Chapter 15
S adie
Sadie stood near the punch bowl, mesmerized by the multicolored lights simulating the Aurora dancing across the tall ceiling. Hardware Bob had outdone himself by setting up the display, creating an effect so realistic she could stare at it all night.
Bob appeared beside her, grinning proudly. “Took three days to rig everything just right. Ordered the parts from Anchorage and cost a fortune to ship them here. Worth it, though—we can enjoy the Aurora even when it’s cloudy outside.”
“It’s beautiful,” she admitted, her gaze shifting to Kreston, who stood talking to a group of people across the room.
When she opened her door, seeing him in a tuxedo had taken her breath away. He was a different man tonight—his usually windswept hair tamed as if he’d had it styled at a hair salon. She wondered if Polar Creek even had one. He appeared nervous, which had her wondering.
“You look nice tonight, Miss Sadie,” said Hardware Bob, dipping into the punch.
“Thank you.” Good thing she’d packed her sparkling black cocktail dress when planning to spend the holidays with her ex. Her peep-toe glittery stilettos set it off, and she’d had to cling to Kreston’s arm, walking to the Polar Creek Community Center. It wouldn’t have been good form to take a header in the middle of Main Street. She’d even curled her hair, the first time using her curling iron since arriving here. It hung in loose spiral curls, framing her face and cascading down her back.
Kreston hadn’t taken his eyes off her, but his nervousness mystified her. What was the deal with him?
The local band struck up “White Christmas” with Tucker on the piano, Hardware Bob’s wife Janet on the fiddle, and Henrietta from the Gossip Trio, on guitar. The melody caressed Sadie like a warm blanket as couples drifted onto the floor.
“May I have this dance?” He stood straight and tall, like a towering spruce.
Sadie’s heart stumbled at seeing Kreston before her, resplendent in his tux, his hand elegantly extended, blue eyes reflecting the waving lights. She hadn’t danced since a fall fundraiser she’d attended with her ex at the Hyatt in Seattle. A thought occurred that Clayton was no match for the man standing before her.
Not even close. This guy had class in spades.
“Seeing as this is an official date, I’ll dance with you,” she replied, walking on a virtual cloud.
“Consider it a special addition to your cultural immersion in Polar Creek.” His hand was warm as she took it.
She laughed easily. “I’ve experienced a lot of deep immersion here, thanks to you.”
“I’m glad the blizzard landed you here.” His smile deepened, creating dimples she’d noticed upon meeting him but had forced herself to ignore.
Her hand rested in his, and he closed his fingers around it. They were warm and slightly calloused, probably from working with his sled dogs or messing with his plane and the snowmachines. When he drew her into his arms, her body fit perfectly, as if they’d been dancing together for years.
Kreston danced with the nonchalant grace of someone who’d done this before, his movements smooth and elegant. Every gaze locked onto them as they danced. Sadie felt like an ice worm under a microscope, like the tiny black ones Kreston said lived inside of glaciers.
“Hardware Bob did an amazing job with these lights,” she murmured, watching the electronic Aurora light show swirl around them.
“He insisted on getting it perfect. He does this for special occasions.” He pressed her against him, and her pulse sped when his face came within inches of hers.
When their eyes met, the rest of the room faded away. His thumb traced circles on her back, sending tingles through her.
God help me, I love the feel of him. I can’t fall for him, I can’t!
The song ended, and the music became lively. They released each other to dance separately, much to Sadie’s disappointment.
After “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” ended, Sadie fanned her face with her hand. “It’s warm in here.”
“How about some fresh air?” Kreston offered his elbow and led her to the back entrance.
The single back door opened onto a modest cedar deck behind the building, twinkling lights wrapped around the railing. Someone had cleared the snow. Probably Kreston.
“Look up!” he pointed.
The sky had cleared, and it finally stopped snowing. High above, the Aurora dazzled with bursts of green and red neon. The light show exceeded Bob’s indoor display, as if by design for tonight’s party, creating multi-colored waves and swirling starbursts.
“Now that’s timing,” Kreston murmured, standing close enough she could feel his warmth in the frigid air. “Though I have to admit, Bob’s version is more reliable.”
“But less magical.” Puffs of frost formed with every exhale.
“I wouldn’t say that.” He turned to face her, the sheer bulk of him causing her heart to bounce. “There’s plenty of magic right here.”
“You are stunning tonight. I’ll keep you warm.” He slipped his arm around her waist, and she leaned into him.
“You clean up well. Like really well.” The frigid air caused her to shiver.
“You’re cold.” He removed his suit jacket and draped it around her shoulders.
“Thank you.” She snuggled into his warm jacket, loving Kreston’s scent. Her heart flip-flopped around in confusion, wanting to melt into him, knowing she shouldn’t. She had to go Outside—back to Seattle.
“We should head back inside. But first, I want to do something.” He drew her tight, turning her to face him.
“What?” She knew darn well what and closed her eyes in anticipation.
Before she could tick off the reasons this shouldn’t be happening, his lips had found hers. The kiss was tentative and gentle at first, giving her every chance to pull away. But when she slid her hands up Kreston’s chest, he deepened the kiss as the Aurora whirled above them.
Sadie’s insides shifted as her permafrost heart thawed. Kreston kissed like he did everything else: with passion, control, and commitment. She didn’t want this moment to end—it was the most romantic moment ever. Everything suddenly seemed clear.
I could lose myself in Kreston forever.
The thought sent panic whizzing through her like a tornado.
She jerked back, breathing hard. “Kreston—oh my God—I can’t, this isn’t...”
“Sadie? Should I not have done that?”
“Yes—I mean no. I can’t do this.” How could she explain she was falling for him? For this town? For this life that could never be hers?
Above them, the Aurora rippled, a witness to her unraveling: Seattle waited. Her career waited. Reality waited.
“I’m so sorry,” she whispered and hurried down the steps, slipping and sliding, not caring if she ruined her heels in the snow.
“Sadie, wait! Come back!” The urgency in Kreston’s voice tore her to pieces.
The fifty feet back to the hotel felt like fifty miles, each agonizing step causing her heart to crack a little more. On the way, she encountered Aloha, who’d run back to the hotel for another plate of cookies.
“Aloha, Sadie! You’re going the wrong way!” Aloha hollered after her. “What’s wrong?”
Kreston followed her to the middle of Main Street, still calling her name.
“No! I can’t!” Tears rushed out. She turned to see his blurry form—and it destroyed her. She stumbled through the snow in her haste to get away.
Sadie swung open the door to the hotel and ran across the lobby, slipping on her saturated stilettoes. Tears came hot and fast as she ran upstairs, seeking sanctuary in her room.
Aloha’s voice sounded in the hallway as she slammed and locked the door, leaning against it, sobbing.
“Sadie, Kreston wants you to come back to the party.” Aloha knocked on her door. “Are you okay? Do you need help?”
“No, Aloha, I’m fine,” she lied, sobs wracking her shoulders.
In her brief time here, these people had become like family: Jessie, with her motherly wisdom and stress-baking; Lucky with his terrible jokes and enormous heart. Tucker with his artistic philosophical observations. Ten Second Tess, with her eternal curiosity and confused thoughts; the Gossip Trio who enjoyed playing matchmaker. And Aloha, with her forgetfulness mixed with clarity.
Then there was Kreston. God, Kreston. The superhero who governed an entire town with grace and humor—who helped everyone without keeping score—and kissed like he was offering his heart along with his lips.
“What am I doing?” she whispered to the empty room. “What do I want?”
But she knew what she was doing... protecting herself...and protecting him . Staying would mean risking everything—her career, her heart, her civilized city life. Leaving Polar Creek would hurt, but at least it was a pain she could control .
Couldn’t she?
Through her window, the northern lights continued their dance, mocking her for bailing on a second chance at love. Somewhere out there, Kreston stood under those same lights, trying to make sense of why she turned chicken and ran.
How could she give him what he deserved—commitment, permanence, and a shared future in this town he loved so much and would never leave?
The sob heaved from her chest, surprising her with its force. She’d visualized all of it...starting over with a new life in this quirky, loving community. She’d envisioned spending mornings helping Jessie at the Crooked Spoon and evenings taking sled dog rides with Kreston. Holidays with these people would be like spending Christmas in Whoville.
After all, she’d become disillusioned with the way her public relations job had turned out. She was repulsed by those who’d slipped from the carefully crafted personas she’d built for the rich and famous—then demanded she fix their images after their infidelities and immoral behaviors. The whole thing had discouraged her, and it was the main reason she’d needed the holiday break.
Her ex had been the one to suggest they fly north to Alaska. Now she didn’t know whether to curse him or thank him for it.
The scariest thing wasn’t outright rejection or losing love—she’d already experienced those. No, what terrified her was finding love again here—in the most impossible place she could have imagined. And the last place she ever thought to look.
Sadie buried her face in her pillow and let the tears flow out of her.