Chapter 15
15
"Hey."
Frankie startled at the sound of Chris’s voice, jolting from her quiet thoughts as she stood outside the King family cabin, admiring the freshly cut Christmas tree on the porch. When she spun around, she couldn’t help but burst into a surprised laugh — there stood Chris, absolutely covered in mud from head to toe, looking more like he’d wrestled a wild animal than spent a day on the ranch.
"Where’d you come from?" she asked, trying to stifle her laugh. "Oh wow… what happened to you?"
"Alpacas." Chris shook his head, wiping a bit of mud from his face. "Turns out Devyn’s right. I should’ve brought boots."
"I haven’t seen the alpacas yet," Frankie said, eyeing him with amusement.
"Wear boots," he advised with mock seriousness.
"Noted." Frankie chuckled and slung her camera around her neck, snapping a quick picture of the tree. "I can’t believe how much has changed out here."
"Yeah, Joe’s really transformed this place," Chris agreed, wiping more mud from his clothes as they walked toward the lodge together. "Where you headed?"
"Lodge," she replied, adjusting her camera strap.
"Me too. Sam got in, and I need to get her set up, though she probably already took care of everything." Chris shrugged, clearly still baffled by how efficient Sam was.
"She?" Frankie raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
"Guess I did forget to mention that," Chris admitted, grinning sheepishly. "Nick thought she was just a flirty fan — now he’s embarrassed."
Frankie laughed, shaking her head. "Why do I feel like there’s a story there?"
"Because it’s Nick," Chris replied with a knowing smirk. "And there probably is."
They continued down the path, the snow crunching underfoot. Chris glanced around, his voice thoughtful. "I knew Joe made changes but didn’t realize how much. You know we make alpaca yarn and dye it?"
"That’s pretty incredible," Frankie admitted, impressed. "Didn’t know it was a thing."
"Yeah, Devyn said there are hand-knit blankets in the gift shop made from our yarn," Chris said, still sounding surprised by it all. "Who knew."
"I’ll have to get some pictures of them and the gift shop," Frankie mused, already planning her next shots. "I’ve taken so many already and haven’t seen half the property yet."
Chris glanced at her, curiosity creeping into his tone. "What do you plan to do with all of them?"
Frankie hesitated, looking down at her camera. "I’m not sure yet."
They walked in companionable silence for a moment, the lodge coming into view.
Chris broke the quiet, his voice softer. "It’s really good to have you here. I thought it would be weird being back, but it’s…"
"Nostalgic?" Frankie offered, smiling up at him. "Like coming home for Christmas?"
"Exactly." Chris nodded, a warm smile spreading across his face. "I mean, it literally is home. I guess I didn’t expect to feel this."
"You’re not alone," Frankie replied. "This wasn’t my home, per se, but I know that feeling. Almost like everything is finally… right."
Chris glanced at her sideways, a grin tugging at his lips. "You responsible for that tree on my brother’s porch?"
Frankie feigned innocence. "What tree?"
Chris pointed an accusatory finger at her. "I knew it. You’re up to something, Frankie Malone. I don’t know what, but something tells me it’s just what this family needs."
As they approached the lodge, Chris held the door open, and Frankie stepped through, the warmth of the space immediately wrapping around them. Inside, the common area buzzed with cheerful chatter and holiday excitement. Joe and Abe stood behind the front desk, laughing, while Nick was mid-hug with someone on the other side. Frankie squinted, her heart skipping a beat as she recognized the familiar figure.
"Maybe what we all need," she murmured under her breath, watching as her grandmother, Gloria, pulled away from Nick’s embrace.
Nick grinned widely. "Now it’s really Christmas. Glo’s here."
Chris was the first to reach her, wrapping Gloria in a tight hug. "It’s so good to see you, Glo."
Gloria pulled back, cupping his face in her hands. "Look at you all grown up, you sweet boy."
Frankie stepped forward, but before she could say anything, Gloria gently nudged Chris aside, holding out her arms to her granddaughter. "There she is. My beautiful granddaughter."
"Grandma!" Frankie exclaimed, rushing into her arms.
Gloria embraced her tightly, then looked over Frankie’s shoulder at Joe, her eyes twinkling mischievously. "Isn’t she exquisite, Joe? Such a lovely girl."
"Grandma!" Frankie scolded, her cheeks flushing.
Joe cleared his throat, clearly caught off guard. "Uh, yes. She is."
Gloria held Frankie at arm's length, beaming. "Oh, my darling girl. It’s so good to be here with you."
"But Mexico…" Frankie began, her confusion evident.
Gloria waved her off. "Mexico will always be there. When I heard you were here, I had to come home for Christmas."
Abe joined them, smiling warmly. "Your house is still under construction, though. We’ll have to find room here."
With one arm around Frankie and the other around Joe, Gloria gave a casual shrug. "Oh, I don’t need much. I’ll take the sofa over there in front of the fireplace."
Frankie shook her head, laughing softly. "Grandma, the guests will probably be a little put off by you sleeping out in the open like that. You’ll stay with me. There’s plenty of room — I’m in Gus’s cabin.”
Gloria’s smile softened at the mention of Gus. “Christmas won’t be the same without dear Gus, but we will honor him by making this the best Christmas… maybe ever.”
“I can’t believe you’re here,” Frankie said, still in awe. “I couldn’t get a flight or train ride out of here. How’d you do it?”
Gloria winked. “Well, dear… some things are just meant to be.”
Joe checked his watch, then kissed Gloria on the cheek. “I need to get back to work. It’s good to have you here, Glo.”
As Joe walked toward the door, he paused and turned back to the group. “By the way, anyone know why there’s a Christmas tree on my front porch?”
The group mumbled and shrugged, all eyes shifting to Frankie, who remained silent.
“I wouldn’t know,” she said with a sly smile, the picture of innocence.
"Look at them, Abe. All of our kids are home," Gloria said, a soft smile touching her lips as she stood behind the front desk with Abe.
Through the large picture window, they watched Joe and Frankie outside, Joe pointing out various spots on the property while Frankie snapped photos, her camera ever at the ready.
Abe nodded his eyes following Joe's hand gestures. "Now to convince them Bethlehem Falls is home."
Their gaze shifted to the cozy scene inside the lodge, where Chris and Sam sat together on the sofa in front of the fireplace. The two were deep in conversation, the crackling fire providing a warm backdrop to their lively exchange.
"You really think they’ll sell?" Gloria asked, a hint of concern lacing her voice.
"Time will tell, dear," Abe replied thoughtfully. "What do you think about the new additions?"
Gloria’s eyes sparkled with amusement. "Do you mean the improvements around the property or the two young ladies who seem to be fitting in quite nicely?"
Abe chuckled softly. "Both."
"I think we have the recipe for a Christmas to remember," Gloria mused as they watched Devyn emerged from the kitchen carrying a tray of drinks. At the same time, Sam left the common area with a collection of empty glasses, and as they passed each other, they exchanged a nod and a smile.
Abe’s gaze followed Devyn as she walked over to Chris, offering him a fresh drink. Chris smiled, inviting her to sit beside him, and they continued their easy conversation, clearly enjoying each other’s company.
"I didn’t quite see it happening like this, though," Abe admitted. "Nick and Devyn are both free spirits, and Sam and Chris are like peas in a pod. But look at them..."
"Opposites attract, Abe," Gloria said knowingly, her eyes twinkling.
Abe turned his attention back to the kitchen, where Nick was demonstrating how to make a drink for Sam. As expected, Nick managed to spill some of it, causing both of them to burst into laughter.
"Kind of like you and me," Abe said with a grin. "Glitter meets flannel."
Gloria chuckled, playfully nudging him. "I love your flannel. It’s endearing. Not all of them are opposites, though."
Their eyes returned to the window, where Joe stood watching Frankie, a soft, almost wistful smile playing on his lips as she busied herself with her camera, oblivious to his gaze.
"You think they’ll see what we see?" Abe asked quietly, a hint of hope in his voice.
Gloria’s smile deepened as she looked between them. "Like you said, time will tell."