Chapter 6
6
"Sell the Inn?" Nick’s voice cut through the cozy hum of the Christmas Inn’s common area, his disbelief echoing off the walls.
Joe slid to the edge of his seat, quickly signaling for his brother to lower his voice. "Shh. Not so loud. Guests are everywhere."
Chris, ever the steady one, shook his head. "No. No way. This is Three Kings Ranch — we’re the Kings."
Nick leaned in, incredulous. "What, are the Smiths going to come in and change it to Three Smiths? Nuh-uh. We can’t."
Chris nodded in agreement. "The Inn in Bethlehem Falls, run by the Kings... it doesn’t get more Christmas than that unless the Kringles themselves move in."
"We’re a brand," Nick added, his tone serious. "We’re the heart of a literal Christmas town, Joe. The Smiths won’t have the same appeal."
Joe sighed, glancing toward the roaring fire. The soft strains of Christmas music played in the background, mingling with the quiet chatter of guests enjoying hot cocoa at the bar. The Inn was alive with the spirit of the season, but the weight of his brothers’ words pressed on him.
"This is our legacy," Chris continued, leaning forward. "Three generations of Kings and now us... the next three Kings."
"Except..." Joe hesitated, the words sticking in his throat. "Except I’m the only King running it. I’m the only one... keeping the legacy alive."
Chris and Nick exchanged a look, both ready to respond but falling silent instead.
Nick finally broke the silence. "But you said — you said you wanted to run it and that..."
"And that you two should go and pursue your dreams," Joe finished for him. "School, careers, whatever makes you happy."
Chris’s brow furrowed. "Then why sell? Why now?"
Joe looked down, the flicker of the fire reflecting in his eyes. "I guess... because... I want to pursue my dreams. Before it’s too late."
A heavy silence settled over the room, the crackling of the fireplace the only sound as each brother grappled with the weight of Joe's words. Chris leaned back, his usual confidence dimmed by the unexpected revelation. Nick stared into the flames, his mind racing as he tried to wrap his head around the idea of selling the Inn — their legacy.
The quiet stretched between them, filled with unspoken thoughts and the slow realization of just how much had changed. Joe’s admission hung in the air, a truth that none of them had anticipated but one they all had to face.
"As you should," Nick said, surprising himself with how easily the words came out. "You staying here, running the ranch and Inn, is what allowed us to pursue ours. It’s only right and fair."
Chris nodded slowly as if the idea was just now taking root. "I hadn’t really thought of it that way. Just always assumed this place was your dream."
"It was, at the time," Joe admitted. "I’m the oldest. I wanted to make sure you both had your chance at school and careers and now you do."
Chris reached over, giving Joe a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "And you made all that possible. It’s your turn. You should chase your dream while you can, big brother."
Nick leaned back, his usual playful demeanor replaced with a rare moment of seriousness. "I can’t believe I’m saying this, but maybe it is time. So, what’s your dream, big brother?"
Joe’s gaze drifted out the window just as Frankie walked by, a glimpse of something — or someone —familiar in her stride. He stared after her, the unspoken words hanging in the air.
"I’m not sure yet," he murmured, more to himself than to his brothers, the weight of the decision still settling in.
Frankie burst into the lodge’s common area, her eyes immediately locking onto the King brothers gathered by the fireplace. Unable to contain her excitement, she practically bounced over to them. Chris and Nick stood up to greet her, grinning from ear to ear.
“Wow, Frankie!” Chris enveloped her in a warm hug. “The sister we never had. How long has it been?”
“Far too long,” Frankie laughed, taking a step back as Nick pulled her into his own embrace. “Oh my gosh, look at you two!”
Nick let her go, still smiling. “How’ve you been, Frankie?”
“Good. Great, actually. No complaints. And you guys? Chris, you’re looking particularly dapper!”
Chris glanced down at his outfit with a proud smirk, the response on the tip of his tongue, but before he could say a word, Nick jumped in with a playful jab.
Nick snickered, “These are just his traveling clothes. He’s usually in a three-piece suit trying to take over the literary world.”
Chris gave his brother a smug look, “And you’re...”
Nick interrupted again with a grin, “Still the best looking.”
“Compared to what?” Chris shot back, rolling his eyes.
Nick shrugged, leaning into his casual charm. “He’s never been one to relax, always on that phone.”
Chris tucked his phone into his pocket, shooting a playful glare at Nick. “And this guy defines casual and relaxed which is just a nice way of saying sloppy.”
Frankie turned her attention to Joe, who had been standing slightly apart from the group. “And what about this brother?”
“Busy,” Joe replied with a nod before quietly excusing himself and heading outside.
Chris sighed, his smile fading. “Sorry about that. Joe, uh, has a lot on his mind.”
Frankie frowned, watching Joe through the window as he assisted a family of guests. “I noticed. He’s always been serious, but now I’m sensing a bit of a humbug vibe. Is everything okay?”
Chris and Nick exchanged a knowing look.
“He, uh, wants to sell the ranch,” Nick said, almost hesitantly.
“Sell Three Kings?” Frankie’s shock was evident. “This place has always been his pride and joy. Running it was all he talked about growing up.”
“There’s still pride,” Chris acknowledged, “but I think he’s missing the joy.”
Frankie shook her head, struggling to understand. “He had so many plans. He wanted to make this place bigger and better than ever. What happened?”
“He’s doing it all alone,” Chris explained, the weight of the situation evident in his voice. “Especially with Gramps gone now. He wants to chase his dreams, like we all did.”
Frankie’s gaze drifted back to Joe outside, busy as always. “I guess we did, didn’t we? We all left, but he stayed. That must be...”
“Lonely?” Nick offered.
“Maybe even a bit claustrophobic,” Frankie added softly. “Losing Gus couldn’t have been easy for him — for any of you.”
Nick nodded thoughtfully. “I think it opened his eyes to how precious time is.”
“And he’s worried he’ll run out of time, stuck here, distracted by this place,” Frankie said, the realization dawning on her.
Chris nodded. “In all fairness, he deserves a chance to chase whatever it is he’s looking for. We all did.”
“But selling?” Frankie’s voice was laced with disbelief. “I never thought I’d see the day. This place is in your blood.”
“Neither did we,” Nick admitted. “But who’s going to run this place if Joe leaves? We have careers and commitments.”
Chris sighed, his expression serious. “And it isn’t fair to ask him to keep doing what he’s doing... just for us. He deserves to be happy.”
Frankie nodded in agreement. “Yes. He does.”
Sensing the need to shift the conversation to something lighter, Nick asked, “So, how long are you in town? How’s your grandma? I haven’t seen Glo in years.”
“She’s in Mexico with friends for Christmas,” Frankie replied with a chuckle. “Turns out her house is under construction. I had no idea. Long story.”
“Oh no!” Chris said, his concern genuine. “You should stay here. We’re booked out for the holidays, but Nick and I can room together and give you one of our rooms.”
“Absolutely,” Nick agreed. “You can have mine — I’ll bunk with dapper Dan over here.”
“That’s sweet of you, thank you,” Frankie said with a giggle, touched by the offer. “But I’m already staying on the ranch. Joe set me up in Gus’s cabin.”
Chris and Nick shot each other looks of surprise.
“Joe did? That’s... great!” Nick said, his tone brightening. “You’re staying through Christmas then?”
“It’ll be like old times,” Chris added with a hopeful smile.
Frankie watched as Joe loaded snow shovels into the back of his truck, a thoughtful expression on her face. “You know what? I think I am. Why not?”