Ellery Marshall released a sigh of relief when the deputy turned left at the intersection instead of right.

      For reasons Ellery couldn’t quite fathom, the squad car fixed in her rearview mirror for the last twenty minutes had generated more anxiety than driving on the slick, snow-covered road.

      She’d been afraid he would escort her all the way to her destination.

      Ellery glanced at her GPS and sent up a silent prayer for strength as she continued on her journey.

      A quick online search of places to stay in the Castle Falls area when Ellery had stopped for gas had yielded only one result. Fortunately for her, the Evergreen Inn welcomed guests year-round and everyone who’d stayed there raved about the food and warm hospitality. What no one had mentioned in their review, however, was the location.

      The inn was so far off the beaten path that when Ellery finally caught a glimpse of a lamppost glowing through the heavy veil of snow, she felt like she’d emerged from the wardrobe and ended up in Narnia. The bed-and-breakfast at the end of the long driveway turned out to be just as delightful. Not the rustic lodge Ellery had been expecting to find, but a charming, two-story farmhouse built out of fieldstone. With a candle burning in each of the frost-etched windows and an oversize wreath on the door, the Evergreen could have graced the front of a Christmas card.

      Ellery parked the car and tried her best to dodge the snow drifts the wind had deposited on the cobblestone path.

      Should she knock? Call the number on the website?

      The door swung open as Ellery was pondering the complications of showing up well after dark, suitcase in hand but without a reservation.

      “Come in!” A slender woman in her midfifties, wearing a white chef’s apron over jeans and a T-shirt, motioned for Ellery to come inside. “I saw the headlights when I was in the kitchen. Welcome to the Evergreen.”

      Ellery balked. “My boots—”

      “Don’t worry.” The woman brushed aside Ellery’s protest with a smile. “These floors have held up to Michigan winters for almost a hundred years. They can handle a little snow,” she assured her. “I’m just glad you got here before the storm.”

      Ellery blinked.

      Before the storm?

      “I’m sorry for showing up this late in the evening,” she murmured.

      Her apology was brushed aside, too. “When you own an inn, you get used to people stopping by at all hours of the day and night.” The woman extended her hand. “I’m Karen Bristow, by the way.”

      Ellery recognized the name from the website.

      “Ellery Marshall.” Ellery set her suitcase down as the innkeeper stepped behind a crescent-shaped cherry desk in the center of the lobby. “Do you have a room available?”

      “I certainly do” came the cheerful response. “How many nights will you be staying with us, Miss Marshall?”

      Ellery realized it was a reasonable question when one was checking into a bed-and-breakfast. If only she knew the answer.

      “I... I’m not sure yet.”

      Karen Bristow didn’t appear surprised by Ellery’s vague response. “Not a problem. Even with the Countdown to Christmas starting this weekend, there are plenty of rooms available if you prefer to go day to day.”

      “Countdown to Christmas?” Ellery repeated.

      “All the businesses in Castle Falls plan a special event on the days leading up to Christmas Eve. The official kickoff starts with a parade and the snow carnival this weekend. It’s the last community-wide celebration before the town goes into hibernation.” Laughter kindled in Karen Bristow’s hazel-blue eyes. “Our best-kept secret isn’t a secret anymore. Every year it draws more of a crowd.”

      Ellery couldn’t tell the innkeeper that she was keeping a secret of her own. “I’m actually looking for...some peace and quiet.”

      “Well, we have plenty of that, too,” the innkeeper promised.

      The knot in Ellery’s stomach loosened a bit.

      “Day to day sounds good.” She reached for her purse. “I’ll give you my credit card to hold the room.”

      “Don’t worry about that now.” Karen patted Ellery’s hand as she fumbled with the clasp. “It’s getting late and I’m sure you’re tired and anxious to get settled. In the morning, I’ll take you on a tour of the inn and we’ll cover all the details then. How does that sound?”

      Unbelievable. And...wonderful.

      Because Ellery had passed “tired” a long time ago and was skidding straight toward exhaustion. Growing up, she’d stayed at some of the most exclusive hotels in the country but couldn’t imagine any of them delaying the check-in process for a guest.

      Ellery’s grip on her purse tightened. “Thank you, Mrs. Bristow.”

      “Karen,” the innkeeper corrected. “We have a saying here at the Evergreen. Enter as friends, leave as family.”

      The tears that Ellery had successfully held at bay since she’d left Grand Rapids that morning banked behind her eyes. She turned and reached for her suitcase before they spilled over, only to discover someone else had already claimed possession.

      “I’ll carry it for you!”

      The tiny bellhop standing next to Ellery’s Louis Vuitton suitcase had golden-blond pigtails, Dresden-blue eyes and wore footie pajamas.

      “My granddaughter, Isabella.” The affection in Karen’s tone belied the stern look she cast in the child’s direction. “Who, I might add, is supposed to be asleep by now.”

      “I tried, Gramma, but my eyes wouldn’t stay shut,” the little girl said earnestly. “I was waiting for Daddy to get home.”

      For