Chapter 17 Holly
HOLLY
Holly climbed into the shuttle at just before eight in the morning, stifling a yawn. She’d managed to grab forty-five minutes of sleep before Gabe had knocked on her door, announcing they were all going into St. Augustine for the morning.
“We need to vacate the inn,” Jane had explained when they’d all gathered in the lobby.
“Guests start arriving after one, assuming we’re allowed to have them arrive.
We don’t know yet about the outcome of the inspection.
But I thought we’d give my father some space while he took the inspector around. ”
Holly’s stomach had clenched at the reminder. Jack was meeting with Abe Tanner in a few minutes. Their entire future hung in the balance.
But Jane had been insistent. “We can’t just sit around here worrying. We’ll go crazy. Let’s go into town, finish our Christmas shopping, and get the decorations for the lamp decorating tonight.”
So now Holly found herself in the shuttle with a group of exhausted but determined people. Jane was driving, with Gabe in the passenger seat, managing his crutches. In the back were Holly, Charlie, Trinity, Maddy, Isabella, and Christopher.
“I still need a dress for the ball,” Holly said, realizing she’d been so focused on getting the inn ready that she’d completely forgotten about what she was going to wear.
“Me too,” Charlie admitted. “I have nothing fancy enough for a Winter Ball.”
“I need one as well,” Isabella added. “I’ve been so busy with the kitchen menus and the ball, I forgot a dress.”
“Perfect,” Jane said, glancing at them in the rearview mirror. “We’ll hit the dress shops first, then do the rest of our shopping.”
When they arrived in St. Augustine, the historic downtown was already bustling with last-minute Christmas shoppers. Strings of lights crisscrossed the streets, and every storefront was decorated with wreaths and garland.
“Alright,” Christopher said as they all piled out of the shuttle. “Logan, Gabe, and I are going to William’s shop to pick up the lanterns. We’ll meet you all back here in, what, two hours?”
“Make it three,” Jane suggested. “We have a lot to accomplish.”
“Three hours it is,” Christopher agreed. “Have fun, ladies.”
The men headed off in one direction, and the women turned toward the row of boutiques Jane had scoped out earlier in the week.
“This is kind of exciting,” Maddy said, bouncing on her toes. “All of us out on the town.”
“Yes, and we can help Isabella, Gran, and Aunt Charlie pick out beautiful dresses,” Trinity admitted. “I love shopping for clothes.”
“I know you do, sweetheart,” Holly ruffled her granddaughter’s hair, not remembering when last she’d gone shopping for such a grand affair as a winter ball.
The shop Jane took them to was filled with beautiful gowns in every color imaginable. Holly felt slightly overwhelmed as she looked at the racks of dresses.
“What kind of dress are you looking for?” the sales associate asked, approaching Holly with a friendly smile.
“I’m not sure,” Holly admitted. “Something elegant but not too flashy. Something appropriate for a historic inn’s Winter Ball.”
“I have just the thing,” the woman said, leading Holly to a section of the store. “These are our classic evening gowns. Timeless, sophisticated, perfect for a formal event.”
Holly began browsing through the options while Charlie and Isabella did the same nearby. Trinity and Maddy had found a section of cocktail dresses and were excitedly pulling out options to show Jane.
“What about this one?” the sales associate asked, holding up a deep burgundy gown with a fitted bodice and flowing skirt.
Holly’s breath caught. It was beautiful. “Can I try it on?”
“Of course!”
Twenty minutes later, Holly stood in front of the dressing room mirror, hardly recognizing herself. The burgundy gown fit perfectly, hugging her curves in all the right places before falling in elegant folds to the floor. The neckline was modest but flattering, and the color made her skin glow.
“Holly?” Charlie called from outside the dressing room. “Let us see!”
Holly stepped out, and there was a collective gasp.
“Oh, Holly,” Charlie breathed. “You look stunning.”
“You look like a princess, Grandma,” Trinity said, her eyes wide.
“That’s the one,” Jane said definitively. “You have to get that dress.”
Holly looked at herself in the three-way mirror and felt a flutter of excitement. When was the last time she’d dressed up like this? When was the last time she’d felt beautiful?
“I think you’re right,” Holly said with a smile.
Charlie was next, emerging from the dressing room in a sleek emerald green gown that complemented her dark hair perfectly.
“Wow, Charlie,” Maddy said. “You look amazing!”
“You think?” Charlie asked, turning to see herself from different angles.
“Definitely,” Isabella confirmed. “That color is perfect on you.”
Isabella tried on several dresses before finally settling on a soft champagne-colored gown with delicate beading on the bodice.
“Christopher is going to lose his mind when he sees you in that,” Jane said with a knowing smile.
Isabella blushed but looked pleased.
With dresses selected and purchased, they moved on to the next stop: a Christmas shop where they picked up additional decorations for the lamp decorating event that evening.
Holly found herself getting caught up in the excitement, selecting ribbons, ornaments, and little battery-operated tea lights.
“We should get some of these pine-scented candles,” Charlie suggested. “For the guest rooms.”
“Good idea,” Jane agreed, adding several to their basket.
They stopped for a quick lunch at a small café, squeezing around a table meant for four but somehow making it work for seven.
“I can’t believe the ball is in a few nights,” Trinity said, taking a bite of her sandwich. “It feels like we just got here, but also like we’ve been here forever.”
“I know what you mean,” Holly said. “So much has happened in such a short time.”
“Are you happy we came?” Charlie asked Holly quietly.
Holly looked at her sister, then at Trinity chattering excitedly with Maddy and Jane. She thought about Jack and the inn and all they had accomplished in such a short time.
“Happier than I’ve been in years,” Holly said honestly.
After lunch, they hit a few more shops. Holly found small Christmas gifts for Jack, Jane, and Julie. Charlie picked up books for Logan and Gabe. Jane bought matching scarves for Trinity and Maddy.
By the time they made their way back to where they’d parked the shuttle, they were loaded down with shopping bags and laughing at some joke Maddy had told.
Christopher, Logan, and Gabe were already there, the back of the shuttle loaded with boxes that Holly assumed contained the lanterns.
“Successful shopping trip?” Christopher asked, eyeing all their bags.
“Very,” Isabella said, giving him a quick kiss. “You’ll see tomorrow night.”
They were loading everything into the shuttle when Charlie’s phone buzzed. She pulled it out and frowned slightly at the screen.
“Oh,” she said. “I have to meet someone in town. It’s client business. I’ll take a taxi back to the inn.”
“Are you sure?” Holly asked, immediately worried. “We can wait for you.”
“No, go ahead,” Charlie insisted. “This might take a while, and you all need to get back. The guests will be arriving soon.”
“I can go with you,” Logan offered. Charlie smiled and kissed his cheek. “No. I’m sorry, but it’s a client.”
“Call me if you need a ride back,” Jane said.
“I’ll come get you if you need me to,” Logan said before Jane could finish.
“I will,” Charlie promised.
“I can give you a lift back, Charlie.” Holly jumped slightly at the voice that came from behind them. She turned to see Julie Christmas standing there with that serene smile of hers. How did the woman always manage to appear out of thin air?
“Julie!” Holly said. “What are you doing in town?”
“Darlene and I came to get dresses for the ball and to meet William for lunch,” Julie explained. Mrs. Hurling stepped out from behind Julie, giving them all a warm wave.
“That would be perfect,” Charlie said gratefully. “Thank you, Julie.”
“Our pleasure,” Julie said.
The ride back to Anastasia Island was filled with chatter and laughter.
Holly sat with Trinity on one side and Maddy on the other, listening to them talk excitedly about the lamp decorating that evening and how excited they were for the next three nights.
Holly didn’t realize she was actually holding her breath until she gulped in some air, as her nerves were so on edge.
She pulled out her phone to check it again, wondering why Jack hadn’t called any of them to let them know the outcome of the inspection.
Was it even over? Holly glanced at her wristwatch.
Surely it wouldn’t have taken this long?
She glanced at the bags and hoped that it wasn’t all for nothing, and they had missed something that the inspector had found and…
Holly shook away the bad thoughts.
When they pulled up to the inn, Holly’s heart gave its familiar leap. Home, she thought. This place had become home.
They piled out with their parcels, as they stepped over the threshold, Jane stopped so suddenly that Holly nearly collided with her.
“Wait,” Jane said. “Look.”
Holly looked past her and saw what Jane was pointing at. In the foyer, there was a sign—Follow the Path. And leading from the sign was a roped-off path with red velvet ropes and gold poles, like the kind that led to Santa at the mall.
“What on earth?” Isabella said.
Marco was behind the front desk, and when he saw them, his face broke into a huge grin. “Let me take your parcels.”
“Marco, what’s going on?” Jane asked.
Marco’s grin widened, but he shook his head. “You’ll have to follow the path to find out. Leave your parcels. I’ll see that they’re delivered to your rooms.”
“Thank you, Marco,” Holly said, though she was utterly confused.