Chapter 17 #2
“But I don’t understand how this works,” Imogen said, still looking confused. “Am I supposed to go alone? With Katie? I mean, what are the rules of this… contest? And why is Lincoln here?”
“Oh, well,” Vanessa said, thinking quickly and hoping that Mabel had stuck to the same story, “the winner gets to bring one friend. And since Lincoln here also won—what are the odds of that?—you two are paired up for the evening!”
Lincoln raised an eyebrow. “That seems like quite a coincidence.”
“It really is!” Vanessa agreed, perhaps a bit too enthusiastically. “It’s like fate or something!”
Imogen was looking more skeptical by the minute. “Vanessa, this is all very strange. Are you sure you’re not—”
“Mom, please!” Katie interrupted again, her voice taking on a pleading tone. “I really, really want to see the horses up close. Can we at least go outside and look at them?”
Vanessa saw her opportunity and jumped on it. “Yes! Let’s go look at it. You’re going to be blown away. I saw it earlier and I couldn’t believe how neat it is—”
She ushered everyone toward the door, feeling more than a little foolish, but determined to see this through.
If she could just get Imogen outside and into that sleigh, the rest would take care of itself.
Surely the romance of a horse-drawn sleigh ride through the snowy streets would work its magic on both of them.
The cold air hit them as they stepped outside, and Katie immediately ran toward the horses, her eyes wide with wonder.
“Careful,” Imogen called out, but the horses were both very calm as Katie approached.
They towered over her, their breath visible in the cold air, but they were standing patiently in their harnesses, waiting for whatever came next.
They shifted a little, the bells jingling as a few flakes of snow floated down.
“Oh my goodness,” Imogen breathed, her skepticism momentarily forgotten as she took in the sight. “They’re absolutely beautiful.”
“Aren’t they?” Vanessa said, relief flooding through her as she saw Imogen’s expression soften. “And look at that sleigh! It’s like something out of a fairy tale.”
Lincoln approached one of the horses, running his hand gently along its neck. “I have to admit, whoever organized this really went all out.”
“Can I pet them?” Katie asked, looking up at Imogen with hopeful eyes.
“Of course,” Imogen said with a smile. “Just be gentle and let them smell your hand first.”
As Katie carefully approached the horses, Vanessa saw her chance. She moved closer to Imogen, who was still staring at the sleigh confusedly.
“You know,” Vanessa said softly, “when was the last time you did something just for fun? Something spontaneous?”
Imogen glanced at her. “I don’t know… it’s been a while, I suppose. But this whole thing is just so strange. I’ve never heard of this tradition before.”
“It’s an adventure,” Vanessa said, trying to remember every Hallmark movie she’d ever seen. “A Christmas adventure. Look, a little snow is falling, and there are fur blankets, and it’s a gorgeous night. Just enjoy it. What’s the worst that could happen?”
Imogen looked at her dubiously and bit her lip, clearly torn between her skepticism and the scene in front of her. “I suppose it would be rude to turn down such an elaborate prize…”
“Exactly!” Vanessa said, trying not to sound too eager. “How many people can say they’ve taken a horse-drawn sleigh ride through their hometown?”
“Mom!” Katie called out, her cheeks pink with excitement and cold. “Lincoln says the horses’ names are Jingle and Belle! Isn’t that perfect for Christmas?”
Imogen couldn’t help but smile at her daughter’s enthusiasm. “Those are perfect names,” she agreed.
Lincoln walked over to them, his hands shoved deep in his coat pockets.
“I have to say, I’m still not entirely sure what’s going on here, but these are some of the most well-trained horses I’ve ever seen.
Whoever arranged this really knew what they were doing.
I barely had to do anything to get them here. ”
“So you’ll go?” Vanessa asked, looking between Imogen and Lincoln hopefully.
“I…” Imogen hesitated, glancing at Katie, who was now practically vibrating with excitement.
“Please, Mom?” Katie begged. “It’s like a real-life Christmas movie! And you always say we should try new things and make memories.”
Vanessa held her breath, watching as Imogen wavered. She could see the exact moment when her friend gave in to the magic of the moment.
“All right,” Imogen said finally, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. “I suppose we should take advantage of this… unexpected opportunity.”
“Yes!” Katie cheered, jumping up and down, before she paused and her face fell slightly. “Wait, can I come too? Please?”
Vanessa’s heart clenched. She hated disappointing Katie, but this evening needed to be about Imogen and Lincoln reconnecting. She knelt down to Katie’s level, putting on her most apologetic expression.
“Oh, sweetie, I’m so sorry, but the sleigh ride is just for the contest winners. But you know what? I have something even better planned for you!”
Katie looked skeptical. “Better than a sleigh ride?”
“Well,” Vanessa said, thinking quickly, “I was thinking we could go back to my house and make the most amazing hot chocolate you’ve ever had.
The kind with whipped cream and marshmallows and maybe even some of those peppermint sticks from your mom’s shop.
And then we could play some Christmas games and maybe watch a movie.
Jackson might even make us some of his famous burgers for dinner. With onion rings.”
Katie’s eyes lit up slightly, but she still looked torn. “That does sound fun… but I really wanted to ride in the sleigh.”
“I know, honey,” Vanessa said gently. “But this is your mom’s special evening. She works so hard all the time, and she deserves to have some fun just for herself. Don’t you think?”
Katie considered this, her seven-year-old mind working through the logic. Finally, she nodded. “I guess Mom does work really hard. And she did let me stay at the shop all day today and pretend to help customers too.”
“That’s very thoughtful of you,” Vanessa said, relief flooding through her. “And I promise we’ll have the best evening ever. Maybe we can even make some Christmas cookies to surprise your mom when she gets back.”
“Cookies?” Katie perked up considerably. “What kind of cookies?”
“Whatever kind you want,” Vanessa promised. “Sugar cookies, chocolate chip, gingerbread… you name it.”
“Can we make them shaped like sleighs?” Katie asked with a grin.
Vanessa laughed. “Absolutely. Sleigh-shaped cookies it is.”
Imogen cut in, a small frown on her face. “Vanessa, are you sure you don’t mind watching Katie? I feel terrible imposing on you like this.”
“Are you kidding?” Vanessa said, standing up and brushing snow off her knees. “I love spending time with Katie. Besides, Jackson’s been complaining that we never have kids over to the house. He’ll be thrilled to have someone to spoil with extra marshmallows and whipped cream.”
“Well, if you’re absolutely sure…” Imogen said, still looking hesitant.
“I’m positive,” Vanessa assured her. “Now go! The horses are getting restless, and you don’t want to keep them waiting.”
Lincoln had been standing quietly through the entire exchange, but he stepped forward with a slight smile.
“I have to admit, I’m just as confused about this whole situation as you are,” he said to Imogen.
“But if we’re both supposed to be contest winners, I suppose we might as well make the best of it. ”
Imogen looked at him, and Vanessa could see something shift in her expression. Maybe it was the way he looked so handsome and slightly windswept in his winter coat, but whatever it was, Imogen’s remaining reservations seemed to melt away.
“You know what?” she said, her voice growing more confident. “You’re absolutely right. When was the last time either of us did something completely spontaneous?”
“Probably not since high school,” Lincoln said with a laugh. “Well, maybe back in college for you and me in my hockey days. But it’s definitely been a while.”
Vanessa could barely contain her excitement as she watched Lincoln help Imogen up into the sleigh.
They settled onto the cushions, and Lincoln reached for one of the warm blankets, spreading it across both of their laps.
The gesture was so natural and caring that Vanessa felt her heart flutter with hope.
“Have fun, you two!” she called out, waving enthusiastically. “Don’t worry about anything—Katie and I are going to have the best evening ever!”
“Bye, Mom!” Katie shouted, her disappointment forgotten with the promise of cookie baking. “Have fun on your sleigh ride!”
Lincoln picked up the reins, looking slightly uncertain. “I have to admit, I’ve never driven a sleigh before tonight. I hope these horses know what they’re doing.”
“I’m sure they do,” Imogen said, and Vanessa was pleased to hear the laughter in her voice. “Besides, what’s the worst that could happen?”
“Famous last words,” Lincoln said with a grin, giving the reins a gentle shake.
The horses began to move, their bells jingling merrily as the sleigh glided smoothly over the snow-covered street. Vanessa and Katie stood on the sidewalk, waving until the sleigh disappeared around the corner.
Vanessa felt a mixture of triumph and nervousness. She and Mabel had done everything they could to create the perfect romantic setting. Now it was up to Imogen and Lincoln to recognize what everyone else could see so clearly—that they were meant to be together.
She just hoped this last-ditch effort would work.