After a moment of respectful awe, the tables turned when the men discovered that a tall tree meant a heavy tree, and the women laughed as it took all four of them, cursing and shouting different directions to each other, to get it up the three flights of stairs and into the ballroom.
“I’m thinking we need an elevator installed,” Logan quipped, rubbing his lower back.
“Poor baby,” Liz crooned, replacing his hands with hers as she slipped them underneath his shirt to stroke his skin. “You are a smart man, Logan, but, honey, do you seriously believe that tree would fit in any elevator?”
Logan chuckled, the tree forgotten as her hands magically soothed his ache. “Liebchen, you are far smarter than I,” he admitted, before bending to kiss her. “But, just in case you’veforgotten who wears the pants in this family, I can promise you my hands will be stroking more than your back when I get you alone.”
“Yes, right after you stroke Ben-Gay over his old, aching muscles,” Ariel quipped, stepping out of the way when Logan made a grab for her.
The two additional trees were far easier to get into place, and they all went back into the woods to gather pine boughs for the women to make into garlands that would adorn the doorways. Ribbons were woven through the branches, and small silver bells and small red and silver ornaments were attached. As each was completed, they were handed off to one of the men to hang. The scent of fresh sap combined with the aroma of cinnamon, chilies and vanilla in Craig’s specialty Mexican hot chocolate simmered in a pot as everyone worked to decorate the hotel.
Ben and Helen arrived just in time for dinner which was served in the kitchen. Craig and Barbara spread the food out buffet-style along the island for people to help themselves, before gathering around the antique trestle table that had been found during the trip to Round Top.
Ariel’s attempt to guess what presents would be waiting for her on Christmas morning earned her a swat as she leaned forward for another dinner roll. “I’m guessing Santa is going to bring you nothing but switches,” Garrett teased. “God knows, he won’t have to look far with all these trees.”
“Is it too late to get her a gag?” Logan asked, ducking when the roll sailed across the table.
“Oh, I’m sensing my first sale.” Nancy laughed as she picked up the warm roll and popped a piece into her mouth. “The only thing I love more than eating is the sound of the bell on that incredible cash register.” Everyone laughed, the men knowing her first sale had been days earlier as each had popped into her boutique to purchase the perfect gift for their woman. They alldid agree that the shiny brass cash register had been worth the effort of hauling it into the store. It gleamed under the lights, and the sound of the buttons being pushed and the total rung up on the antique suited the age of the hotel perfectly.
After the kitchen had been cleaned, wine was poured, and everyone gathered to decorate the trees. Helen sat with Ben, her eyes misting over as she handed out ornaments, her love for the young people filling her heart as their laughter and good-natured teasing rang out in the room. It was very late by the time Logan accepted the large silver star, bending to kiss his mother’s cheek.
Looking at Elizabeth, he saw her nod and her soft smile. Returning it, he walked across the room and handed the star to Craig. “Please, would you and Bunny do the honors?”
Barbara was surprised at the gesture, fully expecting Elizabeth to place the star on the tree as she had the one downstairs. Thinking about it, she realized that Ariel had placed the star on the tree in the barn’s lobby. While it made sense that she place this one, she hesitated. When Craig turned to her, she knew the height of the tree would require he lift her.
“Climb aboard, babygirl. I’ve got you.” His smile more than his words had her finally release the last of her fear that she was too big or ungainly. Nodding, she climbed onto his shoulders and squealed as he stood up to his full height. It was still a challenge—despite their combined height—to place the star, but when it was secure, she felt a sense of acceptance flow through her. When Craig set her down only to hug her tightly before kissing her tenderly, she accepted his assurances as truth. She really was just perfect he way she was.
Setting the timer for the lights, Logan flipped off the overhead switches, and the tired group trooped down the stairs. They would all spend the night in their own cabins but would move into rooms at the hotel the next day. Everyone had agreedthat it would be more fun to spend Christmas Eve under one roof, with Ariel reminding them that it would also give every couple a chance to test the rooms themselves.
Hand in hand, each couple stepped out the back door, walking through the woods to the lake, and then following the path to the cabins. The moon was full, the perfect round globe hanging high in the blue-black sky, giving enough illumination that their steps were easy. As they reached the cabins, all turned to look back at the hotel. The sight of the enormous Christmas tree, with hundreds of lights twinkling behind the huge sheet of glass on the third floor, held them all enthralled. Several minutes passed as the lovers stood, arms around each other, totally content to be exactly where they were.
“It is the perfect tree, isn’t it?” Elizabeth whispered, her eyes glistening with tears of joy.
“Everything is perfect,” Logan agreed, his arms pulling her a bit closer as he stood in awe of the realization of her vision of what Haven could be.
Everyone slept in the next day. Ben and Helen were the first up and took a stroll around the lake. A misty fog concealed their feet as they took the path and smoky white wisps swirled over the lake as if put in motion by the wave of a fairy’s wand. Nothing but the sounds of birds and the whispers of the trees disturbed the beauty of their surroundings. Ben put his finger to his lips and pointed down the path. They stood frozen in place as a stag’s head rose above the fog. He seemed to glance right at them, his antlers spreading out from his head, their size showing his age. He was absolutely majestic. Almost as if he had given a signal, several deer emerged from the tree line to step into the fog,entirely disappearing as they drank from the lake. After a few minutes, the buck led the way back into the trees, his harem following, several stopping to forage among the leaves. It was a scene straight out of a picture postcard, and Ben held his wife close until the herd moved out of sight.
“This is like heaven on earth,” Helen said softly. “I can’t imagine another place I’d rather be than here with you and our family.”
“There is no denying the pure magic of this place,” Ben agreed, kissing her cheek and taking her hand as they finished the first half of their walk to stand in front of Haven. Even without the twinkling of Christmas lights, the hotel offered another postcard view. Fresh garlands had been draped along the eaves of the veranda, the soft chimes of bells adding to the sound of a new day dawning. It was easy to imagine the laughter that would ring from the guests gathered to sit on the swings or walking among the trees.
“They really did it, didn’t they?” Helen asked. “They turned a sad, forgotten house into a place of beauty. This is the epitome of having one’s dream come true.”
“Yes, it is,” Ben said, as he saw the pleasure on his wife’s face. “It’s been a long road, and not without a few bumps, but I’d say every moment was worth it. It is an incredible blessing to be able to share in their dream. I can’t even imagine all the memories that will be made here. Not only for our family, but for every person lucky enough to find the promises that Haven offers.”
They stood a few more moments before continuing down the path and completing their circuit to arrive back at their cabin.
“Good morning,” Craig said, as he and Barbara stepped out of their door. “You two are up early. We’re going up to get the coffee on and breakfast started.”
“May I help?” Helen said, and when Craig seemed about to refuse, Barbara stepped down the steps and took her hand.
“Absolutely, Mom. We’d love your help.”
They walked to the hotel, Ben describing the deer they had seen, and Craig promising to have Barbara up early in hopes of seeing them herself.
It was another hour before the others began to join them; accepting cups of steaming coffee from Helen and choosing what they wanted for breakfast. Nancy and Jason were the last ones through the door, and Nancy’s response to the calls of “good morning” was to ask for a pillow.
“Don’t tell me you went out and had breakfast at McDonald’s instead of enjoying one of Craig’s fabulous omelets,” Elizabeth said, accepting a refill on her coffee from the chef himself.
