“I always liked him. You need to talk to him. Let him explain. Maybe he had a perfectly good reason for breaking it off.”

  “Are you kidding? He could have at least done me the favor of explaining— an email. A phone call. In two years of a relationship, wasn’t I worth that much?” Sophie rolled her shoulders. A hot bath was sounding really good.

  “Yes, you were worth it. You still are. Take a breath. Hot bath. Bubbles. Watch a movie. I’ll call you later.”

  Sophie awoke, not feeling as rested as she would have hoped. Too many thoughts squirreling around her mind. Please tell me it isn’t true. That was someone else I saw last night.

  She dressed in a pair of jeans and a red sweatshirt with Best Christmas Pageant Ever written on the front and a picture of a girl with hair shooting out all over her head.

  Sophie grabbed a chocolate glazed croissant from the lobby table and held it in her mouth as she secured her knit scarf. The snow had stopped falling, but it was still cold. She searched around the yard and made a stack of suitable snowman arms, then made her way inside.

  She was just in time to see Megan, dressed as an elf coming down the hall followed by a dozen boisterous kids.

  “Do you want me to lead them to the activity room?”

  “Would you? That would be great. I’m going to start with story time.”

  Megan placed name tags on each of the kids and sat them on the carpet.

  “I am so glad you’re here today!” She eyed each child’s name tag and welcomed them. Wait. Wasn’t that the girl with Sam last night? His daughter? She swallowed.

  “Uh, hi Darby. Glad you could come today.” Those big eyes. And dimples. She didn’t remember Sam having dimples. Must have gotten them from her mom. Sophie blinked.

  “We’re going to start with a story and then head outside to make a snowman. Sound okay to you?” Choruses of yes and yay echoed off the walls.

  * * *

  “And the snow dad winked at his circle of snow family as the creators went home for the night.”

  * * *

  Sophie and Megan helped the smaller kids put on their gloves and then carried totes full of supplies for their snow people.

  “I can help. Let me help carry that.” Sophie looked down.

  “Uh, sure, Darby. Take one side of the tote.” Darby heaved it. “Are you sure it’s not too heavy?”

  “I can do it. My dad says I’m really strong.” Yeah, I bet he does.

  They headed to the back where the snow was thickest. Small bits of green peeked out of the snow-covered branches. A cardinal sat on a branch, its red plumage contrasting against the white.

  “Miss Sophie, look at the snow. It’s sparkling like diamonds!” Diamonds. Yeah. About that.

  Sophie directed the older kids to help the younger with forming their snowballs and they soon had a group of snow people awaiting faces and features.

  Sophie walked slowly by each one, remarking on the placement of the eyes, their beautiful scarves and crazy branch arms. She came to Darby’s and let out a giggle. “You used ribbons and made hair for yours. That’s cute.”

  “I made it long and red. See I made someone pretty to marry my daddy— just like you, Miss Sophie.” Woah now. What? He’s not married?

  “Well, it’s very cute. I’m sure your daddy will love it.” Can’t wait to see what he thinks of that.

  * * *

  “Room service.” A rap on her door. Sophie let the teen wearing reindeer antlers in. She took the tray with her bowl of beef stew and slice of French bread and placed it on the table.

  “Will there be anything else?”

  “No, this is great. Thanks.” Sophie was not interested in taking the chance of running into Sam in the restaurant. Not now. Not ever. She’d gotten through day one at least. Six more to go. She could do this.

  Unbid memories snuck into her mind. She and Sam had met in a hardware store of all places. She had been looking for something to stop her toilet from running. He had helped her pick out the toilet kit and offered to fix it for her. And standing at the doorway, watching him fix it like a pro, his broad shoulders and muscular arms in fluid motion. Who knew she would see a guy as a hero just because he fixed her toilet?

  Sophie took a bite of her stew and stared out the window. The setting sun shot streams of light through the snow-covered branches. It had been such a fun day. Seeing the laughter, creativity and smiles on the kids was the fox’s socks. She couldn’t think of a better profession.

  She checked Pinterest for a few more ideas for the next day’s activities and pinned shots of today’s snowmen. She had to admit, Darby was a cutie. Not as cute as she and Sam would have had together, but. . . Nope. She would not let herself go there. It was over.

  She stretched, changed into a pair of sweats. She grabbed the fuzzy throw that was on the couch, her new Christmas romance and headed down for a cup of hot cocoa. She slurped some of the whip cream, and cradled the cup in both hands, her throw around her shoulders and book under her arm.

  She had intended to sit on the couch by the fireplace, but when she saw all the Christmas lights shining outside, she thought it would be more fun to sit on the deck. It would be warm enough. The lodge crew had thought of everything. A fire pit was blazing, and tall patio heaters stood next to each Adirondack chair.

  She backed out of the glass door and caught sight of Sam. He had his guitar and was strumming chords to Silent Night. Her heart raced.

  Making a sudden retreat, she tripped on her blanket. She let out a squeal. Sam jumped out of the chair and ran to catch her. Her breath caught at the woodsy scent of him. Hot chocolate and whip cream flew spraying Sam’s cozy flannel and soaking her throw.

  “Are you okay? Let me help you clean that up.”

  She pulled away. “Thanks, but no thanks. I don’t need you.” Sam started to wipe up spilled cocoa with her blanket. Sophie let it fall to the ground and turned to go back inside.

  “Wait. Sophie.” He stood and reached for her elbow. Her gaze swept over his brown eyes and the sharp angle of his chin under that full beard.

  “I’m really sorry about how I ended things.”

  Sophie turned. “A text, Sam? Really? You couldn’t have called or emailed?”

  Sam hung his head. “I know. I was a real coward.” Sophie crossed her arms. Claire had said to hear him out. Well then, she would give him five minutes.

  “I lost my job. I didn’t think you would want a guy who couldn’t provide for you.”

  “I bet your boss had the decency to fire you in person.” She shook her head. “And that wasn’t a decision you had a right to make for me.” Her voice was sharp. “I’m not your parents, Sam. I was always there for you. You didn’t leave for me. You left because you were afraid.”

  She didn’t care about the pain in his eyes. He deserved it. She turned. “Nice to see you’ve moved on. What a great place to spend with your family. I find it odd that you’d take them where you proposed to me.” This conversation was through. She grabbed the wet blanket and slammed through the door.

  Sam watched her go, her long red curls bouncing on her back. The same red hair he had loved to run his hands through when he kissed her. He swallowed. Her words pricked at his heart. She was right. He hadn’t given her the chance to make that decision. He sat back down and warmed his hands by the flame. He picked up his guitar and mindlessly strummed chords. He couldn’t undo what he’d done. But he wasn’t the same man anymore. How could he let her know that?

  After he had lost his job, he had faced the wrath of his parents, not able to live it down once they knew. “Here we spent good money for you to go to college and get your accounting degree. And you had a good job. A great job. I pulled strings to get you in with that team.”

  Sam knew he could have gotten a job at any number of places on his own merit. But his parents were all about control. And they had made him feel so ungrateful and incapable that it had been easier to let them run his life and ignore who he really was.

  The truth of the matter was, he had been laid off because the company was downsizing. It wasn’t even his fault. And truth be told, accounting was not what made his heart sing.

  His mind played back to every test he took to achieve his parents’ ultimate goal of getting into the right college. If he went on a date, he had to have the right girl, from the right family, who wore the right clothes. It didn’t matter if he didn’t have feelings for her.

  No matter what he did, he was never going to be worthy of their love.

  Sam set his guitar down and watched the twinkle of the white lights wrapped around the trees. The moon had peeked through the clouds and shone on the snowmen. Darby had such a fun time today. She couldn’t stop telling him all about the elf that picked her up, the other kids, building their snowmen. And Miss Sophie.

  But what had she been she thinking? A snow gal with long red hair like Sophie’s? Who knew it would be Sophie leading the activities? This was supposed to be a fun get away with his little girl. But now? He wasn’t so sure being around the only woman who had ever stolen his heart was a good thing.

  * * *

  Sophie hummed along with Sleigh Bells Ring as she brushed her hair. Maybe she should put it up since they’d be creating Christmas ornaments today and letting tendrils drift in gobs of goo never worked out well.

  It’s a beautiful night, we’re happy and bright, walking in a winter wonderland.” She pulled her hair back, twisted it into a bun and wrapped a snowflake printed scarf around her head. If only she were happy and bright. Didn’t Sam realize how his abrupt breakup had affected her? Did he think he could send one text and life would somehow magically just go on? And why was losing his job such a big deal? Sure, it hurts. And throws you off balance. But he was capable. He could always get something else.

  Her stomach rumbled. She couldn’t spend every morning, noon and night worrying about running into him. She would just go to the buffet. There were plenty of people around. Surely, she wouldn’t run into him. Or that cute little girl.

  She made her way down the spiral staircase, twinkle lights and garland wrapped around the log railing. The whole lodge was stunning. Coming here would make a Christmas believer out of anyone, Scrooge or not. The mantle over the stone fireplace held hand carved characters of the nativity. A round table was set in the lobby with puzzle pieces scattered around, ready for someone to put together.

  People seemed so peaceful and content, smiles on their faces. She wished the anxiety wrapping itself around her stomach would settle down. Not gonna happen so long as he was here.

  She picked up a plate and had a hard time deciding whether she wanted eggs and sausage, waffles, or fruit and yogurt, which was probably the best choice. But it was Christmas, after all. She took a crepe blintz with blueberries and whip cream, grabbed an iced chocolate chip cranberry scone for later and headed to the coffeepot. Nothing like a little comfort food.

  She glanced around. Was it better to choose a table in the far back corner? But then, she’d have to walk through the whole place to the entrance and there was more of a chance of running into him. Oh, there was Megan.

  “Mind if I join you?”

  “Of course, sit here.” Megan nodded her head towards the empty chair. Sophie went over the day’s activity plans. Make ornaments out of popsicle sticks, take the kiddos out sledding on the hill out back, warm them up with hot cocoa.

  “Megan, were you standing by the snowmen when Darby said she made a pretty snow gal like Miss Sophie, to marry her daddy?”

  Megan laughed. “Yeah. She’s so cute.”

  “But have you seen Darby’s mom? When you picked the kids up? Or around here anywhere?”

  “No, come to think of it. Maybe he’s not married.” Megan shrugged. “He is kinda hot.”

  Sophie felt warmth crawling up her cheeks. It must be the heat of the candle in the center of the table.

  “Look at you. You think he is, don’t you?” Megan gave her a soft punch on her arm.

  Sophie stood up. “I’ll go get things organized. See you in a few.”

  “It’s gonna be a great day today, kids. We’re making ornaments for the tree downstairs, then going sledding. How does that sound?”

  Sounds of cheering made her smile.

  “Oh, and we’re going to perform a Nativity play for your parents and guests. We’ll need angels, shepherds, wise men, Mary, Joseph, some animals. And someone to hold the star.”

  Darby threw up her hand. “I want to be Mary.” Sophie scanned the room. She needed someone older to play the part of Mary. The costume she had was way too big for that little girl. Darby would be a great fit for an angel. “I want to be Mary.”

  “Thank you, Darby. I’ll be watching each of you and assigning roles at the end of the day.”

  “Okay. Then you can tell me I’ll be Mary.” She turned to Micah next to her and linked arms. “And you can be Joseph!” Micah gave a slow nod, his smile showing his missing front teeth.

  “On the table are some colored popsicle sticks, glitter, string, and hot glue guns. You need to be careful and let Miss Megan or I help with the hot glue. But first, I want you to draw a picture of you and your family to go in the stick frame.”

  Sophie turned on some kids’ Christmas music and wandered around to help.

  Sam hopped in his pickup. Darby had been hyper all morning, counting the minutes till she could be with Miss Sophie doing activities. She wouldn’t miss it for the world.

  He followed the van over the newly plowed road up the mountain. Trees were laden with fresh snow, and it covered the landscape in soft hills. Going on a snowshoe hike with the other adults would be a good diversion.

  Would there ever be a chance to explain where life had taken him? Sophie needed to know that he was not the same man as before. If fate didn’t push them together, he was going to make sure he crossed paths with Sophie today.

  Sam parked his truck, filled with all the snowshoes.

  “Here, let me help you with those.” Justin started handing snowshoes to each participant.

  “The weather is perfect. A few light clouds. And the snow is just powdery enough.”

  “How long have you worked at the Lodge?” Sam pulled the tailgate down for a bench.

  “About five years. It’s a really fun job.” Justin buckled his snowshoes and stood, watching to see that everyone got their straps tightened. “You look familiar. Have you stayed here before?”

  “Yeah, actually. I was here a couple of years ago.”

  “Oh. I remember you now. You had that really cute girlfriend with the red hair. Wait, she’s the one we hired for kids’ activities, isn’t she?”

  Sam swallowed. “Yeah. My daughter’s in her classes. She’s loving it.” Justin waved everyone to follow him and gave some instructions.

  “She was a lucky catch for you.”

  Yes, she was. Had been. “We’re not together anymore.”

  “What? She must have ditched you. You wouldn’t have been crazy enough to let her go.” Justin laughed and glanced at Sam.

  “I wish that were true.” Sam dug his pole into the snow a little harder than he needed to.

  “Woah Dude. Do you want to talk about it?” They took a few more steps.

  “I broke it off. In a text.” The pain in her eyes. He really thought it would be best for her.

  “Dude.” Justin stopped and stared at him. “I don’t think I’ve ever done anything that dumb.”

  And I wish I could say the same. “I don’t know. I panicked. I got laid off and was afraid I couldn’t provide for her, you know, give her the life she deserved.”

  “So, I’m guessing you didn’t know she was here? That must be awkward.”

  “You’re telling me. A lot has changed since then. I’ve got some explaining to do.”

  “Were you guys, like, engaged?” Sam remembered saying the words—I can’t imagine ever living without you.

  “Yup.”

  “So, have you moved on? Or do you still love her?”

  Did he? Absolutely. That Sophie shaped hole in his heart that was never filled. The question was, would she let him back in?

  Sam clenched his jaw. “You do. I can see it all over your face. Talk to her man. You gotta get this worked out. I’ll be rooting for you.”

  Okay Lord. Are you going to be rooting for me, too? Was this your crazy way of bringing us back together?

  * * *

  Sophie stood next to Darby in the activity room, her pigtails sticking cockeyed in an unruly array. Sam had made an attempt at beauty skills, but with that straight, fine blonde hair he had to work with, he thought it was a miracle she looked as good as she did.

  He watched as Sophie tried to straighten them out. His face contorted in a scowl. What was she doing? He didn’t need her help. How his daughter’s hair looked wasn’t a matter of life or death.

  “Hey Darby Doodle, ready to go?” Darby ran and threw her arms around her dad.

  “How was your day?” Darby pulled back and crossed her arms. She glared at Sophie.

  “That mean Miss Sophie won’t let me be Mary in the baby Jesus play. I told her that’s who I wanted to be, but she won’t let me.” An alligator tear rolled down her eye.

  “Wait, a Nativity play? That sounds fun.”

  “It won’t be. She’s mean. I hate her!” Darby stomped her foot.

  “Come on now. That’s not the way to be.” He wiped her tear with his thumb. “Sometimes things don’t always work out the way we want them to.” Sam glanced up and realized Sophie was standing there.

  * * *

  With her arms crossed.

  * * *

  With a look that could only mean did you really just say that?

 

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