Chapter 11

When morning came, Gloria and Anders were already checking out at the front desk, with a car waiting for them outside. Once they were on the way into the city, Anders began to breathe easy. But it wasn’t until they reached the airport, got themselves and Gloria’s cuckoo clock through security, and then to their gate, that he finally relaxed.

“I’m sorry we’re traveling on Christmas Day,” Anders said.

Gloria shrugged. “I’d rather be going home.”

Anders nodded, but he was hearing something more in her voice than the words expressed. Resigned. She was resigned to her life. Not excited about it. Not anymore, and it bothered him.

“Gloria, when I’m gone from the house all day, what do you like to do? And I don’t mean what do you do. I am sincerely asking, what would you like to do?”

She looked up. “I don’t know. I just have lunch with friends, shop for stuff I don’t need, and wait for you.”

His eyes suddenly welled, but they were in broad sight of everyone coming and going, so he blinked away tears and just reached for her hand instead.

“What’s wrong?” she whispered. “Are you ill? Is there something you’re not telling me?”

He shook his head. “I’ve been blind to everything that mattered. I wanted you for a wife and then set you on a pedestal like a pretty thing to just look at when I wanted to. I wanted a son, and you gave me one, and I ignored him. I don’t know him. And I almost lost you with hateful words I didn’t mean. So, I guess, in a way, I am sick. Money sick. Greed sick. And I don’t like how it feels. The worst part of it all is the reality of how our son felt all his life. Like he said, we were never there for him when he needed us, but I can’t just let this ride. I have to face him. I have to find out what he became…who he is as a man today.”

Gloria sighed. “Then, if that’s your mindset, I will go with you, but I won’t belittle what we did to him with a simple apology. It’s a trip to admit our guilt and nothing more. You don’t threaten him or his girl. You don’t. Understand?”

Anders nodded, and then a few minutes later, they began boarding their flight.

***

It was still Christmas Eve in Colorado Springs.

The lodge was decorated. The dining table was set. Food was prepped for tomorrow, and all the desserts and rolls were already made. The giant ham was already baked and ready to reheat tomorrow, and the dinner rolls were covered up and waiting to be warmed, and presents under the tree.

They’d spent part of the afternoon looking at the pictures in the old albums, and seeing Marley as a toddler was the sweetest thing.

“No wonder your dad called you Ladybug. You weren’t much bigger than one,” Trey said, and turned a few more pages before Marley stopped him, and pointed to a very old black-and-white rectangular photo that had been taken with an old Kodak Brownie camera.

“That’s my grandma Katie and my grandpa Vester, short for Sylvester. Sylvester’s daddy built the original log house. Grandpa added the lodge. Dad took it over after they retired, but they all still lived together under the same roof. She’s the reason for my lack of height.”

Trey lightly touched the face of the woman in the picture. “Something tells me that you got more than that from her. She looks pretty determined here.”

Marley nodded. “When the Korean War broke out, Great Grandpa and Great Grandma Corbett had already passed, and Grandpa and Grandma hadn’t been married quite a year when he enlisted. He told Grandma to hold the fort, that he’d be back. They didn’t have children then, and that’s when she took in boarders here in this place to make ends meet. He was so impressed with what she’d done to stay afloat that when he came back, he built the lodge around their house. Dad always said his mom was the smart one and his dad was the strong one, and together, they were invincible. I like to think that is also the beginning of us.”

“I like that, too,” he said.

A short while later, Marley put her grandparents’ pictures on a shelf in the living room area. “Keeping them close. I don’t intend to lose them again.”

***

Hours later they were back in the great room, with Marley curled up in Trey’s arms before the fireplace, listening to the excitement in his voice about moving here and silently thanking the angels for sending him her way, when she heard what sounded like a tinkle of laughter, and then a voice.

You are blessed because you heed.

Marley sighed.

Trey heard the sigh and hugged her closer. “Are you okay, darlin’? Is this a little bit of a sad time for you?”

“Not sad, just reflecting. And not on what was lost, just what I’ve gained, and that includes your presence in my life. I would never have seen this coming, but I feel so blessed.”

He kissed the top of her head. “Let’s open our presents to each other now.”

“Yes, let’s!” Marley said, and jumped up with a bounce and headed for the tree.

Trey was right behind her, thinking that this was the first of many Christmases they would share.

She was down on her knees digging through the packages for the ones she’d put under the tree for him, and Trey pulled hers out, then eyed the armload she had.

“Need help?” he asked.

“Nope. I’ve got it!” she said, trying to balance the long package with his telescope and the flat package of her picture with Santa Claus.

“They’ve almost got you,” Trey said, eyeing the load up under her chin.

Marley carried them back to the sofa without a hitch, then put them on one end of the coffee table, leaving the other end free for him.

“We always take turns,” she said. “You first,” and handed him the package Bennie had dropped off for her yesterday, hoping it was what she’d asked for.

Trey paused, holding the package in his lap as if the gift alone was already enough, but Marley was waiting. He tore off the paper and saw the back side of a picture frame. Then he turned it over.

It was Marley, sitting in Santa’s lap holding a sign that read: ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS YOU!

“Oh my God! Marley, this is epic,” he said, and hugged her. “This is going in my office, and every time I look up from my laptop, I’ll see you, reminding me what a lucky man I am. Thank you.”

She clapped her hands. “Yay!”

“Now I pick one out for you to open?” he asked.

She nodded.

He picked up the two books he’d bought her and put them in her lap.

“This one first,” he said.

Marley clutched it to her breasts. “My first ever present from you!” she said, and then tore off the bow, then the paper. The moment she saw the books, she squealed.

“Ooooh! The new Chapel Hill! I’m so excited. And this cookbook! I can’t wait to read the recipes! Thank you!” Then she opened the cover and noticed it had been signed on the flyleaf. “You signed it!”

He nodded. “You own the only book Chapel Hill ever signed. Of course, that will change now, but you’re the first!”

“And you signed it to ‘My Marley’! I will treasure this forever. Thank you for loving me!”

He shook his head. “Oh, honey, loving you is the easiest thing I’ve ever done in my life.” Then he handed her the other present he’d gotten for her. “I know it’s my turn to open next, but we’re on a roll here. Open this next,” he said.

She was squirming with delight as she began to remove the bow and paper from the little box. It was long and slim and nearly flat. Jewelry, she thought, and opened the lid.

It was jewelry, but nothing she would have expected, and it moved her so deeply she was struggling not to cry.

“Trey…oh, sweetheart! A ladybug. This is the most exquisite thing I’ve ever seen, and the personal meaning is everything to me.”

She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him. “I love it so much. I’m wearing this tomorrow! This is beautiful.”

“Not as beautiful as you are,” he said.

She touched the little ladybug one last time and then closed the lid and picked up the last present.

“Now you!” she said, and handed it to him.

He knew she was excited about it, but he couldn’t imagine what it might be and began tearing into the wrapping paper to the box beneath.

The moment he saw the outside of the box, his heart skipped a beat. His eyes widened.

“Are you serious?” he whispered.

Suddenly his fingers were all fumbles, and his heart was pounding as he opened the box lengthwise. The tripod was on top. He pulled it out, and then removed the Styrofoam packing it had been in and saw the telescope beneath. When he looked up, there were tears in his eyes.

“In this moment, I am a child again, with all the hope and expectations of my little self just being fulfilled. I have no words to express how deeply this touches me, or how much I will enjoy this in the years to come. A thank-you is too simple for the love with which this was given.”

“I am so happy you’re happy,” she said. “You know, tonight the sky is littered with stars, and heaven always looks closer from here. I think you should set it up and take it out to the front porch to see what you can see.”

“Will you come with me?” he asked.

She hesitated, then gave his hand a quick squeeze. “I will, later. But this first time, I think it should just be you, making peace with a broken part of your past.”

She got up and started to walk away.

“Where are you going?” Trey asked.

“To get your coat. You can’t go outside without it. It’s too cold.”

He took a slow, shuddery breath and then pulled the instructions out of the box, read them over, then extended the tripod legs to their full length and fastened the telescope into the bracket on top just as Marley came back with his coat.

“Hold out your arms,” she said, and helped him into it, then turned him around. “Button up, love. I don’t want my best guy getting sick.”

“You might be spoiling me,” he said.

“Somebody needs to,” she said. “You grab the telescope. I’ll open the door for you.”

“Leave the porch lights off. It will make the view clearer. I’ll have enough light from the lobby,” he said, so she did.

The moment he stepped out onto the porch, she quietly closed the door behind him, then watched from within as he set up at the edge of the porch and aimed the scope toward the stars. He was motionless, fixated on what he was seeing.

Mission accomplished, she thought, and walked away.

Trey never heard her leave. His heart was pounding as he tilted the telescope heavenward and began searching the sky.

“Where are you?” he said, as he adjusted the focus, then looked again. He knew where it was in the sky. He knew what it looked like. He just couldn’t—and then it came into focus. “Ah, my God! There you are! From one Gemini to another, long time, no see.”

***

Marley didn’t know what was going through Trey’s head, but whatever he was thinking, it was a healing thing. He was living something he’d been denied. He could have bought this for himself years ago, but it wouldn’t have been the same. It wouldn’t have come with love attached—until now.

***

Trey had lost track of time, but he was cold enough now that he couldn’t feel his fingers. It was time to go back inside. With one last backward glance at heaven, he picked up the tripod and went inside, locking the door behind him. Marley was nowhere in sight, but he knew she hadn’t gone far. She hadn’t just given him a Christmas gift. She’d given him back a measure of faith he thought he’d lost.

He picked up the tripod and was heading to the family quarters when she came out of the kitchen with a cup of hot chocolate.

“Right behind you,” she said, and followed him inside. As soon as he put the tripod away in a closet, she handed him the mug. “I know your hands have to be freezing, and I’m going to need them a whole lot warmer than they are before you put them on me.”

He laughed as he took the mug. “Thank you, baby, and yes, you’re right. They’re cold as hell, but I have been fulfilled. I’ll warm up, but I’ll never get over this night…or you.”

“Drink up, love. I’m going to set the security alarm and put the lodge on lockdown. I won’t be long.”

Trey had downed the warm chocolate and was stripped down and getting ready to get in the shower when Marley walked up behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist.

“Do you want company?” she asked.

He turned around, admiring the beauty of her naked body. “You know I do. I would have to be a fool to ignore the offer.”

“After you,” she said, and when he stepped in beneath the flow of warm water, she was right behind him.

Never had a bar of soap been more erotic, and never had she let a man have his way with her in such a manner. And when she came, she lost her hold on his soap-slick body and rode out the climax on her knees.

When they finally made it to bed, Marley fell into his arms, exhausted.

“You fly through my dreams at night, and you die in my arms when we love. My heart. My love. My life.”

“You set me on fire, my sweet-talking man.” Then she snuggled up against him and closed her eyes.

***

Marley had set an early alarm, but woke up before daylight and turned it off so it wouldn’t wake Trey, then sat on the side of the bed watching him sleep. His head was resting on a pillow she used to hug against her when she slept, and he was taking up half of the bed with his big body and long legs.

Awake, he changed the energy of the room with his booming laugh and long, sure strides. Sleeping, he gave her his trust, and from what she knew of his past, it was the most valuable thing he could share. He’d promised her forever and a day, and she was holding him to it.

Finally, she made herself abandon the bed for the day ahead. There were still little things to do, and she didn’t want to be rushed. Just before she slipped out, she laid a Hershey Kiss on her pillow for him to wake up to. She was on her way to the kitchen in pajamas and slippers. She’d dress for company later. Soon, she had diced apples with raisins, sugar, and cinnamon cooking down on the stovetop and was making batter for Dutch baby pancakes. Tradition was alive and well at Corbett Lodge.

***

Trey woke up alone, rolled over onto his back and stretched and, as he did, saw the Hershey Kiss on Marley’s pillow. He grinned, peeled it, and popped it in his mouth.

“Sweet, but not as sweet as her,” he said as he got up to shower and shave.

A short while later, he left the family quarters for the front of the lodge and headed for the kitchen. When he walked in and saw Marley at the work island, wearing pj’s and slippers, his heart skipped. This was how his world was going to be for the rest of his life. What a gift. He walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist.

“Merry Christmas, my love. Thank you for the chocolate kiss. May I have a real one now?”

She turned within his embrace. “I thought you would never ask,” she said, and let herself melt in his arms.

“Something smells so good,” Trey said.

“I made a Dutch baby pancake with an apple-raisin filling. Are you hungry yet?”

“I’m always hungry for you…and for what you make,” he said. “What can I do to help?”

“Coffee for both of us. I’ll plate the food. It’s just us this morning. Jack and Wanda won’t be here until closer to dinner.”

Trey filled two mugs and carried them to the kitchen table while she brought servings of the Dutch baby pancake to their places.

“Your mother’s special Christmas breakfast, right?” he said.

She nodded. “I’m all about tradition.”

Even though she was smiling, he caught a glimmer of tears. “They would be so proud of you,” he said.

“I know. I wish you’d had a chance to know them,” she said.

“At least I got to see photos, and in doing so, I see pieces of them in you. You have your father’s blue eyes and your mother’s blond hair.”

“And my grandmother’s height,” Marley said.

Trey took his first bite of the food and rolled his eyes as he chewed and swallowed. “Oh, my lord, darlin’. This is delicious. Gorgeous, sexy, smart, and you make magic in the kitchen! You’re my Christmas every day.”

Marley resisted the urge to giggle. It was too “high school” for how she was really feeling.

“Merry Christmas to us,” she said, and forked another bite.

***

Hours later, Marley was dressed for guests in her red slacks and a white long-sleeved blouse with a deep vee at the neckline—the perfect frame for her ladybug necklace. Her hair was down, and her black shoes with the tiny heels made little tapping noises as she walked, making it easy for Trey to keep track of her, even when he couldn’t see her in the crowd.

All of the guests had arrived with their covered dishes and immediately put them on the dining table. They knew the routine. After shedding their coats and their snow boots, they began milling about, visiting with each other, sampling the little crudités Marley had put out, and catching up on the local news, while making no secret of their curiosity about the stranger in their midst.

They knew his name, because Marley had introduced him as they arrived, and all of them recognized him from the piece Farrah Welty had done on him and Marley for TV. But they weren’t sure about his place in Marley’s life, and they didn’t want to consider the fact that Trey Austin might take their Marley away.

Finally, Jack came out of the kitchen with serving platters full of slices of the baked ham on a rolling cart, and Wanda was right behind him with baskets of dinner rolls. They set them down in intervals through the middle of the table to make everyone serving themselves easier.

The arrival of the ham was the signal for everyone to gather.

As always, Marley sat at the head of the table, but this year, Trey sat at her right, and Jack and Wanda on her left. The other guests chose where they wanted to sit, except for Mr. Doolittle, who was already seated beside Jack.

As soon as everyone was seated, Marley stood.

“Before we give the blessing, Trey has something he wants to say to all of you. Trey, my love, the floor is yours.”

Trey stood, a handsome sight in dark slacks and a soft, grey sweater.

“Thank you for such a warm welcome. I’ve been looking forward to meeting you, and I feel like I have a head start, because Marley has told me about all of you, and I love that she has you as family. We wanted you to know that I’m joining the “We Love Marley Bug” fan club in a permanent position. I have fallen in love with the woman who saved my life. Who knew? Right?”

There was a titter of laughter that rolled around the table, but they were still nervous about what else he had to say.

“And, I have also fallen in love with this place because it’s part of who Marley is. So, while we’re about to spend the rest of our lives together, we’re doing it here, at Corbett Lodge. I’ll be moving here permanently in the days to come, and you’re gonna be stuck with me, because I’m not leaving her.”

A huge cheer went up around the table, along with some sighs of relief.

“Welcome to the family,” Jack said.

“Hear, hear!” the diners shouted.

Trey was beaming as he sat. This being welcomed into a family was a damn-good feeling.

Marley lifted her hand, and everyone immediately hushed.

“Thank you for that. Your acceptance was very important to Trey, and to me. Now…whose turn is it to give the blessing?”

Charlie Barrett pointed at Arnie Fitzsimmons. “It’s Fitz’s turn, right?”

Arnie nodded. “Please bow your heads,” he said, and gave the blessing. When it ended, everyone looked up, put their napkins in their laps, and began passing bowls and dishes all around the table, laughing and talking as they went.

It was a meal like no other Trey had ever experienced. The food was often something he’d never had before, and the informality and the chatter around the table was delightful. And watching Marley keeping the conversation light and happy—while making sure everyone’s drinks stayed topped off, and her continuing reminder of the array of desserts on the sideboard across the room—made him think of a general in charge of his troops.

The meal lasted two full hours, counting dessert, before they finally retired to the sitting area closest to the Christmas tree. It was time to open the presents.

Trey played Santa and picked up the presents from beneath the tree, then handed them to Marley, who delivered them to the proper recipients. Everyone had brought little things for each other, and once all of the presents had been distributed, the mass opening began. It was everyone tearing into them all at once, and exclaiming over what they’d received, and shouting out a thank-you to the gift giver.

The Jukes sisters, Gert and Mabel, had knitted scarves for everyone.

Craig, the woodcutter, gave miniature hand-carved animals to everyone.

Alvin Smith’s gift was a half pint of honey from his bees.

Mr. Doolittle’s gift to each of them was a little box of lemon drops.

Arnie Fitzsimmons’s gift was a small bag of chestnuts apiece.

Charlie and Patsy Barrett’s gift was a small box of homemade fudge apiece.

Keith Murphy, the young man who wrote code for a tech company, gave each of them a bag of peppermint candies.

Shirley Lowrey and Lawrence Atwood’s gift to each were small birdhouses that Lawrence had made and Shirley had painted.

Marley’s gifts were specific. A new pocketknife for Jack. A bottle of Wanda’s favorite perfume. Heavy-duty gloves for Craig, the woodcutter. A turtle figurine for Alvin Smith. A packet of beef jerky each for three of the men. An old-fashioned cookbook for Shirley Lowrey. Pink ice scrapers for Patsy and Charlie Barrett, and a special book of crossword puzzles for Doolittle.

Jack and Wanda gave Trey a book about the history of Corbett Lodge. When he opened it, he held it up for Marley to see.

“Look! How cool is this?” he said.

“If you’re gonna live here, you need to know all the deep, dark secrets,” Jack said.

Wanda swatted Jack on the arm. “There are no deep, dark secrets to be told. You are such a mess.”

Jack grinned.

Trey laughed. “I don’t care. I am really looking forward to reading this! Thank you.”

“And thank you for these beautiful coffee mugs,” Wanda said.

***

In the end, it was the elder guests who were the first to leave, gathering up their gifts, their empty casserole dishes and empty bowls, and taking home their share of the leftover ham. It triggered the others to begin gathering up their things and thanking Marley for a wonderful Christmas Day, and shaking Trey’s hand a dozen times with reminders to take good care of Bug.

Jack and Wanda stayed behind and helped clear the table and get the dirty dishes into the kitchen to the commercial-size dishwasher. Then Jack and Trey took down the tables and returned them to the basement, while Marley and Wanda gathered up the tablecloths and napkins and put them in to wash.

By the time everyone was gone, the great room was back in place, the wrapping paper from the gifts was in the trash, and Trey and Marley were sitting by the fire with their feet up, talking about the day.

“I had the best time,” Trey said. “You have amazing friends.”

She snuggled in closer. “I do, and they all fell for you.”

A burning log suddenly broke in two and fell down among the embers, sending sparks flying up the chimney.

Trey glanced out the window, then pointed. “Look, honey! It’s snowing.”

Marley barely gave it a glance. “It does that a lot up here this time of year, but they’ll keep the roads plowed. You’ll still be able to get down the mountain tomorrow. It’s going to be awfully quiet here after you leave.”

“It won’t be for long, and it won’t take me as long to get back and forth because I’m driving down to the airport tomorrow and flying home. Dealing with my leasing agent is easy. I’ve already told him to have the paperwork ready. I have several other properties already listed with them.”

“Oh yes, your rental property,” she said.

“Yes. I have investments in real estate, unlike my father, who’s all about the stock market, mergers, and buying up small companies and spitting out the old employees like gnawed-up bones. I’ve also already been in contact with movers, so as soon as I show up, they’ll be ready to load up on my call. Then, as soon as they’ve loaded, they’ll start to Colorado the next day, but I’m immediately flying back. With everything I’ve already set up, I should be back on the third day, and you’ll be back in my arms before my stuff even arrives.”

Marley sighed. “I think I can handle that long without you.”

“I’ve never had anyone to come home to before. You’re giving me roots I didn’t know I was missing, but I’m so happy you did. I had no idea how wonderful it would feel to belong somewhere with someone,” he said.

“Just remember you are loved,” Marley said, then glanced up at his profile. He was clenching his jaw. “You’re thinking about your parents, aren’t you?”

He jerked, then turned his head and stared. “How did you know that?”

She ran a finger down the side of his jaw. “You looked like you were about ready to step into the ring and go ten rounds with someone.”

He sighed.

“Have you spoken to them at all since the angry call?”

“No.”

“Then let it go. It’s up to them to make the first move, and if it’s not an apology, you don’t have to hear them out when they call again, unless you want to. From this day forward, we’re in this together. I’ll be their friend if you need me to be, or I’ll be their worst enemy if they disrespect you again. Just sayin’.”

“Your friends were nice to me. My parents weren’t kind speaking about you, and they haven’t even met you. Hell, they’re not even kind to me, but I’m used to it. I just don’t want you to be hurt. I won’t have it,” he said, holding her closer.

That night, there was a hint of desperation in the lovemaking, and when they finally rolled over into each other’s arms, Trey whispered in her ear.

“Two nights apart. Back here on the third day. I promise you.”

***

Trey left the lodge at sunup with the taste of Marley’s kisses on his lips, and a little something he’d snuck out of her jewelry box. He glanced up once in the rearview mirror just before he drove out of sight of the lodge and saw her standing on the porch, watching him leave. And then, as if she knew he’d looked up, he saw her blow him a kiss. Then he drove around the curve and couldn’t see her anymore.

It was a wrench to the gut. Like he’d left a piece of himself behind.

“Three days for a lifetime. Best deal ever,” he muttered as he reached the main road and headed down the mountain.

While back up at the lodge, Marley was already inside, stirring the embers in the fireplace and adding a log to the fire, then turning up the thermostat. As she went about the day, everything fell back into place. The only thing missing was the man who held her heart.

But he’d be back. He promised.

***

Jared Bedford was sitting at a stoplight the same morning that Trey Austin drove through it, destination unknown. But Jared took it upon himself to follow him, just to see where he was going.

When he figured out the man was going to the airport, he grinned. He watched Austin park his car, then enter the terminal. He didn’t know how long the man would be gone, but for the time being, Marley Corbett would be alone again. The people who worked for her at the lodge were still off work. This was the opportunity he’d been waiting for.

He went straight up to the mountain, and just as he was nearing the turnoff, he saw a pickup truck coming toward him and taking the turn into the drive.

Jared recognized Jack Wallis and cursed his luck, then turned around and went back down the mountain. So, Marley wasn’t alone after all. Jack Wallis was still on the job.