Chapter 141

Later in the day, Mrs. Weaver, the housekeeper at the Travis B&B dropped off a variety of baked goods and wished them a Merry Christmas. She waved when she left and once again, Drew and Avri stood at the front window; watching and waiting.

As the sun set, Avri made grilled cheese and tomato soup for dinner and then they settled in front of the TV and watched Drew's favorite Christmas movie. Memories of Christmas's past; Avri as a child before Dillon, with Dillon before he joined the Army, and the long four years she spent waiting for him to return. Last year was the first Christmas all three had been together, and it was her most treasured.

When the doorbell rang, Avri and Drew both jumped and raced to the door.

"It has to be Daddy," Drew said.

"He wouldn't ring the bell, he'd walk right in," Avri said, as she unlocked the door and opened it.

"Uncle Chase, Mom. It's Uncle Chase." Drew said as he hugged Chase's legs.

"Is Dillon back yet?" Chase asked, shifting his feet, a wrapp