The Holiday Secret

Carter cleared his throat. “And speaking of cutting down trees...”

“I believe that is my cue to take over and let my son get back to work.” Karen linked her arm through Ellery’s. “Carter keeps some trails open for the guests, so feel free to explore the grounds. I also have a map of cross-country ski trails near Castle Falls, if you’re interested.”

Ellery was interested in the people who lived there.

And more than ready to escape the chill in the air.

She could practically feel Carter’s watchful gaze as she and Karen left the room.

“There’s a full breakfast every morning, but in the winter, I discovered that people don’t like to venture very far from the inn,” the innkeeper told her as they retraced their steps down the hall. “You’ll find a pot of homemade soup and bread in the dining room for lunch, but supper is on your own. There’s also a grocery store in Castle Falls if you prefer to stash a few things in the minifridge in your room.”

Karen retrieved a colorful flyer from a wire basket next to the computer and slid it across the desk. “Compliments of the Chamber of Commerce. If you decide to stay through the weekend, you might want to watch the parade.” Her eyes sparkled with humor. “I can’t guarantee peace and quiet, though. Most of the town shows up.”

Ellery’s mouth went dry.

In a small town, didn’t the majority of conversations revolve around the people who lived there? If Ellery kept her eyes and ears open, it was possible she could learn more about her brothers’ character from the people who saw them on a daily basis than she would from a private investigator.

Ellery studied the collage of tiny photographs on the flyer. A family sharing a picnic in a gazebo. The silhouette of a man paddling a red canoe down the river. Slices of life that made up the town her brothers called home.

“There’s a calendar of events inside,” Karen continued. “The Happy Cow—that’s the ice cream parlor on the main street—introduces a new flavor during their open house, and that always draws a crowd. The local businesses get pretty creative.”

“What do you do here, at the inn?”

“The pastor of a local church asked if I would host the live nativity this year. I’ve been looking for ways to connect with the community more and it seemed like the perfect opportunity...” Karen’s voice trailed off and she glanced in the direction of the gathering room.

Ellery couldn’t prove it, of course, but she suspected that the handsome, gray-eyed Scrooge who preferred concrete parking lots to quaint stone outbuildings didn’t approve of live nativities, either.

Chapter Four

The next day, Carter spent the majority of his time in the heated garage, fixing the ancient plow that Karen had inherited when she’d bought the inn. The thing was as temperamental as an old mule, but there wasn’t enough money in the budget to replace it, so Carter did his best to coax the engine to life after every snow.

On his way out, he grabbed the bucket of salt by the door. Making sure the sidewalk didn’t double as a skating rink was the last item on his to-do list for the day.

A flash of color in the center of the yard caught Carter’s eye and he walked over to investigate.

Bea had informed him that she was going to make a snow “horse” after school, but it had undergone a transformation since the last time Carter had seen it. The snow sculpture now boasted button eyes, a shaggy white mane recycled from the head of a dust mop and reins fashioned from a scarf that looked as if it had been spun from cotton candy.

Carter wasn’t all that savvy when it came to fashion, but thanks to Jennifer’s high-end taste in clothing, he could tell the difference between wool and cashmere.

Considering there were only two female guests in residence at the moment, he had a pretty strong hunch who the scarf belonged to.

How it had ended up in Bea’s possession, though, was a mystery.

In his mind’s eye, Carter saw his daughter blithely skipping across yet another invisible boundary. There were two rows of hooks in the back hallway, one designated for family and one for guests, but to a five-year-old, a scarf was a scarf. Especially when said five-year-old was in a hurry. Or when the article of clothing that caught her eye happened to be in her favorite shade of pink.

Carter wasn’t completely sure if either theory was correct, but there was one thing he did know. If he didn’t remove the scarf before the temperature plummeted, it would be permanently welded to Bea’s snow horse come morning.

Carter’s careful attempt to loosen it stirred a hint of jasmine into the night air, providing yet another clue about the owner’s identity.

The temptation to place the scarf on one of the hooks in the hallway and go about his business was strong. But if Bea had taken it without permission, an apology might be in order, too.

He took the stairs two at a time to the second floor, rapped on Ellery’s door and waited. And waited some more.

It suddenly occurred to Carter that he hadn’t seen Ellery all day. A thin layer of snow still blanketed the Lexus, which meant she hadn’t driven into Castle Falls.

Feel free to explore the grounds.

His mom extended the same offer to all the guests, but Carter couldn’t imagine Ellery Marshall taking her up on it, let alone helping herself to one of the extra pairs of snowshoes or skis and striking out on her own.

Then again, this was the woman who’d stopped along the road during a snowstorm to take a picture of a bald eagle.

Karen Bristow kept a motherly eye on everyone who stayed under her roof, so it was possible she would know where Ellery was.

Knowing his mom usually prepped for breakfast this time of the day, Carter retraced his steps to the first floor and walked into the kitchen.

“Have you...” The rest of the sentence snagged in Carter’s throat.

Because Ellery Marshall sat on a stool at the butcher block island, one foot tapping to the lively beat of “Sleigh Ride,” both hands wrapped around a coffee mug.

His coffee mug.

Ellery took one look at Carter’s expression and knew there was a reason this particular room hadn’t been included on her tour the day before. She wasn’t supposed to be here.

Growing up, though, the kitchen had been Ellery’s favorite room in the house. The air seasoned with her mother’s laughter, a tangle of fresh herbs in terra-cotta pots on the windowsill and whatever soup was bubbling away on the stove.

Even now, when she was alone, Ellery found the simple task of kneading bread dough or chopping vegetables more relaxing than a day at the spa.

And Karen Bristow’s kitchen, with its canopy of gleaming copper pots and splashes of daffodil yellow and periwinkle blue, had invited Ellery to linger.

Ask God to reveal what her next step should be.

No. That wasn’t quite true.

What Ellery needed was the courage to take the next step and actually spend some time in the town her brothers called home.

The reason she’d driven to Castle Falls in the first place.

Carter’s gaze lit on the chunky ceramic mug in Ellery’s hand and she made another impulsive decision.

“Would you like some coffee? I just made a fresh pot.”

“There’s always a coffee bar set up in the dining room,” he said slowly. “My mom is pretty strict about guests wandering into the kitchen—”

“Unless that guest knows her way around a French press.” Karen glided into the room, Bea bouncing along at her heels, and smiled at Ellery. “And is willing to share.”

Ellery returned the woman’s smile as she slipped off the stool. As tempting as it was to linger, she didn’t want her presence to be a source of friction between Carter and his mother. “I’ll take this upstairs to my room.”

“Wait...” Carter stepped into Ellery’s path. Dipped his hand into his coat pocket and produced an enormous ball of fuzzy pink yarn. “Does this belong to you?”

Bea recognized it first. “Those are Snowflake’s reins, Daddy!”

“I gave the scarf to Bea, Deputy Bristow,” Ellery said quickly, in case Carter had assumed his daughter had taken it without permission. “When we put the finishing touches on Snowflake, I was the one who suggested she needed reins.”

“We?” Carter repeated.

Ellery should have known that a man trained in investigative techniques would zero in on that particular word!

Bea danced across the room and landed at Carter’s feet. “Miss El’ry helped me! And tomorrow we’re going to find a blanket and make Snowflake a saddle and—”

“Miss El—Marshall—is here on vacation,” Carter interjected when Bea paused to take a breath.

“I know that, Daddy, but I heard her tell Gramma that she needs some peace and quiet.” She looked up at him, her expression earnest. “And snow horses are very, very quiet.”

Ellery suddenly witnessed an amazing transformation take place. A mixture of love and tenderness kindled in Carter’s eyes and the corners of his lips rustled, sparking what looked to be the beginnings of an honest-to-goodness smile.

One that Ellery felt all the way down to her toes.

And if only a hint of a smile could wreak havoc with her pulse, she could only imagine what kind of lasting damage a real one would do.

“I’m sure they are.” Carter scooped Bea up and parked her on the narrow ledge of his hip. “But Miss Ellery might be checking out tomorrow.”

Either Karen had mentioned that Ellery’s reservation was day to day or Carter had pulled up her name on the computer and done some investigating on his own.

Which reminded Ellery why she was here.

“Actually,” Ellery heard herself say, “I’ve decided to stay a little longer.”

A little longer.

What did that mean?

Two days? Three? Ten?

Carter didn’t have a chance to ask for clarification. Because Ellery Marshall, with a smile, a graceful turn and his favorite coffee mug, swept out of the kitchen.

“Time to check your backpack and get ready for supper.” Carter set Bea down on the floor but tiny arms clamped around his leg like a vise.

“And then we can play a game?” Bea asked hopefully. “I don’t have school tomorrow.”

“I think we can fit one in before bed.”

Bea’s grip tightened. “Are you going to be here when I wake up in the morning?”

These were the kind of questions that tore Carter up inside. “That’s the plan.”

A plan that was always subject to last-minute changes, but a five-year-old didn’t understand the complexities of a career in law enforcement.

She released him long enough to break into a happy dance. “We can go to the parade!”

Carter had been trying not to think about the Christmas parade.

“Ready to beat your record?” He looked at his watch. “Ten. Nine...”

Bea squealed and shot out the door.

“I realize this time of year is...difficult,” Karen said slowly, proof that no matter how skilled Carter had gotten at concealing his thoughts over the years, a mother never lost the ability to read minds.

But difficult?

Carter’s lips twisted.

The word wasn’t quite accurate.

Three years ago, he’d crossed multiple times zones to surprise Jennifer with what he’d thought would be the perfect Christmas gift. Spending it together as family. The first of many, because Carter had done a lot of soul-searching and decided not to reenlist.

Even half a world apart, he’d known that Jennifer was unhappy. And after Bea came along, things hadn’t gotten any better. Jennifer seemed to find motherhood as difficult as marriage to a man whose career took him away for months at a time.

Carter had made a commitment to serve his country, but he’d made a commitment to his family, too. He’d applied for and accepted a job as a deputy with the sheriff’s department.

Carter couldn’t wait to tell Jennifer they’d be able to return to Castle Falls and start over.

Jennifer, Carter had discovered, was more than ready to start over, too. With someone else. A wealthy, jet-setting entrepreneur who’d promised Jennifer the world had proven irresistible—even if that world that didn’t have room for an active toddler.

So instead of spending the holiday together, Carter had driven back to Castle Falls with a little girl who’d only seen her father twice since she’d been born. One who didn’t understand that when her mother had walked away from Carter, she’d been left behind, too.

So, yeah. Christmas was tough.

“Don’t you think it’s time to start replacing the bad memories with some good ones?” Karen asked softly. “Not only for Bea’s sake, but for your own.”

She was probably right.

But the holiday that brought families together only reminded Carter that his had fallen apart.

Chapter Five

“But I want to go, Gramma!”

The tearful declaration echoed around the lobby as Ellery came down the stairs on Saturday afternoon.

Bea was looking up at her grandmother, arms crossed, her stricken expression a dramatic change from the happy little girl Ellery had spent time with over the past few days.

Ellery slowed down, unsure of what to do. She didn’t want to interrupt the conversation but she didn’t want it to appear like she was eavesdropping, either.

“I know you do, sweetheart, but your daddy was called in to work and I have to wait for our new guests to arrive.” Karen looped her arm around her granddaughter’s shoulders and gave them a comforting squeeze. “But we can still do something fun. Why don’t you pick out a game and I’ll make some popcorn, okay?”

“Okay.” Bea’s sigh stirred the wisps of golden bangs on her forehead. She trudged toward the door, feet scraping the floor with every step, so downcast she didn’t notice Ellery standing at the bottom of the stairs.

Karen did. “I’m sorry, Ellery.” Her smile looked a little rueful. “When there’s a five-year-old in the house, life isn’t always contained to the family suite.”

“And it shouldn’t be,” Ellery said swiftly. “The inn is also your home.”

“Boundaries can be tricky, though.” Karen sighed. “Carter and I chose different careers but in some ways they’re very similar. We’re both on call 24/7. Most of the time we can make it work with some creative juggling...”

“But not today?” Ellery guessed.

Karen glanced at the doorway, making sure Bea was out of earshot.

“Carter planned to go to the parade with Bea, but his supervisor said they needed him tonight. And then fifteen minutes ago, a woman called and reserved two rooms. She guessed their party would arrive between six and eight, so I can’t take his place. I realize plans change, of course, but I hate to disappoint her.”

Ellery knew she might be overstepping, but it had bothered her to see Bea looking so dejected, too.

“She can go with me.”

“Ellery... I can’t ask you to do that,” Karen protested.

“You didn’t. I offered.” Ellery smiled. “I enjoy Bea’s company.”

Karen’s expression clouded suddenly, and Ellery realized the innkeeper’s hesitation didn’t stem from concern for her granddaughter. It was for her son.

“I don’t want to put you in a difficult spot, though,” Ellery said quickly. “Carter—”

“Trusts me to decide what’s best for Bea when he’s at work,” Karen interjected firmly. “And I think that going to the parade with you this evening falls into that category.”

Ellery wasn’t sure he would agree, but it was too late to retract the offer. Nor did she want to.

Karen thought that Ellery was helping her, but it was the other way around.

The night she’d arrived at the inn, Ellery had been looking for a “base camp.” A place to stay while she gathered information about her brothers. But God, as always, had given her so much more.

Karen’s warm hospitality reminded Ellery of her mother and Bea’s giggles healed the tender places in a heart still rubbed raw from grief.

“Do you want to finish getting ready while I round up Bea’s snowsuit and boots and tell her the good news?” Karen asked.

Finish?

“I’m ready.” Ellery paused. Glanced down at the outfit she’d chosen. “Aren’t I?”

“Well...” Karen cleared her throat. “You’ll be outside a few hours and the air always feels colder when you’re standing in one place.”

A tactful way of saying that no, she wasn’t.

“I didn’t think I would be spending a lot of time outdoors while I was here,” Ellery admitted.

In fact, she hadn’t thought much about her wardrobe at all. After Ellery made the decision to go to Castle Falls, she’d tossed a few things into her suitcase and was on the road before she could change her mind.

“No worries.” The familiar twinkle stole back into Karen’s eyes. “I’m sure we can find something to keep the cold at bay.”

A few additional layers might insulate Ellery from the falling temperatures, but Ellery doubted they would protect her from the chill in the air whenever her path crossed with Carter’s.

His attitude was confusing.

But what Ellery found even more confusing was why it bothered her so much. Her life was complicated enough without adding Carter Bristow to the mix.

Ten minutes later, Ellery was buckling Bea into the booster seat she’d borrowed from Karen.

“Are you excited, too, Miss El’ry?” Bea piped up from the back seat.

“Yes, I am.” Excited. Nervous.

Really nervous.

The butterflies that had taken up residence in Ellery’s stomach after her decision to go to the parade weren’t fluttering. They were performing acrobatics.

And the Lord, He is the one who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not forsake you.

The verse Ellery had leaned on, rested in, clung to, after her parents died rose in her mind. Calmed her heart and the butterflies.

Nothing happened that took God by surprise. No path His children walked where He wasn’t at their side.

And sometimes—Ellery smiled as Bea chattered on about story time at the library—He provided another companion for the journey.

The wrinkles in the winding ribbon of road smoothed out as Ellery passed a large wooden sign that welcomed visitors to Castle Falls. A barricade across the road prevented people from continuing down the main street, but Ellery caught a glimpse of brick storefronts that gave the town an appealing turn-of-the-century feel.

Like the inn, the town was dressed in its holiday best. Strings of colorful lights graced the lampposts and fresh greenery filled the oversize planters stationed at the crosswalks, but Ellery imagined that Castle Falls would look beautiful no matter what time of the year.

She turned down a side street near the park and spotted an empty parking space. Bea bounced out of the back seat, eyes shining, and slipped her hand into Ellery’s when they crossed the street.

Heads began to turn in their direction as they wove their way through the people gathered together on the sidewalk.

When Ellery assured Jameson that a lone visitor in Castle Falls wouldn’t draw more than a passing glance, she hadn’t considered that people would recognize Bea. And judging from the open curiosity on their faces, they were trying to figure out the connection between Ellery and a local county deputy’s adorable daughter.

“I hear music, Miss El’ry!” Bea would have plunged off the curb if Ellery hadn’t taken hold of her hand. “The parade is going to start!”

Ellery’s heart began to thump, matching the staccato rhythm of the drums in a marching band.

Everyone’s attention turned toward the music but Ellery found herself scanning the faces of the people on the opposite side of the street, looking for...strangers.

Ellery tamped down a sigh.

Everyone was a stranger.

But what did she expect? That three men she’d never laid eyes on before would be easy to spot in a crowd?

“There’s Daddy!” Bea pointed a chubby finger at the squad car cruising down the street.

“I don’t think...” Ellery started to say, but the words died in her throat.

Because Carter was leading the parade.

Carter would rather chase bad guys than be the opening act for a high school marching band decked out in fake antlers and red plastic noses.

Not that he’d been given a choice.

Carter had had no idea when he’d been called into work for a “special assignment,” it would involve the annual parade. A parade Carter should have been watching from the sidelines, with Bea.

It’s your hometown, Bristow, Carter’s supervisor had said. Consider it an honor.

An honor? No. More like a punishment.

Riverside, the town’s main street, was only three blocks long and yet it was crowded with moments he’d rather forget.

He’d been home on leave for the first time when he’d met travel blogger Jennifer St. John. She’d checked into the Evergreen Inn on her way to the Great Lakes Circle Tour, seeking out “backwoods beauty” on her latest adventure. To say that Carter was flattered when Jennifer had asked him to show her some of the sights around the area was an understatement.

Jennifer was stunning and vivacious—and Carter had fallen hard. In his pursuit of her attention, it didn’t matter they’d been raised in different environments. Had very different goals.

Carter’s mom had expressed some concerns about the relationship, but he’d brushed those aside, as well. Sure, Jennifer came from a wealthy family, but she was assertive, not entitled. Goal driven, not self-centered.

And the most amazing thing? She seemed to be wild about him, too. Delayed her trip so they could spend more time together.

Carter had been devastated when Jennifer announced it was time for her to move on. Earning a coveted spot with the SEALS meant going off the grid for months at a time, and he had no doubt there would be guys lined up to take his place at Jennifer’s side.

A week before Carter was deployed again, though, she’d shown up at the inn to say goodbye. Carter’s fear of losing Jennifer was stronger than any misgivings he’d had about marrying a woman he’d known less than a month. He’d stumbled through a proposal and wonder of wonders, Jennifer accepted.

It wasn’t until Carter had begged her not to give up on their marriage only a few years later that he’d found out why.

Unbeknownst to Carter, Jennifer had posted a photograph of her local “guide” on one of their outings and her popularity had skyrocketed. As she began to document their romance, her followers had clamored for more. Carter had unwittingly provided it in the form of a proposal.

Jennifer had never loved him. Not really. She’d loved what Carter had done for her career. He’d been convenient. And their child was collateral damage when Jennifer decided a family didn’t fit her long-range goals.

Three-quarters of the people waving at the squad car weren’t privy to all the gory details, but there was no hiding the fact Carter’s marriage had crashed and burned.

One more reason he avoided the town.

You have to replace some of the bad memories with the good ones, his mom had said.

But it was difficult when the bad ones had become embedded in his heart like shrapnel.

A flurry of movement on the sidewalk caught Carter’s eye.

A six-foot-tall Dalmatian wearing a gaudy plaid tuxedo was handing out candy canes along the parade route. Dash, the animal shelter’s official mascot, was a fixture at events like this and never failed to attract a crowd of his own.