Chapter 13
Ted
The Christmas dance at the Maple Tree Inn loomed before me like an inescapable force, pulling me in with each passing moment. I'd debated with myself for days whether or not to attend, but in the end, it seemed impossible to avoid. Especially after Julia had hand delivered the invitation this morning. Starfall Creek was small, and backing out would have been conspicuous. Not to mention my own nagging curiosity about Amelia. She’d somehow managed to get under my skin, and now I couldn’t stop thinking about her.
"Teddy! So glad you could make it," Julia Miller, Sydney's mother, greeted me with a warm smile as I stepped through the door. Her piercing eyes sparkled with life, and her Southern twang felt like a comforting embrace. “We're just tickled pink you decided to join us.”
“Thanks, Julia,” I replied, trying to match her enthusiasm. But I couldn't shake the anxious knot twisting in my stomach. What was I even doing here? I wasn't one for dances and socializing, but here I was, standing in the festively decorated hallway of the Maple Tree Inn, attempting to muster up some holiday cheer.
“Darlin', you look like you could use a drink,” Julia said, her keen observation cutting through my fa?ade. "Why don't you head over to the barn out back and help yourself? Just follow the lights and cobblestone path. I’ll see you back there. I’m just looking for David’s keys.”
“Okay, that might just be what I need,” I chuckled, grateful for her warmth and welcoming nature.
Soft Christmas music played in the background, mingling with the sound of laughter and conversation. The scent of cinnamon and pine filled the air, and twinkling lights adorned the path to the barn reception area. It was hard not to be infected by the joyous mood. I scanned the area: no Amelia. My heart clenched.
Blake had done a wonderful job building the barn. The authenticated letter was actually a relief. If Blake had been forced to tear down the buildings, he would’ve hated me forever—and so would Amelia.
“Ted,” Julia called out, waving me over with a bright smile. “Would you mind treating an old lady to a dance?”
“Sure,” I said, laughing. But as I took her hand and led her onto the dance floor, a strange sense of belonging enveloped me—like maybe attending the Christmas dance wasn't such a bad idea after all.
“Ted, you're pretty light on your feet,” Julia teased with a wink. I chuckled, appreciating her ability to put me at ease when I often felt out of place.
“Thanks, Julia. It’s because I have you as a dance partner,” I replied, my eyes scanning the room as we continued to sway to the music. That's when I spotted Kelly, my ex-girlfriend, dancing gracefully with her fiancé. A genuine smile spread across my face as I watched the two of them together. It was clear they were happy and in love. Surprisingly, not a hint of jealousy remained.
“Kelly looks radiant tonight, doesn't she?” I remarked, meeting Julia's gaze. She nodded in agreement, her eyes softening with understanding.
“Sometimes, things work out just the way they're supposed to,” she replied wisely, giving my hand a gentle squeeze. I nodded, grateful for her support and insight.
As the song ended, I escorted Julia back to her seat, my thoughts still lingering on Kelly and the new chapter she was beginning in her life. Perhaps it was time for me to do the same, I mused, allowing myself to be open to the possibility of love once more.
“Thank you for the dance, Teddy,” Julia said, patting my hand affectionately.
“Anytime, Julia,” I responded, my gaze drifting to the other side of the room where Blake, Sydney, and Leah stood sharing a tender family moment by the twinkling Christmas tree.
Blake's arms encircled both his wife and daughter. The loving smiles they exchanged made me smile. Leah's laughter as she playfully held up a sprig of mistletoe above her parents was entertaining. It all stirred something deep within me. A yearning for a similar family of my own began to take root in my heart.
“Teddy, are you alright?” Julia asked, her voice laced with concern. I blinked, realizing I'd been lost in thought.
"Uh, yeah," I stammered, attempting to regain my composure. "I'm fine, Julia. Just need the bathroom."
“It looks like a long wait out here,” she said. “Go use the bathroom inside the Inn.”
“Right,” I agreed, offering her a small smile. As I turned away, I couldn't shake the image of Blake, Sydney, and Leah from my mind—or the longing it had awakened within me.
I wandered back to the Inn following the lit path. Still no sign of Amelia. Once in the bathroom, I splashed cool water on my face. Maybe I should’ve just stayed home? I’d been here for at least twenty minutes and still hadn’t seen Amelia. I could just leave.
A heavy pit formed in my stomach at the thought. No, I needed to see her. Even if it was from afar. I dried the water on my face and stepped back into the foyer. Then walked back to the barn.
That’s when I saw her.
I couldn't help but be drawn to Amelia—her blonde hair, those captivating hazel eyes, and the way she carried herself with such resilience and optimism. And suddenly, it all clicked into place: the reason for our constant bickering and animosity was rooted in my undeniable attraction to her. Ever since that snowy day when I had rescued her from her home, I hadn't been able to shake her from my thoughts.
“Amelia,” I whispered under my breath, testing how her name felt as it rolled off my tongue. It felt strangely natural, as if I'd been waiting for this moment of realization all along.
Taking a deep breath and steeling myself against the nerves that threatened to consume me, I made my way toward Amelia. With each step, the anticipation built within me, my heart racing at the prospect of what might happen next.
“Ames?” I called gently, trying not to startle her as I approached.
“Teddy?” She looked genuinely surprised to see me standing before her, her eyes widening as she took me in. “You came?”
“Yeah, are you leaving?” I asked, more hesitantly than I would have liked.
“Oh no, I just came to refill the hot apple cider. She held the stainless-steel beverage dispenser up for me to see.
“Let me help,” I said, taking it from her grasp. She led me to the kitchen where Beth was finishing up the finishing touches on a new round of appetizers. Beth used to babysit me when I was kid. She always made the best snacks.
“Oh hello, Ted,” she said. Her hair was more silver than the last time I had seen her.
“Hello, how are you?” I asked.
“Thrilled. I haven’t had this much fun entertaining in years. Amelia sure knows how to liven up the place.”
“Yes, she does,” I said with a smile. The words hung in the air between us, charged with meaning and uncertainty. Amelia grabbed the container from me and poured the fresh hot apple cider into it before handing it back to me.
“Have fun out there, kids, and send my husband this way when you see him please.”
Silence stretched between us as we strolled back to the party. I cleared my throat.
“How have you been?” I asked.
“Busy,” she said. “I think I can relax a little bit after this. What about you? How have you been?”
“Okay.” Small talk was the only thing I could think of saying. After two and half months, it was the only topic that felt safe. “Your place is almost done. The construction has been going pretty quickly. Will you be moving back in when its done?”
My heart sped up at the thought. What if she didn’t want to live next to me anymore? What if that almost kiss scared her off?
“Probably.” She shrugged. “Sarah let me out of my lease since they didn’t know how long it would take to make the repairs. But I can’t keep taking up a room here. They need the space.”
She showed me where to drop the dispenser off.
“Thank you,” she said. Her hazel eyes bore into mine, and heat rushed to my eyeballs. She was breathtaking, and it had been far too long since we’d talked. I let my pride and fear get in the way. She turned to walk away.
“Amelia—”
“Yes.” She turned back to me.
“Would you like to dance?” The words came out less confident than I’d planned.
Her initial shock seemed to give way to something else. A slow grin spread across her face, and she nodded, accepting my invitation. “I'd love to,” she said softly.
As I led her to the dance floor, my heart hammered in my chest, but the anxious tension that had gripped me earlier was slowly replaced by a tentative warmth and giddiness.
The dance floor was awash with twinkling fairy lights, casting a warm, golden glow over the couples swaying gently to the soft strains of a classic Christmas tune. The scent of cinnamon and pine filled the air, mingling with the low hum of laughter and conversation that enveloped us as Amelia and I stepped onto the worn wooden floor.
"Are you sure about this?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady despite the nerves gnawing at me. “I'm not exactly known for my dancing skills.”
Amelia smiled warmly, her hazel eyes sparkling with mischief. “Don't worry, Teddy. I'll go easy on you."
We began to move together, our bodies finding their rhythm amidst the swaying crowd. Amelia seemed to light up the room. Her laughter rang out like a bell, filling the space with warmth and joy that was impossible to resist.
“Did you ever expect us to end up here?” she asked softly, her gaze locked on mine as we danced.
“Never in a million years,” I admitted, my voice barely more than a whisper. The truth was, I'd spent so much time convincing myself that Amelia and I were nothing more than adversaries that I'd never allowed myself to consider the possibility of anything else. But as we continued to move in sync, our bodies pressed close together, it was impossible to ignore the way my heart raced, the way my breath caught in my throat whenever her fingers brushed against mine.
“Teddy,” she murmured, her voice laced with curiosity. “Why did you ask me to dance?”
My throat felt dry, but I forced the words out, my tone tinged with an anxious vulnerability I rarely allowed to show. “Because I realized something tonight, Ames. All this time I've had these feelings for you.”
“Teddy,” she breathed, her eyes widening in surprise.
I swallowed hard, suddenly aware of my pounding heartbeat and the warmth radiating from Amelia's body as we continued to sway together. “I wanted to see if maybe—you might feel the same way.”
For a moment, the only sounds were the soft melody playing around us and the gentle rustle of fabric as couples moved across the floor. Then Amelia spoke, her voice barely audible above the hum of the room.
“Maybe I do.”
The music shifted, and I led her off the dance floor to a secluded corner. The scent of cinnamon and pine lingered in the air, while twinkling café-style lights cast an intimate glow over the couples around us. My heart thudded against my chest even harder. I had to know. It was now or never.
“Ames,” I began, trying to keep my voice steady. “What if we give this a chance? Go on a few dates…see where it goes.”
“Teddy…” Amelia hesitated, her eyes searching mine for certainty. "You know there's a lot at stake here. With everything going on…"
“Life is short,” I interrupted, my gaze never leaving hers. “We can't let fear hold us back from something that could bring us happiness. Besides, we're both starting new chapters in our lives. Why not start one together?”
A smile tugged at the corners of her lips, her hazel eyes sparkling with a mix of amusement and warmth. “You do have a point,” she admitted, taking a deep breath before continuing. "Alright then, let's give it a try."
"Really?" I couldn't help but grin, feeling a sense of relief wash over me.
"Really." She chuckled, holding my hand a little tighter.
My heart swelled with affection as I held her close, the music fading into the background as everything else seemed to fall away. Just as our lips were about to meet, a sudden commotion near the entrance of the barn reception area caught our attention.
Santa Clause had arrived with a bag full of presents for the town kids.
“I’ve got to go help with that,” she said. “See you later?”
“You couldn’t keep me away.”