Chapter 26
T he sun dipped low as Alex and Will joined the bustle of Main Street, now transformed into a lively hub of garland, ladder-juggling locals, and more twinkle lights than a Christmas movie set.
Tables lined the sidewalk, stacked with snacks and drinks for the volunteers—whether they were hanging banners or just pretending to supervise.
Will looked around, a smile tugging at his lips. “Oh, this is nice,” he said, his voice a low hum of appreciation.
Alex nodded, eyes scanning the cheerful chaos. “Everyone chips in to feed and water the work crew, even if they’re not part of it,” she replied, casual, like this kind of effortless community magic happened every day.
Will turned to her with a teasing tilt of his head. “Small-town charm... want anything?” he asked.
“Sure,” she said, just as Lou bustled over with her ever-present clipboard and an expression that said she was about to delegate something important.
“Alex, hon, can I get you to look this over?” Lou asked, lifting the clipboard like it was a matter of national security.
Alex glanced between Lou and Will, weighing her options. Will beat her to it. “Go ahead,” he offered with an easy smile. “You’re on duty. I’ll grab something for you if you’d like.”
Alex exhaled a relieved little laugh. “That would be... great,” she said as Will headed off toward the snack table with a purposeful stride.
The decorating carried on around them, a symphony of hammering, chatter, and the occasional ladder mishap.
A short while later, Will stood near the food table, now in the middle of a surprisingly animated conversation with Lou and none other than Betty Jean Haskins—sixty-something, full glam, and radiating the kind of energy that could take over a parade float without permission.
Alex and Tori strolled up from behind, drinks in hand, just in time to catch the scene.
“He brought you a fritter from the food table?” Tori asked, nudging Alex with a grin. “That’s your favorite.”
Alex smiled, the corners of her mouth pulling upward despite her best effort. “He said Jed told him while he was refilling the trays,” she said with a shrug.
Tori gave her a look. “It’s still sweet. But who told him what your favorite drink was?”
Alex lifted her drink in a quiet toast to fate. “He figured that out on his own. Remembered it from one of our late-night video calls with the dogs.”
Tori let out a dreamy sigh. “A romantic, right out of a novel.”
Alex rolled her eyes, though the flush in her cheeks gave her away. “Of course you would say that. Look at him, settling the squabble between Lou and Betty Jean.”
Tori tilted her head, watching the scene unfold. “If he settles that, he’s a keeper.”
They reached the group just as Betty Jean was in full swoon mode. “Oh, just lovely, dear. Marvelous, really,” she gushed. “This young gentleman is such a gem. An absolute gem.”
Lou rolled her eyes. “Cool it, Haskins. He’s company of the mayor.” Then, realizing her slip, she added, “Sorry, Will. I already forgot about the truce. Sorry, Betty Jean.”
“Forgiven, darling,” Betty Jean said with a wink.
“Darling? Pfft,” Lou scoffed, tossing her clipboard under one arm.
Will chuckled and patted Lou’s shoulder. “Lou, I know you have it in you because you love this town, and you love your job as the?—”
“Committee Chair and basically right hand to the mayor,” Lou finished with a dramatic sigh, just as Betty Jean rolled her eyes skyward.
Will turned to Alex and Tori just in time for introductions, but the words got lost when Tori’s jaw dropped—and so did her drink.
“No way,” she gasped. “You’re?—”
“Will Hartman,” Alex said flatly, her tone dry as she tried to figure out why Tori looked like she’d just uncovered a scandal.
Tori blinked, swallowed hard, and stared at Will like he’d just stepped out of a movie poster—or, in this case, a book cover—her voice catching.
“Wylder… Hart?” she managed, the recognition dawning all at once.
Betty Jean leaned in with a conspiratorial whisper. “I thought that was you, but I didn’t want to draw attention. We celebrities like our privacy.”
Lou flailed her arms in mock exasperation. “You were an extra in one film decades ago. You’re hardly?—”
“Lou,” Will interrupted, lifting a hand.
Lou shrugged. “Sorry, honey. Welp. Guess the cat’s out of the bag.”
Alex’s brow furrowed. “Why is that name…”
“Familiar?” Tori filled in, barely able to keep from grinning. “Because you’ve been helping me set up the displays for his big release next week. Will Hartman is Wylder Hart.”
Alex blinked. “Wylder Hart… the author?”
Will’s grin turned sheepish, and just like that, the secret was officially out.