Chapter 12
Chapter Twelve
Mikayla
Out of all the events in our town, I’d missed the Hearthside Festival of Lights the most. I hadn’t been home long enough to enjoy the festivities in years and was excited to partake.
The doctor’s office was near enough to the town hall that after my shift I walked.
Sam promised to meet me as soon as he was done for the day.
Everyone seemed extra friendly on my jaunt through town and all the storefronts were decorated in anticipation.
Stopping at the base of the town hall stairs, I traced over the engraving and read out loud, “Every first full moon of the year, Brighton Creek comes alive for the Hearthside Festival of Lights. Since 1883, when the town’s founder’s wife, Mary Brighton, kept the hearth fires burning through harsh winters and endless nights, the tradition has endured.
When snow thickened and fog settled, Mary lit lanterns along the creek’s edge to guide weary travelers safely home. ” I sighed.
Mary bravely faced the elements, a nurturing soul doing her best to make sure her neighbors, friends and family came home safe.
I heard the story many times growing up and traced my fingers across the numbers of the year at the bottom of the plaque.
“Today, the festival honors that legacy. Families craft delicate rice paper lanterns, each carrying wishes, hopes, and memories. They set them afloat on the frozen creek, lighting the way for new beginnings and the promise of warmth in the coldest months.”
“You could host our night with a voice like that,” Sam said walking to my side as he met me at the base of the steps. “Ever think of being the MC for the festival?"
“No! Of course not, Sam. That’s a really prestigious thing. I’ve always wanted to do it, but they select a high school senior who dedicates their future career to the town or one of the longstanding exemplary citizens to be nominated. I’m not any of those things,” I lamented.
“As long as you continue to show up, babygirl, I’m sure you’ll have a chance of securing a nomination. Besides, if that doesn’t convince you, I might know the committee.”
Laughing, I kissed Sam’s cheek. As a member of the founding family, he had been on the committee for as long as I could remember. “Oh, yeah? You think sleeping with the chairman will get me a nod?”
He nuzzled my nose. “Don’t brat right now. I think you’re concerned that I mean that you should come home for good. And it’s driving you a little crazy. Hm?”
Sam wasn’t the only one who thought that.
My friends were happy to reconnect with me.
Perhaps I shouldn’t have moved away from everyone I loved and who in return loved me, but I’d been fiery and foolish after college.
Determined to get out of our small-ass town as fast as my beautiful rose-colored car could go.
Maybe it had some deeper meaning, like I’d been wearing rose-colored glasses too; seeing everything as dreamy and exciting instead of reality.
I’d put my foot to the pedal and blew kisses over my shoulder.
Suddenly it hit me that I had no car to get home.
I wasn’t an idiot but all the talk about staying and the stress of the accident and becoming Sam’s distracted me completely.
“Oh no! How am I going to get home?”
“You are home, Mickie,” Sam chuckled, not understanding what I was getting at.
“No, I mean, yes but back to the city? I can’t afford a car. I just covered expenses on Rosie and now she’s totaled! I can’t even–”
“Woah, woah.” He laid his hands on my shoulders. “Do you need a car to get around the city?”
“Well, no. Luckily there is plenty of public transportation. But sometimes I take a drive out of the city just to have some peace and quiet.”
“You should have considered driving here,” he said while gently kneading the tense muscles in my arms.
His hands on me helped ground me. “I know, hindsight and all. Having a car isn’t a huge need, but then I have no way to come back.”
“Silly girl. You can always take a cab to the train station or the bus depot. Someone will come and get you. Or I’ll take a drive, babygirl. We will work it out until you find a car within your budget.”
“I’m barely scraping by, Daddy,” I finally admitted to him. My mood soured the hope and promises of a better year as soon as I started talking.
“Then we should take a look at your finances, Mickie. If most of your money is going to that tiny studio apartment and basic essentials, you should consider moving. Preferably here with me.”
“Anything to get me here,” I scoffed. I wasn’t actually trying to poke Sam’s buttons, but we were already nearing the end of my paid time off. I was set to leave this weekend and having to do so hurt my entire soul.
“Watch your tone, little girl. If I didn’t have so much going on at the moment, I’d come back with you. Then I’d pack up your apartment myself and kidnap my sassy brat whether you agreed to it or not.”
“You wouldn’t dare!”
He smacked either side of my ass hard enough to make me jump, not caring that there were dozens of people milling around. Sam wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me into him. “I won’t kidnap you, little wildflower. But if you think this weekend isn’t going to be hard on me too, you’re wrong.”
“I’m so sorry, Daddy.”
“You’re forgiven, Mickie, but you don’t need to apologize. I know the past week or so has been heavy on topics and…”
“No,” I interrupted. “I don’t mean to cut you off.
But the time I’ve spent with you has made me feel lighter than…
than a snowflake. It was like I was trudging through muck for the past few years and your rule and guidance…
” I took a breath. “Our dynamic I guess is what I mean. It changed my whole world so fast. At least since you chased me while I was running barefoot in the snow the night of Bonnie’s wedding.
” I stumbled over my words, trying to explain everything in one swoop.
“Can we go light our lanterns and eat sugary treats and get cocoa now?”
“Yes, we can.”
We collected our lanterns and headed to the creek.
The lantern felt fragile in my hands — a delicate orb of pale rice paper stretched over thin bamboo ribs, tied together with soft hemp twine.
Inside, a tiny beeswax candle waited, nestled carefully in a cradle made of birch bark, its faint scent mingling with the crisp winter air.
I’d already written my hopes, dreams, and resolutions on a slip of paper, tucking inside mine.
Outside of Brighton Creek, people made resolutions on New Year’s Eve, but we did it during The Hearthside Festival, a tradition I’d upheld even being miles away.
Sam stepped close beside me, his breath a warm cloud in the cold as he pulled a long wooden match from the box.
It was an old-fashioned one that crackled softly when you struck it.
He held it steady between us, and together we cupped our hands around the flickering flame, careful not to let the fragile paper catch.
The candle’s wick caught fire with a soft, golden glow, and for a moment, the world felt still.
Like we were the only ones there even in a sea of people.
Sam and I held a small, glowing promise cradled between us on the edge of the frozen creek.
“Give your dreams a sendoff, little wildflower.”
“Following my heart's wishes,” I whispered into the glowing lantern knowing Sam heard every word. I stepped back and we repeated the process.
Sam lit his lantern and crouched down, placing it near mine.
“Supporting Mickie’s heart’s wishes,” he whispered.
That was the most beautiful thing I’d ever heard. My emotions had been up and down since I came home, and tears pricked my eyes. “Aw, Sam.”
He straightened and took my hand. “I love you, babygirl. I’ve always loved you. And I’ll just keep saying it to you so that you know how much.”
“I love you. More than words…more than my wishes…more than everything.”
And in the quiet night as we watched our lanterns move through the mostly frozen creek, I believed in my heart that even when things were overwhelming that it would be better.
Even self-induced stressors that I’d placed on myself would eventually fade.
Tonight had quickly become the best festival of my life.
It would be the perfect memory.