Christmas in Pine Island: A small town holiday romance

we are to be here,” I answer honestly.
He chuckles. “That’s a far cry from how concerned you were last night.”
“I have to admit it’s worked out even better than I could have imagined so far.”
It’s true that I was worried this spontaneous trip might be a mistake. Even though I was the one to suggest the place, it was only out of desperation to stop my friends from making me pick a side between them. I just care about them so much that I never want to hurt anyone’s feelings. Plus, I’d been pretty sure flitting off to Pine Island was just a pipe dream. I never imagined that we’d be able to book a room—much less a whole floor—at this lovely lodge so last-minute.
I don’t think I’ll ever get used to this life. It feels like such a fantasy sometimes. I didn’t come from money; not that my friends did either. But we all seem to have so much of it now. I guess I forget that the sky is the limit for us.
I need to remember that the next time I suggest a wild last-minute trip. But this one seems to have worked out just fine.
Both Jake and Ryan are excited to get back outside to play in the snow. Ryan’s already begged to build snowmen and to have more snowball fights three times since we’ve been in our room. I’m exhausted, but we’re only here for a little while, so I want to make the most of it.
Hopefully I can sneak in a little time to relax, too. I know my days of being doted on are numbered. Soon I’ll have a little one who needs all our attention. I take comfort in the fact that Jake hasn’t stopped checking on me since we boarded that helicopter. If I need anything at all, I know he’ll be there for me—now and even when the baby comes.
I’m one lucky girl.
Jake rubs my back softly, his calloused fingers slipping beneath my shirt so that he can stroke my back. I close my eyes, a shiver rolling up my spine. When Jake touches me, I could melt into a puddle. All it takes is one little look or one soft brush of his hand against mine, and fireworks just explode everywhere.
I look up at him and he smiles softly, cupping my small face in his big hand. It’s almost mind-blowing how far we’ve come. Not only have we become a family between the three of us, but now we’re going to add one more to our little team.
Who knew I had so much love to give?
Speaking of . . . I let myself give in to my desires, wrapping my arms around Jake’s neck, kissing him deeply. He growls his approval and tugs me closer, knotting his fingers in my hair.
Suddenly, a pair of little arms flings around Jake and me, catching us off guard. We lurch to the side, but Jake catches us easily. Ryan giggles, beaming up at us. Though our special moment is lost, soon Jake and I are laughing right along with him.
Moments with this sweet little boy are just as special to me.
“Next Christmas after the baby comes, do you think we can all build a snowman together?” Ryan asks. “I’d even let her put the carrot nose on the snowman!” As he talks, he pinches his own nose so that his voice comes out high-pitched and silly, which makes him laugh even harder.
“You think the baby will be a girl?” I quip with a grin.
The little boy nods so determinedly that his brown hair falls into his brown eyes. When he’s looking at me with such resolve on his face, he looks exactly like a mini-Jake. From the photos I’ve seen of Jenny, Ryan looks just like his mom, too. That must give Jake such joy, to see his sister living on in Ryan.
“I think she’ll be a girl, too,” I say, and for a moment I’m caught up in my own overwhelming emotions, imagining what parts of Jake my baby will inherit.
“The baby has to be a girl!” Ryan continues, firmly. “That way she and I can be on a team when we have our snowball fights, and you and Jake can be a team. It’ll be even!”
Jake squeezes my hand and I laugh, wiping away my happy tears.
“Sounds like a plan to me, buddy!” Jake says, reaching out to give Ryan a high-five.
As their palms smack loudly together, I fondly watch the two of them, one of my hands resting on my belly again, this time without all the worry.
Every second of this trip is going to be one that I want to remember for the rest of my life, but the memories that are ahead of us are going to be just as precious.
I just need to take the time to enjoy everything as it comes.
One day at a time, I remind myself. One day at a time.

Morgan May
“Doesn’t this lodge feel so different than the hotels we’ve been staying at lately?” I ask once we’ve finally finished hefting every single one of my numerous suitcases across the spacious room. “Like, it feels . . . like a home instead of a lonely hotel room. It’s like staying at your favorite cousin’s place or something.”
“Favorite cousin?” Eric chuckles. “I didn't have one of those.”
I chuck one of my mittens at him. “You know what I mean.”
He smirks. “Yeah, but I can’t resist teasing you. It’s the only way I get to see that adorable pouty face of yours.”
“You mean this one?” I tease, giving him my over-the-top model pout.
Eric dazzles me with a grin. “That’s the one.”
He’s slowly undressing, discarding his leather jacket and letting it fall onto the hardwood floor. He pulls his shirt over his head, exposing tanned and tatted flesh. I'm content to sit back and watch the show. When he notices me watching, he winks and flexes his strong arms.
In the corner, Camilla is safely