Sophie took in the large stone fireplace and cozy flames licking the logs. A mistletoe ball hung at the perfect spot, strategically placed for great photo ops. A young couple sat at a table with a puzzle and grandparents cuddled with a grandson reading The Night Before Christmas reminding Sophie of her childhood. The sweet smells of cinnamon filled the room and a table of beautifully iced sugar cookies stood invitingly on a plate.
And the lobby Christmas tree. It stood clear to the open-beamed ceiling, covered with lights, ribbons, sparkling balls. She swallowed the ache that crept to her throat. This was where Sam had proposed to her. On one knee. In front of a whole room of people. She swallowed. She had to get out of here.
She gathered her red hair and twisted it into a knot before she sat down in her car. Nothing more annoying than having your hair get entangled in the seat belt. She should just cut it. Nobody needs hair down to their waist. Then again, as much as she hated to admit, it made her stand out, and she enjoyed the frequent compliments.
She pulled out of Christmas Tree Lodge and onto the two-lane highway headed towards town. Like the snow, her thoughts were swirling—full of ideas and activities to do with the kiddos staying at the lodge for Christmas. Although she was happily employed subbing, she didn’t mind taking this job during Christmas break to create magic with more kids.
Maybe having the airline strike which canceled her trip to Europe was something to be grateful for. An opportunity. Who knew what the next week would hold?
Sophie’s fingers absent-mindedly wrapped around the sapphire pendant and slid it back and forth on its gold chain. Sam had given it to her the week before he proposed. She had thought of giving it away, but it was such a beautiful necklace. Sophie turned on the windshield wipers to catch the gentle snowflakes. Sam was now a distant memory. Mostly. Not to say she hadn’t been sweating bullets thinking of taking a job at Christmas Tree Lodge. But there was no chance Sam would be there. Right?
She asked Siri to play Christmas music and hummed along. “Now the weather outside is frightful…”
Sophie drove into the parking lot of the country store. She got out of the car, shivered and tugged her scarf tighter around her neck. The temperature was definitely dropping. Snowflakes fell on the Santa hat covering a carved bear’s head. She remembered watching a guy create one, skillfully using his chainsaw on the raw log to turn it into a fun creation. Sam had commented how he could never be that talented. Well now that he wasn’t in her life, this wasn’t going to be something she would ever find out.
The bell tinkled as she entered. She stomped her boots and flicked the snowflakes off her coat.
Now where were the art supplies? She needed glue, construction paper, glitter. What’s a project without glitter? Popsicle sticks for ornaments. And string. She loaded her cart and headed to the grocery aisle, looking for graham crackers to build gingerbread houses. Found it. Powdered sugar. Check. Candy. Lots of candy.
Her phone buzzed, and she reached into her pocket to answer.
“Oh hey, Claire. Yeah, I know. I wish we could have gone to Europe too. But remember what Grandma always says— there are no problems, only opportunities.” Sophie laughed. “Yes, I’m absolutely going to love this job. It’s going to be so much fun! Listen Sis, I’ve got to let you go. I’m at the store.” She hung up and smiled. Spending time with her sister would have been so much fun. Staying up late catching up. Watching Hallmark movies, drinking cocoa.
Well, she was going to make this fun too!
She wheeled her cart, close to overflowing, to the checkout. The clerk, who couldn’t be more than sixteen judging by the attempt to grow facial scruff, let his eyes fall on Sophie’s hair. She self-consciously ran her fingers through it. He cleared his throat and continued checking.
“Do you usually get a lot of snow this time of year?” Sophie placed some candy canes on the conveyor belt.
“Sometimes. But I just heard on the news that there’s going to be eight inches by midnight. You better get a move on. You don’t live around here, do you?” He placed the items into her shopping bag.
“No, just working at the Lodge for Christmas.” He handed her the receipt.
“Sounds fun. Don’t know if you’re interested, but there’s always a winter dance there on the twenty-fourth.” He held her gaze. “I mean, if there’s anyone you’d like to go with.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
His face turned red and he turned towards the register. “I wasn’t thinking me.” His voice was barely above a whisper.
Sophie raised an eyebrow and ducked out, her arms bulging with bags.
Was she interested in repeating what happened three years ago?
Memories of Sam’s arms wrapped around her, her head on his chest, moving slowly to the rhythm of Santa Baby, breathing in the scent of his aftershave, listening to the beat of his heart... STOP! She could not let herself go there.
Sophie loaded up all her purchases and started the car, cranking up the defrost and rubbing her hands together, waiting for the heater to kick in. She should have started out earlier. It was only four, but the sun was just slipping behind Mt. Hood.
The snow covered the roads now, and she was glad to have taken her dad’s advice and put on snow tires. She set the heater on seventy-five and let it blow.
One week of activities. This was going to be fun. She’d focus on what she did best.
Not knowing if she’d be hired for a permanent position at the school, she applied for her dream job—teaching in an international school. She kept her fingers crossed that this would come to fruition. She might even say a few prayers in between.
The Lodge came into view. Thousands of white lights twinkled, accentuated by the falling snow. Strings of icicle lights bordered the rafters, and a coral held twelve live reindeer.
Sophie parked in the drive through and popped the trunk. This would take a few trips to unload.
“Daddy! You need to help that lady.”
She smiled. It was nice to have someone offer to help. A tall shadow rose over her.
“Here, let me help you with those.” That deep voice, though. She swept her hair behind her shoulder with the back of her hand and handed a bag to outstretched arms.
“Daddy, I can get that!” Sophie reached for another bag and held it out. She drew in a sharp breath as she caught those too familiar hazel eyes.
Sam.
He’s here? And with a kid?