A Bramble House Christmas (Carrigans of the Circle C Book 6) (22 page)

Willa glanced at her son, thankful to see him picking out cranberries from his muffins, apparently oblivious to what they were discussing.

“Yes, we were. Perhaps I—overreacted. I just felt so betrayed. I must have spoken about my patient, Greg Conrad, dozens of times over the three weeks, without the slightest idea I was speaking to his son.”

Eliza nodded sadly. “Yes. That was very deceptive.”

Determined to change the subject, Willa asked, “So do you have any new guests coming in this week?”

“We’re actually closed for three days, opening again in time for New Year’s. Marshall and I plan to get away for some skiing at Baker Creek Cabins. It’s where we first met.”

“That sounds lovely. Thank you so much for everything, Eliza. Scout and I have really enjoyed staying here.”

“I hope you’ll come back sometime.”

“Maybe.” But Willa knew, without Finn, that would never happen.

F
inn still hadn’t made an appearance by the time Willa had their suitcases packed and waiting at the door. It really was time to leave. She just had one last thing to do.

“Wait here, Scout.”

Her son glanced at the plate of leftover Christmas cookies. “Is it okay if I have one more cookie?”

“Sure. I’ll be right back.”

She knocked on the library door, and when she heard a reluctant, “Yes?” walked in.

Mable Bramble was sitting in her favorite chair, properly dressed and reading one of the books she’d no doubt received as a gift that Christmas.

“Willa. What is it?”

“Sorry to interrupt Miss Bramble. We’re just about to leave and I had to give you something.”

“Your Christmas gift yesterday was quite sufficient. I hope you and your son have a safe journey.”

“Since finding out that this ring is a Bramble heirloom, I don’t feel right wearing it.” She passed the sapphire ring to the elderly woman.

Mable peered at her sternly. “Are you sure? It’s quite valuable. It seems that you and your son could use the money.”

“I could never sell it. And I simply can’t keep it, either. Not now that I know where it really belongs.”

“Well. That’s very generous of you, my dear.”

“It’s the right thing.”

Back in the foyer she found Scout reaching for a second cookie. As soon as he saw her, he withdrew his hand.

She gave him a sharp look. “How about you take an apple for the road in case you get the munchies.”

“I guess Christmas really is over,” he said despondently.

Willa took one last look at the sitting room, her gaze falling on the empty chair by the fire, Finn’s favorite. “Yes. I’m afraid it is.”

F
inn drank so many cups of coffee in the diner, his head began to buzz. Finally, when he was certain Willa and Scout would be on the road to Bozeman, he walked back to the B&B to pack for his own flight, later that afternoon. He’d no sooner opened the door than he heard Mable Bramble calling his name.

The door to the library was open. She frowned at him, then waved him inside.

“What’s kept you young man? I’ve been waiting forever.”

“Did we have an appointment?”

“Of course not you silly oaf.” She picked something up from the table and handed it to him.

It was Willa’s ring. He looked up in surprise. “Where did you get this?”

“She gave it to me. Some nonsense about it belonging in the Bramble family.”

That sounded like Willa. “What do you want me to do? Her car is gone, she’s already enroute to the airport.”

Mable shook her head at him. “My dear boy. Do you think chances for love and happiness come along all the time? Most people are lucky if it happens once. And if they are foolish enough to let the chance slip through their fingers, then they have only themselves to blame if they end up alone and bitter.”

“You’re preaching to the choir, Aunt Mable. I know I’ll never meet anyone else like Willa.”

“Then what on earth are you doing standing here?”

“But the ring...?”

“Do I have to explain
everything
? Clearly that ring is meant for one person, and only one person. And it certainly isn’t me.”

F
ortunately the weather conditions were much better for Willa’s return trip to Bozeman than they’d been for her arrival, because the way her eyes kept tearing up, she never would have been able to see the roads in a snow storm.

At the airport she returned the rental car, then got a cart and loaded up their luggage. Scout seemed in a cheerful mood, but as they were waiting for their boarding passes to print, he gave a long sigh.

“I wish we didn’t have to go, Mom.”

“You liked Marietta?”

“Yeah.”

Me, too.

“Can we go back next Christmas?”

“Maybe next year we’ll visit Aunt Thea in Boston. They get lots of snow in Boston.”

“I guess. But I’ll miss Savannah. She’s pretty cool. And Finn.”

“Finn,” Willa repeated slowly, wondering if she was seeing things.

Because a man looking just like him had just walked into the airport. He had dark, thick hair like Finn’s, hair that always sat perfectly in place even when it was snowing and the wind was howling.

And he had the same smile, the one that was sweet and sexy all at the same time.

Finally, and most importantly, he was looking at her as if he knew her.

No. Not as if he knew her.

As if he loved her.

Willa grabbed hard onto the handle of her luggage cart. The security line was backed-up. If she and Scout didn’t hurry, they could miss their flight.

But as Finn drew closer, she didn’t turn away. Finally Scout noticed, too, and only then was she certain the man wasn’t a figment of her over-stressed and exhausted mind.

“Finn! It’s me, Scout!” Her son barreled right at him, wrapping his arms around Finn in a big hug.

Finn crouched to his level. “I was hoping to talk to your mom before you got on your plane.”

Scout took his hand. “She’s right here.”

Willa inhaled deeply, so, so glad she had the luggage cart to hold on to. Finn stopped a mere foot away from her.

“I don’t know what I can say to convince you how sorry I am. All I can say in my defense is that I am not a man prone to either lying or deception. In fact, generally, I’m a pretty upstanding guy.”

“I believe you,” she said softly.

“I came to Marietta for all the wrong reasons, but meeting you has changed all my preconceptions. You’re the kind of woman who brings joy to the people around you. I’m so grateful you were there to nurse my father in his final days. Thank you for that, Willa.”

She was moved by the sorrow she saw in his eyes. “His final passing was easy, Finn. He just...slipped away.”

Relief and tears mingled in Finn’s eyes. “Th-that’s a relief to hear. My dad was a good guy. Which is why you have to accept the money he left for you. I never cared about it, anyway. I was just hurt that you were the one with him at the end—and not me.”

Suddenly she had the strength to let go of the cart and reach for his hand. She squeezed hard. “You didn’t let him down, you know.”

He held tight to her hand, locking his gaze with hers. “I hope not. But what about you?”

“You didn’t let me down, either. I was hurt and shocked when I learned the truth about you. But I do understand your motivations. And I’m sorry I wasn’t open about Scout’s illness. That was something I should have shared with you as—as we got closer.”

Finn pulled something from his pocket. The next moment he was sliding the Bramble ring onto her finger. “My father gave this to you for a reason. Please honor his memory and wear it.”

“Oh, Finn...”

“Even Aunt Mable believes this ring was meant for you. I’m hoping the same can be said for me. That my mistake won’t stand in the way of what could be an amazing future.”

“What mistake?” Scout wanted to know.

Relief and joy comingled in Willa, as she turned to her son. “We’re trying to have a grown-up conversation, honey.”

“I hate those.”

“I know.” She glanced around, and spotted a little shop. “Come with me. Why don’t you pick out some gum and a snack for the plane ride. Finn and I will be right here, in full sight, waiting for you.”

“Does it have to be sugar-free?”

Willa rolled her eyes. “Yes.”

Once Scout was out of earshot, Finn took her hand again.

“Willa, I love you. I’m thirty-two years old and I’ve never felt like this about a woman. Come to Boulder with me for New Year’s.”

Everything was happening so fast she could hardly breathe. “Do you mean right now?”

“Yes. Now. Today.”

“But—” She couldn’t think of one objection. Their suitcases were packed with winter appropriate clothing, which she would be able to wash at his place.

More importantly, she wanted to be with him.

“What happens if I say yes?”

Hope grew in his eyes. He took her other hand and pulled her closer. “We’ll have a fabulous time. We’ll ski and I’ll cook for you. I have a fabulous outdoor hot tub. You wouldn’t believe all the stars you can see at night.”

“And then, when the holiday is over?”

“I’ll ask you to marry me. And if you say yes, I’ll be like a second dad to Scout. Only this dad would never leave him. Or you. I promise.”

She stared into his eyes, feeling the power of his love. It lifted her, filling her with happiness and hope.

And then he kissed her and the final traces of hurt and fear were gone, like helium balloons released into the sky.

“I love you,” he said again.

She thought of all the good things that had happened during the past three weeks in Marietta. So much of it was due to Finn. He’d helped her and Scout learn to have fun again. And he’d offered them a strong shoulder when they needed it, too.

“I do love you, Finn.”

“So you’ll come?”

“I think I have to. I’m pretty sure we’ve missed our flight.”

Green lights danced in his eyes. “That was my strategy. I’m glad it worked.”

Suddenly the chorus of Willa’s favorite carol popped into her head. She thought she was hearing things, until she realized music was coming from the speakers in the gift shop...

Oh, tidings of comfort and joy

Comfort and joy

Oh, tidings of comfort and joy!

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The End

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