Page 29 of Chasing Cheer
Sofia was working in the restaurant when Holly returned. She slid into the booth that had somehow become her favorite, and Sofia brought her a hot chocolate before she had to ask.
“How’s it going out there? I can’t believe you agreed to paint the sleigh. Props to you, because I already wormed my way out of helping with that one a while back.” Sofia grinned and tucked a loose curl behind her ear.
“It’s going well. I should have it done tomorrow. Ash said there’s a chamber of commerce meeting tomorrow night. Are you attending?”
Sofia rolled her eyes. “He looped you into that, too, did he? Well, okay, yes. I’m going. I’m actually a vendor at the Christmas faire. I sell jewelry.”
“You make jewelry?” Holly asked, delighted. If Sofia was a maker, she had that in common with the elves, especially the Keyblers. No wonder Holly liked her so much. “I’d love to see your work.”
Sofia pointed at her ears, which were currently sporting studs shaped like gingerbread men. They had buttons and all. Holly remembered the guitars she’d seen dangling from Holly’s ears in the fall.
“Wow, those look professional!”
“They’re not half-bad. But I’m sure you could whip up some earrings, too, if you wanted, Miss Crafty.” Sofia’s mouth twitched.
Holly grinned. It was so easy being around Sofia. She was like an old friend Holly had never had.
Sofia returned to the kitchen, and Holly sipped her hot chocolate as she watched the goings-on around her, a feeling of something like contentment slipping around her like a warm coat.
* * *
Holly hungout in the café by herself for the rest of the evening. The fireplace was warm, soft holiday music was playing, and people rotated to and from the bar, ordering glasses of wine or appetizers. Holly sat where she had a view of the lobby and partially into the restaurant. She had a book open on her lap to appear occupied, but mostly, she was just people watching. Everyone seemed so happy at the Emerald House. She subconsciously checked her watch a few times, but the gauge was as steady as ever, and her habit of checking was becoming way less frequent.
Occasionally, Holly glanced around the lobby, hoping to see Ash pass by. Her stomach sank a little in disappointment as the clock struck nine, and she hadn’t seen him at all. She popped her head into the restaurant and said goodbye to Sofia then quickly walked down the trail to see her reindeer one more time before going to bed.
“This is all very strange, Dasher,” Holly said, sneaking them their final treat for the night. “I used to be quite content with just being around humans to collect Cheer. Now, I’m actually enjoying spending time with them, and I’m sad when they’re not around. I don’t know how to feel about it.”
Dasher nuzzled her hand in response. Clove and Ivy were rolling on their backs in happy amusement, while Gale glared at them in disapproval.
“It seems we’re all enjoying this little town.” Holly eyed the forest, where the reindeer had spent the day exploring. “What do you think, Dash? We don’t usually stay in one place so long. Are you eager to get back to our nomadic lifestyle?” Holly watched his eyes, but Dasher just nuzzled her hand again.
She sighed. “I just need answers. How is the Cheer different? And why here? Why Emerald Hollow? Why Ash?” She leaned her head against Dasher’s and stared up at the stars.
* * *
Ash showedup at the restaurant a few minutes before ten that night to help Sofia close up the kitchen. They liked to do it together at least once a week, when Sofia was on the closing shift.
They worked seamlessly, each taking the chores the other didn’t like. They’d bonded a lot over the years. There was nothing like talking and joking about small-town problems while mopping the floor together to strengthen a friendship.
“What were you up to today? I barely saw you,” Sofia said as she finished counting the money in the cash register.
“I had to run out to the vineyard for a meeting,” Ash explained.
“You were out there again? What’s going on over there?”
“Just business.” Ash grabbed some baking trays from the drying rack and began to put them away. “Was everything okay while I was gone?”
“Yep. It was busy but otherwise fine. Holly came in for dinner then hung out in the café for a while. She’s really sweet. I can’t believe she worked on that sleigh all afternoon.”
Ash paused, turning toward Sofia, who had begun to mop the floor. “She worked on it all afternoon? She didn’t have to do that.” He began grabbing dishes again. “I don’t know how I’m going to repay her. I’m swamped this year, and the Christmas faire is a priority for me. I can’t believe she’s so willing to help with everything.”
“Neither of us has ever met anyone like her, and you know it. I’ve seen the way you look at her.” Sofia sloshed the heavy mop back into the bucket.
“Even if what you think is true, and I’m not admitting that it is,” he added when her face split into a satisfied grin, “there can’t be anything between us, Sof. Her life is somewhere else. She’s going home after all this is over.” He reached out to take the mop bucket from her. Mopping was her least favorite chore.
“Have you asked yourself why she’s here? Why she has stayed this long?” Sofia released the mop without argument and picked up a towel from the countertop.
“Simple. She really loves our hot chocolate.” He grinned, and Sofia snapped his thigh with the towel.
