When in December (Home Haven #1)

Chapter 26

twenty-six

. . .

Poppy

“Is this full homemaker mode?”

I didn’t bother to answer Aaron. I bustled through the cabin, adjusting pillows and placing throw blankets over the back of the couch. I twisted holiday figurines on the bookshelves and double-checked that the oven wasn’t too hot to warm the cinnamon rolls that I’d bought premade from the bakery.

The warm scents of cinnamon sugar and orange were supposed to be inviting. I didn’t need Sarah and her family to walk into another gingerbread disaster.

“What? Not making anything this time?” Aaron leaned against the doorway to the kitchen, the picture of ease as he continued his relentless teasing.

Nothing he said was going to stop me from continuing to make sure that everything was perfect for his sister and her family when they arrived though. I should’ve been done a while ago so that I could make a quiet exit after going over everything with her, but I wanted to wipe down the counters one more time.

He chuckled, watching.

I playfully swatted him with a towel, shooing him out of the kitchen. “They’re going to be here at any minute.”

“I’m dressed, aren’t I?”

The doorbell rang.

I hopped once, unable to contain the nerves and excitement. They were here already.

Aaron looked me up and down and chuckled.

“Go answer the door.” I waved him off.

This was it. This was the culmination of the days I had put into this house over the past month. It’d all come together—not only for it to be cozy and livable, but also for this holiday, which I hoped they’d remember for a long time. And not because I was still worried about accidentally burning their morning rolls.

Every detail had to be right for today. And tomorrow. But today especially.

My last day in the cabin.

“Uncle Aaron!” Liana called, her voice carrying through the house.

Oz rushed past me from where he was sitting, hoping I’d drop something. He raced toward the action. I brushed off my hands on a towel, turning the oven off, but leaving the buns inside. I peeked around the corner to the living room.

Sarah entered behind her daughter, her face breaking into a wide grin. Behind Sarah, the rest of the family spilled out of the car, each one radiating a mix of holiday cheer and relief at finally arriving at the cozy cabin.

“Whoa! This is ah-mazing!” Gavin screamed as he raced inside, straight into Oz, who was more than excited to greet him. Gavin responded with a shout and a bubble of laughter. “Down, Ozzy. Ozzy!”

Sarah shook her head, peering around in complete and utter awe. She covered her mouth with the top of her hand, unbelieving.

Her husband, Nathan—with perfectly groomed hair swept over to one side of his head and glasses that reminded me of Simon’s pair, but Nathan pulled it off much better—walked in behind her. His arms were full of duffel bags and a tote of presents.

I took that as my cue to rush forward, easily taking them from him.

“Oh, thanks,” he said, not seeing me first before handing a few things over.

“Not a problem in the least.”

I moved everything back to the two guest rooms, the smaller one for the kids. I dropped all the bags into the larger one until they could figure out whose stuff was which. However, I had a good feeling the race car bag was Gavin’s from what I remembered from the kids’ last visit.

By the time I made it back out into the main area, I was able to watch Nathan’s eyes widen, along with the rest of the family’s Each of them slowly turned around the space as if they needed to take it all in, all at once.

“Wow, they really managed to fix up this place.”

I smiled, listening to their amazement at how the place came together as I stuck the bag of presents in the hall closet. I’d let Sarah and Nathan know where they were before I left so they could sneak them under the tree before morning.

Hugs were exchanged, much to Aaron’s obvious chagrin. Soon, the front door was shut, and everyone was inside, savoring the warmth. Sarah’s eyes continued to sweep over the carefully arranged decorations, the twinkling lights around the tree, and the spread of treats on the table.

I really should get those cinnamon rolls out of the oven. As I carefully moved past everyone toward the kitchen, Aaron’s sister caught my hand.

Did she grab the wrong person?

Sarah looked directly at me.

“It’s perfect,” Sarah whispered, squeezing my hand once.

My heart swelled in my chest. I smiled, glancing at Aaron. Was he smiling as well?

I beamed.

Sarah watched the exchange.

I turned my attention to her. “If anything is missing, please let me know. I’ll head out and be out of your hair in a bit so that you can enjoy your family holiday together.”

Sarah’s brows lowered as she looked again between Aaron and me. I mean, I knew I’d been here the other day when she picked up the kids, and she might’ve assumed that something irregular was going on between us, but I didn’t want her to think?—

“Nonsense,” said Sarah, still holding tight on to my hand. “Stay.”

“I couldn’t.” I shook my head. “My job is complete, though I’m glad that I was able to see how you all liked it. I hope you have a wonderful holiday here in this home together.”

“We’d love to have you here for the day, Poppy. The more, the merrier. Unless, of course, you have other plans for Christmas Eve?”

Pausing, I didn’t want to lie. I shook my head. I’d promised my parents that I would be home to spend all of tomorrow with them, knowing that today would be full of to-dos, unable to think about anything else, even after I left.

“Plus, the kids are excited to see you again,” reasoned Sarah.

“Stay.” Aaron’s soft command broke through the kids’ cries of delight over the few small presents I’d helped Aaron wrap for them, already tucked beneath the tree.

They continued shouting, begging to see if they could open one early.

I hesitated, staring at Aaron and the softness in his expression, even as he stood across the room from me. Not bridging the gap.

“Okay.”

Sarah at last released my hand. “Amazing.”

“I’m Nathan. It’s good to meet you, Poppy,” Nathan introduced himself properly with a polite smile. “Seems you’ve met the rest of the family already.”

“It’s good to meet you too.” With everyone standing around, I started to feel the nerves creep back in. Casually, I addressed everyone. “There are cinnamon rolls for a late breakfast.”

The kids raced me into the kitchen. Oz quickly followed behind.

The morning, full of sugar and icing, melted into the afternoon, and then everyone gathered around the fire, sharing stories and laughter. A symphony of happiness echoed through the walls of the cabin as the kids played the games that I’d stacked in the reading corner. I refilled snacks and empty glasses of wine for Sarah and Nathan, who were impressed I’d managed to get their favorite red for dinner.

As they gathered around the table, perfectly catered in a way that looked like it had been homemade, following the family preferences, they appreciated my honesty that, though the cabin kitchen could handle a full holiday meal, this one was not my doing.

Especially not when the kids laughed, outing my gingerbread mistake.

At the sight of my face turning as red as the Christmas decorations, Sarah admitted she wasn’t much of a cook either.

The kids were also happy to share the story of her burning mac and cheese on the stovetop.

Aaron reached out next to me where we sat at the table, running his thumb back and forth over the back of my hand to soothe my embarrassment as much as my laughter that I was unable to hold back.

Soon, the kids had changed into pajamas, printed with candy canes, and nestled on the couch to watch classic holiday movies with the throw blankets wrapped around their shoulders. Nathan fell asleep between them within the first twenty minutes. The glow of the Christmas tree bathed the room in a soft light, casting a warm and inviting atmosphere over the cabin.

I was unsure if I’d ever felt more content than when I watched the family bond and enjoy each other’s company, every soft smile and comfortable adjustment as they made themselves at home pulling on my heartstrings.

I took a second to capture it all in my mind. All day, it felt as if I was meant to be here, in this home I’d helped create for these precious seconds.

Aaron followed me back into the kitchen, where I started to rinse plates before organizing them into the dishwasher.

A few weeks ago, none of it had even been here.

Arms wrapped around my waist from behind. “You look happy,” Aaron murmured into my ear.

“Everything is just how I wanted it to be,” I stated, standing up straight to lean back into him. He smelled like fresh pine and some kind of spice. “Do you know if Sarah is happy with it?”

“I don’t think I’ve seen my sister look so pleased in a long time,” he confirmed.

“Good.”

“You’re staying the night?”

“I don’t think that would be appropriate.”

In a few hours, it would be the end of my contract. At midnight, technically, I’d have no more reason to be inside this cabin I’d poured so much energy and work into the past few weeks.

“You’re staying tonight,” Aaron rephrased, more finality in his tone as he turned me around to face him.

I nodded, not second-guessing. Because, really, I didn’t want to leave.

“I’ll stay,” I said. “Go back out with your family. I’m going to finish cleaning up in here.”

“I can help.”

“No, go ahead,” I encouraged. “I’ll only be a second.”

After some hesitation, he headed back into the dark living room, where the movie was still playing, so that I set up brunch plates and hot chocolate mugs for easy access tomorrow. However, Aaron didn’t get far, stopped by the door, where I could overhear him and Sarah.

I paused my work as I listened.

“Thank you,” Sarah said to her brother softly.

Aaron responded with one of his small scoffs, as if dismissing the conversation before it even began. “I didn’t do anything.”

His sister didn’t relent. “You did. You know, it wouldn’t be awful if you stuck around. It wouldn’t be the worst thing to let yourself be happy where you are for once.”

He sighed. “I’m … happy.”

“I can see that. I think you’re telling me the truth too,” she said.

“I am.”

“I just—I don’t want you to lose it.”

He didn’t reply.

“I don’t want to lose you either,” she continued.

“What are you talking about?”

“It’s obvious,” she insisted. “Anyone who’s walked through this place, let alone spent more than an hour with you two, could see that she isn’t just doing her job anymore.”

“That isn’t any of your business.”

“You’re right; it isn’t. But I know you, and I know that unless I say something, you’re going to ruin whatever it is that you’re creating here because you’re stubborn.”

“There’s nothing to ruin, Sarah,” said Aaron. “She has things to do. Jobs to accomplish.”

“I’ve never thought of you as someone who’d stop a woman from enjoying work,” his sister replied with just enough snark.

“I’m not,” he mumbled.

“So, what’s the problem? What’s making you want to leave still?”

I couldn’t help but listen in closer because I too, was curious about what the answer was.

“Nothing. I’ve decided. After this is all over, I’m selling this place now that it’s fixed up. So, enjoy it. I’m moving on. Starting fresh. I think we all deserve that. Don’t you?”

“I think my kids would like to get to know their Uncle Aaron more than they’ve been able to. I think I’d like to spend more time with my baby brother.”

Aaron stuttered as he tried to come up with something to say next, but he was interrupted.

“Mom!” Liana called out. “Can we please open one present tonight?”

“Just one!” yelled Gavin.

“Who said that we did that?”

“Please?” both the kids begged, cupping their hands together.

“Just one,” Sarah sighed, glancing at Aaron’s gifts under the tree. “Do you mind?”

He shook his head. “Go ahead.”

Cheers rang out through the living room, startling their father awake.

I giggled, causing Aaron to return to stand next to me.

“You okay?” he asked.

“Uh-huh.” I forced a small smile, hiding that I’d heard what was discussed between him and his sister.

For the rest of the night, I watched as a spectator among the gratified family. After the kids ripped open a single present, Sarah led them to bed and tucked them in good night. I watched as she and Nathan came back out for one more glass of wine, sitting together in front of the fireplace and talking softly, just the two of them.

It was perfect. This home. This day. All of it. I couldn’t have designed it better.

This cabin, at some point, had become so much more than I’d ever realized.

I changed houses and cabins into homes where memories were made.

A home.

Only I had to realize it now.

I had to realize, even if I got to pretended for a little while …

This home? It was never going to be mine.