Chapter 1
Prologue
Amy sits at the desk in the office, going over paperwork. As she does, she hears the door open. She looks up and smiles when she sees Rosa coming in. The other woman sits down and smiles back.
“How was Chicago?” she asks.
“It was great,” Amy replies. “Thank you again for doing that for us. We had so much fun.”
“I'm glad,” Rosa says. “Jake seems to be glowing right now. He must have had a great time.”
“He did,” Amy says, smiling tenderly. “But that's not why he's glowing.”
“What is it?” Rosa asks. “You look like you're glowing too.”
“I'm pregnant,” Amy says. “We're having a baby.” Rosa smiles back at Amy.
“Congratulations,” she says. “I'm so happy for you. I know you were scared about not being able to get pregnant, so this is wonderful to hear.”
“Thank you,” Amy says. “Looks like we'll have a new addition around the end of May, beginning of June.”
“Fantastic,” Rosa says. “You two will make awesome parents, plus I'll be here to spoil them.”
“I hope so,” Amy says. “I'm so excited.”
“Good,” Rosa says. “You deserve every good thing that happens to you.”
Chapter One
Amy puts her hands on her head, the sounds of Taylor Swift's Holiday Collection filling the office. Jake has put the album on repeat while he works inside the building, turning it up when Christmas Must Be Something More plays. She looks up when she hears the door open and tries to smile at Rosa, but she can tell it's not convincing.
“A little annoyed, are we?” Rosa asks.
“Make it stoopppppppp!” Amy says, massaging her temples. “He's been playing the same album over and over for hours. I know it's December and Christmas is coming up, but can we please listen to Christmas music that isn't Taylor Swift?”
“You think it's bad here, I have to go home to it too,” Rosa says. “Lucy's been doing the same thing with the same album. I finally convinced her we could listen to other Christmas music too for a little while last night. My best friend and my girlfriend being hardcore Swifties means I will never escape it.”
“I know,” Amy says, looking at Rosa sympathetically. “I've been able to get Jake to ease up on the Taylor Swift at home, but here he has free rein.”
“How are you feeling?” Rosa asks. “Your first trimester is almost over so the morning sickness should start to subside.”
“It has, thankfully,” Amy says, rubbing her growing bump. “My back's starting to hurt and my feet are a little swollen, but other than that I'm fine. Jake got me a heated massager for my chair so I'm not so uncomfortable here.” She leans forward to show Rosa the piece attached to the chairback. Rosa smiles at her.
“He is so caring,” she says. “I’m glad he's taking such good care of you.”
“Me too,” Amy says, smiling tenderly. “I love him so much.” Amy gets a serious expression on her face. “What are your plans for the morning with the snow we're forecasted to have?”
“I'm not sure yet,” Rosa says. “If need be I should be able to have Lucy drive me in with her truck. It's four-wheel drive.”
“Be careful,” Amy says. “The early morning hours are supposed to be when the snow is the heaviest and we're supposed to get up to eight inches.”
“I will,” Rosa says. “What about you two? Will you be able to make it in?”
“I think so,” Amy says. “Worst-case scenario we have to have someone come get us.”
“Well, be careful,” Rosa says. “You especially need to make sure not to overdo it and put yourself at unnecessary risk.”
“I know,” Amy says. “I'll make sure to pace myself.”
“Good,” Rosa says, heading to the door. “I'll see you tomorrow. Our first lake effect snow. This should be interesting.”
“It will be,” Amy says. “See you tomorrow. Be safe in the morning.”
Amy wakes up to her alarm going off, standing up and going to the window to see a landscape of white. She sees quite a lot of snow on the ground and more still falling. She goes back to the bed, sitting down and nudging Jake to wake up.
“Wake up, babe, you should see this!” she says.
“Hmph,” Jake mumbles, clearly not thrilled to be awakened before he wanted.
“It's so pretty!” Amy says, staring out the window at the winter wonderland outside their house. She feels her husband come up behind her and wrap an arm around her waist. His hand finds her stomach, rubbing her baby bump.
“It's beautiful, babe,” he says. “I probably won't think so in a little bit when I have to go out there and dig the car out, but right now it is.” Amy laughs softly at his statement, knowing he's right about having to dig their car out. Jake goes to get dressed, coming back to Amy's side a few minutes later.
“I'll go get breakfast started,” he says. “That way it'll be ready when you’re dressed.” Amy goes to her dresser, pulling clothes out and getting dressed, noting her pants are getting too tight and she and Jake need to get maternity clothes for her. She goes out to the kitchen to see buttered toast and oatmeal waiting for her. While she eats she hears her phone ping with a text. She picks it up to see Rosa has messaged her.
Rosa: Hey, the roads were awful when I drove in this morning. The four-wheel-drive truck was so hard for Lucy to control. Be careful.
Amy: Thanks, we will. Jake's digging the car out now.
She hears the door open and Jake stomping the snow off his boots. She sees him come into the kitchen covered in snow. She giggles softly at his appearance.
“Bad news, babe,” he says as he comes to her. “It's gonna take me a few hours to get the car dug out. I think we should see if someone can pick us up and give us a ride.”
“Okay,” Amy says, brushing snow off Jake's shoulders. “I'll call Terry and see if he can do it.” Amy pulls out her phone and dials Terry's number. He picks up after a few rings.
“Hey Terry, would it be possible for you to come pick up Jake and me this morning?” she asks. “The car is pretty buried and it's gonna take a while to dig out.”
“Yeah, I can do that,” he says. “I'll be there in about fifteen minutes. I have to finish something up here at the inn.”
“Sounds good,” Amy says. “See you then.” She hangs up and looks over at Jake.
“Terry said he'll be here in about fifteen minutes,” she says. “That gives us time to get me bundled up and my boots on.” The two of them go to the front closet and grab Amy's coat, winter hat, gloves, and boots. She sits down and gets her boots on while Jake holds her coat, hat, and gloves. After a few minutes Amy's bundled up to venture outside. Jake helps her up and the two of them walk outside, Jake holding onto Amy's arm so she doesn't fall. They tiptoe through the snow, stopping at the end of their driveway. Terry arrives soon after, Jake and Amy both grateful when they get in his warm van.
“Thanks for coming to get us,” Jake says. “We never would have made it in today if I dug us out first.”
“It's my pleasure,” the older man says. “We’ll bring a few people over later and get your driveway cleared.”
“Are you sure?” Amy asks. “I don't want to infringe on anyone. I’m not going to force my staff to do chores for me outside of work.”
“You aren't infringing,” Terry says. “When I told them I was leaving to pick you up because of how buried your car is, Cooper and Leo volunteered to shovel your driveway.”
“That's so nice of them,” Amy says, feeling tears of gratitude coming to her eyes.
“Everyone said to make sure you don't try to shovel, Amy,” Terry replies. “They don't want you putting yourself or the baby in danger.”
“I know,” Amy says. “I'm so glad everyone's been so excited about this and attentive to my needs.”
“Are we still on for Christmas morning?” Jake asks.
“Absolutely,” Terry says. “The girls are so excited to see you two and Sharon's making breakfast for all of us.”
“Noice!” Jake says. “We got presents for everyone so we're excited to see all of you open them.”
“Thanks you two,” Terry says. “I'm so glad we made the decision to follow you three here. These last couple months have been so good for both Sharon and me mentally. It was an adjustment for the girls, but they seem to be settling in well too.”
“I'm glad,” Amy says. “I have an idea for the inn, but I want to wait to discuss it until I have a clearer plan in my head.”
“Sounds good,” Terry says. The three of them arrive at the inn, heading inside to begin their day.