Home for the Holidays

The Charity Auction

The snowstorm had subsided by the next morning, leaving the world blanketed in a pristine, glittering white. Pinecrest Lodge buzzed with preparations for its annual Christmas charity auction, an event Noah had worked tirelessly to keep alive despite the lodge’s financial strain.

Elise sat at the kitchen table, cradling a mug of coffee. Maya bustled around the kitchen, humming a cheery carol as she arranged cookies on a platter.

“Do you know what today is?” Maya asked, her voice sing-song.

“Thursday?” Elise replied with a raised eyebrow, taking a sip of her coffee.

“Not just Thursday,” Maya said, turning with a mischievous grin. “It’s the day of the Pinecrest Lodge Charity Auction!”

“It’s a tradition. My aunt Priscilla started it years ago to support the town’s winter programs. Ski lessons for kids, holiday meals for families; she believed this lodge was more than a business. It was part of the community.”

“She was an incredible woman,” Elise said, her voice gentle, setting her mug down. “Oh, that sounds nice. I’m sure Noah puts a lot of effort into it.”

“He does,” Maya said pointedly, crossing her arms. “Which is why you’re coming with me.”

Elise shook her head quickly, already protesting. “Oh no, Maya. That’s your thing, not mine. I’m just here to spend time with Ava and keep a low profile.”

“Low profile?” Maya scoffed, pulling out a chair and sitting across from Elise. “You’ve been back in town for two days, and you’ve already run into Noah. Do you really think you can stay under the radar?”

Elise sighed, her shoulders slumping. “It’s not about that. I just... I don’t know if I belong there.”

Maya leaned forward, her expression softening. “Elise, it’s for a good cause. You love this town as much as anyone, and it’s not just about Noah—it’s about the community. Plus, Ava would love it. She’s been talking about dressing up all morning.”

Elise hesitated, her fingers tightening around her mug. “I don’t even have anything to wear.”

Maya’s grin returned, brighter and bolder than before. “Oh, don’t worry. I’ve got that covered.”

Within the hour, Maya had dragged Elise into her room, rifling through her closet with an enthusiasm Elise couldn’t match.

“I know it’s here somewhere...” Maya muttered, pushing aside hangers until she pulled out a shimmering emerald-green dress. “Ah!

This is perfect.”

Elise stared at the dress, her eyes widening. “Maya, that’s way too fancy. I can’t wear that.”

“Of course you can,” Maya said, holding it up against Elise and nodding in approval. “It’s understated elegance, just like you. And it’ll match your eyes.”

“It’s going to be awkward enough seeing people,” Elise argued, her voice tinged with uncertainty. “Do I really have to draw more attention to myself?”

Maya’s expression softened, and she rested a hand on Elise’s arm. “Look, I know coming back here hasn’t been easy for you. But this isn’t just about you, or even about Noah. It’s about being part of something good, something that reminds people what

Snowberry Ridge is all about. And who knows? You might even enjoy yourself.”

Elise sighed, her resistance wavering. “You’re relentless, you know that?”

“Absolutely,” Maya said with a wink. “Now, go try it on.”

Later that afternoon, as Elise zipped up the dress and slipped on a pair of borrowed heels, she couldn’t help but feel a flicker of nervous excitement. Ava twirled around in her red velvet dress, her joy contagious as she giggled and tugged at Elise’s hand.

“You look like a princess, Mom!” Ava exclaimed, beaming up at her.

“Thanks, sweetie,” Elise said, smoothing the fabric of the dress. “But I think you’re the real star tonight.”

Maya appeared in the doorway, clapping her hands together. “Oh, you both look amazing. You’re going to steal the show.”

“I thought we were just attending,” Elise said suspiciously, narrowing her eyes.

“Well...” Maya said, drawing out the word as she adjusted her earrings. “I may have signed you up to help with the auction.”

Elise’s jaw dropped. “Maya!”

“Don’t give me that look,” Maya said, waving her hand dismissively. “It’s just a little presenting! All you have to do is help introduce a few items and maybe hold up some bids. Nothing too crazy.”

“I can’t believe you did this,” Elise muttered, shaking her head.

“You’ll be fine,” Maya said with a grin. “And who knows? Maybe it’ll even give you a chance to talk to Noah without all the awkward tension. You’re welcome, by the way.”

Elise groaned but couldn’t suppress the small smile tugging at her lips. “You’re impossible.”

“That’s why you love me,” Maya said cheerfully, grabbing her coat. “Now, let’s get going before you change your mind.”

By evening, the lodge’s main hall had been transformed into a dazzling holiday wonderland. Twinkling lights and garlands adorned every surface, and the grand fireplace roared with warmth.

Tables displayed an array of auction items; handmade crafts, gift baskets, and even a weeklong stay at Pinecrest Lodge.

Guests arrived dressed in their finest, mingling over glasses of mulled wine and plates of hors d’oeuvres. Elise wore a simple but elegant emerald-green dress borrowed from Maya, while Ava twirled in a red velvet dress that made her look like a little Christmas angel.

“You look amazing,” Noah said softly when he saw Elise. His eyes lingered a moment too long, and Elise felt her cheeks flush.

“Thanks,” she said, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

“Mom! Look!” Ava called, pointing to a beautifully decorated gingerbread house displayed near the silent auction table. Elise laughed, grateful for the distraction, and followed her daughter.

The festive atmosphere dimmed slightly when Alexis swept into the room, her father, Richard Donaven, in tow. She was draped in a sleek crimson gown that clung to her figure, her every movement designed to draw attention. Richard, a man with sharp features and an air of calculated charm, scanned the room as if appraising its worth.

“Noah,” Alexis called, her tone sweet but loud enough to turn heads. “This looks lovely.” Alexis swirled her wine glass, her lips curving into a practiced smile. “Look at Vail, Noah. It’s thriving. People want luxury. They want exclusivity. Pinecrest could be that... if you’d just let go of this outdated dream.”

Noah turned, his jaw tightening. “Glad you could make it,” he said flatly.

“We wouldn’t miss it,” Richard said, stepping forward with a tight smile. “After all, Pinecrest Lodge has always been... of interest to us.”

Noah’s gaze darkened, but before he could respond, Alexis looped her arm through his, steering him toward a group of guests.

From across the room, Elise watched the interaction, her stomach twisting. She didn’t miss the way Alexis clung to Noah or the calculated glance she cast in Elise’s direction.

Later that evening, after the auction had started, Elise found Noah in the kitchen, quietly washing mugs from the refreshment table.

She hesitated for a moment before stepping closer. “Noah,” she said softly, “can I ask you something?”

He glanced at her, his expression cautious but open. “What is it?”

She swallowed, choosing her words carefully. “Alexis... she seems very invested in what happens to this lodge. Is everything okay?”

Noah’s jaw tightened, and he set the mug down with deliberate care. “Alexis’s father has been trying to buy this property for years. He wants to tear it down, build vacation homes, and turn this into some kind of exclusive resort. Alexis keeps trying to convince me it’s the right thing to do, but I know better.”

“Why does she care so much?” Elise asked, her voice tinged with disbelief.

“Because she wants to be part of the deal,” Noah said bitterly. “She’s under the impression that if we... if we were together, I’d be more inclined to sell. Her father’s not subtle about using her to get what he wants.”

Elise’s chest tightened at the raw frustration in Noah’s voice. “And you?” she asked quietly. “What do you want?”

Noah looked at her then, his green eyes steady but heavy with unspoken emotion. “I want to keep my family’s legacy alive,” he said simply. “And I want to stop feeling like I’m fighting this battle alone.”

Elise didn’t know how to respond, her heart aching for him in a way she hadn’t expected.

As the evening progressed, the live auction reached its c****x. The final item was a rare, antique ski set once used by Noah’s grandfather, a treasured piece of Pinecrest’s history.

The room fell silent as Richard Donaven raised his paddle, his voice smooth and authoritative. “Twenty thousand dollars,” he announced, drawing murmurs from the crowd.

Elise’s breath caught. She saw the tension in Noah’s posture as he stood at the edge of the room, his hands clenched into fists.

“Thirty thousand,” Richard said calmly when no one else bid, a faint smirk on his lips.

Elise’s pulse quickened. This wasn’t about the skis—this was a power play, a public attempt to tighten the Donavens’ grip on the lodge.

Noah stepped forward, his voice firm. “The auction is for charity, Richard. Don’t turn this into something it’s not.”

Richard raised an eyebrow. “I’m simply supporting the community, Noah. Isn’t that the purpose of tonight?”

The tension was palpable, the festive atmosphere cracking under the weight of the exchange. Elise felt a surge of anger on Noah’s behalf but stayed silent, knowing this was his fight to navigate.

As the guests began to leave, Elise found Noah by the fire, staring into the flames. Ava had long since fallen asleep, curled up under a blanket on the couch.

“Are you okay?” Elise asked, sitting beside him.

Noah sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I’m used to it,” he said quietly. “They’ve been trying to undermine me for years. But tonight...” He shook his head. “Tonight, it felt personal.”

“It is personal,” Elise said firmly. “They know how much this place means to you, and they’re using that against you. But you’re stronger than they think.”

Noah looked at her, his green eyes searching hers. For a moment, the weight of his frustration lifted, replaced by a flicker of gratitude.

“Thank you,” he said softly. Noah wrapped his arm around Elise’s waist, pulling her close to him.

“Noah…” Elise tried to say.

“Shhh…” he replied, planting a small, soft kiss on her nose, her chin, her lips.

“I’ve needed to smell you, breathe in the scent of your hair, your skin since I saw you in the square.

"Please just let me be, right here in your space; I need this.”

Elise felt her heart flutter. Every memory of Noah came crashing through her mind like she had been slammed into a wall.

This was supposed to be about helping Noah fight for what mattered, not rekindling something that might complicate their already fragile dynamic.

As the fire crackled and the snow swirled outside, Elise silently vowed to stand by Noah, no matter what the Donavens had planned next.