Chapter 26

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

It was Christmas Eve, and Nora was sitting by the window in the front room of the inn, looking out at the thickly snow-covered landscape. There was a fire burning cheerily in the fireplace, a plate of snickerdoodle cookies next to her on the small table, and a pile of gifts under the brightly lit tree waiting to be opened the next morning. She felt happier than she had in a long time.

She glanced back at her laptop, re-reading the email that she'd typed up to send to her boss. One more look, and it was ready to send.

She wondered if she was being too hasty, putting in her notice. But the truth was, she didn't want to go back to Boston. Now that she had come back home, found a burgeoning love and a renewed sense of what was really important to her, she didn't have any desire to return.

Nora heard footsteps and looked up to see Caroline walking into the living room. Her sister looked less tense. Ever since their conversation, Nora had noticed her actively trying to be less constantly busy, and slowing down to enjoy the holiday a bit more.

They'd both helped each other in different ways. Nora had been trying to pitch in more around the inn too, once the festival was finished, helping with rooms and trying to learn how to cook. The outdoorsy work and maintenance of the inn was still beyond her, but she was sure she could learn. It was a group effort to keep the inn running, she'd found, and she wanted her sister to feel able to relax.

Caroline came to sit down next to her, setting down two large mugs of white hot chocolate with marshmallows. "What are you working on?" she asked curiously, as Nora picked up her mug and took a drink. "Now that the festival is over."

"An email to put in my notice at work." Nora felt a wry smile on her face at her sister's surprised expression. "I know it feels a little soon. But I've learned so much about myself since I've been back here. And I feel like I've found a new path. One that will make me happier in the long run."

Caroline sat back, looking at her sister. "Well, I'll support you whatever you decide. But I really have enjoyed having you here, back home with us. I'd love if that continued." She hesitated. Talking about her feelings still didn't come easily. "I missed you. I'm glad that you coming back mended things between us. Improved them, even."

Nora reached over, squeezing her sister's hand. "I am too."

That moment felt like the final push that she needed. Going back to Boston would put distance between her and all of this again, and even though she could come back and visit more than she had before, it didn't feel like enough. She wanted to stay close, to grow closer to her family and make up for lost years, to pursue everything that being back in Evergreen Hollow would allow her.

It didn't feel like a trap any longer. It felt like a new opportunity. And she had always loved those.

She took a deep breath and hit send on the resignation email.

Caroline nudged her, an oddly mischievous grin on her face. "Isn't there someone else that you should tell that you're staying?"

Nora's stomach fluttered. "You're right," she said weakly, feeling nervous as she reached for her phone. Her sister drifted off, giving her privacy as she called Aiden.

He answered on the second ring. "I have some news for you," Nora said, sure that he could hear how nervous she was. "But I want to tell you in person. What do you think about a Christmas Eve hike?"

"Sounds like a perfect idea to me. I took the day off, so you just tell me when."

"How about as soon as you can get here?" She wasn't sure how long she could keep the news in—she wanted to tell him as soon as possible, and know what his reaction would be, one way or another.

"I'm on my way."

Twenty minutes later, Aiden was at her door. Her heart had felt like it was racing in her chest the entire time she'd waited for him, and she hurried outside as soon as she heard his tires crunching into the snow, hopping into the truck so that they could head to their hiking spot.

It was the most gorgeous evening she could have hoped for. The maples were a bright burning red against the evening sun, the snow packed hard and glittering. It took her breath away, the perfect white Christmas, and it only reinforced how right Nora felt her decision had been. Out here in the nature surrounding her hometown, with Aiden—the man she never would have thought would be hers, and yet somehow always had been—she knew she had made the right choice. She had just needed the right timing to know it was where she should be, and it had finally come.

She smiled as they walked up the hill, thinking of the unexpected route that had brought her here. A breakup that had turned out to be the best possible thing for her, a phone call to a friend that had urged her to come home. A sequence of events that had led her here, to a moment happier than any she had imagined.

They made their way up to the top of the overlook, just in time for the sunset, and Aiden turned to look at her. "I've been trying to be patient this whole time," he said with a laugh. "But I'm dying to hear your news."

Nora felt a sudden rush of nerves. What if this was all based on him knowing I'd leave eventually? Maybe it had been easier for him to open up to her a little, knowing it wouldn't last. But she had to hope that wasn't true.

She hesitated for a moment, then blurted it out. "I've decided to stay here. I sent in my resignation today."

The nerves she had felt were gone in an instant when Aiden swept her into his arms, holding her close in a tight hug. He bent down, kissing her swiftly, his face radiant with happiness when he pulled away. "That's what I hoped you were going to say."

Nora grinned, a different kind of butterflies swirling in her stomach. She felt as if she were glowing with happiness, the last thing that she had wanted falling into place.

Aiden reached down, brushing a little of her hair out of her face in a sweet, familiar gesture. "If you're staying," he said with a smile, "I'd like to take you out on many, many more dates. How do you feel about that?"

Nora's smile spread across her face. "That sounds amazing."

He put his arm around her, pulling her close as they looked out over the landscape, the colorful sunset blazing over the snow. The chill of the evening was creeping in, but Nora couldn't feel it. She was happy and content and full of warmth, more so than she had ever been, and she felt as if she could have stood there forever with him.

"Caroline must be happy you're staying," Aiden said, and Nora nodded, leaning her head against his shoulder.

"She was really glad to hear it." She smirked, pulling back a little to look up at him. "And now that I'm staying, my new goal is going to be finding Caroline a man. I can tell she's a little lonely, even if she'd never admit it."

Aiden laughed at that, the sound echoing in the forest around them. "Good luck. I'll help if I can."

Nora grinned, sliding her arms around him. She had found so much happiness, she thought to herself, by opening up her heart again. It had been risky, and scary, but so, so worth it. She was home now, with everything she could have ever dreamed of, and a future ahead of her that she was sure contained so much love.

She hoped her sister would find the same someday.

The series continues in Snowflakes and Surprises !