Chapter 11
Nicolette
It’s Christmas Eve, an unusually quiet morning at that. The stillness in the cabin is both peaceful and pregnant with something I can’t quite put my finger on. Unsure of what woke me, I reach for Aspen’s side of the bed only to find it already cold.
I roll over onto my side and pull the blankets closer as the cold air seeps into the room. A loud grunt makes my ears perk up, listening hard to figure out what the man is up to now.
I sigh dreamily when I hear him humming off-key to a song we heard on the radio. I smile—I could get used to this. A sweet, caring, and hardworking man spoiling me, far away from the troubles of the world.
The front door squeaks open, and curiosity gets the better of me.
Sliding out of bed, I help myself to one of his flannels from the closet, my mouth watering when the scent of fresh coffee hits my nose.
The sweet man already has a cup laid out for me, so I take a few sips, inhaling its sweet scent mixed with the faint smell of wood smoke, before hurrying to the front door.
The sight just outside the door makes my mouth open in shock. My heart thumps wildly in my chest.
“Oh, my God! What are you doing, Aspen?” I chirp, surprise and excitement bubbling inside me. Just off the porch stands the most stunning fir tree I’ve ever seen.
He looks up at me, embarrassment covering his cheeks. “I know you wanted a tree—it seemed important. So, what do you think of one that stays outside?”
It’s not the extravagant and pre-decorated Christmas tree I’m used to; somehow, the snow-covered, thick green branches mean more than any lit-up tree ever could. He’s done this just for me. Faced his fears—against his better judgment—just to make me happy.
“It’s amazing. Completely and utterly perfect.” I swallow hard around the lump in my throat before walking out onto the snow. “What changed? You said no, a million times.”
He pauses, looks at the tree, then back at me as if debating whether to reply. “I don’t know,” he finally says. “I did it for you. You wanted it so much, and I don’t want to ruin the holiday for you while you’re stuck here.”
My heart skips a beat at his words. I’m not sure if he’s just being nice or if he’s feeling the same overwhelming connection that I am.
“You didn’t have to. I don’t want you to feel stressed about the tree.” I step closer to him and plant a kiss on his face. “But this is more than I expected.”
Glancing toward the woods, he shrugs. “It’s outside, so it shouldn’t bother me much.”
I lace my arm through his gently. “Thank you so much.”
He doesn’t reply, but I can feel the tension in his body melt at my touch, like it was the ultimate reward for what he did. I smile, realizing my effect on him.
Just then, my phone buzzes in my pocket, the sound disrupting our sweet moment. I let go of his arm, pull out my phone, and absolute dread washes over me when I see Wanda’s name pop up on the screen.
My eyes pop to Aspen, and he frowns when he sees her call as well. “Are you going to answer it?”
“I don’t want to.” With a sense of foreboding, I take a deep breath, preparing myself for whatever is to come.
“Hey, Wanda.”
“Nicolette,” Wanda’s voice is overly perky for the call to be a complaint or major disaster. “I have good news. Mrs. Larson has pulled some strings. Someone is coming to get you on an ATV!”
“What?” I yell in surprise. A few days ago, that would have been extremely welcome news. But today it brings tears to my eyes.
“Yeah, they’re heading your way.”
My stomach drops. I look back at the serene little Christmas tree. No. Please no. Not now. Just when we’re really starting to connect. The festive atmosphere turns sour. “I thought the snow was bad? How will they manage?” I ask, hoping to delay and buy more with Aspen.
“Yeah, true. But they’ll get past that. They know how to clear the way. Besides, she knows how much you’re needed here. The final pairings are today, just in time for a perfect Christmas. Everything you’ve planned culminates today. Nicolette, you need to be here.”
“I know… but…” My voice cracks and my teeth saw at my lip. Hearing the news, Aspen disentangles his arm from mine, distance already spreading between us.
My heart is torn in two directions—one towards a mountain man I love and the other towards my business, one I’ve worked endlessly to build.
“I’m sorry, Nicolette,” she apologizes quietly. A big part of me wants to beg her to take care of it on her own, to stay here in our little wintery paradise. “I don’t know if I can pull off the big party on my own. I can try… but if something goes wrong…”
I pause, thinking of what to say, but she continues, “This is so important, Nicolette. Maybe he can come to the lodge, too? Don’t throw away everything you’ve worked so hard for.”
Aspen keeps his eyes fixed on me, waiting for me to break the news. I cannot decipher his expression, but I know he has heard everything already and is now waiting for me to say it to him.
Choking back the tears that threaten to spill, I reply quietly. “I’ll be there. Please lay out my dress for me and make sure it isn’t all wrinkled.”
“Yes, Ma’am.”
“We’ll go over the rest when I get there.” With that, I hang up and walk toward my handsome mountain man. The disappointment shining in his eyes is mirrored in my heart.
Breaking the tension between us, I decide to just say it straight. “I have to go. Wanda needs me,” I say quietly, tears threatening to fall from my eyes. “She says an ATV is coming to get me as we speak.”
He nods. “Knew it couldn’t last.” He looks at the Christmas tree and back at me. “It’s your business; you need to be there.”
I practically race into his arms to hug him. “Please come with me. I know you hate Christmas, but come to the lodge and celebrate it with me.” I look up at him, my eyes teary. “We’ve found something good here. Something right. Don’t you feel it, too? I’m afraid I need you.”
He wipes my tears with a smile and takes my hands in his.
“Yes, I feel it too. But there are too many people in your world, too many things to adapt to, and I don’t fit in there.
” He sighs, reaching down to kiss away a stray tear.
“Besides, you’ve got a business to run. Go do what you have to do.
I’m so proud of you. I’ll be here waiting if you ever want to get lost in the woods again. ”
I laugh. “It’s been the best adventure of my life.” I swallow the lump in my throat, reaching up to touch his face, tracing his smile lines. Standing on tiptoe I kiss him gently, the taste of my tears lingering in my mouth before his sweet coffee and cinnamon finally reach me.
“Promise me you’ll take care of yourself,” I whisper, emotion getting the best of me.
“Promise me you’ll have the best and happiest Christmas,” he whispers back.
I nod with a chuckle, blinking away tears. “I will try.” He pulls me in at the waist for one last hug.
“I’ll miss you.” I don’t want to leave. Not yet. Even as I see the men with ATVs arrive.
But I have to go.
“Can I keep this?” I point at his flannel as I pull away. He nods. I race to the men, hoping they’ll drive away quickly before I change my mind. As I climb onto the ATV my heart gives a powerful thump, cracks forming.
The lodge is serene and still fairly quiet by the time I arrive back. Flowers are placed, fairy lights strung, setting the stage for the finale. The DJ hasn’t even arrived yet. Just a few couples milling about, enjoying some coffee and pastries, and most of all one another’s company.
I look at the scene. This is big. I realize for the first time that I’ve pulled off an enormous matchmaking event, somehow.
But even with my pride in my business, I can’t shake the emptiness I feel when my mind goes back to Aspen standing in the yard, waiting for me to return.
I make my way through the hallways, hoping to find Wanda before catching a shower.
My amazing partner finds me first, enveloping me in a big hug. “You smell awful,” she sniffs. “But I’m glad you’re back.”
“God, I’ve missed you.” I hold on to her tighter. My longing for Aspen grows with every second that goes by. “Where’s Greg?”
“Oh,” she loosens her grip, and with a quick eye scan finds him organizing the staff. “There he is. My wonderful emotional support.”
“I can finally see that. I’m so glad he was here to help you,” I smile, heading upstairs with her. “Tell me everything that’s happened.”
“You wouldn’t believe it —” Wanda begins.
By the time I shower and feel some semblance of presentable, the party is in full swing. Music blasts loudly, and the couples are happily entertained. There are so many cheerful people celebrating Christmas the very best way.
With love.
The festive atmosphere is electric, and my gut sinks with loneliness. Looking up I notice a hanging bit of mistletoe, and it makes my heart clench. I’ll never be able to look at it the same again. Longing wells up within me, and I wonder if perhaps I made the wrong choice.
This place doesn’t need me. But maybe Aspen does.
More like you need him…
My thought spiral breaks when Wanda stands and taps her fork gently against her champagne flute. Speech time.
I walk up to the podium, taking the microphone from Greg. My hands are trembling, and my whispered ‘thank you’ echoes in the room. The crowd quiets as I turn toward the crowd and, despite the nerves, the words flow freely.
“It’s really wonderful to be here with you, beautiful couples, as part of something so special. I wouldn’t be able to pull this off without my wonderful team, Wanda, Greg,” I smile at him. “…the generous Mrs. Larson, and everyone who has assisted in one way or the other.”
I scan the crowd, my nerves calming. “This evening has been a labor of love, magic, and friendship. Looking at your smiling faces, I’m hopeful that the matches you’ve made this very special holiday season will last you a lifetime.
There is nothing so frightening as looking down the long pathway of life without people you trust and love by your side.
” People in the crowd smile and nod, relating to my words.
“And I can say that finding that special connection makes you feel like you’re home. Storms, blizzards, and maybe hailstones may come, but it will be the ability to persevere that will determine if your home stands the test of time.”
Wanda wipes tears from her eyes as I meet her gaze at the back of the crowd. “So, thank you for making me part of your love stories. I am truly honored.”
A thunderous applause rains as I walk back to Wanda and hug her.
The couples swarm me as I step off the small podium, eager to share their happiness, and while it warms my heart, there’s only one thing I truly need this Christmas.
And he’s staring right at me.