The Christmas Inn Read Free Page A

Luke said, following the string down past
Ethan’s feet to a spot under the bottom of the tree where it had become
entangled. Reaching in, he freed it, and then lifted Ethan so he could place the
garland on the outer tips of the branches.
    The people standing around the tree clapped, and Ethan smiled
as he hugged his father’s neck. Balancing his son in his arms, Luke finished
stringing the popcorn on the tree.
    The group gathered closer as they all joined in decorating the
tree. Several of the men took turns hoisting Ethan up so he could reach the
higher branches. Everyone was intent on decorating the huge tree, reminding Luke
once again how lucky he was to have this extended family as part of his life for
the past eight years.
    The sense of family and being together for the holiday season
caused a lump to form in Luke’s throat. It wasn’t that he disliked Christmas as
much as the idea that his son would never remember a Christmas that included his
mother.
    But he couldn’t focus on the past, especially with so much
riding on the next few weeks. He’d heard rumors from other managers of hotels
and inns owned by Advantage Corporation that the CEO, Angus McAndrew, and his
management team were looking at all their resort holdings with an eye to selling
some of their properties. He hoped the rumor wasn’t true, but he knew better
than to think that they’d be concerned with what he believed or how he felt.
    Still, it was worrisome because he’d worked for Advantage for
years, starting at a smaller inn and then being promoted to manager of The
Mirabel. Right now, with Ethan finally happy and content once again, he didn’t
look forward to any change that would affect his son’s life, not to mention his
own. If Advantage chose to sell this inn, they would probably offer him a job
somewhere, but if they decided that his performance wasn’t up to their standards
or they didn’t have a position to offer him, he could end up looking for a job
with another organization. In either case it would mean a different location and
a new place to live. For now, he didn’t want to consider the impact it would
have on them. He just wanted to watch his son enjoy the festivities that would
kick off the Christmas season.
    “Up, Daddy,” Ethan demanded, a large angel dangling from his
fingers as he held his arms up to his father.
    “An angel wants to put an angel on the tree,” Mary said over
the din created by the crowd.
    And Ethan was an angel—the baby he and Anna had dreamed of and
waited years for. “Okay, Ethan, let’s see you hang this ornament,” he said,
holding his son aloft as he leaned into the branches to hang the angel near the
center of the tree. The staff had already placed a huge lighted star on top.
Luke stepped back with Ethan still held high in his arms.
    “This is probably the nicest tree we’ve ever had at the inn,”
Mary mused, as they all gazed up into the tree.
    * * *
    S TILL KEEPING THE DOOR CLOSED against her brother, Marnie considered her options. How had
he known she was in here? Knowing him, he would’ve driven by her house, then
over here and found her car in the parking lot. Had he discovered her plan to
sell?
    Scott was the last person she wanted to see right now. He’d
rant on and on about how she was making a huge decision without seeking the
family’s advice first. The unspoken issue was that Marnie McLaughlan, the
youngest member of the McLaughlan clan, wasn’t allowed to make any changes in
her life without their involvement.
    “Go away, Scott,” she yelled through the door. “I’m not doing
anything that concerns you.”
    “Marnie, listen to me. Mom is all worked up over Christmas and
worried about you. You know what she’s like,” he said.
    Her mother loved the holidays; she relied on Marnie’s support
for whatever scheme she had in the works. This year she planned to have Santa
arrive complete with sleigh and elves, which meant that Marnie had to be there
to act as Mrs.