15. George
December 24
I woke up this morning feeling like a kid at Christmas–literally.
A knock at the door bright and early starts the day. When I go to greet whoever's there, I find Austin and Landry standing on my porch with matching grins.
“We're here to escort you to the festivities,” Landry announces.
I frown. “But I thought we were all meetin' at the town square at noon?”
Austin shakes his head. “Change of plans. Or more like, we made different plans and you don't know about them yet. But you will. All we need is for you to get ready and leave the rest to us.”
Since this entire week has shown me that the men and women from Spring Haven are some of the best, most selfless, and giving people I've ever met, I don't think twice.
Fifteen minutes later, we're driving into town, coming to a stop outside the storage shed behind the town's main building. I figure we're here to grab last-minute things for the festival, I don't expect to see Toby and Dee walk out.
Better still, is the delightful sight of Toby Graham already dressed in his Santa suit.
“You look amazingly festive there, Tobes,” I say by way of a greeting.
“Just you wait, Georgie,” he says. “Hey, can you grab the Santa sack from the shed for me?
“Sure thing, Santa.” I walk into the shed and find the overflowing sack filled with wrapped presents for the kids. I also see that the gifts have been placed inside the most exquisite wooden sleigh I have ever seen.
It's painted a vibrant red and glittering silver, adorned with twinkling fairy lights that dance in the morning sunlight streaming in. Unable to help myself, I run my hand along the smooth wood, marveling at the intricate carvings of snowflakes and reindeer that embellish its sides. Where this came from, whoever made this, is gifted beyond compare.
“Surprise!” Landry exclaims, clapping me on the back. “We figured Santa needed a proper ride this year, and what better than Austin here handcraftin’ a sleigh for this special occasion?”
“You made this?” I say, turning to Austin.
He shrugs. “It's not much given the time constraints, but?—”
Without thinking, I rush to give him a big bear hug. “It's everythin' ! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!”
“Glad you like it,” Austin says, his voice a little hoarse. “Makes all the late nights worth it.”
“I don't know how I'm ever goin' to thank you all for this. All I did was write a letter and suddenly all my Christmas dreams have come true.”
“No need to thank us, George. It's our pleasure,” Landry replies. “Everyone deserves to celebrate the holidays just how they want to. You wished for the full Christmas experience, and that's what you're goin' to get.”
It's then I realize there's just one thing missing, and it makes me sad to think that we didn't think of it earlier.
“We're missin' an elf to help Santa,” I say.
“Oh no, sweet George. We didn't forget nothin',” Dee explains. “We talked about it and there's only one person who could ever be Santa's helper today, and that's the man who started the ball rollin', so to speak…”
My mouth drops open. I point to my chest. “Me?”
“Of course , George. And don't worry, we've got the perfect outfit for you too. Star made it herself.” Landry walks across the shed and returns with a clothes hanger, the elf suit draped over it.
I stare at the festive outfit in front of me, memories flooding back of Christmas past.
Back when my granddaddy was the mayor, my father was the sheriff, and my uncle was the fire chief and I was a little kid without the weight of the town on his shoulders.
When you'd step into town and think you'd been teleported to the North Pole.
When Santa held court in the town square and there was a buzzing farmers' market with Christmas wares and food, a band playing music as the church choir sang carols, and every inch of town was lit up with festive lights.
There was a sense of community and warmth that filled the air, the same as what has been growing this week the closer we got to today's Christmas festival.
“I–I don't know what to say,” I manage to stammer out, feeling overwhelmed with emotion.
“You don't have to say anything, George. Just put on the suit and get ready to spread some Christmas cheer,” Toby says with a grin before kissing Dee. Then we all launch into action.
The elf suit is a perfect fit, and as I step out of the shed clad in red and green, a jingle bell hat atop my head, I can't help but feel like a child again. Especially when I bob up and down and make the most joyous sound.
The snow crunches beneath my boots as I climb into the beautifully crafted sleigh, feeling the excitement and anticipation build inside me when Toby plops down beside me.
“Ho, ho, ho. Merry Christmas,” he cheers in his deepest, jolliest voice. “How was that?”
I nod, my hat bell ringing again, making me almost giddy. “Sounded pretty good to me.”
“That's what I wanted to hear. Now, are you ready to throw out that candy while we go down Main Street?” he asks, placing a bucket filled to the brim with sweets in my lap.
“Sure am–wait… we're goin' down Main Street?”
Dee leans over the side of the sleigh to answer me. “Surprise number two for the day Mr. George Rainbow, this sleigh isn't just for the festival. Y'all are goin' down Main Street in a parade!”
It's then I know that this all must be a dream. “A parade,” I whisper.
“Yup! And you and Tob–”
“Ahem .”
She grins at her husband. “Sorry, Tobes. You and Santa are goin' to be pulled down Main Street by Rhett and Colt on two of Harry's snowmobiles. We had a good amount of snow come down last night and there ain't nothin' and no one that can stop Santa and his favorite elf from getting to his grotto today. Ain't that right, Santa?”
“Sure is,” Toby says, checking his watch. “I think it's about time we get this sleigh rockin' and the bells a jinglin'. What do you say, Georgie? Ready to spread some festive cheer?”
“I am, Santa. Let's go.”
With a mischievous twinkle in his eye, and his jolly Santa laugh filling the crisp winter air, Toby and I and the sleigh are pulled behind Landry's truck until we get to the end of Main Street, where Rhett and Colt take over with their dressed-up snowmobiles—complete with felt reindeer antlers.
The engines of the snowmobiles hum as we slowly move our way down toward the town square and the twinkling lights of the Christmas tree.
To my delight, the sidewalks are lined with townsfolk and visitors from far and wide, at least two or three people thick, the front reserved for children of all ages. It's the sight of their faces filled with wonder and joy that causes a surge of happiness through me.
The twinkling lights strung across the street and snaking their way toward the festival create a magical tunnel that casts a soft glow on the snow-covered ground.
I smile as the sweet sound of Christmas carols filters down the street, blending in with the laughter and cheers of all the townsfolk who line each side of the road.
We slowly pass by all of the decorated shops that everyone helped with and I'm overwhelmed by the sense of community surrounding us. And to think, none of this would've happened without the help of the Sallys, the Bull Mountain ranch family, and the Arrys.
I know I'll forever be indebted to them for giving me—and the town—this wonderful day.
“Just you wait, Georgie,” Toby says. “The fun has just begun.
And wouldn't you know it, he was right. Not that I'll tell him that!
As we near the end of our mini-parade route, the sleigh comes to a stop in front of Santa's grotto. I catch sight of Ruth and the Sallys standing next to the tree, all of them smiling and waving to us, Ruth's eyes sparkling with what I hope are happy tears.
Stepping down from the sleigh and watching Toby—I mean, Santa—do the same, I take in the bustling town square that's full of more people than I've ever seen. The festival is abuzz with laughter and music, friends, neighbors, farmers and fishermen, strangers and visitors all coming together to celebrate the spirit of Christmas.
Honestly, it's more than I could've ever wished for.
It's also set the bar for next year sky high!
Before I can worry about that , there's elf business to do, and looking at the long line of excited children waiting for their chance to meet Santa, it's going to be a while.
Lucky for me and Tobes, we're looking forward to this just as much as they are.
Four hours later, the line outside Santa's grotto has finally disappeared, meaning this Christmas elf is sitting on a park bench next to the little Christmas village having a much-needed break and enjoying my plate of yummy food from all of the stalls that Mags and Red brought me. There's a candy apple, sugar cookies, eggnog-flavored candy, and reindeer jerky. It's all delicious and just what I needed to give me an energy burst.
“That looks like a good selection of snacks there,” Ruthie says with a grin, taking a seat next to me. “How're your feet doin' after all that elfin' ?”
“Like they've been put through a full day's work, that's for sure,” I reply, stretching my legs out in front of me. “But seein' all those kids' faces light up when they saw Santa—that makes it all worth it.”
Ruthie nods. “It really was somethin', wasn't it? You and Toby did a fantastic job today. Santa, his grotto, and his elf helper are the talk of the festival, don't you know?”
“I know I've said it before, but I appreciate everythin' you've all done this week. When I wrote that letter, the very last thing I expected was for all of you to leave your hometown and come to our Christmas rescue.”
Ruthies face softens. “George, your letter may have been the prompt, but it was the love and spirit of this town and the respect and gratitude they have toward you that made all of this—” she waves her hand around, “possible. This festival, the parade, this beautiful tree, all of it, that's because of the good person that you are, George. It's high time you realized that Rainbow Springs wouldn't be the town it is without you at the helm.”
I dip my head to acknowledge her kind words. Being a man who's used to being alone a lot of the time—mainly because I'm always working or taking care of town business—I don't think I'll ever get used to hearing praise. That's not to say that it's not touching hearing it all the same.
Ruthie reaches into her pocket and pulls out a small, wrapped present, placing it in my hands. “This is a little gift from all of us.”
I gasp, my eyes jumping up to meet hers. “You didn't have to. You all have already done so much for me?—.”
“Open it, George,” she says warmly.
I unwrap the gift slowly, excited and curious about what's inside. Tears prick at my eyes when I see the beautifully carved wooden ornament shaped like Bull Mountain, complete with its twin peaks and the big oak tree in the middle, just like I've been told by Ruthie, and like I've read about in Aster Hollingsworth's books.
“It's perfect,” I choke out, knowing it will take pride in place in my home. “I'm goin' to put it on the mantle so that I never forget all of y'all when you're back in Spring Haven.”
“That sounds perfect , George.”
I spot Aggie, Dottie, and Frankie walking toward us. As they approach, I see Aggie holding an envelope in her hand.
“Hey, George. You ready for the rest of your Christmas presents?”
My brows furrow as I hold up the Bull Mountain present. “Honestly, this is more than enough. This is everythin '.”
Aggie grins. “Oh no, George. One present simply won't do. You're so givin' to everyone else, and now it's your turn. How 'bout you put your hand out? Believe me, you're goin' to love this one.”
As a man with good manners, I do what Aggie asks, holding my hand out. My lips tip up as she smiles and places the envelope with my name on it on my palm. “Special delivery for you, George.”
Intrigued, I open the envelope, my breath catching when I see that it's a handwritten letter from none other than Aster Hollingsworth.
My head jerks up. “How—I mean…yeah, how did you?—?”
Dottie chuckles. “A little birdie told me that you're a fan and we just happen to be friends with Aster and her family. So, when we knew we were goin' to be comin' here to give you Christmas, I gave her a call and asked for a favor. Hearin' you were an avid reader of hers, and how much you do for not only the town but for everyone you care about, she was more than happy to write you a letter.”
I remember Ruthie telling me in one of her letters about their monthly book club meetings at Spring Haven's only bookstore, and how they often have the Aster Hollingsworth come and visit. The very author who is said to write her stories inspired by her real-life friends and family hearing the Mountain's Call and finding their soulmates.
I'm still in shock as I open the letter and start reading it, devouring every word as she tells me how she admires my dedication to my town and for writing my Christmas wish down on paper so that the Sallys and Bull Mountain ranchers could travel across the state to meet me.
Then it gets confusing, because if what Dottie says is true, then this letter was written before they all came to Rainbow Springs. But as I keep reading, I realize that Aster somehow knows everything that has happened this week.
From that first meeting when everyone came into the Gnomery, to the strategizing session at the Toad Stool and Axe Bar, unearthing the old decorations from the shed, cutting down the tree, cooking the food, the contests, the tree topper incident with Duck Norris, and even last night's celebration next to the glacier. She knows all about it.
Lastly, she wishes me a very merry Christmas and bids me best wishes for the new year. She even invites me to call on her if I'm ever near Moose Mountain. Me! George Rainbow!
“This might just be the best Christmas present I've ever received,” I whisper, looking at the four best friends who are all watching me closely.
“Naw, George. If you think that is good, just wait until you get your very last present from us Sallys,” Frankie says with a wink.
“What's that?” I ask, curiosity officially piqued. I mean, what could beat the gift of Christmas and a letter from my favorite author?
“There's one more wish of yours that we haven't fulfilled yet,” Frankie says.
My brows knit together. “There is?”
Dottie tilts her head curiously. “Yep. Don't you remember, George?”
“No, sorry. I don't.”
“That's OK. Maybe this will remind you,” Aggie says.
Then she holds a plastic piece of mistletoe over my head and suddenly all four of the Sallys are grinning and leaning in to kiss my cheeks.
And you better believe I was blushing for a full hour afterward.
Best. Christmas. Ever.