Chapter 18

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

The fire crackled warmly as the credits started to roll on How The Grinch Stole Christmas, the Christmas movie that Caroline, Jay, and Rhett had all curled up in the living room to watch after she’d put Toby to bed. Jay and Rhett were still giggling over the jokes, Rhett mimicking the Grinch’s voice, and Caroline smiled as she leaned back against the couch and watched them.

She’d left the inn at five today, on the dot, and she’d taken an hour’s lunch break to come back to the house and eat with Jay and Toby. She hadn’t stayed a minute later, and as a result, the house was spotless, they’d had a delicious dinner of winter squash casserole and garlic bread with fresh butter, and none of it had felt rushed.

She’d had the chores done by the time Rhett had gotten home from the fire station, which meant they’d been able to chat and catch up as she’d fixed dinner, and then they’d all sat around the table and talked. Jay had excitedly recounted the sled races to his father again, and Rhett had listened to every word as Caroline had fed Toby pureed squash in between bites of her own dinner.

And after, when Jay had asked if they could watch a Christmas movie once Toby was asleep, Caroline hadn’t felt that she’d had to put anything off or feel guilty about leaving tasks undone to enjoy it. Everything had been taken care of, there were no issues at the inn, and she didn’t have anything lingering around the house that she’d needed to do. The evening had been entirely hers, and as foreign as that felt, she’d really enjoyed it.

“Time for bed, mister,” Rhett told Jay finally, getting up to stoke the fireplace. “Caroline, what about a glass of wine when I come back down?”

“That sounds perfect.” She smiled at him, getting up as they did to go into the kitchen and pour a glass of wine for both herself and Rhett.

There was a pecan pie as well that Rhonda had made and sent home with her yesterday, and she cut a slice for each of them, finding the pretty Christmas-themed China dessert plates that she’d been gifted at her and Rhett’s wedding and putting the pie on them. Rhonda firmly believed in the importance of holiday China, gifting a set to each of her daughters on their wedding days along with other important items, and she also strongly believed in using the good China, which she’d always imparted to her daughters as well.

She had it all set out when Rhett came back out, on the coffee table in front of the fire. He smiled as he sat down next to her on the couch, pulling her in close to them as they both balanced the plates on their laps.

“This has been a really nice evening,” he said, leaning in to give her a light kiss. “You seem less stressed and tired than you have been in a long time.”

“I feel less stressed and tired,” Caroline admitted. “I guess I didn’t realize just how much I’d run myself ragged until I started to slow down a little.”

“I’m glad you hired Shelby,” Rhett said, taking a bite of his pie. “I think having her at the inn has been good for you. I knew it would take some time to adjust, but I had faith it would be good in the end.”

“It has taken some getting used to.” Caroline reached for her wine glass, swirling it in the firelight. “But it’s freed me up a lot, and I’m definitely realizing that. It’s not easy getting used to doing things differently, but the adjustment has definitely been worth it.”

“I’m glad.” Rhett smiled. “I’m happy to have you here more. And so is Jay.”

“He hasn’t stopped talking about how fun it was that I was there for the sledding tournament,” Caroline said with a laugh. “I knew he would be happy, but it really meant a lot to him. Which made me realize how glad I was to be there. And when Toby started crawling yesterday, I was there for it, and I got to really slow down and enjoy every second. I got that video that I sent you, and I got to just soak in the moment. Before I had the extra help, I know I would have still enjoyed it, but I would have been thinking about a dozen other things too.” She leaned into Rhett, resting her head against his shoulder for a moment. “I’m glad I listened and gave this a try. It really has made a difference.”

“You’re an amazing woman,” Rhett said, tilting his head to look at her. “And accepting help doesn’t change that a bit. It just means everyone who loves you gets to spend more time with you, so we can enjoy just how amazing you are.”

Caroline smiled, laughing softly. “You’re very sweet, you know that?”

“I try.” He finished the last of the pie, setting down his plate. “And now that you have some extra time, I was even thinking we might go on a vacation sooner rather than later.”

Caroline narrowed her eyes teasingly. “Don’t push it, mister.”

“I was thinking Jay’s spring break.” Rhett raised an eyebrow. “By then, you’ll be even more used to having help. You’ll practically be a lady of leisure. I was thinking we could go to New York, maybe. See the museums, check out a show, something like that.”

“For how long?” Caroline chewed on her lip, feeling a small flutter of anxiety at the thought of leaving the inn to that degree. But she also felt a flicker of excitement. She hadn’t ever really taken a vacation, and going on one with her family would be amazing. That sort of experience was exactly the reason why she had accepted the idea of hiring help at the inn in the first place.

“A few days. A long weekend. I can’t get away from the fire station for all that long. But it would be a lot of fun,” Rhett continued. “And I know Rhonda had a chat with you about this. She told me,” he added.

Caroline knew exactly what he was talking about, because her mother had had a chat with her about exactly that, when she’d been chewing over the idea of hiring help. Rhonda had mentioned how she and Donovan had never gotten away for a trip together since their honeymoon, not until they’d gone on an anniversary trip back to Malibu last winter.

“She did say that she didn’t regret how they did things, but that it would be good for me to not miss out on every opportunity to go on trips and adventures with my family because of the inn,” Caroline admitted. “It was one of the reasons she was on board with hiring Shelby.”

“Exactly.” Rhett tightened his arm around her waist, holding her close. “I know the inn will always be important to you. You’ve put so much of yourself into it, and you’ve done an amazing job. But having some time to yourself, doing things together as a family, will only make you feel that much more rejuvenated when you come back.”

“You’re right,” Caroline agreed. “And that time will be good for both of us. And for Jay, and Toby. Memories that all of us can make, together.” She set her plate and glass down as well, curling in closer to Rhett next to the fire as she watched the flames leap and crackle. “I’m excited for our trip to New York.”

She could tell Rhett was thrilled to hear her say that. He leaned in, dropping a kiss on top of her head as he squeezed her hand. “I can’t wait to make plans with you.”

“And with Margo’s wedding so close,” Caroline said thoughtfully, “this will give me more time to help with that. She misplaced something important for the wedding, and it’s been stressing her out.” She left it intentionally vague, not wanting to tell Rhett and then have him slip up and accidentally mention it to Spencer. She knew he’d never tell on purpose, but there was always the possibility of it slipping without him meaning for it to. “She can probably use all the help she can get hunting for it.”

“See?” Rhett smiled, dropping another kiss on her hair. “Perfect timing.”

Caroline hummed her agreement, luxuriating in the feeling of getting to simply sit and relax with her husband. The night had been wonderful, and she felt happier than ever, full of anticipation for the future.

More nights like this. Date nights out with Rhett. Her sister’s wedding. Enjoying the holidays without being so overwhelmed from their busyness that she barely noticed all of the fun that there was to be had in her favorite season. And a vacation to look forward to, as well.

She let out a happy sigh, breathing in the scent of woodsmoke and pine, the warmth of her home wrapping around her and making her feel fully, truly relaxed.

This was, in fact, shaping up to be the best Christmas ever.