Page 99 of Coming Home to Maple Tree Lodge

‘This place is yours now as well,’ he said, holding her close. ‘I can see it everywhere, in each room, in the whole feel of the place. It’s yours.’

‘Ours,’ she reminded him.

‘Ours,’ he repeated with a loving smile. ‘You know, when I sent out my lantern across the lake, I wished for you.’

‘And I wished for you right back,’ she told him.

‘So the magic really does work,’ he said, with a soft laugh.

‘It truly does,’ she said, drawing his head down to hers once more.

As they kissed, she could hear the Jackson family in the background growing closer, a joyful throng as they realised that she had returned to them and what it meant for the future.

When Lily drew back, she looked up at Ben.

‘I love you,’ she told him. ‘And I will never ever stop loving you.’

‘I love you too. Welcome home,’ he said, bending his head to close the distance between them once more.

And she knew that she was home. Forever.

53

The spring sunlight shone down on Ben as he walked back from his grandad’s workshop.

April had arrived in a flurry of sunshine and everywhere he looked nature was bursting forth.

There were already ducklings on the shallows of the lake, scurrying along in and out of the reeds, trying to keep up with their parents. Fresh green grass and flowers were bursting into life everywhere, with pink and white apple blossom floating down from the trees to land on the surface of the water. Best of all was the cacophony of birdsong and chatter as the nesting season came into full swing as the eggs began to hatch and new life began once more.

Ben sighed a happy sigh. He too felt as if he had a new life, reborn this spring out of the misery of the past.

He looked up at the hotel in front of him. Thanks to his grandmother’s inspired idea of the Dragonfly Lake Light Festival each Saturday night, the whole place had also burst into life.

Every weekend, visitors poured in from everywhere to enjoy the light show. They had even planned a special Easter-themedone for the following weekend where there would be decorated eggs, flowers and rabbits lit up on the water as well.

With so many evening visitors, the snug was doing a roaring trade in drinks and snacks. Even better, he had managed to secure a part-time chef to cater for the dinner service every weekend and the restaurant was full each Friday and Saturday night.

The hotel reopening had been above and beyond all of their expectations. Word was beginning to spread and at least half their bookings were recommendations from other guests.

Best of all, the hotel was fully booked every weekend. Such was the popularity that they had even had to open up a waiting list, something he would never have expected only a few short months ago.

It felt as if everything had changed for the better. The hotel, like the lake, was steeped in history, his family’s history. But now they were all looking to the future too. The fresh growth of spring felt as if it were reflected on the inside walls of the hotel now as well.

Whilst still grieving, the family were finding hope with each new day as the hotel’s success reflected on their personal lives as well. Ben glanced back at the workshop, where his grandad was busy making Easter baskets out of willow. Finally able to step away from the pressures of helping to run the hotel, Walter too had blossomed these past couple of months. At least twice a month he was asked to conduct a nature trail walk around the lake, and, with Lily’s gentle persuasion, he had printed up some notes to place in the lounge and snug, alongside binoculars for nature watching. His wealth of knowledge was to be passed onto future generations, a subject which had always been close to his heart.

Hannah had also become more confident in her baking skills after all the positive feedback from their hotel guests.Each day, she created delicious cakes and desserts that showed her growing expertise. With gentle encouragement from all the family, Ben relished watching his little sister finally beginning to believe in her own abilities.

Faye was busy providing wildflower bouquets in each of the bedrooms, as well as in the communal areas. She had also signed up for a local flower-arranging class and, day by day, was beginning to find her way in the world once more. Dotty was the life and soul of the snug on a Monday night, when her friends came to visit and gossip over a drink. She had already expressed plans to start up a games night in the future. And there was even talk that she would start up a wild swimming club when the warmer months arrived.

Frankie was a firm fixture in the snug, holding the fort and becoming hugely popular for her dry wit and delicious cocktails. In turn, she was enjoying the varied company of the guests and slowly the loneliness that had been surrounding her for so many years had begun to fade.

Everything had changed once more but this time for the better, thought Ben. Including himself.

He was so much happier these days. He felt as if his architectural skills were being used properly and the idea for both the new lodges and the boathouse renovations excited him more than any bland office block had ever done. He was far closer to his grandad these days too, enjoying his company but also feeling grateful that his grandad could finally relax and enjoy the place without the burden of responsibility around his neck.

Best of all, he got to enjoy each and every day with Lily. They were partners in both the running of the hotel and in their private life as well. She was the love of his life and he couldn’t wait to see what the future held for them together.

Lily unlocked the patio doors and stepped onto the veranda of the hotel, relishing the ever-changing view.