Chapter 12
12
D ecember had swept into Mistletoe Hollow like a soft, snowy embrace, transforming the town into a postcard-perfect scene. Twinkling lights lined every storefront, their golden glow reflecting off the icy cobblestone streets. Garlands of evergreen, dotted with bright red bows, draped from lampposts, and the scent of pine and cinnamon wafted through the crisp air.
Emily stood in the heart of the town square, clipboard in hand, as she watched volunteers hustle to prepare for the annual tree lighting ceremony. The centerpiece of the event, an enormous pine tree, loomed above them, its branches already adorned with strands of lights that glittered faintly in the early twilight.
“Emily!” Lila’s voice cut through the hum of activity, pulling her attention. She turned to see Lila hurrying toward her, bundled in a vibrant green scarf that stood out against the muted colors of winter.
“Have you seen Dad?” Lila asked, worry etched into her features.
Emily frowned, shaking her head. “Not since this morning. Why?”
“He was supposed to bring the extra garlands for the tree,” Lila said, her voice tightening. “But he hasn’t answered my calls, and he left the hardware store early.”
That wasn’t like Doug. The man was as reliable as clockwork, especially when it came to town events. Emily felt a twinge of concern.
“Maybe he went home to rest?” Emily offered, though the unease in her chest grew.
Lila bit her lip. “I don’t know. He’s been pushing himself too hard lately—working long hours at the store, helping with the garden cleanup, running around for the holidays. He says he’s fine, but... I think he’s ignoring something. ”
Emily set her clipboard down decisively. “Let’s go check on him. The garlands can wait.”
The hardware store was eerily quiet when they arrived. The front lights were dimmed, and the usual chatter of customers and clinking of tools was absent. Lila led the way to the back office, where they found Doug slumped in his chair, his face pale and his breathing shallow.
“Dad!” Lila exclaimed, rushing to his side.
Doug stirred, blinking blearily as he looked up. “What are you doing here? The ceremony’s tonight, isn’t it?”
Emily exchanged a worried glance with Lila before stepping closer. “Doug, you don’t look good. Have you seen a doctor?”
Doug waved her off weakly. “It’s just a cold. Nothing to fuss over.”
“You look more than just tired,” Lila said, crouching beside him. “Your color’s off, and you’ve been coughing for days.”
“It’s December. Everyone coughs in December,” Doug said gruffly, though his voice lacked its usual strength .
Emily placed a hand on Lila’s shoulder, her tone firm but gentle. “Doug, you need to rest. Let us take over for a few days. Lila can handle the store, and I’ll manage the tree lighting.”
Doug hesitated, his pride clearly warring with his exhaustion. After a long moment, he sighed. “Fine. But just for a couple of days. I don’t want you girls messing with my inventory.”
“Deal,” Emily said with a small smile, relieved to see him relent. “Now, go home. We’ll check on you tomorrow.”
Later that afternoon, Emily stopped by Cedar Ridge to drop off some supplies for the tree lighting. The site was unusually quiet, with only a handful of workers scattered among the half-finished buildings. The sense of stillness felt out of place.
She found Noah in the makeshift office, hunched over a stack of paperwork with a deep frown creasing his brow.
“Noah?” Emily said, stepping inside.
He looked up, his eyes clouded with frustration. “Emily. Hey.”
“What’s going on?” she asked, glancing at the papers on his desk.
Noah sighed, leaning back in his chair. “One of my contractors bailed this morning. Said the weather’s too unpredictable this time of year. Now we’re behind schedule, and the clients are already getting impatient.”
Emily winced. “That’s rough. Can you find a replacement?”
“Not on such short notice,” Noah said, running a hand through his hair. “And even if I could, the budget’s already stretched thin.”
Emily perched on the edge of the desk, her brow furrowing as she thought. “What if you broke the project into smaller phases? Focus on the parts that are least affected by the weather first. That might buy you time to find a new contractor.”
Noah tilted his head, considering her suggestion. “That… might actually work.”
“You’re welcome,” Emily said with a teasing smile. “And for the record, you don’t have to handle this alone. People want to help—you just have to let them. ”
Noah’s expression softened as he met her gaze. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
As the sun dipped below the horizon, Mistletoe Hollow’s town square came alive. Families bundled in scarves and mittens gathered near the towering pine tree, their breath visible in the icy air. Booths lined the edges of the square, offering steaming cups of cocoa and warm pastries, while carolers sang in harmony near the gazebo.
Emily stood near the base of the tree, clipboard in hand, as the mayor took the stage to address the crowd. The atmosphere was electric, a perfect mix of holiday cheer and small-town charm.
Doug, looking slightly better after a day of rest, stood with Lila near the cider booth. He caught Emily’s eye and gave her a small, grateful nod.
“You pulled it all together,” Noah said, stepping up beside her.
“It’s a group effort,” Emily replied, smiling.
“Sure,” Noah said, his tone teasing. “But we both know who’s really running the show.”
Emily laughed, but her breath caught when she felt Noah’s hand brush hers. It was brief—almost accidental—but it left her acutely aware of how close he was.
The mayor’s countdown echoed through the square: “Three… two… one!”
The lights on the tree flickered to life, bathing the square in a warm golden glow. The crowd erupted into cheers, and for a moment, everything felt magical.
Noah turned to her, his expression soft. “You really are something, Emily. This town’s lucky to have you.”
Emily felt her cheeks warm, though she blamed it on the cold. “I think I’m the lucky one.”
Their gazes held for a moment longer before the sound of laughter and carols swept over them, pulling them back into the festive scene.
As the crowd began to disperse, Emily found herself lingering near the tree, watching as families posed for pictures beneath its twinkling lights. Doug and Lila waved goodbye, heading home to ensure Doug got some much-needed rest.
Noah lingered nearby, his hands tucked into his coat pockets. “Walk you home?” he asked.
Emily smiled, nodding. “I’d like that.”
They strolled through the quiet streets, the town’s lights casting a gentle glow on the snow-dusted sidewalks—and it was wonderful.