Chapter 21 Isabella
ISABELLA
Isabella heard the shuttle arrive back at the inn and went to the front door, her heart picking up pace. She stood in the doorway and watched as the Christmas and Burke/Bennett families piled out, all of them laughing and talking, faces bright with happiness.
Her eyes immediately found her daughter, and her heart lurched.
She couldn't remember ever seeing Maddy so happy or having a friend like Trinity.
Maddy was highly intelligent, a high-potential individual, they called her, which often made her seem strange to other children her age.
The school was doing its best, giving her advanced work and extra assignments to keep her challenged, but Isabella knew it wasn't enough.
She was saving every penny to send Maddy to a school for gifted children where she'd be understood and challenged appropriately.
But watching Maddy now, laughing with Trinity like they'd been friends for years, Isabella felt some of that worry ease. Maybe what Maddy needed most wasn't just an academic challenge. Maybe she needed this—friendship, belonging, joy.
"Is that them?" A deep voice rumbled behind her, making her pulse jump.
She turned to see the tall man with golden blond buzz-cut hair, hazel eyes, and a smile that dimpled, making his startlingly handsome face even more so. He and his friend had checked into the inn a while ago. The moment her eyes had met his, she’d felt something shift inside her.
She shook herself from her musings. "Yes." Isabella nodded.
"Good." The man grinned. "Thank you for doing this."
"Of course." Isabella smiled, turning back to block the doorway as the man disappeared into the dining room.
"Mom!" Maddy's voice pulled her attention back to the group approaching. Maddy ran into Isabella's arms, and she caught her daughter close, squeezing tightly and kissing her soft hair.
"We had such a great time," Maddy said, pulling back to look at her mother with shining eyes.
"I'm so glad, honey," Isabella said, looking up as the rest of the party stopped in front of her. "You all look like you could do with another hot chocolate and some of my Christmas cookies that I've laid out as a little Christmas cheer surprise in the dining room."
"Ugh," Charlie groaned good-naturedly. "That is so sweet of you, but I don't think I could eat any more."
"Oh, I think you can, and you will!" Isabella said, her voice brooking no argument. "I made them special."
"It's a lovely thing you've done," Holly said. "But I think we're all sugared out."
"We can't be rude," Julie said, stepping around them as they all moved aside for her.
Isabella glanced back toward the dining room, then looked at Julie, who asked, "Did our new guests arrive, Isabella?"
"Oh, yes." Isabella nodded, trying not to smile too widely.
"Good, good," Julie said. Isabella stepped aside, pulling Maddy with her so they could all enter.
Julie turned back to the group. "Now come on, everyone.
We can have at least a cookie and a sip of cocoa.
" Her eyebrow rose in that way that said she wouldn't accept arguments.
"Let's go see Isabella's Christmas surprise. "
They followed Julie into the dining room, all talking among themselves, completely unsuspecting.
Isabella pulled Maddy aside, positioning them near the doorway where they could watch.
"Mom, I want to go with Trinity and Jane, what are you..." Maddy started, wanting to follow her friend.
"No, baby, just wait," Isabella whispered, her own eyes filling with tears as she watched the group enter the dining room.
Trinity was mid-sentence, laughing and talking, when a voice cut through the chatter.
"Hey, kiddo."
The deep voice rumbled from across the room, warm and, by the startled look on Holly’s face, achingly familiar.
Trinity's laughter stopped mid-breath. Her entire body went rigid. Holly's hand flew to her mouth. Charlie's eyes widened in shock.
Standing by the coffee and cookie table, dressed in Army fatigues with a duffel bag at his feet, was Gabe.
Tall, broad-shouldered, sun-weathered, with Holly's dark eyes and a smile that trembled at the edges.
Beside him stood another soldier, equally tall but with lighter hair—Christopher, his lifelong friend and army buddy.
For one suspended heartbeat, no one moved. No one breathed.
Then Trinity's face crumpled. "Daddy?"
The word came out broken, disbelieving, like she was afraid that if she said it too loud, he'd disappear.
"Yeah, baby girl," Gabe said, his own voice thick with emotion. "It's me."
Trinity exploded into motion. She ran across the dining room, her feet barely touching the ground, and launched herself into her father's arms. Gabe caught her, lifting her off the ground and holding her tight while she sobbed into his shoulder.
"You're here. You're really here," Trinity gasped between sobs. "You're home."
"I'm home," Gabe confirmed, his voice rough. "I'm home for Christmas."
Holly stood frozen, tears streaming down her face. Charlie's arm went around her sister's shoulders, her own eyes glistening.
Then Holly was moving too, crossing the room to her son and granddaughter. Gabe opened one arm, pulling his mother into the embrace while still holding Trinity.
"Hi, Mom," he said softly.
"You're safe," Holly whispered. "You're safe and you're home."
The room was silent except for the sound of crying—happy tears, grateful tears, tears of relief and reunion.
Charlie hung back, giving them their moment, but Gabe looked over and held out his hand to his aunt. She crossed to them, joining the family embrace.
Julie stepped beside Isabella at the doorway, both women watching with tears in their eyes as Christoper leaned into the group hug and was warmly welcomed by the Bennett/Burkes.
"One wish granted," Julie said softly, her voice carrying the weight of magic and certainty.
Isabella nodded, unable to speak past the lump in her throat. She felt Maddy's hand slip into hers, her daughter's grip tight.
"They're so happy," Maddy whispered.
"They are," Isabella agreed, squeezing her daughter's hand.
Across the room, Jane stood slightly apart, watching the reunion with a complex expression—joy for them, pain for herself, wonder at the timing of it all. Logan and Jack had moved to stand near Christopher, introducing themselves quietly while the family had their moment.
Trinity pulled back from her father just enough to look at his face, touching his cheek like she needed to confirm he was real. "How long? How long are you home?"
"Through Christmas," Gabe said, brushing hair from her face. "Maybe longer. We'll see."
"Through Christmas," Trinity repeated, like it was the best gift she could have imagined.
Because it was.
Her wish had come true. Against all odds, in the most magical way possible, her wish had come true.
And as the Christmas Inn glowed with lights and laughter and the warmth of family reunited, it seemed the magic was only just beginning as one wish was granted, and started to ripple through an inn full of wishes waiting to come true.
END OF BOOK ONE