The Holiday Secret

She wouldn’t even commit to an entire weekend.

The thought pushed Carter toward the door. “I’ll plow the driveway before I cut wood, so if there’s anything you need, let me...”

Know.

The last word got caught in Carter’s throat when he spotted Ellery standing beside the desk in the lobby. It was a little unsettling to admit that a pair of ocean-blue eyes could be so...unsettling.

“You mentioned a tour...” Ellery’s gaze slid back to Karen, who glided past Carter with a warm smile. “Is this a good time?”

“I have to call about a delivery, but it won’t take long.” Karen’s smile expanded to include Carter and before she said a word, he knew his mom was about to take him up on his “if there’s anything you need” offer. “I’m sure Carter won’t mind taking my place. It will give you two a chance to become better acquainted.”

Um. Carter did mind. A lot, actually. And he knew everything he needed to know about Ellery Marshall. But he couldn’t admit that without jeopardizing the inn’s five-star hospitality rating.

“Sure.” He pushed the word out. “Not a problem.”

“Wonderful! I’ll catch up in a few minutes.” Karen slipped the cell from the pocket of her apron and retreated to the kitchen to make the call.

Leaving Carter alone with Ellery for the second time that morning, the wary expression on Ellery’s face a clue she wasn’t looking forward to spending time with him, either.

Fine with him.

“The common areas all have names.” Carter pointed at the French doors off the lobby. “That’s the gathering room. Mom keeps it stocked with games and puzzles, so people like to hang out there in the evening.

“You’re already familiar with the dining room, so we’ll start down here.” Carter strode through the lobby, bypassing both the kitchen and the parlor he’d converted into the family’s private living room and opened a door at the end of the hall.

“The atrium.” Carter turned and almost bumped into Ellery, who’d positioned herself in the doorway for a better look.

“I love the windows.” She took a step forward and the fragrance of something exotic and floral—jasmine, maybe—teased his senses.

“You may want to come back later.” Carter tried unsuccessfully to block both the scent and Ellery’s attempt to enter the room. “I haven’t started a fire yet and the room gets pretty cold.”

Cold.

Ellery decided the description fit her tour guide, too.

Karen probably hadn’t noticed the wintry look in Carter’s eyes when she’d drafted him to take her place, but Ellery certainly had.

Was the man this abrupt with all the guests? Or just her?

She tried to peek around Carter, and she could almost feel his impatience as he moved to the side.

In spite of Carter’s reluctance to linger any longer than was necessary, Ellery couldn’t help but step into the room.

A couch upholstered in emerald-green velvet and two matching chairs curved around the hearth like a smile. A light glowed in a rustic crèche on the mantel, illuminating a small band of shepherds gathered around the holy family.

Ellery’s gaze moved to the balsam tree in the corner and a lump instantly formed in her throat.

This would be her first Christmas alone.

Like Karen, Ellery’s mom had decorated every room in the house. Miles of lights, rooms scented with bayberry and cloves and exquisitely wrapped gifts underneath the tree.

The month between Thanksgiving and Christmas had been filled with laughter and a steady stream of guests. Candace Marshall had understood that entertaining was more than simply sharing the same space—it meant sharing your life.

A legacy Ellery had continued after the private plane her parents had rented had gone down on their way to a medical conference.

For the last eight months, Ellery had poured all of her time and energy into starting a foundation that bore the Marshall name. Caring for people gave her a purpose. Something that filled the empty spaces in her heart when she returned to an empty house at the end of the day.

Still... Christmas.

Ellery couldn’t imagine celebrating the Savior’s birth without her parents.

She walked across the room, each step giving her a precious moment to collect herself.

Mullioned windows framed the peaceful scene outside. When Ellery had arrived, travel weary and white-knuckled from maneuvering through the snow-covered back roads, all her attention had been focused on the inn itself, not her surroundings.

Now she could see a weathered barn and a cluster of tiny stone outbuildings with arched windows and sloping rooflines dusted with snow.

“It looks like a gingerbread village.”

“I’ve always thought the same thing.” Karen appeared at Ellery’s side. “It’s been suggested that I have those old buildings torn down, but I can’t quite bring myself to do it yet.”

“No!” The word rolled out before Ellery could stop it. “They’re part of the inn’s history.”

“But not as practical as a parking lot,” Carter interjected.

Ellery should have known. The person who’d “suggested” that Karen level the outbuildings was the same one who’d voiced his opinion on how best to utilize the empty space.

But a parking lot? Really?

Karen turned toward Carter with a smile, unaware of the tension that had been crackling in the air since the beginning of the tour. “I’ll pick up Bea after school today. A package we ordered was shipped to the post office, and we can swing by to get it on our way home.”

Carter shook his head. “More decorations?”

“Christmas,” Karen responded cheerfully, summing up the reason for the festive environment with a single word. She winked at Ellery. “We do tend to go a little overboard this time of year.”

“The tree is beautiful,” Ellery murmured.

“Carter and Bea found it on the property,” Karen said. “Cutting down the tree has become a tradition.”

Carter cleared his throat. “And speaking of cutting down trees...”

“I believe that is my cue to take over and let my son get back to work.” Karen linked her arm through Ellery’s. “Carter keeps some trails open for the guests, so feel free to explore the grounds. I also have a map of cross-country ski trails near Castle Falls, if you’re interested.”

Ellery was interested in the people who lived there.

And more than ready to escape the chill in the air.

She could practically feel Carter’s watchful gaze as she and Karen left the room.