Silver Linings (Collier’s Creek Christmas)

5. Chapter Five

Chapter Five

Cam

Greg and I step into Fox’s restaurant. Felix spots us from where he waits at the hostess desk, his face lighting up with a broad smile.

“Cam! Greg! So glad you could make it,” he says, pulling us both into an awkward three-person hug. You’d think we hadn’t seen him for months. But his enthusiasm is contagious, and I chuckle as I return the embrace.

Kit steps up and offers a more subdued greeting, clasping my hand firmly. “It’s good to see you both.”

“Likewise,” I say. “I can’t wait to hear how things are coming with the new book. Felix won’t tell me anything and I’m desperate to find out if—”

Felix yanks my arm. “Don’t bother asking.”

“Huh?”

“He won’t even tell me,” he says as he leads me toward a booth where Fiona stands with menus in her arms.

Behind us, Kit chuckles.

We greet Fiona and settle into the booth. I take a moment to appreciate the familiar surroundings—the wooden beam ceilings, the white walls adorned with local artwork, and the large windows, although it’s now dark outside. It’s nice to be out enjoying one of the nicer restaurants in town with Greg and our closest friends.

After placing drink orders, Felix turns to Kit and flutters his eyelashes. “So, about that book…”

Kit rolls his eyes. “How about we drop the subject and if you’re a good boy, I’ll give you a few hints about the ending before anyone else?”

Felix pouts and folds his arms as he leans back, but his eyes are sparkling. Kit’s last novel “Peril in the Mountains” was a best seller, and his new series looks like it’s going to do just as well.

“I read something about movie options for the Mountain Mystery Files series,” Greg says.

Kit shrugs. “It’s early days yet, but yeah, we’ve started discussions.”

“That’s awesome, man.”

“Thanks, but I’m more excited about the new things Felix has planned for Sweetwater Retreat,” Kit says, the pride evident in his voice. “Not only do the cabins look amazing—rustic but with all mod cons, but Felix has a whole raft of activities planned. He’s introducing writing and art retreats, as well as themed weeks for hiking and winter sports.”

Felix nods and grins, sitting forward in his seat. “We want to attract more tourists to Collier’s Creek, giving them new experiences. To showcase everything our little town has to offer, including our resident best-selling author.” He throws his arm around Kit’s shoulders. “I may as well make the most of him, right?”

Greg chuckles. “That’s a brilliant idea, Felix. I’m sure it’ll be a huge success for the retreat, not to mention bringing more customers to other businesses.”

“I have to thank you both, you know,” Felix says. “Managing the coffee shop while you were away… it brought me back to Collier’s Creek where I found a sense of purpose.” He reaches for Kit’s hand, their fingers intertwining. “And of course, it brought me to Kit. I never would have found this happiness if it weren’t for the opportunity you gave me.”

Just a year ago, I had entrusted Felix with managing the coffee shop while Greg and I embarked on our world trip. Now, here we are, gathered together once more, celebrating just how far we’ve all come in that short time. “It was a win-win situation,” I say. “We were lucky you could step in when you did.”

“It’s just such a shame the way things ended up,” Kit says, and the conversation turns to our trip, the memories bittersweet.

“God, seeing New Zealand and Australia was amazing. We were having the time of our lives,” I say. “But when we got the call about my mom’s illness, everything changed. I felt terrible cutting things short. It was meant to be a celebration trip after Greg’s recovery.”

Greg rubs his thumb over my knuckles, a comforting gesture. “There was never any question about ending the trip early. We knew we had to be here for her. Family always comes first.”

“I can’t even imagine how hard that must have been, getting the news of her relapse when you were so far away and you’d been planning the trip for so long,” Felix says softly.

I sigh. “MS can be unpredictable and we’re just lucky Mom’s doing so well now. That’s the main thing.”

“Of course,” Felix says. “And you’ll have plenty of other opportunities to travel, to see the world together.”

I squeeze Greg’s hand. Felix is right—there’ll be opportunities to travel in the future, but our plans have changed. Greg throws a smile my way and I know he’s thinking the same thing I am. We now have bigger plans. Better plans.

Fiona interrupts to take our orders and we talk about travel bucket list destinations until our meals are delivered then the conversation turns back to Felix’s retreats. As he continues to share his plans, I watch the love and adoration that passes between him and Kit and reflect on the challenges Greg and I have faced in our own relationship.

Then the memories of Greg’s accident flood my mind, as they always do when I think back on the journey we’ve taken. I reach for his hand under the table, comforted by his warm grip and the gentle smile he sends my way.

God! That was the worst time of my life. The fear and uncertainty that gripped me as I sat by his hospital bed, praying for his recovery. Those long months of rehabilitation, the financial strain of running the coffee shop alone while caring for my mother, it all comes rushing back. But as I look at Greg now, his hand still clasped in mine, I know that every struggle, every obstacle we’ve overcome, has only served to strengthen our bond. Our love has been tested time and time again, and yet, here we are, still dreaming of the future we’ll build together.

“How about a toast?” I propose, lifting my glass. “To a thriving business. Here’s to Sweetwater Retreat.”

“Speaking of success,” Felix says as we all touch glasses, “how’s the house coming along? I still can’t believe you guys took on the cottage. It’s a lot of work, and I’ve got to be honest, neither of you has a lot of renovating experience.”

I chuckle. “We’re not going to let a cottage renovation defeat us. It’s a fun adventure to do it ourselves—”

“Not to mention we can’t afford to pay for professionals,” Greg says, always the voice of reason, then he chuckles.

“Like I said, it’s fun doing it ourselves,” I say. “Did you know how much information is available on YouTube? Everything from replacing dry wall to installing windows to sanding floorboards. And lucky for me, this guy is amazing. Greg’s doing so much himself while I’m working at CC’s.”

“One of the advantages of working from home,” Greg says, taking a sip of his drink. He meets my eyes with a warmth that never fails to make my heart skip a beat.

My throat tightens with emotion. “I’m lucky to have you.”

Greg sets his drink down. “Right back at ya, babe.”

My cheeks heat and I glance down, lifting my fork and focusing on my Fettucine Amatriciana, but there’s a smile on my face.

“Hey, did you hear about the latest stunt Jordan Ellis got up to?” Felix says, changing the subject. “He left a naked gnome—a very well-endowed naked gnome—in Geraldine’s front yard.”

“Really?” Greg says. “But why does that not surprise me?”

“Probably because that’s pretty tame compared to some of the stuff he’s gotten up to in the past,” I say, chuckling.

“That’s not all,” Felix says with a snicker. “She didn’t notice the gnome for weeks and finally only noticed it when Barky lifted his leg and peed on the damn thing.”

“Oh my God. I wish I’d seen that.” I can just imagine the look of horror on poor Geraldine’s face.

“They’re looking for a new town Santa this year,” Felix changes the topic again. “I was thinking of nominating Kit.”

Kit’s eyebrows hit his hairline and he puts his knife and fork down. “You do that, and I’ll nominate you to be my helper. I can just picture you in candy-cane striped leggings.”

“Oh God, no.” Felix says with a look of horror. “Okay, okay, not another mention of Santa, I promise.”

“You know, I’m really looking forward to the holiday season this year,” I say. Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year.

“Me too,” Kit says, his eyes lighting up. “I had an amazing time last Christmas with Felix’s family, but didn’t get to see everything the town has on offer. I can’t wait for the Christmas tree lighting this year.”

“You’ll love it,” I say. “There’s something special about the way the whole town comes together, the joy and the laughter… it’s magical.”

Greg nods, a soft smile playing on his lips. “It’s one of my favorite things about living here. The sense of community. It’s like one big family.”

Felix grins, leaning back in his chair. “And the food! Don’t forget about Mae’s famous Christmas cake, and that peppermint coffee drink at CC’s. I swear, I gain five pounds every December.”

Laughter ripples around the table. I can already picture it—the twinkling lights, the scent of pine and cinnamon in the air, the kid’s faces glowing with wonder at everything Christmas. The wonderful times I’m going to spend with Greg. It’s a reminder of all the good in the world.

As the evening winds down, my gaze drifts to Greg’s face. He’s laughing at something Kit said, his eyes crinkling at the corners, and I feel a surge of love so strong it takes my breath away. This man is my everything. Under the table, I reach for his hand, lacing my fingers through his. He squeezes back and shoots me a grin.

A short while later, we step out into the night, the laughter and chatter from inside Fox’s Restaurant fading into the background. The stars twinkle overhead in a vast dark sky. I take a deep breath of crisp air that’s scented with pine and the faint hint of smoke from a nearby chimney.

“Well, that was another awesome evening,” Felix says, his arm linked with Kit’s. “I know I say it every time, but I’m so glad we could all get together like this.”

“Absolutely,” Greg agrees, his hand finding mine and enclosing it in warmth. “But next time, we’ll have you over to ours for dinner.”

Felix grins. “Maybe we shouldn’t wait for you to finish the kitchen reno? I mean, I’d like to see you again in the not too distant future.”

“Hey!” I laugh. “Ye of little faith. We’ll have a fully functioning kitchen by Christmas, mark my words.”

“Oh, I will,” Felix says then turns to Kit and whispers, “I’m not holding my breath.”

Greg chuckles at my side and I join in, happy to be the receiving end of the friendly teasing. These guys are more than friends, they’re part of my family, and I’m glad we have them in our lives.