A moment passed in silence as the man glanced back and forth between Riley and Erin. Finally, he broke the silence with "Is that a no, then?"
Riley and Erin both came to their senses, although Riley was the first to reply. "No! No, I mean, no to your 'no.'"
Erin put her hand on Riley's arm as she addressed the man. "What my husband Riley is trying to say is: Yes, we most definitely are open for business tonight." Taking a step forward, she extended her hand. "Hi, I'm Erin! What can we do for you this evening?"
The man’s smile broadened even further. "Ah, marvelous! I would simply adore a room and supper, if I'm not too late and you have the space available."
Riley and Erin looked at each other again, their surprise morphing into confusion before about-facing into relief then side-stepping back toward the original surprise. Riley had collected enough of his wits to meaningfully participate in the conversation. "We definitely have the space and were just laying out some dinner. Please, come in!"
Riley touched the iPad with which he managed reservations, then remembered two things: 1) he had neglected to charge the device for the past couple of weeks, and 2) the power was out. Erin was showing the guest to the dining room, taking his hat and coat at the same time, as Riley rifled around in the front desk and eventually found an old guestbook. He wasn’t sure the last time it had been opened, but there were some blank pages in it yet.
He joined Erin and the guest at the table in front of the fire. Erin handed him the coat and hat as Riley said, “I’m sorry, I didn’t catch your name… for the guestbook…” He gestured with the guestbook in a way that looked more like an interpretive dance than an explanation..
“Ah, my apologies… Riley, is it? I don’t believe I actually dropped my name to begin with. Skyler Mills, and I’m very pleased to meet you.” He extended his hand, and Riley managed to grab and shake it with his non-guestbook-laden one.
“It’s very nice to meet you too, Skyler.” Riley said, then, finally giving up on holding everything, draped Skyler’s coat over the back of one of the unused chairs. Setting the guestbook on the table as well, he pulled a chair out for Skyler as Erin disappeared into the kitchen with the tray, presumably to prepare another plate.
Skyler, now sitting, looked over the table with a peculiar smile and said, “Oh, I’ve interrupted your supper! Or… have I?”
“Not at all, we hadn’t actually started eating yet. And I can’t tell you how pleased we are to have someone to eat with us on Christmas Eve!” Riley took the guestbook and returned to his own seat, jotting down Skyler Mills, 12/24/2024 in it before he forgot. “If you don’t mind me asking, what brings you to Whispering Fork, Skyler?”
“Actually, this place,” Skyler replied, waving his had to take in the whole inn. “I… had relatives that lived in this area a while back, and they passed stories down about what a wonderful place the Hushed Hearth Inn was to be at on Christmas Eve. Lively, festive… Full of sound and fury, signifying everything, to turn the Bard’s phrase a bit.”
Erin returned, carrying a plate for Skyler, just in time to catch the last bit of his statement. “Well, we think it’s pretty wonderful, for sure. Although I sincerely doubt there will be a party tonight.”
Skyler looked at her, a bemused expression seeming to play in his twinkling eyes. “Oh no? Well, we might have to see about that! How about I tell the most popular story I’ve heard about this place while we eat?”
Erin retook her seat and, smiling and grabbing Riley’s hand, said, “That would be delightful, Skyler. Thank you.”
Skyler drew in a break, closed his eyes, opened them again, and began speaking.
***
“The year is 1853,” he began, his voice taking on a different timber, his eyes appearing to be focusing on nothing and everything at the same time. His voice drew Erin and Riley in immediately, and had an entrancing effect. “Imagine the inn as it might have been. This fireplace,” he said, gesturing towards the hearth, “roars with lusty life and casts its golden glow over the entire space. The air is filled with the scents of spiced cider and roasted chestnuts, both of which are simmering over or warming on the hearth. The gathering hall itself (which is what the dining room used to be called) is adorned with lush, living evergreen garlands. Twinkling candles burn brightly in each of the large windows save the center one, where the grand Christmas tree is set. The tree itself shimmers with ornaments, all lovingly hand-made by the residents of Whispering Fork.”
“The room is crowded with a mix of townsfolk and travelers. Most of the children are near the tree, playing boisterous and quiet games as they consider they might get away with while remaining in Santa’s good graces. An older couple is tending the fire and tenderly holding hands as they observe the goings-on of the gathering. A small group of musicians is playing carols from a makeshift stage opposite the kitchen door. Everyone seems to be smiling, laughing, and generally brimming with holiday spirit.
“A traveler enters and stands at the edge of the fray, somewhere between the elderly couple and the musicians. His gaze sweeps the room as he unwinds his scarf, shedding the chill of the evening in favor of the warmth of the hearth. He sees special moments… A young couple nervously exchanging glances as they approach each other, seemingly preparing to dance to the music. Neighbors toasting each other’s health and mending old grievances over mugs of what was probably cider. Another person dressed for traveling giving a wooden toy to one of the smaller children near the tree, and the child can’t stop smiling. Somewhere outside, bells are ringing, distant but still clear through the lightly falling snow. The other children have finally stopped their games and, with the help of some parents or grandparents, are placing a small star near the top of the tree to mark the joy everyone is sharing tonight.”
“At that point, the traveler’s voice rings out, rich with joy and longing, as if he sings not just for the room but for the memory of every Christmas past. The singing seems unbound by the walls of the inn.”
Skyler paused briefly, then actually began singing, and his voice was cheerful, strong, full the hope and spirit of the season.
“Here we come a-wassailing
Among the leaves so green,
Here we come a-wand'ring,
So fair to be seen.”
“Then the entire crowd joins him in the chorus…”
“Love and joy come to you,
And to you your wassail too;
And God bless you and send you
A Happy New Year,
And God send you a Happy New Year.”
“He sings the second verse, and the crowd joins him in two more rounds of the chorus before breaking out in a round of applause. At this point, the proprietor of the inn offers a toast in which all gathered participate.”
“`To all of us gathered here tonight… I thank you for the friendship you have shown to us and to each other. Let us all remember this night, that we were able to gather despite the weather in a place that will forever fill the role as haven for love and laughter in Whispering Fork…`”
***
Riley glanced around the room, and for a moment thought he could actually see the festivities as they must have been. He could hear the music, smell the cider and chestnuts. The visions warmed him, slowly fading, allowing his attention to return to the room as it was, the fire seeming to glow a little brighter. He noticed Skyler staring at him, expectantly, almost as if appraising him somehow.
Finally, Skyler exhaled, and the spell woven by his story-telling was, while not quite broken, subdued. “It may not seem like it right now,” Skyler said, his gaze still holding Riley in place, “but I think the Hushed Hearth Inn has been a place of joy and shared memories before; it could be again.” With that, he turned his attention to the food in front of him. Riley released a breath he didn’t know he was holding and began to pay attention to his plate again when he heard another noise coming from the lobby, and this one much more of a ruckus.
Two voices, lively and warm, seemed to rise from nowhere, filling the lobby with their playful argument.
“This is the place, of course it is!”
“I told you this was the place. Doesn’t look like it’s changed a bit!”
“I told you this was the place, and it does look like it’s changed a bit!”
“Either way, we should see if anyone else is here.”
“HELLO?!” Two voices shouted in unison, one male, the other female. “WE’RE HERE!”
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