The Holiday Secret

“Miss El—Marshall—is here on vacation,” Carter interjected when Bea paused to take a breath.

“I know that, Daddy, but I heard her tell Gramma that she needs some peace and quiet.” She looked up at him, her expression earnest. “And snow horses are very, very quiet.”

Ellery suddenly witnessed an amazing transformation take place. A mixture of love and tenderness kindled in Carter’s eyes and the corners of his lips rustled, sparking what looked to be the beginnings of an honest-to-goodness smile.

One that Ellery felt all the way down to her toes.

And if only a hint of a smile could wreak havoc with her pulse, she could only imagine what kind of lasting damage a real one would do.

“I’m sure they are.” Carter scooped Bea up and parked her on the narrow ledge of his hip. “But Miss Ellery might be checking out tomorrow.”

Either Karen had mentioned that Ellery’s reservation was day to day or Carter had pulled up her name on the computer and done some investigating on his own.

Which reminded Ellery why she was here.

“Actually,” Ellery heard herself say, “I’ve decided to stay a little longer.”

A little longer.

What did that mean?

Two days? Three? Ten?

Carter didn’t have a chance to ask for clarification. Because Ellery Marshall, with a smile, a graceful turn and his favorite coffee mug, swept out of the kitchen.

“Time to check your backpack and get ready for supper.” Carter set Bea down on the floor but tiny arms clamped around his leg like a vise.

“And then we can play a game?” Bea asked hopefully. “I don’t have school tomorrow.”

“I think we can fit one in before bed.”

Bea’s grip tightened. “Are you going to be here when I wake up in the morning?”

These were the kind of questions that tore Carter up inside. “That’s the plan.”

A plan that was always subject to last-minute changes, but a five-year-old didn’t understand the complexities of a career in law enforcement.

She released him long enough to break into a happy dance. “We can go to the parade!”

Carter had been trying not to think about the Christmas parade.

“Ready to beat your record?” He looked at his watch. “Ten. Nine...”

Bea squealed and shot out the door.

“I realize this time of year is...difficult,” Karen said slowly, proof that no matter how skilled Carter had gotten at concealing his thoughts over the years, a mother never lost the ability to read minds.

But difficult?

Carter’s lips twisted.

The word wasn’t quite accurate.

Three years ago, he’d crossed multiple times zones to surprise Jennifer with what he’d thought would be the perfect Christmas gift. Spending it together as family. The first of many, because Carter had done a lot of soul-searching and decided not to reenlist.

Even half a world apart, he’d known that Jennifer was unhappy. And after Bea came along, things hadn’t gotten any better. Jennifer seemed to find motherhood as difficult as marriage to a man whose career took him away for months at a time.

Carter had made a commitment to serve his country, but he’d made a commitment to his family, too. He’d applied for and accepted a job as a deputy with the sheriff’s department.

Carter couldn’t wait to tell Jennifer they’d be able to return to Castle Falls and start over.

Jennifer, Carter had discovered, was more than ready to start over, too. With someone else. A wealthy, jet-setting entrepreneur who’d promised Jennifer the world had proven irresistible—even if that world that didn’t have room for an active toddler.

So instead of spending the holiday together, Carter had driven back to Castle Falls with a little girl who’d only seen her father twice since she’d been born. One who didn’t understand that when her mother had walked away from Carter, she’d been left behind, too.

So, yeah. Christmas was tough.

“Don’t you think it’s time to start replacing the bad memories with some good ones?” Karen asked softly. “Not only for Bea’s sake, but for your own.”

She was probably right.

But the holiday that brought families together only reminded Carter that his had fallen apart.

Chapter Five (#u484cf79b-4cd4-5297-bc1c-ac565409bce0)

“But I want to go, Gramma!”

The tearful declaration echoed around the lobby as Ellery came down the stairs on Saturday afternoon.

Bea was looking up at her grandmother, arms crossed, her stricken expression a dramatic change from the happy little girl Ellery had spent time with over the past few days.

Ellery slowed down, unsure of what to do. She didn’t want to interrupt the conversation but she didn’t want it to appear like she was eavesdropping, either.

“I know you do, sweetheart, but your daddy was called in to work and I have to wait for our new guests to arrive.” Karen looped her arm around her granddaughter’s shoulders and gave them a comforting squeeze. “But we can still do something fun. Why don’t you pick out a game and I’ll make some popcorn, okay?”

“Okay.” Bea’s sigh stirred the wisps of golden bangs on her forehead. She trudged toward the door, feet scraping the floor with every step, so downcast she didn’t notice Ellery standing at the bottom of the stairs.

Karen did. “I’m sorry, Ellery.” Her smile looked a little rueful. “When there’s a five-year-old in the house, life isn’t always contained to the family suite.”

“And it shouldn’t be,” Ellery said swiftly. “The inn is also your home.”

“Boundaries can be tricky, though.” Karen sighed. “Carter and I chose different careers but in some ways they’re very similar. We’re both on call 24/7. Most of the time we can make it work with some creative juggling...”

“But not today?” Ellery guessed.

Karen glanced at the doorway, making sure Bea was out of earshot.

“Carter planned to go to the parade with Bea, but his supervisor said they needed him tonight. And then fifteen minutes ago, a woman called and reserved two rooms. She guessed their party would arrive between six and eight, so I can’t take his place. I realize plans change, of course, but I hate to disappoint her.”