Chapter 18
18
CHRISTMAS EVE GALA
T he sound of carolers drifted through the crisp evening air, mingling with the faint jingle of sleigh bells from a passing carriage. Emily approached the brightly lit school, her heart a mix of nerves and anticipation. She smoothed the soft emerald fabric of her dress, the rich color making her green eyes stand out, and touched her carefully styled curls, hoping they would behave for just one evening.
Inside, the gymnasium had been transformed into a holiday wonderland. Garlands of red and gold crisscrossed the ceiling, and strings of twinkling lights framed the windows. A massive Christmas tree dominated one corner, its branches heavy with ornaments contributed by families all over Mistletoe Hollow. Beneath it sat a pile of brightly wrapped gifts, each one earmarked for a local child in need.
Near the refreshment table, Mrs. Hart was giving a group of teenagers marching orders, her floral scarf flapping like a general’s banner. Emily smiled and made her way over.
“Emily, darling!” Mrs. Hart called, waving her closer. “Thank goodness you’re here. These dear children mean well, but their attention to symmetry leaves something to be desired. Fix this punch bowl, will you? It looks like someone’s had an accident with a snow shovel.”
Emily laughed, stepping in to rearrange the table. “I’m sure it’s not that bad.”
“Don’t coddle them,” Mrs. Hart said, winking. “They need to learn, or they’ll end up hosting dinners where the soup spoons are on the wrong side of the table.”
The teenagers rolled their eyes good-naturedly, and Emily worked quickly, her deft hands restoring order to the array of cookies, punch, and finger sandwiches.
“Perfect!” Mrs. Hart declared. “You’re a miracle worker, as always. ”
“Just glad to help,” Emily replied, smiling as the first wave of guests began to trickle in.
Lila and Jack arrived arm in arm, Lila glowing with happiness—and maybe a little of the secret she’d shared earlier. She waved at Emily before being swept into a conversation with the town’s mayor. Grace appeared next, chattering animatedly with Evie, who looked particularly radiant in a deep blue dress. Behind them came Doug and Nurse Nancy, whose matching red and green attire earned a round of teasing applause.
“Doug!” Martha called from near the tree. “Get over here and explain why you’ve been hiding this lovely lady from us!”
Doug laughed, guiding Nancy toward the group as he called back, “I wasn’t hiding her—I was making sure she’d still say yes after meeting you lot!”
The warmth of the community buzzed all around Emily, filling the space with laughter and light. She was about to turn back to the table when she spotted Noah entering the gym.
Her breath caught. He was dressed simply, a dark suit and crisp white shirt, but his presence seemed to fill the room. He scanned the crowd, his expression thoughtful, until his gaze landed on her. His face softened, and he made his way toward her.
“Noah,” she said softly, meeting him halfway. “You look…” Her voice faltered as she searched for the right word.
“Overwhelmed?” he teased, his lips quirking into a faint smile. “It’s quite the event.”
“You look great,” Emily said, her cheeks warming. “And yes, it’s a lot, but… that’s Mistletoe Hollow.”
He nodded, his eyes lingering on her. “You look beautiful, Emily.”
Her stomach fluttered at the sincerity in his tone. “Thank you. Do you have a minute? I… I’d like to talk.”
“Of course,” Noah replied, his gaze steady.
She led him into the hallway, where the muffled sounds of the gala provided a backdrop of holiday cheer. They stopped near a row of lockers decorated with tinsel and paper snowflakes, and Emily hesitated, gathering her thoughts.
“I owe you an apology,” she began, her voice trembling slightly. “For how distant I’ve been. For not being honest about what’s been going on.”
Noah shook his head. “You don’t owe me anything, Emily.”
“I do,” she insisted. “I’ve been trying to carry so much, and it’s not just about my mom or Derek. It’s about… everything. I’ve always felt like it was my job to fix things. To make things right, even when they weren’t my fault.”
Noah didn’t interrupt, his expression open and patient.
“My mom…” Emily continued, her voice faltering. “She’s the one who took the garden funds. I’ve been trying to figure out how to fix it without anyone finding out, but it’s been eating me alive. And Derek—he’s been showing up, saying all the right things, but it’s like I can’t stop feeling like I owe him something. Like he’s my responsibility.”
Noah’s brows furrowed slightly, but he stayed silent, letting her unburden herself.
Emily’s hands twisted in her dress. “I’ve spent my whole life trying to clean up messes. I thought if I could do it all myself, maybe I’d prove I was worth something. But now… I’m just tired.”
Her voice broke on the last word, and she looked away, blinking back tears.
Noah stepped closer, his voice soft but steady. “Emily, needing help doesn’t make you weak. It’s what brings people together. It’s the glue that holds a place like Mistletoe Hollow together.”
She looked up at him, her tears threatening to spill. “I don’t know how to let people in.”
He reached out, gently tucking a stray curl behind her ear. “You’ve already let them in, Emily. Look around you. This town wouldn’t be the same without you. You’ve shown me that. When I got here, I didn’t know what it meant to be part of a community. You showed me how to be a friend. I was in such a rush to do everything myself—remember how I acted when the hardware store was closed for Lila’s wedding?”
She let out a soft laugh, the memory brightening the weight of the moment. “You were a nightmare.”
“I was,” Noah admitted, his lips quirking into a rueful smile. “I thought efficiency was everything. But you… you’ve shown me how to slow down. To look outside of myself. To give to others. And in doing that, I’ve started to understand who I’m supposed to be in this world.”
Emily’s breath caught, her chest tightening at the warmth in his gaze .
“You’re something special, Emily,” Noah continued, his voice low. “I really care about you. Don’t you see that?”
Tears slipped down her cheeks, and she didn’t bother to wipe them away. “I’m starting to,” she whispered.
“Good,” he said softly. “Because I do. I know we’ve just been friends. But maybe we could be something more.”
Before she could respond, the sound of Mrs. Hart’s voice echoed from the gym. “Emily! Where have you gone, dear? These cookies aren’t going to hand themselves out!”
Emily wished that they had more time to talk. She was starting to see Noah as a part of her future, and it sounded like he might feel the same way.
He took her hand had gave it a squeeze. “We can talk more later.”
The weight in her chest had begun to ease as she stepped back. “You’re right. We’d better get back before she sends a search party.”
Noah surprised her by reaching out his hand and pulling Emily against him.
She looked up at him wide-eyed surprise. “What?”
“Conversations like we’ve just had are usually sealed with a kiss,” he said, smiling down at her.
“You’d best hurry then,” Emily replied inching closer to him.
Gently, Noah dipped his head and pressed his lips against hers. Fireworks exploded in her belly and the world spun. Clearly this feeling was how it was supposed to be when two people who were destined to be together kissed. It was perfect.
Breaking the kiss, Noah offering her his arm. “Shall we?”
She slipped her hand through his arm, warmth spreading through her as they returned to the festive hum of the gala. The room seemed brighter, the laughter louder, and for the first time in weeks, Emily felt truly like she could breathe.