Chapter 73
SYLVIE
The aftermath of Christmas was wild and exhausting in the best possible way.
Gift wrap was scattered everywhere, courtesy of all the presents Austin had shown up with like some kind of fairy godfather.
The man had brought gifts for my entire family.
He gave me, Mom and Stacy expensive cashmere throw blankets that were softer than anything I’d ever felt.
He also brought decadent chocolates and imported treats we’d never tried before.
Candles that smelled like heaven and cozy winter clothes with designer brand tags that made my eyes water. Dad and Brom were given Rolex watches.
He’d spoiled Aspen and Alder absolutely rotten, too. Toys that they would probably only get to admire on TV were now sitting in the living room.
My mind was blown. I felt like such a horrible person for making so many assumptions about the Bancroft family as a whole.
I assumed rich people were all snobs. First Kent and now his brother.
I didn’t know the story about Austin, but I was assuming he still had access to his trust fund or had found another way to make money.
I couldn’t even begin to guess how much money he spent on gifts for my family.
People he had never met. He just showed up and showered us with wealth and looked damn happy to do it.
And now Austin was outside teaching Alder how to operate the drone he bought him. He explained the drone could hold a phone and he could use it to shoot aerial footage of the property for advertising purposes. The drone was more of a family gift. Brom was out there learning how to use it as well.
I settled into one of the armchairs in the main room with Dad, both of us nursing cups of coffee and watching the chaos unfold outside. Kent had joined the boys. They were all taking turns with the drone controls while lobbing occasional snowballs at each other.
“I think I’m going to marry that goofball,” I whispered to Dad, watching Kent duck as Brom launched a particularly well-aimed snowball in his direction.
Dad smiled. “You’d better,” he said. “That man is crazy about you.”
We both watched the grown men throw snowballs at each other like they were all teenagers again. It was good to see Brom have fun. Real fun. Austin and Kent seemed to get along well, even if they hadn’t seen each other in years.
“I’m proud of you, sweetheart,” Dad said suddenly, his voice taking on the serious tone he used for important conversations. “You never faltered when all of us were ready to throw in the towel. Your spirit shines bright enough for all of us. You’ve always been such a guiding light.”
The unexpected praise almost made me cry. Dad wasn’t usually one for sentimental speeches, and hearing him acknowledge how hard I had fought to keep the lodge going meant everything to me.
“Kent’s lucky to have you,” he continued, then leaned over to kiss the top of my head. “Merry Christmas, young lady. I’m so happy for you. And I feel like the luckiest dad in the world.”
He got up to join Mom, who was sprucing up some garland in the lobby. I wiped at my eyes and took a moment to really look at the scene outside.
With Kent out there hurling snowballs at Brom and the kids, the snow-covered farm stretching out behind them with Christmas lights still twinkling in the afternoon sun, I was pretty sure the farm had never looked better.
I let myself daydream about what next year might bring.
Maybe another niece or nephew? Brom and Stacy had been talking about adding to their family for months, but with the financial instability of the lodge, they’d been hesitant to take that leap.
Now that things had changed, now that we had security and a real future to build on, I wondered if they’d finally have another baby.
My heart swelled at the thought. Having another little one around would be absolutely magical.
What else might change? Ozzo would still be Ozzo, probably terrorizing tourists and charming locals in equal measure.
Emmy would be in Australia, chasing her dreams and sending us postcards from places with impossible beaches and exotic wildlife.
That reminded me, I was going to have to break it to her I was not going to Australia.
I had been on the fence about it, but now with Kent and revamping the lodge, I needed to stay home.
I wanted to stay here.
Kent and I would be here. Together. In love. Building something beautiful and lasting with the family that had claimed him as their own.
I sent up a silent thank you to the universe for the greatest Christmas gift of all, not just Kent himself but the love we’d found and the future we were creating together.
Finishing my coffee, I decided it was time to join the fun outside. I bundled up in my coat and stepped out into the crisp afternoon air, immediately scooping up a handful of snow and packing it into the perfect snowball.
Kent was distracted, trying to help Alder navigate the drone’s camera controls, when I launched my attack. The snowball caught him right in the back of the head with a satisfying splat.
He whirled around, his face a picture of mock outrage. I let out a shriek and ran for the tree line when he started chasing after me.
“You’re going to pay for that!” he called, gaining on me with his longer stride.
I made it about twenty feet before he tackled me into a snowbank, both of us going down in a tangle of limbs and laughter. He pinned me in the snow and kissed me breathless, his lips cold from the winter air but warming quickly under mine.
We were giggling like idiots when I looked up over his shoulder and spotted yet another flashy car heading up our driveway.
“Kent,” I said, sitting up and straddling him in the snow as I pointed toward the approaching vehicle.
Austin, who was on the porch with the kids, straightened and got to his feet as the car parked and another tall, distinguished man in an expensive coat got out.
Even from this distance, I could tell this was Armand Bancroft.
He had Kent’s build and the same dark hair, though silver at the temples.
The way Kent and Austin stiffened told me my guess was correct.
He carried himself with the kind of authority that suggested he was used to being the most important person in any room.
He probably was.
I hopped off Kent. I did not want to meet my boyfriend’s father while I was straddling his son. Kent quickly jumped to his feet. We brushed snow off ourselves and approached the group that was forming near the lodge’s entrance. I could feel the tension radiating from both Kent and Austin.
Armand’s gaze swept over the assembled group—his two sons, my family, the evidence of our chaotic Christmas celebration scattered around the property—before settling on me.
“You must be Sylvie,” he said, extending his hand with a smile that was surprisingly warm. “I’m Armand Bancroft. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“Mr. Bancroft,” I said, shaking his hand and trying to read his expression. “This is an unexpected surprise.”
“I imagine it is,” he said. “Merry Christmas, by the way.”
“Merry Christmas,” Kent said carefully, his voice cautious.
Armand turned to his younger son. His expression softened. “Kathy wants my head for leaving her on Christmas,” he said. “But I made a mistake, and I had to make it right.”
Kent went very still beside me. I could practically feel him holding his breath.
“I’m sorry for using your trust fund against you,” Armand continued, his voice carrying genuine regret. “I was wrong. I punished my son for having a big heart, and that’s not the kind of man I want to be.”
He turned back to me, and there was mischief in his eyes. “You have no idea what kind of family you’re about to marry into,” he said, giving me what I could only describe as a classic Bancroft grin—charming, slightly dangerous, and completely irresistible.
I suddenly understood why there were so many brothers. His sons had inherited his looks and charm. I knew how hard it was to resist Kent. If I wasn’t on the pill, I’d already be pregnant.
I glanced at Kent, then at Austin, who was hanging back but watching the interaction with obvious interest, and finally back at Armand.
“Oh, I think I have a pretty good idea,” I said, matching his smile with one of my own.
Armand’s laughter was rich and genuine. I could see where Kent had inherited his sense of humor. “I suspect you do,” he said. “And I suspect my son is very lucky to have found you.”
Austin cleared his throat from his position on the porch. “Well, this is getting a little too touching for my taste. I think I’ll head inside and see if there’s any of that Christmas breakfast left.”
I caught the look that passed between him and his father, layered with years of hurt and misunderstanding but also holding the possibility of forgiveness. I had not had the chance to ask Kent what the story was there, but clearly, it was deep.
“You didn’t have to drive all the way out here, Dad,” Kent said.
Armand shrugged. “You told me I would understand why you did what you did if I saw the place. So, show me.”
I felt like I was witnessing something precious and fragile and full of hope.
Kent looked at me like he was asking for permission. I didn’t feel like it was the right time to remind him he basically owned half the place. He could go wherever he damn well pleased.
“Go,” I said. “I’m going to help put out the lunch buffet. We usually just snack until dinner.”
He leaned in and kissed me. “Thank you,” he murmured close to my ear. “Keep an eye on Austin for me, please.”
I touched his upper arm, gently squeezing his bicep. “Of course.” I turned to his father. “After you’re done with the tour, I hope you’ll come in and enjoy some coffee.”
“I’d be happy to,” Armand said.
I walked inside but couldn’t resist peeking through the window. Kent and his father were walking together toward the tree farm. The seemed to be okay. I hoped they were going to be okay. Driving all the way out to the farm was a huge gesture. That had to be a good sign.