Chapter 20
Twenty
CHLOE
T he bell above the door of Sweet Haven Bakery & Café jingles merrily as I step inside, shaking snow from my boots. The warm aroma of freshly baked cinnamon rolls and brewing coffee envelops me, instantly melting away the chill from outside. Christmas carols play softly in the background, mingling with the cheerful chatter of patrons.
My eyes scan the cozy interior, taking in the rustic wooden beams overhead and the exposed brick walls adorned with vintage bakery signs. The morning sunlight streams through the large bay windows, casting a golden glow over everything. It feels like stepping into a Christmas card come to life.
Then I spot him. Oliver is seated at a corner table, his sandy hair slightly tousled, a steaming mug cradled in his hands. My heart does a little flip at the sight of him. Taking a deep breath to steady my nerves, I make my way over.
“Hi,” I say softly as I approach the table.
Oliver looks up, his hazel eyes warming as they meet mine. “Chloe,” he says, standing up. “I’m glad you came.”
For a moment, we just stand there, an awkward tension hanging between us. Then Oliver gestures to the chair across from him. “Please, sit. I got you a latte. I hope that’s okay.”
I slide into the seat, wrapping my cold fingers around the warm mug. “It’s perfect, thank you.”
We sit in silence for a few seconds, both seemingly unsure of where to start. The weight of all that’s happened, all that needs to be said, feels almost tangible between us.
Before Oliver can speak, I blurt out, “I want to help with the toy drive.”
Oliver blinks, clearly taken aback. “What?”
I take a deep breath, pushing on. “The toy drive. I want to help finish it up, help deliver the toys... if you’ll still have me, that is.”
I watch Oliver’s face carefully, trying to gauge his reaction. To my dismay, he seems uneasy, his brow furrowing slightly. My heart sinks. He doesn’t want me involved in any part of his life.
“Chloe, I—” he begins, but I cut him off, the words tumbling out in a rush.
“I’m sorry, Oliver. I’m so sorry about everything. But I want you to know, even if I didn’t know you, even if I had just wandered into Benton Falls by chance, I would want to invest in a place like Hanks’ Department Store. It’s special, Oliver. You’ve created something truly inspiring there.”
To my surprise, Oliver reaches across the table and takes my hand. The warmth of his touch sends a shiver through me that has nothing to do with the cold outside.
“Chloe,” he says softly, his eyes filled with a mix of emotions I can’t quite decipher. “I’m the one who should be apologizing. I was prideful and short-sighted. Your help... your investment... I’m incredibly grateful for it.”
I feel tears pricking at the corners of my eyes, hope blooming in my chest. “Really?”
Oliver nods, a rueful smile playing at his lips. “Really. In fact, this entire experience has made me realize something. I need to change. I need to accept help, to incorporate new ideas on how to run the store. I’ve been so focused on preserving the past that I’ve been resistant to embracing the future. And the truth is... I need you, Chloe.”
His words send a warmth spreading through me that has nothing to do with the latte I’m drinking. “Oliver, I—” I start, but then pause, realizing this is the perfect moment to share my news. “Actually, I have something to tell you. I’m... well, I’m currently unemployed. I resigned from my position in Boston.”
Oliver’s eyebrows shoot up in surprise. “You did? But I thought... I mean, your career seemed so important to you.”
I nod, a small smile playing at my lips. “It was. But I’ve realized there are more important things in life than corner offices and corporate success. Things like community, connection... love.”
The last word hangs in the air between us, loaded with meaning. Oliver’s eyes soften, a smile spreading across his face that makes my heart skip a beat.
“Well,” he says, a hint of mischief in his voice, “in that case, how would you like a job?”
I blink, surprised. “A job?”
Oliver nods, his eyes twinkling. “Just for the day to start with. You see, it’s Christmas Eve Eve, and I could really use some extra help at the store. In fact,” he glances at his watch, “I should get back there now to help Sam out.”
For a moment, I’m speechless. Then a laugh bubbles up from deep inside me, joyous and free. “Yes,” I say, grinning from ear to ear. “Yes, I’d love a job.”
Oliver stands, extending his hand to me. “Well then, Ms. Anderson, shall we head to work?”
As I take his hand, I’m struck by how right this feels. How perfectly I fit into this life, this town, this moment. “Lead the way, Mr. Hanks.”
We step out of the cafe into the frosty winter air, snowflakes dancing around us. The town square is a hive of activity, people rushing about with last-minute Christmas preparations. But amid the hustle and bustle, there’s a sense of joy, of community, that permeates everything.
As we walk towards Hanks’ Department Store, hand in hand, I’m overwhelmed by a wave of emotion. Gratitude for this second chance with Oliver. Love for this town and its people who have welcomed me so warmly. And a deep, abiding joy at the transformation I’ve undergone.
“Oliver,” I say, stopping in the middle of the square. He turns to me, a question in his eyes. “I just... I need you to know how much this all means to me. You, this town, the spirit of Christmas that I’ve found here. It’s transformed me in ways I never thought possible.”
Oliver’s eyes soften, and he reaches up to brush a snowflake from my cheek. “Chloe,” he says softly, “you’ve transformed this town too. The way you threw yourself into helping others, the joy you’ve brought to so many people... you embody the true spirit of Christmas.”
His words warm me from the inside out. Standing here in the gently falling snow, the sounds of carols and laughter drifting around us, I feel a sense of peace and rightness that I’ve never experienced before.
“I love you, Oliver,” I say, the words coming easily, naturally. “And I love Benton Falls. I want to be part of this community, to continue spreading joy and helping others. I think... I think I’ve finally found my true purpose.”
Oliver’s smile is radiant as he pulls me close. “I love you too, Chloe,” he murmurs. “And I’m so glad you’ve found your home here.”
As Oliver leans in, the world around us seems to slow down. I catch the faint scent of his cologne mingling with the brisk winter air and a hint of cinnamon from the bakery nearby. His hazel eyes hold mine for a moment before fluttering closed.
Our lips meet in a tender kiss, soft and warm against the cool December air. I taste a hint of peppermint on his breath. The gentle pressure of his lips on mine sends a tingling sensation through my body, from the top of my head to the tips of my toes.
As we kiss, I hear the town clock chime the hour. The deep, resonant tones seem to reverberate through me, marking not just the time, but the start of a new chapter in my life. The sound mingles with the soft rustle of snowflakes falling around us and the distant echoes of Christmas carols from a nearby shop.
Oliver’s arms encircle me, strong and secure. I feel the rough wool of his coat beneath my fingertips as I rest my hands on his chest, the steady beat of his heart a comforting rhythm against my palm. The warmth of his embrace contrasts deliciously with the cold snowflakes melting on my cheeks.
As we slowly part, my eyes flutter open to see Oliver’s face, his expression one of pure joy and love. The world comes back into focus around us—the twinkling lights, the gently falling snow, the bustling town square—but everything seems brighter, more vivid than before.
This kiss, this moment, has awakened all my senses, making me feel more alive than I’ve ever felt. It’s as if I’m experiencing the magic of Christmas, of love, of Benton Falls, all at once, with every fiber of my being.
We break apart, both a little breathless, grins on our faces. “Come on,” Oliver says, tugging gently on my hand. “We’ve got a store to run and some Christmas magic to make.”