Christmas at Holly Hill Inn by Maddie James

Author:Maddie James
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sand Dune Books

The sunroom was lit up and glowing. The lights from the candles and the Christmas tree bounced off the floor-to-ceiling windows on three walls, only adding to the magical effect. From the inside looking out, the reflections amplified the amount of light in the room. Ariana perused every nook and cranny—she wasn’t sure she could get more Christmas in the room if she tried.

Trays of cookies sat on end tables and the coffee table, as well as on the buffet top of a built-in hutch to her left. Also there, sat two thermoses of hot cocoa, a pitcher, and assorted candy additions for the hot chocolate, such as marshmallows, red hot candies, candy canes, and other chocolate meltables. She’d pulled fancy dessert plates and cups from the cupboard in the dining room, along with some candlestick holders and candles. She had forks and spoons and stirrers and napkins, too. All she needed to do later was to light the candles.

Except. No. Not quite finished yet.

Ariana glanced about one last time.

If she had some glass ornaments, they would go perfectly in the wooden bowl over on that side table. And if she could find some tinsel, she could tie it around the candlesticks. And….

Oh. She snapped her fingers. Kat said there were decorations. Ariana’s gaze swept to the bottom of the hutch.

Crouching there, she opened the doors and pulled out a few boxes.

There. Some tinsel.

Oh, this holly will work great.

And some glass balls. Perfect.

Taking what she needed and setting them aside, Ariana set the boxes back on the shelf. When she did, a framed photograph dislodged and fell out. She caught it before it hit the floor.

Turning the frame over, she ran a finger over the dusty glass. The image was several years old, to be sure. The photograph was of a family standing in front of the inn. There was snow on the ground and the house was lit up behind them, as was the picket fence and arch.

There were four people. Two adults, two children. A boy and a girl.

“Kat and Matt?”

She thumbed over them, wiping away more dust. “Yes.” And their parents, she guessed.

Kat looked to be in her young teens, Matt a couple of years younger. Everyone was smiling. Happy.

Turning the frame over, she read the words scrawled on the backing. The Holly Hill Inn Christmas Lighting, 2005. Ben, Jenny, Kat, and Matt Matthews.

Ariana took a deep breath. Glancing into the cabinet, she located a dust cloth and cleaner. Quickly, she swiped the frame and picture, and set it atop the buffet. Then, she went about placing the final touches around the room—some holly on the hutch, tinsel on the candlesticks, ornaments in the bowl.

With one last glance about the room, she made a quick decision to place the picture on the hutch—front and center and eye level—where it would surely be noticed when people got their hot cocoa.

Stepping back, she smiled. What a lovely tribute to this family and the inn.

Her heart felt full, and she was excited for the evening to come.

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