“I liked being a person who someone wanted to do things for. Now if I want tea, I make it myself.”
“If I want tea, I call room service,” Erica said and lifted a hand to stop Anna’s gentle admonishment. “Yes, I know, I’m a heartless woman. It’s been said before. But there is nothing better in this life than being able to change your own tire and make your own tea. Self-love is the new long-term relationship. Hadn’t you heard?”
“But people do things for other people because they want to, not because the other person is incapable. Like that guy.” Claudia watched as he walked away from them toward the inn. “He looks like the steady, reliable type. The sort that isn’t going to run in a crisis. He’s carrying logs because he cares about someone. He wants them to be warm and comfortable.”
A young woman appeared in the doorway and greeted him with a few words and laughter.
“Judging from the look on her face and his, I think he’s taken,” Anna said.
“He’s probably carrying logs because he is being paid to do it. And of course he’d run in a crisis. That’s what men do.” Erica unclipped her seat belt. “Now, can we stop this conversation and start our vacation?”
Claudia watched as the man disappeared through the door at the back of the inn.
She didn’t believe he’d run. She thought he’d stand fast and handle whatever was barreling toward him. But she wasn’t really interested in him. She wasn’t interested in a relationship at the moment, but it was a relief she could still admire an attractive man when he crossed her path. That felt like another step forward.
Whoever that man loved, she thought as she grabbed an armful of gifts, was a lucky person but nowhere near as lucky as the woman who owned the inn.
Claudia had never believed in love at first sight but looking at the shimmering windows and snow-covered roof of the Maple Sugar Inn, she suddenly did.
Forget the man; what she really wanted was the inn. If the inn belonged to her, she was sure she’d live happily ever after.
NINE
Anna
The inn was warm and welcoming. As Anna stepped over the threshold and saw the tall Christmas tree sparkling with lights and ornaments she thought, I wish I were here with Pete.
He’d suggested that the two of them go away together several times lately and she’d always found a reason not to. It was one of the few points of tension between them. He didn’t seem to understand that she needed to be around for the kids. It was hard to find the time. Now she was wondering if she should have made the time.
“I want to live here forever.” Claudia gazed at the tree. “You’re a vacation genius, Erica.”
“Yes.” Anna was about to ask Erica if she was happy with everything when a young woman emerged from a room at the back. It was the same woman they’d seen greeting the man with the logs. Her cheeks were flushed and her hair formed a cloud of curls around her smiling face.
“Hi there, you must be Erica, Anna and Claudia. Welcome. I’m Hattie.”
This was Hattie?
She looked so young. Too young to have a child and be running the inn.
And then Anna remembered she would have been around the same age when she’d had the twins.
She glanced at Erica, expecting her to take the lead as she’d made the reservation, but Erica was standing frozen, staring at Hattie.
Anna had no idea what the problem could be.
Erica was often blunt and efficient, but she was never rude. Also, she was rarely silent. Usually, she would be taking charge by now, not because Anna and Claudia were in any way less competent, but just because she couldn’t help herself.
Anna waited another beat, and then stepped forward and stretched out her hand.
“Hi there, I’m Anna. This place is incredible. I feel as if I’m on the set of a Christmas movie.”
She had no idea what was wrong with Erica, but she didn’t want Hattie thinking it was anything to do with the quality of the establishment.
Hattie dragged her anxious gaze from Erica’s face. “I’m pleased. We really want your stay to be special, so if there’s anything at all you need, please let me know. Now, let me get you checked in and show you to your rooms.” She leaned forward and hit a couple of keys on the computer. “You have three rooms together. I have Erica in the River Room.” She glanced up and Anna gave Erica a prod in the ribs.
Erica seemed to wake up. “You’re not from around here, are you?”
“I’m British. Born and raised in London, but I moved here when I met my husband.” Hattie saw Erica staring at the photographs on her desk. “That’s my husband with our daughter, Delphi—you’ll meet her at some point, I’m sure. She’s five and often manages to be where she’s not supposed to be. Here’s the key to your room.”
Erica reached to take it and in doing so knocked over the other photo on the desk.
“I’m sorry.” She picked it up and Anna waited for her to set it back in its place, but instead Erica held it and stared at it in silence.
Finally, she looked at Hattie. “Who is this?”
Anna felt a rush of embarrassment, but Hattie was warm and friendly and seemed not at all offended.
“That’s me, with my dad.”
“Your dad? He’s holding you. Swinging you in the air.”
“That’s right. He loved to do that. This is my favorite photo of him. He passed away seven years ago. I miss him every day. I was around four years old when that photograph was taken, but the weird thing is I remember that day clearly. It’s my earliest memory.”
Erica stared at the photograph for a long time. “You two were close.”
Anna shifted uncomfortably. This was becoming awkward. Why the personal questions? Since when did Erica show so much interest in a stranger? What was going on? Maybe this had something to do with Christmas. Maybe she was thinking about family. Although she rarely admitted it, she knew Erica had been deeply scarred by the way her father had treated her and her mother. His actions had pretty much defined her life.
Maybe hitting forty had affected her more than she thought it had.
“We were very close.” Hattie looked puzzled, but was still sweetly polite. “My mother died just after I was born, and my dad raised me alone. It was a special relationship. I feel lucky to have had that. Anna, you’re in the Forest Room. I hope you like it. Let me know when you’d like to hold your book club discussions and I’ll reserve the library for you. The only time it isn’t free is Wednesday evening.” She handed over a key, and then did the same for Claudia. Her gaze skated nervously back to Erica, who was still holding the photograph. “If you’d all like to follow me, I’ll show you to your rooms and have your luggage brought up.”
“We can handle our luggage, no problems,” Claudia said, grabbing her bags and Erica’s. She gave Erica a gentle push.
Erica looked at her blankly as if she’d forgotten where she was.
“Luggage. Checking in. Vacation,” Claudia muttered. “Any of these words ringing a bell?”
Erica put the photograph carefully back on the desk.
She looked pale and tired and Anna felt a twinge of real concern.
Was Erica unwell? Did she have some sort of health crisis going on?