Mistletoe and Memories (Evergreen Hollow Christmas #4)

Chapter 26

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

Nora dusted the snow off of her boots as she slipped them off, walking into the living room of the inn. It was early January, and luckily, everything was clear for Rhonda and Donovan to go on their anniversary trip after all. She and her sisters were there to see them off, and reassure them that everything would be fine in their absence.

She felt a wave of emotion as she walked in to see Rhonda sitting cross-legged in front of Madison’s bouncer, talking quietly to the little girl as Madison bobbed up and down, pushing her colorful blocks one after another toward her grandmother.

Nora stopped for a moment, just watching, enjoying the moment. She wanted to remember things like this, these moments that she knew in the future she would treasure as much as her parents treasured all of the memories that had been unearthed for their anniversary celebration.

Rhonda and Donovan were only going to be gone for a week, but Nora already felt sad that Madison wouldn’t have her grandmother for a week. She could tell that Madison was very attached to her, and they’d been spending more and more time at the inn since Aiden had figured out the key to Madison sleeping. They’d been on a more normal schedule after that, and Nora had been coming over a lot more.

She knew her parents would have an amazing time in California though. And they deserved it. She was over the moon that Donovan had been cleared to travel, and the trip was going to go exactly as he and Rhonda had planned.

Aiden and Rhett came down the stairs with the suitcases, carrying them out to Margo’s car so that she and Spencer could drive their parents to the airport. Caroline grabbed one of the suitcases as well—or at least she tried to, until Rhett shooed her off.

“I’m pregnant, not helpless,” she grumbled, but she gave Rhett a fond smile as he hefted the suitcases and followed Aiden out.

“We’re going to miss you,” Rhonda said as she hugged each of her daughters, Donovan following behind her. “But we’ll take so many pictures. And we’ll be home in no time.”

“Don’t rush,” Caroline said. “Enjoy it. The inn will be here when you get back.”

“With you running it, there’s no doubt,” Donovan said, giving her a hug.

“Don’t overwork yourself,” Rhonda added. “Stay off your feet.”

Caroline groaned. “I regret telling all of you about the baby.”

“I’ll keep an eye on her,” Margo promised. “After all, I’ll be staying here for a long while. We’ve got a wedding to plan.”

She beamed at Spencer, who was putting on his coat and boots, getting ready for them to go. Her tanzanite ring sparkled in the sun, and Nora smiled, still impressed over how perfectly Spencer had chosen a ring for her sister.

They all trooped outside as Rhonda and Donovan got into the car, letting out another chorus of goodbyes. Aiden put his arm around Nora’s shoulders as they watched the car head down the drive, pulling her close.

“Are you okay?” he asked, and she nodded, squeezing his hand as she leaned her head against his shoulder.

“Absolutely,” she said softly. “I am.” She turned to look at him, smiling as she looked up at his handsome face. “I hope when we’re older, we’ll still be just as in love as my parents are.”

He leaned down, kissing the top of her head. “I know we will be,” he said, his hand rubbing up and down her arm.

She turned toward him, wrapping her arms around his neck as she leaned in for a kiss, standing there in the snow.

It reminded her of the first time they’d kissed, up on the hill in the woods. She never would have guessed it would be him, but she was so glad that it was. That he had turned out to be her person, after all.

“I can’t wait to hear all the stories when they get back,” Aiden said. “They’re going to have a great time.”

“And see all the pictures,” Nora added. “Margo is going to go crazy over that.”

They stood there for a moment longer, looking out over the view, and Nora felt a wave of happiness fill her. She was so grateful for Aiden, for her sisters and her parents, and that they were all back home. That they all got to look forward to being together again very soon.

There was no better place to be than in this beautiful town, with her family.