Chapter 12
CHAPTER 12
E vie and Randy arrived at the festival grounds, each carrying a box full of cookie tins. As they approached the bake sale booth, a wave of emotion washed over Evie. She paused, her grip tightening on the box.
Tally, who was arranging a display of gingerbread men, looked up and greeted them with a warm smile. “Evie! Randy! I’m so glad you made it.” Her eyes widened as she noticed the boxes they were carrying. “Are those…?”
Evie nodded, swallowing the lump in her throat. “Nana’s sugar cookies. We found her recipe and thought it would be nice to share them at the festival, just like she used to.”
Randy gently squeezed her arm in support. “It’s a special recipe,” he added, placing his box on the table. “We found out that Miss G got it from an old bakery here in town. These cookies have been a part of the festival for years.”
“I never knew that. That’s wonderful. I’m sure everyone will be thrilled to have a taste of Genevieve’s famous cookies again.”
Evie carefully set her box down and began taking out the cookie tins. Randy’s presence beside her as he helped was reassuring.
Word quickly spread that Genevieve’s sugar cookies were available at the bake sale booth. A crowd began to gather, eager to get a taste of the beloved treat. She watched in amazement as people exclaimed over the cookies, sharing their own memories of Genevieve.
A woman approached the booth, her eyes misty with nostalgia. “I heard you brought Genevieve’s cookies. I’m Dorothy. Genevieve was a great friend of mine. I miss her dearly. She was one of The Yarnies, our local knitting group. I must buy a tin of her cookies.”
She felt a rush of emotion at the woman’s words. She glanced at Randy, who gave her an encouraging smile. “Thank you. It means a lot to hear that. Nana loved this festival and being a part of the community. And she sure loved to knit.”
“That she did.” Dorothy nodded.
Randy wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “You’re doing a wonderful thing, sharing the cookies. Your grandmother would be so proud of you.”
She leaned into his embrace, grateful for his support and the shared memories they had uncovered together from the items in Nana’s Christmas box. Now the whole town knew the history behind Nana’s recipe.
Randy thoroughly enjoyed watching Evie’s face light up at the sights and sounds as they wandered around the festival. The twinkling lights, the garlands, and the cheerful music all seemed to captivate her, and he found himself wishing that she would fall in love with Belle Island just as deeply as he had.
As they strolled through the crowd, their hands brushed against each other, sending a shimmer of electricity through him. On impulse, he gently took her hand in his, intertwining their fingers. To his relief and delight, she didn’t pull away. Instead, she gave his hand a gentle squeeze, and they continued walking hand in hand.
Her hand fit in his as if they were meant to be together. He glanced at her, admiring the way the soft glow of the Christmas lights illuminated her features, making her look even more beautiful than usual.
“This is amazing,” Evie breathed, her eyes wide with wonder. “I had no idea the festival would still seem so magical.”
“It’s one of my favorite festivals of the year. And believe me, we have a lot of festivals.” He laughed. “There’s just something about the way the whole town comes together to celebrate at this festival that makes it extra special.”
“I can see why. It’s like stepping into a Christmas card or one of those feel-good Christmas movies that always have a happy ending.”
He barely dared to hope this one would have a happy ending too. That maybe, just maybe, Evie would decide to stay on the island. But he had to remind himself that she’d never said one word about staying. Not one word. So he pushed the thought away.
As they made their way through the festival, he introduced Evie to various townspeople. Many of them recognized her as Genevieve’s granddaughter and offered their condolences, but they also welcomed her with open arms like she was already a part of the community.
Throughout the afternoon, Randy found himself drawn to Evie’s side, their hands remaining clasped together as if it were the most natural thing in the world. He reveled in the warmth of her touch and the way her laughter seemed to fill the air around them.
The festival was packed with booths full of local craftsmanship and holiday cheer, and he was charmed by her delight at looking at them all. He guided her from booth to booth, introducing her to the artisans and their wares. They paused to admire the intricate, hand-carved replicas of the island’s iconic lighthouse, each one a miniature work of art. Her eyes lit up at each new discovery.
At The Yarnies’ booth, he explained how the group of local knitters had come together years ago, turning their hobby into a force for good in the community. Evie ran her fingers over the soft, colorful creations—scarves, baby sweaters, and blankets—all made with love and destined to support various island charities.
As they wound their way through the crowd, the aroma of holiday treats beckoned them with a siren call. He led her to booths piled high with homemade pies, cookies, and candies. He watched with amusement as she deliberated over which sweets to try, her nose crinkling adorably as she weighed her options.
And then that wayward thought came again. He realized he wanted to do this again with her. Next year, and every year. Share the traditions of the island with her.
Luckily, at that moment, she spied the funnel cake booth and tugged on his hand. “Come on. We have to get one to split. I always got one with Nana.”
When they finally got their funnel cake, she didn’t hesitate to dig in. Powdered sugar drifted down on her shirt like a dusting of snow, but she was too engrossed in the moment to notice. He was captivated by her obvious delight as she savored each bite of the warm, crispy treat.
After they’d finished, he reached out without thinking. Gently, he wiped a smudge of powdered sugar from her cheek, his fingers lingering for just a moment longer than necessary.
She smiled up at him. “They are messy, but I sure love them.”
Who knew that sharing a funnel cake could be such an intimate moment?
As dusk fell, he led her to the town square for the tree-lighting ceremony. He navigated them through the crowd, his hand gently guiding her by the small of her back until they reached his favorite spot. It was the perfect vantage point, offering an unobstructed view of the towering Christmas tree that stood at the center of the square.
“This is the best place to watch from,” he said, leaning close to her ear so she could hear him over the excited chatter of the crowd. “You’ll be able to see everything from here.”
She looked up at him, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. “I can’t wait. I’ve always loved the tree-lighting ceremony. It was one of my favorite parts of coming to visit Nana during the holidays.”
And he felt lucky to be sharing the tradition with her now. As the countdown to the lighting began, she slipped her hand into his, her fingers intertwining with his own. He glanced down at their joined hands, marveling at how natural it felt.
He gave her hand a gentle squeeze, feeling the warmth of her skin against his. As she squeezed back, he felt a surge of connection between them, a sense of shared joy and anticipation.
The crowd began to chant in unison, their voices rising with each number. “Ten, nine, eight…”
His heart raced as the countdown neared its end. He turned to look at Evie, wanting to see her reaction when the tree lit up.
“Three, two, one… Lights!”
The tree burst into a dazzling display of color, the lights twinkling and shimmering against the dark night sky. She gasped, her free hand flying to her mouth in wonder. He couldn’t take his eyes off her. She was stunning, her face alight with pure, childlike joy. He was certain his view was better than the view of the tree…
The crowd began to disperse, but still they stood there, hand in hand. He never wanted this moment to end. Standing there with Evie, surrounded by the magic of the Christmas season, he felt a sense of contentment and belonging that he hadn’t experienced in a long time.
Evie sat out on her deck in the darkness, snuggled in Nana’s favorite wrap after Randy dropped her off. The stars winked and twinkled above, along with the reliable march of the waves rolling to shore. She needed time to unwind. To think about all that had happened today. It had been magical, full of cherished memories of Nana, along with new memories being made.
Each story shared about her grandmother had filled her heart to overflowing. She missed Nana so much, but it helped to hear what an impact she’d made on so many people. As she gazed out over the moonlit water, she found herself smiling, grateful for the unexpected gifts this day had brought—connection, laughter, and a deeper appreciation for the legacy her grandmother had left behind.
And then there was Randy. Spending all that time with him. That had been… magical too. She smiled at the memory of his warm laugh and the way his eyes crinkled at the corners when he smiled. It was getting harder to deny that she was beginning to have feelings for him. The flutter in her chest whenever he was near was becoming impossible to ignore.
But it was kind of pointless, wasn’t it? She’d be leaving soon. She wasn’t even sure she’d stay through the holidays if she could get things wrapped up here at the cottage. The practical side of her brain insisted she really should get back home and concentrate on finding a new job.
Yet a small part of her heart whispered that maybe, just maybe, there was something worth exploring here on Belle Island. She pushed the thought away, trying to focus on the tasks ahead. She was here to sort through Nana’s things.
But the task of going through all of Nana’s belongings crushed her very soul. The absence of Nana’s presence during the holiday season left an ache that seemed impossible to soothe. Yet even in the middle of the sadness, there was joy. The surprise of the Christmas box. That was an unexpected blessing. Getting to know so many things about Nana that she hadn’t known. And sharing it with Randy made it extra special.
But reality intruded on her thoughts like a cold wave splashing over her. Her time here on the island was limited. And Randy knew she was leaving soon. So there was no reason to think that he had any kind of feelings for her beyond friendship. Friends. That was how she should think of him too.
If only she could convince her heart to think of him in that way…