Chapter 25
“Merry Christmas!”
The place was a madhouse, but Tiffany loved it.
All the kids were scurrying about, determined to find their gifts from Santa under the huge Christmas tree, and it was all Tiffany could do not to get run over.
Still, it was fun to watch them. Seeing the surprise on their faces at all the gifts, which quickly turned into happiness when the holiday presents were opened, was so rewarding.
It made all the hours that she and the other ladies had spent wrapping those gifts the night before more than worth it.
Seth’s twin sisters, Amara and Amaya, were dressed as Santa’s helpers to help out while breakfast was served.
It was hard to calm the kids down to eat, but the two young women, who appeared to be in their early twenties, did an awesome job.
The committee had asked if Seth’s sisters could join them for Christmas breakfast, so the kids would know who they were.
That would make it easier on everyone, since Amara and Amaya would be keeping the kids occupied on New Year’s Eve, while the adults partied in another part of the lodge.
To Tiffany’s surprise, Gary seemed to be enjoying himself, and more than once she swore that she saw a look of wonderment in his eyes.
It was as if he wasn’t used to seeing so much joy and happiness.
That made her wonder how his Christmases as a child had been.
Even when it was just her and her mom, her mother, grandparents, and godmother had always made Christmas special for her.
And now that they were a part of the Steele family, every Christmas was even more meaningful.
After breakfast, the cleanup committee, of which she was a part, collected the used gift wrap.
To her surprise, Gary also pitched in to help.
For lunch, the management served grilled hamburgers and hot dogs, accompanied by a variety of delicious sides.
Once fed, some of the younger kids wanted to play outside in the snow, while the older ones preferred to stay indoors to play with their new video games.
A kids’ Christmas movie would be playing in the theater room at three, with several popcorn machines lined up.
With the Bohannon twins helping out with the kids, the adults were able to exchange their own gifts.
Tiffany thanked her parents for the very generous gift card to her favorite store.
They had also given Gary a gift, and he seemed genuinely surprised and thankful for the designer cufflinks.
She and Marcus exchanged gifts, and as usual, her brother gave her a bottle of her favorite perfume, and she gave him a bottle of his favorite wine.
She had also given her uncles bottles of their favorite alcoholic beverage, and their wives gift cards to their favorite stores.
Her grandparents surprised her with an Apple Watch.
Gary gave her a beautiful tennis bracelet, and she had given him a specialized golf club and ball since his number one hobby was golfing.
She and Marcus had gone in together to buy their parents airline tickets to travel anywhere in the United States, and had given Alden a camera, since he had expressed an interest in photography.
The Steele family, which included the extended family, had surprised her and Marcus, chipping in to give them each a $50,000 check.
The money wasn’t a Christmas present, but a gift meant to congratulate her and Marcus on completing their studies—her, at medical school, and Marcus, at law school.
The family’s generous and thoughtful gift brought tears to her eyes, and she knew Marcus was touched deeply as well.
At the end of the day, when Gary was walking her back to her room, she noticed how quiet he’d become. “Is anything wrong, Gary?”
“No. I was just thinking about today, with your family. I’ve never seen anything like it. And everyone was so generous. So many family members and their friends came together to have a good time, exchange gifts, and make everyone feel happy. It hasn’t been that way with my folks since…”
When he didn’t finish what he was about to say, she glanced over at him. “Since?”
“Nothing. It’s not important. What’s planned for tomorrow?” he asked.
“The next two days are open. We can do whatever we want. After that, we’ll have to get ready for the New Year’s Eve party, where we’ll celebrate Drew and Eden’s fortieth anniversary. I can’t wait.”
“How is your family planning to surprise them?”
“Well,” she said in a conspiratorial voice, “on the 28th, Mom and Dad have talked them into driving down the mountain to visit Gatlinburg. Then on the 29th, Eden’s daughters-in-law plan to take her shopping and sightseeing in Pigeon Forge.
Drew’s sons are doing something to keep him busy, but I’m not sure what.
Then on the 30th, my grandparents will take them to Dollywood. ”
“That’s quite the schedule,” he said.
“Yes, it is. Eden and Drew think everyone is checking out on the morning of the 31st, so any cars they might recognize have to be parked on the other side of the lodge. When they checked in, Seth Bohannon informed them that the management of Mountain-Scape Lake Lodge had given them a complimentary, additional night’s stay at the lodge and that on New Year’s Eve, the chef would prepare a special dinner for them in their newly renovated dining area. ”
“Won’t they become suspicious as to why this establishment is being so nice?” Gary asked.
“No. That’s what’s so great about everything that’s being planned.
This week, forty-one years ago, Drew and Eden spent Christmas and New Year’s here.
That was the year before they married. One day, I’ll tell you how all that came to be.
Seth Bohannon’s father, who was the manager at the time, remembers them. ”
When they reached her door, she asked, “So, do you want to come in and share a glass of wine with me?”
He shook his head. “Thanks for the offer, but I’d better not. I have a lot on my mind.”
She reached out and touched his cheek. “Are you okay, Gary?”
He gave her a wry smile. “I’m good. Now go into that room alone, Tiffany, while you have the chance.”
She dropped her hand. “You do understand why we can’t share a bed here, right?”
“Yes, you told me.”
“But you do understand, right?”
He released a deep sigh. “I understand. Now goodnight.”
She stared at him for a moment. “Good night, Gary.” Then she opened the door to her room and went inside.
**
Gary entered his hotel room and drew in a deep breath.
At one point today, he hadn’t been able to resist getting caught up in the spirit of the holiday.
He couldn’t help himself around Tiffany’s family.
Regardless of the outcome of their relationship, he would never forget his Christmas with the Steeles.
Some of the men were still somewhat reserved, but the women, not at all.
They had accepted him as Tiffany’s fiancé, and that was that.
It had been a long time since he had enjoyed a Christmas so much.
He glanced at all the gifts in the middle of his bed.
Gifts that had been given to him. If only they knew…
At that moment, his phone rang. He knew who the caller was. He clicked on. “Yes?”
“What do you have for me?”
A part of Gary was tempted to tell him that he had nothing.
But he had to remember who he was talking to, and that person’s determination to destroy the Steeles.
To right a wrong. “Chance Steele and his wife will be going to Gatlinburg on the 28th. I’ll make another attempt to get into their room then. ”