Page 9 of Frost and Felines (Saltwater Grove #5)

9

MALLORY

M allory watched as Kieran's face transformed from excitement to devastation as he opened the storage boxes containing his cherished Christmas decorations the following morning. Her heart clenched at the sight of the shattered glass ornaments scattered throughout the containers.

"These were my grandmother's." Kieran lifted a broken crystal angel, its wings snapped clean off. His jaw clenched and his forearm muscles flexed beneath his tanned skin as he gripped the storage container. "She gave them to me before she passed five years ago."

Charlotte picked through another box, her expression grim. "The star is missing entirely."

"That star's been on our tree for three years straight." Kieran's voice grew rough. "Ever since I opened this place."

Outside, the snow picked up intensity, whipping against the windows in harsh gusts. Mallory tried to steady her breathing, knowing her emotions were feeding the storm. But seeing Kieran's broad shoulders slump as he surveyed the destruction made her chest ache.

"Those bastards." Chase kicked an empty box. "This has Gregory written all over it too."

Amy held up a twisted string of antique glass beads with tears in her eyes. "Who would do something so cruel? These were beautiful, and one of a kind."

Kieran's hands clenched into fists. "I'm going to kill him."

"We need to focus on solutions," Charlotte said, ever practical. "Though I don't see how we can replace these in time for tonight's lighting ceremony. The roads are completely snowed in right now."

The wind howled louder. Mallory wrapped her arms around herself, trying to contain both her magic and her growing anger at the Simmons' malicious and heartless attack.

"Even if we could get to the stores, nothing could replace these." Kieran picked up a mangled ornament, his voice thick with emotion. "My mother painted this one herself. Each ornament had a story."

Mallory stepped closer, placing a tentative hand on his arm. His muscles were coiled tight beneath her touch. "I'm so sorry, Kieran."

He covered her hand with his own, and the simple gesture sent warmth spreading through her chest. The storm outside intensified further, the visibility dropping to near zero as her emotions swirled like the snow.

"The ceremony for the guests starts in three hours," Amy said quietly. "What are we going to do?"

Kieran straightened his shoulders, though Mallory could still see the pain in his eyes. "We'll figure something out. We have to."

Mallory stared down at the broken pieces of crystal and glass in the storage containers, her mind racing with possibilities. Years of writing about DIY projects and creative upcycling suddenly clicked into place.

"Wait." She carefully picked up a handful of the shattered ornaments, the fragments catching the morning sunlight streaming through the lobby windows. "What if we could make something new from these? Something that honors the old while creating fresh memories?"

Kieran's blue eyes locked onto hers. "What do you mean?"

"We could use resin to create new ornaments, embedding these pieces inside. Mix in some fresh elements, maybe some pine needles and berries from the courtyard." Her hands moved as she spoke, already arranging pieces into a pattern. "The broken bits would catch the light even more beautifully than before."

"That's actually brilliant." Kieran moved closer, his presence warm at her side. "But do we have what we need to make them?"

Charlotte's eyes lit up. "The craft store down the street delivers even in snow. I'll make some calls."

Within an hour, they had spread supplies across three tables in the empty dining room. Mallory demonstrated the technique, showing them how to layer the fragments with the new elements.

"Like this?" Amy held up an ornament where she'd arranged broken pieces of a painted cardinal around fresh cranberries.

"Perfect." Mallory smiled, surprised by how natural it felt working with others. "The old and new complement each other."

Kieran worked beside her, his movements precise despite his large hands. He had rolled up the sleeves of his henley, revealing corded forearms as he carefully arranged pieces of his mother's hand-painted ornament.

"This is actually pretty therapeutic," he said, glancing at her. "Though I'm still going to murder Gregory."

"Murder is so messy." Mallory's dry response drew a genuine laugh from him. "Besides, look what we're creating instead."

They worked for another hour, the conversation flowing easily. Charlotte shared stories about past Christmases at the inn. Amy sang Christmas carols under her breath. Even Chase got into it, though he complained about getting glitter all over himself.

For the star, they gathered the most meaningful pieces. Mallory guided them in creating a mosaic pattern that incorporated fragments from every broken heirloom.

"It's more beautiful than before," Kieran murmured, standing close enough that his arm brushed hers as they admired their work. "Thank you, Mallory."

The warmth in his voice made her heart skip, and outside, the snow began to fall in more gentle, peaceful flakes.

Mallory watched as Chase soon balanced precariously on the ladder, reaching to hang one of their handmade ornaments near the top of the towering Christmas tree. The resin caught the lobby's warm lighting, sending rainbow prisms dancing across the walls.

"A little to the left," Amy called up, directing him from below. "Perfect!"

Charlotte arranged the lower branches with practiced precision, weaving the twinkling white lights between the newly created decorations. "These really are stunning, Mallory. The way you layered the old pieces with the fresh elements - it's like they're telling a story."

"The cranberries were definitely the right choice," Mallory said, adjusting a crystal-embedded ornament. "They add just the right pop of color."

Kieran emerged from his office, his auburn hair slightly disheveled as if he'd been running his hands through it. His eyes locked onto Mallory immediately, and a smile spread across his face. "Ready for the grand finale?"

He held up their mosaic star, the fragments of his grandmother's and mother's ornaments gleaming within its carefully crafted layers. Without waiting for an answer, he strode over and wrapped an arm around Mallory's waist, pulling her close against his solid frame.

"Care to do the honors together?" His voice rumbled low near her ear.

Mallory's breath caught at his proximity, but she managed a nod. Together they approached the ladder, and Kieran's strong hands steadied her as she climbed. At the top, she felt him press against her back as they positioned the star together.

The lobby filled with guests for the lighting ceremony, their excited chatter creating a festive buzz. Mallory spotted Daniel, the investor, near the front of the crowd.

"Three... two... one!" Charlotte called out.

The tree blazed to life, and collective gasps filled the room. The handcrafted ornaments sparkled like captured starlight, each one unique and somehow more magical than traditional decorations would have been.

"This is extraordinary," Daniel said, adjusting his glasses to peer closer at a nearby ornament. "The artistry involved - it's absolutely inspired."

Kieran's arm slipped around Mallory's waist again, drawing her against his side. His chest rumbled with satisfaction as he surveyed their handiwork. "My wife has quite the creative touch."

The praise brought heat to Mallory's cheeks, but she couldn't deny the surge of pride. The tree did look magical, especially with their star crowning it, catching and reflecting light in a thousand directions.

"You've really outdone yourself," Kieran murmured, his lips close to her ear. "Thank you for saving Christmas for me."

His genuine gratitude warmed something inside her that had been cold for far too long. Mallory leaned into his embrace, just a fraction, allowing herself to enjoy the moment of triumph and connection.

Suddenly, the warmth of Kieran's arm around her waist felt like a vice. Mallory's chest constricted as the memory slammed into her with brutal force - Eli's laughter as he tangled himself in Christmas lights, his dark eyes sparkling as he lifted her to place the star. The way he'd spun her around their tiny living room, both of them covered in glitter and pine needles.

Her throat closed up. The room spun. She couldn't breathe.

She wrenched herself from Kieran's grip and fled, barely registering the concerned voices calling after her. Her boots thudded against the hardwood as she sought refuge in the library, its leather-bound volumes and mahogany shelves offering familiar comfort. She curled into one of the oversized armchairs, drawing her knees to her chest as tears spilled down her cheeks.

Heavy footsteps soon approached, and Kieran's masculine scent - pine and earth - wrapped around her before his presence did. He knelt beside her chair, his broad shoulders blocking out the rest of the room.

"Talk to me." His voice was gentle but firm. No pity, just quiet strength.

"I'm sorry." Mallory swiped at her tears. "It's stupid. The tree just... reminded me of my first Christmas with Eli. We were so happy."

Kieran's large hand engulfed hers, his thumb stroking her knuckles. "Nothing about grief is stupid."

"We couldn't afford proper decorations that year." The words tumbled out between hitched breaths. "We made paper chains and strung popcorn. Eli kept eating more than he strung."

A ghost of a smile crossed her lips even as fresh tears fell. Outside, the snow began to swirl more forcefully against the windows.

"He sounds like he was a good man." Kieran's fingers tightened around hers.

"The best." Mallory's voice cracked. "And I miss him so much it physically hurts sometimes."

"I know." He shifted closer, his free hand coming up to brush a tear from her cheek. "And that's okay. You don't have to hide that from me."

The simple acceptance in his words broke something loose in her chest. Mallory leaned into his touch, letting the tears flow freely as Kieran stayed steady beside her, his presence an anchor in the storm of her grief.

When her breathing finally steadied, she whispered, "Thank you for coming after me."

"I always will." His blue eyes held hers, intense and sincere. "Whatever you need, whenever you need it. I'll always be here for you."