Page 23 of Chasing Cheer
She quickly unpacked her few belongings then sat on the bed to study her Cheer meter. It had been buzzing wildly as she’d met with Sofia and Ash in the lobby, and she realized she was going to have to focus on tuning it out during the extended moments of charging. If her watch was going to act like that the entire time she was in Emerald Hollow, she would have to let the sensation become a part of her, which was the opposite of what she was accustomed to doing. All her adult life, Holly had to pay close attention to the Cheer meter and be prepared to move at any sign of a change in frequency.
If she didn’t have to constantly anticipate running from negative emotions, perhaps she could focus on letting the watch be a part of her that complemented her but didn’t control her. The idea felt foreign, and she was still hesitant to trust it. Lumi Kringle said she had to experience something.But what? And what will happen if I don’t experience it?
ChapterTwenty
Holly emerged in the lobby and turned toward the restaurant, but Ash called her name and held open the front door instead.
She raised her eyebrows at him, confused. “We’re not eating here?” she asked, slightly disappointed. The food at Emerald House was some of the best she’d ever had outside the North Pole.
“Not inside, at least.” Ash’s eyes were sparkling, and Sofia grinned as she grabbed her coat to join them.
Then Holly noticed a large picnic basket in Ash’s hands and a silver thermos in Sofia’s. They walked down a path around the side of the building and into the back garden. The white gazebo had soft white light on all sides. Holly gasped when she saw it. It reminded her so much of the one in Merriment Square when it was decorated that way.
Ash smiled at her expression.
“We like to eat out here every now and then,” Sofia explained as the three of them climbed the few steps into the gazebo. It had been draped with garlands of greenery that matched those inside.
Ash pulled a brown tablecloth from the picnic basket and spread it over the table.
“The food’s all here. I remembered what you liked last time and asked the cooks to make it. I hope that’s okay,” Sofia said.
Holly nodded in disbelief.Sofia remembered my favorite dinner order?
The three of them took their seats, and Ash and Sofia worked together seamlessly to set up plates, mugs, silverware, paper takeout containers, then all the food and toppings.
“Sofia said you like the hot chocolate here.” Ash poured some from the carafe into a white mug he had pulled from the basket. Steam flowed out with the liquid and quickly dissipated in the chilly air.
“It’s the second-best hot cocoa I’ve ever had,” Holly admitted then took a sip and closed her eyes in delight.
“Second best?” Ash laughed and looked from Sofia to Holly. “Where do we find the best? I might need to try it and take notes.”
“At the—back home,” Holly said. She had years of practice in avoiding talking about the North Pole but was so comfortable with Ash and Sofia that she was slipping.
“In Canada?” Ash asked. “Putting us Americans to shame, are they?”
“I have to admit you’re giving us a run for our money. And honestly, I have extremely high standards for hot cocoa. That I keep ordering yours should tell you how good I think it is.” Holly took another sip before opening one of the takeout containers and spooning some of the food onto her plate.
“It’s an old Hayes family recipe,” Sofia said, buttering a piece of toast. “They won’t share it with anyone and say there’s a secret ingredient.”
“Nutmeg,” Holly said nonchalantly.
Ash’s eyes widened with surprise. “That’s an interesting guess,” he said slowly, though his expression was suspicious.
Holly simply shrugged and twirled her pasta on her fork. She and Ash stared at each other for several moments. The flecks of gold in Ash’s eyes seemed to dance in amusement or maybe curiosity. Goose bumps that had nothing to do with the winter air slid over Holly’s arms.
Sofia looked between the two and cleared her throat. “So, Holly. We’re glad to have you back. Is everything well back home?”
Holly finally finished spooling her pasta and held it just above her plate. “Oh yes. I took a little time off work to take care of some things around town. It was a lot of fun, actually.” She smiled as she remembered her going-away breakfast with the elves.
“You took a vacation to take care of things around town?” Sofia asked, raising her eyebrows. “Ugh, you sound like Ash.”
“Somebody’s gotta do it,” Ash said jovially then took a large bite of his burger. After he’d swallowed, he changed the subject. “What are you up to tomorrow?”
“No specific plans. I was going to explore the town a little more. And of course whatever you need to get ready for the Christmas faire. I’m here to help.” She finally took the bite of her pasta.
“Careful,” Sofia said. “With your results from the fall festival, we may ask you to do all the decorating again.”
Ash shook his head at Sofia, and Holly wasn’t sure what discreet conversation he was trying to have with her.
