Chapter 52
FIFTY-TWO
LIAM
Liam thought that if every night with Cassidy could be like the days and nights they’d shared together in the last few days, then he would be the happiest man for the rest of his life.
She gave her whole heart; she was selfless and giving in ways he still had to get used to, ways he didn’t always feel like he deserved.
But he’d promised himself he would show up for her, love her, and support her.
Tonight was his light-up night. They stood outside, bundled together. Cassidy in the red wool coat that he loved, hair in two braids, green tinsel woven through. Him in his black puffer coat, no tinsel, but a bright red scarf. It was a gift from her and he loved wearing it.
“You know what today is?” She grinned. “It’s Christmas Eve Eve! And it’s going to be the best day of the year.”
“Because I’m going to win?” he asked playfully.
She leaned and whispered in his ear. “You’ll win something, for sure. I’ll show you later.”
Liam laughed. The look in her eye wasn’t just teasing—it was a promise. And suddenly, he couldn’t wait until later that night when it would be just the two of them.
But right now, they were surrounded by a packed crowd. His parents were there, too, and his mom was smiling ear to ear. They were set to go over to his parents’ house for Christmas dinner. When he’d asked his mom if he could bring Cassidy, she’d squealed into the phone. He’d considered that a yes.
Liam didn’t know if his rustic “Down on the Farm” holiday theme could compete with Cassidy’s whimsical chocolate display, Zoe’s floral magic, or Emily’s heavenly dessert extravaganza.
But it didn’t matter. What mattered was that it was him.
It was real. It was his story woven in lights and handmade ornaments and a little surprise he hoped would charm the crowd.
“Welcome to the final switch-on,” Mayor Bloomfield boomed. “Our last contestant needs no introduction, but I’ll give you one anyway. Let’s hear it for Liam Hawthorne and his Hot Honey Farm Shop.”
Liam walked to the front and waved, taking the mic from the mayor. “I just want to thank you for coming out tonight. For all the support you’ve shown me and the new shop. And I hope you like what I’ve created for you.” He nodded his head and then disappeared around the side of the shop.
The shop slowly came to life. First with the pine tree forest Liam had staged near the front, each wrapped in warm white twinkle lights.
Then the rustic garland that framed the doors. It was made of fresh pine, dried oranges, and cranberries, tied with burlap bows. A wooden sleigh leaned against the front wall, stacked with wrapped boxes in brown paper and twine.
A spotlight shone on his interactive touches.
The hot cider station he’d created in a hollowed-out barrel, self-serve with a ladle, cinnamon sticks, and branded Hot Honey Farm Shop mugs.
A mailbox labeled “Letters to Santa” for the kids, with stamped kraft-paper envelopes and pencils tied with twine.
His donation box, a handmade beehive box with a sign that read “Sweeten Someone’s Season” beside it.
And if that wasn’t enough, when he reappeared, he had Jackson with him, and two llamas.
Cassidy burst out laughing. “You brought llamas? Oh, come on.”
“I brought llamas,” Liam said with a proud grin. “You didn’t think I’d forget about Daisy and Tinsel, did you?”
“I haven’t seen them since that day in the barn,” she said, her voice softening.
“That was a very good day,” Liam said, voice low.
“It was the best,” she agreed.
“It was the beginning,” he added.
Beside him, Jackson adjusted Daisy’s lead rope, scratching the llama’s neck with an absentminded tenderness that softened the usual guarded lines of his face. His dark hair was ruffled by the wind, and he wore a Hot Honey Farm Shop beanie pulled low over his ears.
Zoe stepped forward with a handful of cut apple pieces, her eyes bright. “Mind if I…?”
Jackson’s lips quirked. “Go for it. Daisy loves attention.”
Zoe giggled as Daisy nuzzled her palm, careful and gentle, her long lashes blinking slowly. “You’re gorgeous, aren’t you?”
Daisy loved the attention, leaning into Zoe so she could scratch under her harness.
Jackson watched, something vulnerable flickering in his eyes, before clearing his throat. “She’s not usually that affectionate. Takes a bit to warm up.”
Zoe glanced up, cheeks pink from the cold and maybe something else. “That’s alright, I can be patient.”
Jackson’s mouth twitched. “I’ve noticed.”
Cassidy’s eyes darted between them, a slow smile spreading across her face.
She looked like she wanted to say something to Liam, but the crowd surged closer, drawn in by the glowing lights, the smell of warm cider, and the llamas.
Daisy shook her head, the bell on her halter jingling.
Tinsel sniffed a toddler’s mitten and looked like she wanted a little taste before the tyke offered her some hay.
“That’s a crowd-pleaser if I’ve ever seen one,” Kit said, appearing at Cassidy’s side with a cider mug in each hand. She passed one to her.
Zoe followed, eyes wide as she took in the display. “Liam, this is beautiful. It feels like Maple Falls. Like home.”
Madison nodded. “It’s exactly what Christmas should be.”
Liam was overwhelmed by the attention. He rubbed the back of his neck, muttering a quiet thanks as more neighbors approached to shake his hand or clap him on the shoulder.
That’s when he noticed Mr. Alders—pushing his way through the crowd in a bulky green coat and… Is that…?
“Is he wearing…?”
“A Team Liam sweater,” Madison confirmed, eyes twinkling.
Sure enough, the old man had purchased a Team Liam sweater. He walked straight up to Liam and gave a stiff nod.
“This is the best damn display I’ve seen since oh-four,” he said, voice gravelly with emotion. “Don’t tell anyone I said that.”
“Thanks, Mr. Alders. Glad you like it.”
“You used dried oranges. My mama used to do that.” He looked up at the garlands, eyes misting for just a second before he cleared his throat and turned away.
“Merry Christmas,” Liam said to the older man’s back.
He replied with a wave above his head without turning around.
Liam nudged Cassidy. “And you thought he was the Gingerbread Jerk,” he teased.
“He sure was doing a fine job of acting like it,” she replied in her defense, but smiled when she said it.
A flash of light caught his eye. He and Cassidy turned and spotted Elsie, standing off to the side, phone in hand.
Her livestream was still running, but the look on her face had shifted.
It was less smug, more thoughtful. Like she couldn’t believe how many people had turned out for Liam’s display, and how many people were watching her livestream.
Cassidy followed her gaze.
Families were gathered around the cider barrel, children slipping paper letters into Liam’s handmade Santa mailbox.
A group of teens took selfies with Daisy the llama.
Mr. Alders stood chatting with Liam’s parents with a smile on his face.
Every inch of the storefront felt like a scene from a storybook.
Cassidy brought up her phone, joined the livestream, and showed Liam, who couldn’t help the feeling of pride that bloomed in his chest. The comments were flooding in faster than Elsie could keep up.
I wish my town did stuff like this.
The real Christmas spirit!
Where is this?! I want to move there!
Following just for this vibe
Elsie looked down at her screen, then back at Liam’s display—at the wooden ornaments, the handmade sleigh, the burlap and dried oranges. Her mouth parted slightly, like she was realizing this was what people actually wanted.
“She sees it now,” Zoe murmured beside Cassidy. “It’s not about flashy or new. People love things that feel traditional at this time of year. It’s about feeling connected.”
Cassidy nodded. “She thought she needed to reinvent Christmas to make it special.”
Zoe tilted her head. “Turns out it was already special. She just hadn’t seen it yet.”
Now the only thing that was left to do was wait until tomorrow night to see who the winner was.