Chapter Twenty-one
Caroline was about to go and look for Max when her phone buzzed. It was a text from Daphne.
“Are you in your room? I need to talk to you, it’s urgent.”
Caroline wondered what Daphne wanted. They weren’t speaking to each other.
“I was about to leave but I can wait,” Caroline texted back.
Daphne appeared a few minutes later. The cable-knit sweater was tied around her waist and her hair was pulled into a messy ponytail.
“Luke and I got into another fight.” Daphne sank onto the bed. “It was about you.”
“About me?” Caroline repeated in surprise.
Ever since Luke had sent Daphne all the roses and apologized for not telling her about his parents, everything had been going well. They spent the morning with the minister and afterward they sat in a coffee shop and wrote their vows.
“I’ve always been a terrible writer. But the words just flowed,” Daphne said. “Luke couldn’t stop writing. Every time he glanced up at me, it was as if he had discovered some precious gem.”
Then Daphne told him about Daphne and Caroline’s most recent fight. Luke said they couldn’t get married if Caroline wasn’t the maid of honor.
“He’d rather postpone the wedding than get married without you there.” Daphne twisted her diamond ring. “At first, I was furious. I said all kinds of things. That he was using our fight as an excuse to chicken out at the last minute. He and I were supposed to be a team. Nothing should come between us, not even my sister.”
Daphne looked at Caroline guiltily. Her expression clouded over.
“Eventually I realized he was right. I’d never forgive myself if you weren’t at my wedding.”
Caroline’s own eyes were wet. She felt exactly the same.
“Of course I’ll be there,” Caroline said. “You’re the most important person to me in the world.”
“Luke left the coffee shop before I admitted that I was wrong.” Daphne kept talking. “I went back to our room but he wasn’t there. His backpack is gone and some of his clothes. I think he plans on getting another hotel room.”
It was Christmas week. All the hotels would be full.
“He wanted to give me some space,” Daphne said worriedly. “But what if he rethinks the whole thing? We’ve been together for such a short time and we’ve already had fights. The problem is I’m in love with him,” she sighed miserably. “Nothing changes how I feel.”
“Luke is in love with you too.” Caroline gave a watery smile. “I finally understand how you feel. I’m falling in love with Max, and I’ve pushed him away.”
She told Daphne about her visit with Max’s mother.
“Max thinks I only want a fling, he might not have feelings for me.”
The color was coming back to Daphne’s cheeks. Her eyes were bright blue. “I have an idea. Do you remember when we were kids and my new puppy chewed Mom’s books? I was afraid to tell her, I knew she’d be furious,” Daphne recalled. “You told her for me and explained how guilty I felt. Instead of getting angry at me, she understood. Puppies could be so mischievous and it wasn’t my fault.”
Caroline gave a small smile. Daphne had been nine and she’d been terrified the puppy would be taken away. Anne was upset—the books were signed first editions—but her anger subsided before she approached Daphne.
“And remember when you were in high school and had a crush on my friend Amy’s older brother? You wanted to invite him to the Sadie Hawkins dance but he barely knew who you were. I asked you to take me and Amy to the movies when I knew he’d be there. We all ended up sitting together. He had a great time and went with you to the dance.”
Amy’s brother’s name was Parker. The dance had been fun. But Parker was three years older and about to go off to college.
“What are you getting at?” Caroline prompted.
“You talk to Luke. Tell him how terrible I feel, and that he’s right,” Daphne suggested. “I’ll talk to Max. I’ll say that I’ve never seen you have feelings for a guy. He has to give you another chance.”
Caroline turned the idea over in her mind. “I like it. But Max might not be at home, his mother said he was acting like a wounded bear. And you don’t know where Luke is.”
Whenever Caroline really needed to think, she went to her office at the publishing house. Being around her authors’ books made her feel better. Max would most likely go to the distillery; he felt the same about the rye whiskey in its huge vats.
“And I can ask Nick to help find Luke,” Caroline said. “He works at the Limelight, he knows every hotel in Aspen.”
Daphne gave Caroline a hug. “We’ll find them. And they’ll listen to us. It’s all going to work out. It has to, it’s Christmas week, everything is magic.”
Nick was in the middle of his shift when Caroline arrived. She waited for him in the little supply-room office.
“I told my manager I had to polish the silverware.” Nick took a stack of napkins from the shelf. “Is everything all right?”
Caroline told him about Luke and Daphne.
“Most of the hotels are full, but the Hotel Jerome had a cancellation this morning. I heard the front desk direct someone there.”
Caroline nodded. “I’ll try it.”
“Before you go, I have news,” Nick said happily.
“Don’t tell me you already made the changes from our notes.” Caroline grinned. “I thought more about Josh after I left. I love the next chapter, where he surprises Maggie with a romantic dinner. The gesture redeems him.”
She always felt better when she was discussing an author’s work. Like an electric charge was shooting through her body.
“It’s not about the book, it’s Savannah.” Nick folded a napkin. “She called a few hours ago.”
“But Savannah left more than five years ago,” Caroline reminded him. “You haven’t even been in touch.”
“She’s traveled everywhere. She spent a year on an archaeological dig in Greece, and a couple of years in Croatia and Malta. She’s back in the States, and she wants to come to Aspen and see me.”
Caroline had an uneasy feeling. If Nick fell in love with Savannah again, she’d only hurt him.
“Are you sure that’s a good idea?”
“It’s nothing romantic,” Nick assured her. “We were best friends too. And she’s been to many places. I’ll get inspiration for my next novel.”
Nick had a determined look on his face. Nothing she could say would change his mind. And it really wasn’t her business.
Caroline thanked him and walked down Main Street to Hotel Jerome. The lobby was filled with gingerbread houses from their gingerbread-making contest.
The winning house resembled the cottage in “Hansel and Gretel.” The front door was made from gingerbread men, and the walls were red-and-white candy canes. The chimney was graham cracker with white icing, and a witch with a licorice nose peered out the window.
Caroline explained her dilemma to the front desk.
“I can’t give out names or room numbers but we did have a guest check in this morning,” the man said. “It was a last-minute reservation for one night.”
Caroline was almost certain that it was Luke. She sat in the lobby and waited.
An hour later, Luke appeared. He wore a flannel shirt and corduroy slacks. Caroline could see why Daphne was in love with him. He was clean-cut with that thick sandy-blond hair and those deep blue eyes. He and Daphne were so alike, they looked good together.
Luke asked Caroline what she was doing there.
“I need to talk to you in private. It’s very important.”
He took her to his room. It was beautifully furnished in dark woods. The bed had a black walnut headboard. A birch armchair was upholstered in blue velvet, and a Christmas tree decorated with red and green ornaments stood by the fireplace.
“This was the only available room in Aspen,” Luke said. “It ate up some of my honeymoon budget, but there might not be a honeymoon.”
Caroline sat in the armchair. “Daphne told me everything. Of course I’ll be at the wedding.”
“When Daphne and I met, she talked about you all the time.” Luke frowned. “I’m afraid I’m coming between you.”
Caroline thought about her relationship with Daphne. All sisters fought. But it had never been like this. Daphne had always listened to her.
“It’s not your fault, Daphne is a grown woman,” Caroline said to Luke. “You’re helping her figure out who she is.”
“I don’t want to be one of those couples who separate from the family,” Luke said. “When we have children, you’ll be their only aunt.”
Caroline gave a wide smile. “I’ll be the best aunt you’ve ever seen. I’ll buy them so many Christmas presents, they’ll need their own tree.”
“It’s not about presents, it’s about being a family.” Luke was still frowning. “Daphne told me dozens of stories. Christmas with your mom and her dad at the cabin. Trips to Europe, the month after you both found out your mom was sick. She put you on a pedestal but not in a bad way. We all need role models, it makes us better people. If her relationship with you changes because of me, I’d never forgive myself.”
Caroline recalled her own memories of growing up. The last vacation with Walter and Anne, just before Walter died. One of his patients had a house on the Jersey Shore. Daphne was twenty, and the host’s son had a crush on Daphne. He invited Daphne to a party, and Daphne and Anne spent a whole day shopping for a dress.
Caroline said she was happy reading a book at the house, but she couldn’t help feeling left out. When they returned from shopping it was even worse. Daphne spent ages fixing her hair, while Anne pulled out her makeup and earrings for Daphne to wear.
Caroline was never the kind of daughter who wanted to go clothes shopping, and she didn’t like to cook. She and Anne shared their love of books, that had always been enough.
“I always felt like I had to protect Daphne.” Caroline stared at the ornaments on the Christmas tree. “She was one of those beautiful babies—like a porcelain doll with blue eyes and white-blond hair. People used to crowd around her stroller and I was afraid she’d get smothered. And she was always so kind—giving food to homeless people when we were teenagers.
“Later, I worried about her falling in love with the wrong guy. Neither of us had proper father figures—Walter was so reserved and I never knew my father. Now I think I got it all wrong. Mom was capable of falling in love—it just might not have been with Walter. And somehow Daphne learned all about love. No matter how the two of you fight, her feelings for you aren’t going to change.” Caroline took a deep breath.
She had never spoken to anyone about Daphne like that before. But Luke needed to know how special she was. “I’m the one who’s terrible at love. I pushed Max away, now he’s gone.”
“If Max has feelings for you, nothing will keep him away,” Luke counseled. “Just being apart from Daphne for one night is hard. I feel like a piece of me is missing.”
“You don’t have to stay here,” Caroline said.
“I already paid for the room. It’s much more luxurious than the Aspen Inn.” He gave a sly grin. “But you’re right, there’s no reason to waste it on myself. I’ll take Daphne to dinner at the hotel’s Prospect restaurant and we’ll stay here afterward.” He paused. “You’re pretty special, Caroline. I’m glad you’re going to be my sister-in-law.”
Caroline walked back to the Aspen Inn. She couldn’t wait to tell Daphne about Luke.
Daphne and Luke had known each other a short time, yet they had such a strong bond. She wondered about her mother in Aspen last summer. She pictured Anne sitting at an outdoor café after listening to a panel, glancing up to see a handsome man at a nearby table. Was there an instant attraction and was it equal on both sides?
Love was so mysterious. Caroline considered the things she loved about Max. His passion for the distillery, his attachment to Lily, the closeness to his mother. And his good looks, of course. She loved the way he looked in a turtleneck, and the warm hazel of his eyes. What she loved most was his smile. When he smiled at her, she felt part of something special. It was the best feeling in the world.
Daphne was standing in front of the Aspen Inn, holding hands with a little girl. It took Caroline a moment to recognize Lily.
“Lily, what are you doing here?” Caroline asked. “Where’s Max?”
Lily wore a reindeer sweater with corduroy slacks. Her dark hair was brushed smoothly under her chin.
“Uncle Max did a code three,” Lily said matter-of-factly.
“A code three?” Caroline repeated, puzzled.
“Let’s go for a walk. Lily will explain everything.”
Daphne had gone to Max’s parents’ house to see if he was there. Lily and Pamela were home.
“Max took me sledding, then we went to the store to get ingredients to make cake pops. I was going to make them with Grandma tonight, but now Daphne is going to help me instead. Daphne and Luke got in a fight, so she has nothing to do.”
Daphne gave Caroline a sheepish grin. “I was talking to Pamela and Lily overheard us. Lily had good advice, she’s very wise for her age.”
“I told Daphne to bring Luke some cake pops. Guys can’t resist sweets,” Lily explained.
“Max isn’t at the distillery,” Daphne continued. “No one knows where he went.”
“That’s what code three means,” Lily said. “Emily’s father goes code three sometimes. But he always comes back. Emily’s mom says men are like puppies, they find their way home.”
Caroline smiled at Daphne. “I just saw Luke. He’s got a wonderful surprise for you tonight.”
“He still wants to get married?” Daphne asked hopefully.
“All the buffaloes and bison in Colorado couldn’t stop Luke from marrying you.” Caroline gave a little laugh.
Daphne’s expression was flooded with relief. She looked luminous with her cornflower-blue eyes and blond hair. Daphne was going to be a gorgeous bride, and Caroline was so happy for her.
Lily explained how a code three worked.
Code two meant that someone went to a familiar place to figure out a problem. For instance, Lily’s mom drove to the yoga studio when she was upset. Lily’s dad went to his medical practice, even if it was the weekend.
“Code two means the person wants to be alone. Once, my dad was worried about my mom, so he took her favorite tacos to the studio. She said she could have ordered takeout if she was hungry. All she wanted was a little peace and quiet.”
Code three was more serious. That meant someone had to do heavy thinking. They went somewhere no one could find them.
“Once, Emily’s father went all the way to San Francisco. Emily said he had some kind of business problem that was impossible to fix.” Lily wrinkled her nose. “He must have figured it out, because he came back with a necklace for Emily’s mother, and T-shirts for Emily and her sister.”
“How do you know Max went code three?” Caroline asked.
“I could tell Max was upset. He’s really good at sledding, but he almost tipped the sled. And at the grocery store, he didn’t pay attention. I bought Tic Tacs, and I’m not allowed. My mom says they’ll ruin my teeth.”
“What should I do?” Caroline wondered.
“You have to wait until Max comes back,” Lily counseled. “You can help me and Daphne make cake pops! If we make enough, we can take some to the women’s shelter, so their kids have them on New Year’s Eve.”
“That’s a wonderful idea.” Daphne beamed. “It will be a girls’ night.”
Being with Daphne and Lily was just what Caroline needed. But what if Max returned and didn’t want to see her? And Luke was going to take Daphne to dinner at Hotel Jerome.
“Why don’t we make cake pops now?” Caroline suggested.
They walked together to the Queen Anne mansion on Walnut Street.
It was wonderful to work in the spacious, white kitchen. Pam- ela joined them for a while. They talked about their favorite writers, and Pamela’s upcoming trip to Lisbon to visit the oldest bookstore in the world.
Afterward, Caroline and Daphne walked back to the Aspen Inn. Daphne went up to her room to take a bath and Caroline approached the front desk.
“Good afternoon, Miss Holt. How can I help you?”
“I’ve been out, I was wondering if there were any messages.”
The man flicked through his computer screen. “I’m afraid not, were you expecting something?”
Max hadn’t called or texted. She was being silly. She didn’t need Max to be happy. She’d take a hot shower and order room service for dinner. There had to be some good Christmas movies on Netflix.
Then she changed her mind. She wasn’t going to sit in her room. It was Christmas week in Aspen, there were so many things to do.
“I want to go out this evening. Are there any Christmas concerts or gallery openings? Afterward I’d like to eat somewhere really nice. I love Italian food and I’m a huge fan of French desserts.”
The concierge told her about the activities that were part of the 12 Days of Aspen. From 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. there were free hors d’oeuvres and champagne at the Aspen Art Museum, where one could meet local artists. Hotel Jerome was hosting a variety show, and there was an electronic music concert at Belly Up. Or Caroline could attend a night of songs and storytelling at Wheeler Opera House.
The best place to eat was the Ajax Tavern at the Little Nell. Their pasta Bolognese used local Wagyu beef and they served a delicious roasted crème br?lée.
“I’ll start with the art gallery, and please make me a reservation at Ajax Tavern,” Caroline said when he finished.
“Party of one or two?” he asked.
Caroline gave her widest smile. “Party of one. But make sure they give me a good table.”