gaze away from Micah. “I want to double-check I haven’t forgotten anything.”

      Amory hugged the angel tight and said, “Yes, let’s. Team-meeting time.”

      Isla had been in the throes of landscaping the overgrown and forgotten tennis courts, but as winter blew in, she had shelved it for another time. There were also plans for volleyball by the lake – we were going to freight in some soft white beach sand, but again, winter had halted any of those ideas. Due to the arctic weather, and snowfall, Isla had taken on a more fluid role, and had agreed to be the recreation manager for our brides and any guests who might book in over winter.

      “Let’s make coffee and chat,” I agreed as I turned on the dazzling twinkling lights and smiled at our barely dressed tree. There would be time for adding baubles and trinkets, but for now it sparkled with light and tinsel.

      We ambled to the kitchen, calling out for Micah to join us. It was such a comforting space with its big old potbelly stove sitting in the corner like a long-lost uncle. I set about making drinks while the trio sat at the table, chatting about the expo and the odd jobs that still needed to be done. We’d been more organized this time, as I’d wanted to avoid any of the big setbacks we’d experienced with the anniversary party we’d planned last month. It was such a relief to be only a week away with most of the bigger jobs accomplished. Everything we needed – from Christmas decorations, to tubs of flour and sugar, right down to the Jingle Bells doormat – had been ordered ahead of schedule and delivered already.

      I joined them and once again we tucked into Georges’s festive treats. He was testing them out for the expo and I knew snowman cake pops would be a huge drawcard. Not only did they look utterly festive, they tasted delicious too. Any future Christmas wedding would be remiss not to include them!

      “Right,” said Isla as she took a notebook from her pocket. “So, what activities are we focusing on for the expo, and any guests who book in, bearing in mind it’s freezing out?”

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