Free 'Twas the Week Before Christmas by Olivia Miles Page A

the day after were simply afraid of not being able to get home in time to spend Christmas with their families. She would hardly feel justified in penalizing them for such a basic desire, even if she had been depending on their stay.
    Oh, well. She had the money for the purchase of the property, and anything else would have just been a nice little cushion for getting through the slower months after the holidays. George Miller had agreed to a price that was both comfortable and fair to her. It wasn’t a small sum, but it was worth it to know that the property would be hers and that her home could never be taken from her.
    She’d already lost enough for one lifetime. She needed to know that some things were there to stay.
    “Holly.” Dana Connelly swept down the staircase. Holly knew what the woman was going to say before she even spoke. “I’m afraid we’re going to have to check out early.”
    Holly managed a brave smile. The snow hadn’t stopped all afternoon and dusk was fast approaching. “Did you want to try and leave in the morning?” she asked.
    “We think it’s better to leave as soon as possible. Before the roads get worse. We can be home in two hours if we leave now.” She must have sensed Holly’s growing disappointment because her rich chocolate eyes softened. “I’m sorry, Holly. But if we wait until the morning, who knows what we’ll be waking up to out there.”
    Holly forced a bright smile, knowing she had no right to feel let down. These people were her customers. They owed her nothing. She was providing them a service, not the other way around. If they wanted to leave early, she shouldn’t be making them explain on her behalf.
    It was just another aching reminder of how badly she wanted a family of her own. She was trying to fill the void with this playhouse she had created and, while it served its purpose, ultimately she could not depend on her guests for anything more than they were willing to give. They passed in and out of her life with pleasantries and warmth, but they were not permanent fixtures.
    Her chest squeezed tight. Max was no different.
    “Of course you can’t wait until morning,” Holly said to Dana. This was the Connellys’ third visit to the inn in the last year. She would see them again. But for now, she had to let them go. “This storm is unpredictable and I’d hate for you to miss out on Christmas with your families.”
    “Well, I don’t know about that,” Dana said.
    “Oh?” Holly pulled up the Connellys’ records and changed their bill before sending the file to the printer.
    “This year we’re having Christmas with my husband’s family,” Dana continued in a meaningful tone. She locked eyes with Holly and Holly smiled, her first real smile since she’d left Max at the diner.
    “I have a feeling you’re not too excited about that.”
    “Oh, to put it mildly,” Dana said with a sigh. “Personally, I’d rather be snowed in here for the holiday but...”
    “But responsibilities beckon?” Holly flashed her a conspiratorial grin. Guess that’s one thing I don’t need to worry about, she thought, suddenly perking up a bit. In-laws.
    Dana leaned in over the desk and hissed, “They never end!”
    Holly laughed despite herself, feeling better than she had in hours. “Here’s your bill. I didn’t charge you for the weekend, of course.”
    “Oh, let us pay! The cancellation policy says seventy-two hours, doesn’t it?”
    “No, no,” Holly said dismissively. “It’s not like I would have filled the room anyway.”
    Dana lifted her eyes from the invoice. “Is everyone else checking out then, too?”
    “Looks that way.” Holly sighed.
    Dana turned to the window. “It’s really unfortunate.”
    “It is what it is,” Holly said blandly, sadness creeping in again.
    Dana suddenly smiled. “Well, one good thing has come out of all this for you. Now you won’t have to worry about taking care of guests during Christmas!”
    Holly managed a brittle