Chapter 20
HOLLY
Holly stood in front of the mirror in her suite, smoothing down the burgundy gown one more time. Her hands were trembling slightly, though she couldn’t quite say why. Nerves about the ball, probably. Or excitement. Or both.
Behind her, Charlie was putting the finishing touches on Trinity’s hair, weaving small white flowers through the elegant updo.
“You look beautiful, Grandma,” Trinity said, catching Holly’s eye in the mirror.
“So do you, sweetheart,” Holly said, and meant it. Trinity looked so grown up in her deep green dress, her face glowing with happiness.
Charlie stepped back to admire her work. “There. Perfect.”
“Thank you, Aunt Charlie,” Trinity said, spinning to see herself from all angles. “I can’t believe this is really happening. A real ball!”
Holly smiled, but something had been nagging at her all day. Everyone had been acting... strange. Gabe had been oddly secretive this morning. Jane kept grinning at her for no apparent reason. Even Jack had been off, canceling their morning run with a vague excuse about last-minute preparations.
“Stop overthinking,” Charlie said, reading Holly’s expression with the accuracy of someone who’d known her for decades. “Everyone’s just excited about tonight.”
“I know,” Holly said. “I’m probably just being paranoid.”
But she couldn’t shake the feeling that something was going on.
Earlier that afternoon, she’d seen the most beautiful arch being carried into the ballroom.
It was tall and elegant, constructed of white-painted wood and adorned with evergreen garland and what looked like mistletoe.
Holly had been about to follow it into the ballroom to see where they were placing it when Gabe had suddenly appeared in her path.
“Mom!” he’d said, a bit too loudly. Then he’d dropped one of his crutches with a clatter.
“Oh, honey.” Holly had bent automatically to pick it up, and when she’d straightened, the ballroom doors had been firmly closed.
“What’s going on?” Holly had asked, eyeing her son suspiciously as he took the crutch back.
“Nothing,” Gabe had said, entirely too innocently. “Just some last-minute surprise adjustments to the ballroom. You know, decorations and things.”
“I’d love to see,” Holly had said, moving toward the doors.
“No!” Gabe had blocked her path again. “Sorry, I mean, no one’s allowed to see until tonight. It’s supposed to be a surprise. For everyone.”
Before Holly could press further, Trinity had appeared from behind her. “Gran! Can you help me with some balloons for the entrance? I’m getting dizzy trying to blow them up on my own.”
Distracted, Holly had let herself be led away, but the whole interaction had felt orchestrated. Deliberate.
Now, hours later, getting ready for the ball, that strange feeling persisted.
“You’re doing it again,” Charlie said, applying her lipstick in the mirror. “That worried face thing.”
“I just feel like everyone’s hiding something from me,” Holly admitted.
“Maybe they are,” Charlie said with a mysterious smile. “Maybe it’s a good surprise.”
“Charlie Burke, do you know something I don’t?”
“I know lots of things you don’t,” Charlie said, but she was grinning. “Come on. It’s time to go down. The guests are already arriving.”
Holly took one last look in the mirror. The burgundy gown fit perfectly, the color bringing out the warmth in her skin. Her hair was swept up in a soft style that felt elegant without being too formal. She looked good. She felt good.
Whatever was happening tonight, she was ready for it.
The three of them made their way down the grand staircase, and Holly’s breath caught at the sight below.
The Christmas Inn had been transformed into something out of a fairy tale.
Evergreen garland draped along every surface, dotted with tiny white lights that twinkled like stars.
The air smelled of pine and cinnamon and something sweet she couldn’t quite identify.
Candles flickered in hurricane glass holders on every available surface.
And at the bottom of the stairs, waiting in the foyer with the rest of the family, was Jack.
Holly’s heart did that familiar flip it always did when she saw him. He looked devastatingly handsome in his tuxedo, his hair perfectly styled, his eyes warm as they found hers.
“Wow,” he said softly as she descended the last few steps. “Holly, you’re stunning.”
“You clean up pretty well yourself,” Holly said, accepting the hand he offered.
Around them, the family had gathered. Jane looked radiant in a deep blue gown. Julie was elegant in champagne silk. Gabe stood with Jane, looking handsome despite the crutches. Christopher and Isabella were there with Maddy, who looked adorable in a pink dress with a full skirt.
“Everyone ready?” Jack asked, and there was something in his voice. A nervousness that Holly couldn’t quite place.
“Ready,” they all chorused.
The doors to the ballroom opened, and guests began streaming in.
For the next hour, Holly stood with Jack and the family, greeting everyone who arrived.
She recognized many faces from town. Mrs. Patterson, who had provided ice cream for the impromptu celebration.
Marco and the other inn staff were dressed in their finest. Rupert and his carpentry crew, looking proud to be included.
Abe Tanner came with Mrs. Hurling, the two of them clearly enjoying each other’s company.
William Moore arrived and immediately sought out Julie, offering his arm as they headed into the ballroom together.
Even Terry showed up with none other than Victor. Terry looked nervous and apologetic.
Finally, when the last guest had arrived and been welcomed, the family filed into the ballroom themselves.
Holly gasped.
She’d seen the ballroom during preparations, of course. She’d helped hang decorations and arrange tables. But seeing it now, filled with people and light and laughter, was something else entirely.
The room glowed. Hundreds of candles cast dancing shadows on the walls. The Christmas tree in the corner reached nearly to the ceiling, covered in ornaments and lights. Tables draped in white linens surrounded the dance floor, each topped with centerpieces of evergreen and white roses.
And there, at the far end of the ballroom, was the arch she’d seen earlier. The Mistletoe Arch, she saw now, reading the small sign at its base. It was even more beautiful than she’d thought, covered in fresh green and white flowers and generous sprigs of mistletoe.
“It’s perfect,” Holly whispered.
“It is,” Jack agreed, but when she looked at him, he was watching her, not the decorations.
Dinner was served, and Holly found herself at the head table with Jack, his family, and her own. The food was exquisite. Isabella had outdone herself. Each course was met with appreciative murmurs from the guests.
Between courses, there were speeches.
Julie stood first, her voice strong and clear as she welcomed everyone and thanked them for their support over the past weeks. “This inn has been in the Christmas family for generations,” she said. “But it takes a community to keep something this special alive. You all proved that. Thank you.”
Jane spoke next, her voice emotional as she spoke about family, legacy, and the importance of home.
“This inn is more than just a building,” she said.
“It’s a place where memories are made. Where love grows.
Where families come together. Tonight, we celebrate not just Christmas, but everything this place represents. ”
There were more speeches. Logan talked about the power of community. Christopher spoke about the joy of being part of something bigger than yourself.
And then Jack stood.
Holly’s heart raced as he moved to the microphone. He looked nervous, she realized. Actually nervous, which was unusual for Jack.
“I’m not much of a speech maker,” Jack began, and the audience laughed warmly. “But I wanted to say a few things tonight.”
He looked around the room, his eyes touching on faces. “Six months ago, I thought I was going to lose everything. This inn, my family’s legacy, my home. I was drowning in debt and problems with no solution in sight.”
Holly felt her chest tighten. She’d been part of that story. She’d arrived in the middle of his crisis.
“And then a miracle walked through my door,” Jack said, and his eyes found Holly’s across the room. “A woman who was running from her own problems, looking for a fresh start. A woman who saw this place not as a burden, but as something worth fighting for.”
Holly’s breath caught.
“Holly Bennett came into my life and changed everything,” Jack continued, his voice growing stronger.
“She worked harder than anyone had a right to ask. She believed in this place. In me. In all of us. She didn’t just help save the inn.
She reminded me of what it means to have hope. To have faith. To have love.”
Tears were already forming in Holly’s eyes.
“So tonight,” Jack said, “I want to thank everyone who helped us. Who worked tirelessly to make sure the Christmas Inn survived. But most of all, I want to thank Holly. For everything.”
The room erupted in applause, and Holly felt her face flush with emotion, embarrassment, and joy.
Jack returned to his seat and squeezed her hand under the table. “You okay?” he whispered.
“More than okay,” Holly whispered back.
After dinner, the band began to play. Soft, elegant music filled the ballroom, making people sway in their seats.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” the bandleader announced, “it’s time for the first dance. Will Mr. Jack Christmas and his partner please take the floor?”
Jack stood and offered Holly his hand. “May I have this dance?”
Holly took his hand, her heart racing. “Of course.”
He led her onto the dance floor, and as they stepped into the center of the room, Holly became aware of where they were heading.
The Mistletoe Arch.