Chapter 7 Jack
JACK
Jack watched Holly disappear through the doorway, and something inside him twisted painfully.
She had barely said goodbye when she left, her mind clearly somewhere else after that message on her phone.
And he hadn’t even confirmed if they were all still going ice skating tonight at the ice rink that had been constructed along the beachfront on Anastasia Island.
He wanted to call after her, to ask her to wait, but something stopped him.
Some wall he had built around himself that he could not seem to break through.
Jack let her go, feeling the rift that had sprung up between them since Simon arrived two nights ago widen into something that felt like a chasm.
He knew it was mostly his fault. He was the suspicious one. The one who couldn’t wrap his head around it being a little too coincidental that Holly would find a pamphlet in Simon’s desk and come here. How quickly she and her family had gotten involved with his and the inn’s problems.
Jack had read this script before. Hell, he had been the main actor in the movie where he thought he was getting something good, only to have it blow up in his face and destroy everything he had built.
Like his business.
The memory still stung, even after ten years.
The big contract that was supposed to be the crowning achievement of his already impressive architectural restoration business had turned out to be the straw that broke the camel’s back.
A historic district restoration in Charleston—the kind of project architects dreamed about.
Pamela had been so supportive, so helpful with the paperwork and contracts.
He should have known something was wrong when she took such an interest in his work.
The contracts had been meticulously crafted to look legitimate, but they were riddled with clauses that put all the liability on Jack’s firm.
When the project’s financing fell through—financing that Victor Martin had secretly controlled—Jack was left holding millions in debt.
Suppliers went unpaid. Subcontractors sued. His reputation was destroyed overnight.
And Pamela’s new husband, Victor Martin, had swooped in like a vulture, buying up Jack’s contracts and assets with the precision of a surgeon dismantling a body. Everything Jack had spent fifteen years building was gone in six months.
Since then, Jack had been wary of anything that seemed too good to be true—because it usually was.
Like Holly and her family being here at just the right time.
He couldn’t help but think now that maybe they were not getting the inn into order for him.
Maybe they were doing it like fattening a cow before it was put up for auction, making it more valuable for Simon and Terry’s mysterious developer client.
Stop it, Jack. He berated himself for the terrible thoughts. Holly and her family had been nothing but helpful.
He thought of how Holly, Trinity, and Charlie had come into their lives and brightened everything.
They had helped his family, too. Isabella, whom he had come to think of as another daughter, was so happy now.
And it was ultimately Holly being here that brought Christopher, who was here right when Isabella and Maddy needed someone the most.
Jack remembered the laugh he had heard from his daughter’s lips yesterday morning.
The look on Jane’s face whenever she was around Gabe or Trinity.
They had breathed life back into Jane after three years of just existing.
Again, that was linked to Holly making that reservation on an impulse and bringing her family here.
His smile grew as he thought of how happy his longtime friend, who was more like a brother to him, Logan, had opened up his heart after all these years of being alone since losing his wife, Betty. Again, that was thanks to Holly making that reservation.
Jack pinched the bridge of his nose, realizing what an idiot he had been.
Letting his past insecurities and mistrust ruin something special that was developing between him and Holly.
Unraveling all the good she had brought into his and his family’s lives.
They might even be the ones to help him save his family’s legacy—the Christmas Inn.
With his heart in his throat, Jack dashed out of the room and rushed downstairs to find Holly.
He caught her coming out of the library just as Logan was walking in, balancing a tray for himself and Charlie.
“Holly,” Jack called, his voice coming out more urgent than he intended.
Her head shot up, her eyes widening with surprise.
“Hi,” Holly said, walking over to him. “Is everything okay?” She looked at him worriedly. “You look a little freaked out.”
“What?” Jack frowned, trying to catch his breath. “No.” He shook his head. “I just wanted to know if we’re still taking the family ice skating tonight.”
“Of course.” Holly smiled, and for the first time in days, it reached her eyes again.
The warmth was back, and Jack felt something in his chest loosen.
“I think we’d get lynched if we cancelled it.
Everyone is looking forward to it.” She shuddered playfully.
“Although I’m not too sure about the ice cream and pizza for dinner, though.
Gabe, Jane, Trinity, and Maddy had junk food for dinner last night. ”
Jack couldn’t help but smile at how maternal Holly was. A complete contrast to Pamela, who had never shown an ounce of concern about Jane’s diet or well-being. Yes, he had been wrong to ever suspect Holly of anything underhanded.
“It’s Christmas,” Jack said, his heart lifting once again. “I’m sure we can allow it and then fix their health in the new year.”
Holly laughed at that, and the sound was like music. “Or ensure they have a good meal at least three times a week while on holiday.”
“I’m sure they’ll all take that deal,” Jack said, relieved at how they seemed to have fallen back into their camaraderie. The easy rhythm they had found before Simon’s appearance. “I’ll have the shuttle out front at five-thirty sharp.”
“I’ll have my brood here on time,” Holly assured him.
“I’ll have mine here on time too,” Jack promised. Then, not wanting the moment to end, he added, “Would you like to grab a light, healthy late lunch?”
“I was just on my way to do exactly that,” Holly told him, her smile widening. “What I thought we were going to do.”
They walked into the dining room together, and Jack felt hope bloom in his chest. Maybe they could get past this. Maybe he just needed to trust what was right in front of him instead of looking for shadows that were not there.
JULIE
Julie and William had walked into the inn just as Jack had called out to Holly. They had stood quietly off to one side, observing the interchange between the two with the careful attention of people who had lived long enough to recognize something important when they saw it.
“See, I told you, William.” Julie turned to him triumphantly, her eyes sparkling with satisfaction. “When one wish comes true, like the one you made as the first wish on the wishing tree, it ripples out, ensuring others are granted along the way.”
William turned to her fondly and kissed her soft cheek. “My sweet Julie, I never doubted you for a minute.” He glanced back toward the dining room door, where Jack and Holly had just disappeared, and sighed. “I just wish all the strife, hurt, and darkness didn’t have to be a part of it.”
“William, dear, you know that you can never truly be free of quicksand until you’ve completely removed the pit,” Julie told him wisely. “You cannot build a solid foundation on unstable ground. Sometimes the old wounds have to be opened and cleaned before they can finally heal properly.”
William nodded slowly, considering her words. “Well, it sure looks like all the pits are getting completely cleaned up. I just hope it’s all sorted by Christmas.”
“Have some faith, William,” Julie patted his arm affectionately. “Christmas is a magical time where miracles happen. And I have a feeling we’re going to witness a big one at the Christmas Inn this year.”
William smiled at her. “You are a remarkable woman who has brought light back into my life after years of loneliness.” His eyes shone with love and admiration. “You’re already my miracle, Julie Christmas.”
“And you’re mine, William Moore,” Julie said softly. “But I think there are several more miracles waiting to unfold before Christmas morning arrives.”
“And I can see you looking forward to each one coming true,” William observed with a gentle smile.
“Of course. That’s what the Christmas Inn is all about,” Julie said with a knowing look.
“This place was built on miracles, William. James, my dear departed husband, used to say that Christmas magic is woven into the very walls of this inn. People come here broken, and they leave whole. They come here lost, and they find their way home.”
William squeezed her hand. “Then let’s make sure they have the Christmas they deserve. One filled with joy and hope and new beginnings.”
“And love,” Julie added softly. “Most importantly, love.”
They walked toward the dining room together, two people who had found their second chance at happiness, determined to help ensure that the younger generation found theirs as well.