Christmas at Grey Sage

?This charming tale will sharpen your appetite for the true spirit of Christmas!? -Debbie Macomber, #1 New York Times bestselling author Nestled in the snow-covered Sangre de Cristo Mountains near Santa Fe, the Grey Sage Inn looks like the perfect place for weary travelers to escape the craziness of the Christmas season. There's plenty to see in historic Santa Fe during the day, and the inn's owners, Maude and Silas Thornhill, are happy to spend their evenings hosting this year's guests from across the country.But an unusual snowstorm throws a wrench in the festive mood. The sprawling inn becomes close quarters as stranded guests discover this Christmas won't be the relaxed vacation they expected. Tension and fear mount as the storm worsens, and Silas, a retired doctor, is called away in the middle of the night to care for a neighbor. The snow and stress unlocks tongues--and in the unexpected conversation that follows, secrets and pasts are revealed, and hearts are healed.In the midst of snowdrifts and fireside conversations, of tales of days gone by, the warmth of Christmas brings a renewed hope as these trapped strangers become friends--proof again that the joy, hope, peace, and love of Christmas can be experienced no matter where you are. About the Author Phyllis Clark Nichols grew up in the deep shade of magnolia trees in Georgia and weaves her Southern culture into character-driven stories that explore profound human questions. She is a classically trained musician and enjoys art, books, nature, cooking, travel, and ordinary people. After retiring as a cable network executive, Phyllis began leading mission teams to orphanages in Guatemala and now serves on three nonprofit boards, where she works with others who are equally passionate about bringing hope and light to those who need it most. Phyllis and her husband live in the Texas Hill Country. Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved. Christmas at Grey SageBy Phyllis Clark NicholsGilead PublishingCopyright © 2017 Phyllis Clark NicholsAll rights reserved.ISBN: 978-1-68370-128-6CHAPTER 1Monday, December 19, 2005Maude stood at the kitchen window and rubbed her hands, especially the fingers of her left hand. Seems the cold made them ache a bit more with every winter, making it painful to hold her palette now. But she wasn't painting today. She and Lita would spend the day preparing for the arrival of the ten guests who would occupy the inn for the next couple of nights.She turned from the window to see Silas in the keeping room just off the kitchen, sitting in his favorite chair.Reason says I should have used that ratty chair for firewood years ago, but somehow seeing Silas this morning, sitting, reading, and drinking his second cup of coffee, makes me glad I kept it.Making Silas comfortable these days was higher on her list of priorities than replacing a worn-out chair.Seeing her look, Silas grumbled from across the room, "Lita doing the grocery shopping? Did you tell her not to buy eggnog? I don't like that store-bought eggnog. It's too sweet. We'll be making our own.""I'm certain Lita knows you don't like eggnog from a carton since she's been drinking your homemade eggnog for about forty years." Maude continued looking over the guest list Lily had sent."Did you tell her to buy real cream and lots of it?""Yes, Silas. She's getting extra cream and extra eggs, and we're counting on you for the extra nog. In any case, she and Alo should be here shortly. She'll be preparing food, and I'm sure Alo will be cutting wood.""Good, we wouldn't want our guests to arrive to a cold house, now would we, Maude?"It was strange to be thinking of food and fires and guests this time of year. It had been an age since Grey Sage had housed people during the Christmas season.Not so the rest of the year. Several years ago, Lita had persuaded Maude and Silas to open their home as an inn.Lita had pleaded. "But Maude, you know how many times