Chapter 35
Lauren
“Thank God you’re here,” I say relieved and through chattering teeth, stamping my feet to warm them up.
The cold didn’t seem too bad when we set up our booth this morning, but now, five hours later, it’s crept into my bones.
Half an hour ago, Harry came to our booth, frantically whispered with Caleb and whisked him away.
“Why the fuck aren’t you wearing your scarf?”
I pat my naked neck. Right. “It kept tangling when I was handing out gingerbread, so I took it off and…” I realize he’s holding a thermos mug in his hands. “Is that hot coffee?”
“Obviously,” he mumbles and hands it over, but before I can take a sip, he takes my scarf, wraps it around my exposed throat and tucks it into my jacket, then pulls the zipper all the way up.
“What did Harry want?”
“He realized that they don’t have any bathroom available for guests if I’m keeping the café closed.
” An amused grin tugs at his lips. “He was just desperate enough that I opened the café. It took us a while to find Bobby; that’s why I’m back this late.
No way I would trust Harry with it or keep it open unattended. ”
“You’re too nice,” I tease him, still walking in place to fight the cold.
“Why don’t you take a break and walk around or hang out in the café to get warmed up?”
“You have the best ideas,” I say and take a sip of the hot coffee. My face wants to stretch into a grimace, but I said I wasn’t judging how he takes his coffee anymore. The hint of milk helps, but it’s still bitter on my tongue. “You sure you can hold down the fort?”
He turns his head, pointedly motioning at how nobody is lingering at our stand.
“I think I can handle the raging crowd. Don’t worry.”
I shake my head at him. Half of the gingerbread we allocated to today is already gone, our makeshift register filling with money a charity is going to be thrilled about.
“You should try a little smile to look more approachable.” He pulls his face into a grimace that’s supposed to resemble a grin. “On second thought… maybe don’t.”
I get on my tiptoes and press my lips briefly against his.
“Get out of here,” he mumbles, pulling my scarf up to my nose. “Go and ask Nic if she’ll go on a stroll with you.”
“That is an excellent idea.” I grin and pull his beanie further down, trying to annoy him so he won’t miss me too much. “I’ll be right back.”
“Don’t hurry on my account.” Ha. My plan is working. He lifts my chin for one more kiss before gently pushing me away from the booth by my shoulders.
My cheeks burn as I walk along the cleared path through the Christmas market, finally arriving at Nic and Henry's stall.
Public displays of affection? I never expected that from Caleb.
But am I giddy with excitement, my heart fluttering faster than hummingbird wings and really fucking full of admiration for my boyfriend. Hell yes.
“Oh my God,” I gasp when I see their stand.
It’s a mixture of an adorable Christmas hut and puppet theater.
A thick red curtain hangs across the middle, opening into two framed windows on either side, each one decorated with fairy lights and fir branches.
The left one, that Jensen Ackles sits patiently in, wearing the most adorable Santa costume, has a big sign on it that says ‘Nice.’ The right one’s says ‘Naughty.’ Fittingly, there are teeth marks in it, without a doubt left by the adorable golden retriever wearing an elf costume, that’s sitting under it.
“You stole Kieran’s Dick.” Nic and I look at each other, trying to stay serious. But one twitch of her lip and we both burst into laughter. Henry shakes his head at us, but even he can't quite fight a grin.
“We didn’t steal him; we borrowed him,” Nic points out through giggles. “And hey, since you’re my friend, you’ll get a free kiss session.”
“So generous,” I joke, stepping closer to their booth. They’ve put both dogs on a table-like structure, the perfect height for giving people sloppy kisses.
“Jensen! How is the handsomest boy in town?” He immediately perks up when I get close, his tail wagging and tongue hanging out of his mouth.
As soon as I scratch his ears and run a hand through his fur, he puts his paws on my shoulders, and I have to step away to evade a headbutt. “I missed you too.”
“You saw each other yesterday,” Henry points out with a chuckle. I shake my head at him.
“You shut up,” I say absentmindedly, running my hands through Jensen’s fur. “You barely spend a second apart from him.”
Richard is whining, and there’s a queue forming behind me. With a deep sigh, I let go of Jensen. I could cuddle him all day, but I won’t have Nic say I sabotaged the competition by holding up a line. So, I take a step to the right to say hi to the second-handsomest boy in town.
“There you are, you little cutie pie. Oh, you’ve gotten big!” I coo and scratch his ears. The more I talk to him, the quicker he turns in circles, with a speed that makes me afraid he’s either taking down the booth or taking off like a helicopter.
With a heavy heart, I let go of him and turn to my friends. “I’m here to steal Nic, if that’s okay with you.”
“That depends on what you’re going to steal her for.”
“Oh, only a peaceful stroll over the market.” I’m already linking my arm with hers. “Now that we don’t have to fear spiteful exes or sisters jumping around the corner. I’ll get her back to you in one piece.”
“Well, if that’s the case,” he says jokingly and presses a kiss to her temple, “have fun, you two. Get me something warm to drink on your way back, sweetheart. “
“Will do!” Nic assures enthusiastically and pulls me with her. “God, my feet have been dying for some movement. Who could have guessed that standing in the same spot for hours is its own kind of torture?”
“Oh my God, right? It’s so bad.” I groan and steer her toward the entrance of the Christmas market. If we’re doing this, I want the whole experience, from the very beginning.
The entrance to the town square is adorned with a giant arch decorated with red bows and baubles, and, of course, plenty of twinkling fairy lights.
The huts are crafted from dark wood, each one decorated uniquely yet all featuring holly, pine garlands and lights.
Occasionally, there is even a sprig of mistletoe.
“Oh my God, is that popcorn?” Nic stops and lifts her nose into the air, then nods to our left. “That’s what I’ve been smelling all day! We need to get some.”
So we do, munching on shared chocolate popcorn as we stroll over the market at a snail’s pace. Soft Christmas music plays from the speakers while the snow glistens in the remaining daylight.
“Andrea! I didn’t know you made candles,” Nic’s eyes widen as we approach her stand. Her display ranges from beeswax candles to intricately painted and even hand-carved dipped candles, their colored layers twisted and formed into intricate patterns.
“Those are amazing,” I tell the town’s hotel owner, staring at them in awe. It must have taken forever to learn how to do this. Her round face pulls into a bright smile, and I make a mental note to ask her to teach me, because these must be so satisfying to make.
“Thank you very much, dear. Hold on, I have something for you.”
She leans down, disappearing completely behind her display before pulling out two dark green carved candles. They’re shaped like Christmas trees, with the wax layered in different green tones, twisted into branches and a small star on top.
“Here, you two.” She hands them over, and I take one from her instinctively. Huh! It’s surprisingly heavy. “Have these. Merry Christmas.”
“Seriously?” My eyes light up and I turn it in my hand. “Gosh, it looks incredible!”
“How much are they?” Nic asks, earning herself a quirked eyebrow and amused smile.
“They cost a sloppy kiss from Jensen and Dick that I will be collecting later today—” her eyes jump from Nic to me, “and one of your adorable gingerbread hearts.”
Our eyes go wide, Nic’s mouth opening to protest. “But—”
She quickly shushes us. “No buts! Welcome to Wayward Hollow, you two. Enjoy your first Christmas market here, and I hope you’ll be around for many more.”
My lips curl into a smile. “Thank you, Andrea.” I carefully hug the candle to my chest. “I’ll treasure it.”
“I’m so happy we moved here,” I confess to Nic as we wander away from the stall, after giving Andrea a quick hug and taking a moment to admire her setup on the other side of the booth.
Her lower body was buried under a mountain of blankets, and she set up a warming red light in the corner, pointing her way.
“Bringing a space heater was so smart of her. I should have thought of that.”
“Girl, next year I’ll wear five wool socks to keep my feet warm, three thermal leggings under my pants and bring a space heater.” Nic says with a happy sigh, nudging me softly with her elbow.
My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I unlink my arm from hers to pull it out of my pocket.
One little word manages to make me stop in my tracks, a cold fist gripping my heart. ‘Dad.’ I clutch the phone tighter, the urge to throw it into a snow pile overwhelming me.
“Lauren?” Nic asks cautiously, and I glance up from the screen, turning it around for her to see. She reaches for my other hand and gives it a reassuring squeeze, reminding me she’s there, as I wait for the screen to go dark again.
“Do you remember our conversation where you told me that I’d never get rid of you?” Her lips tug into a sad smile.
“Like it was yesterday.”
It was a perfect fall afternoon. We were hanging out at her place when she nonchalantly mentioned being alone in the world after breaking off contact with her parents. I was quick to correct her.
“I think I’ve done a shitty job of reminding you that it’s also the other way around,” she says, clearing her throat. “I’ll always be here for you. I’ll be the annoying little sister clutching onto your leg, making you drag it behind you as you try walk.”