“I can’t believe it hasn’t snowed yet. Usually, we’ve had a few different downfalls by this late in December.” Sofia tucked a curl behind her ear.
Holly frowned at the echoing of Ash’s observations, hoping her magic wasn’t somehow interfering with the weather. But she discounted the thought. If anything, her magic would make snow fall, not the other way around.Wouldn’t it?“Well, we’ve got a few more days until the start of the Christmas faire. Maybe we’ll get some by then.”
“There’s nothing in the forecast currently. I’ve been checking. But I hope you’re right. Christmas won’t feel the same without snow.”
They both eyed the twinkling lights in the café window, which were shaped like snowflakes, and looked at each other with a laugh.
“Well, if that’s all the snow we get, I guess it’ll have to do,” Sofia said, raising her mug to Holly’s.
“Cheers,” they said simultaneously, their glasses giving a littleclink.
They sat talking by the window until long after the last customers had left the café.
ChapterThirty-Four
The Christmas faire was only days away and would run throughout the week, with the major events, including the parade and the visit from the Hallmark rep, happening on Christmas Eve. The whole town and especially the Emerald House was abuzz with excitement and last-minute preparations. Ash was running on adrenaline and caffeine.
He pulled up to the Emerald House and parked his truck on the frosty but still snowless ground. Though he had given up any hope of it snowing, he still checked the weather app three times a day, just in case.
He noticed Holly through the window. She was having lunch and chatting with her server, Tyler. He couldn’t help stopping to watch her. The sun always seemed to hit her hair just right, no matter where she was. She fit in so easily in Emerald Hollow and seemed like one of the locals, perched comfortably in the booth, her favorite order memorized by the whole staff, a hot cocoa always in hand.
Still, even with that ease, she stood out. Ash had a hard time taking his eyes off her when she was around. She seemed to glow no matter the circumstances, and her smile could have been stitched together with pure joy. A smile like that was rare, and Ash was discovering he would do anything to be the one putting it on her face. He had been trying unsuccessfully to shake off that desire.
It had only gotten worse since the Christmas-tree-cutting trip. That outing hadn’t felt so perfect since he’d been a kid, making the trek with both of his parents. He could envision her going there with him every year, and that was not something he could allow himself to hope for.
After Christmas, she would go back to Canada, where her life was. As much as she fit in, he had the nagging sense that she was hiding something or at least keeping something close to the chest.What kind of secret did Mom have that caused her to disappear one December evening, leaving Dad and me behind?He pushed away that question, as he always did when the memory of his mother threatened to steal his joy.
Holly turned to look out the window, her conversation with Tyler having come to an end, and spotted Ash, her pink lips pulling together into a sweet smile. He gave her a bright one back then walked into the house, glancing at the Christmas tree in the corner.
Holly had selected one that fit perfectly in the tall lobby, and the staff had worked together to dress it with ribbons, tinsel, and ornaments. A bright silver star topped it all off. He thought it might be the best tree the Emerald House had ever had. More than one customer had told him the place looked magical. He entered the restaurant and asked Tyler for a coffee then closed the few steps to Holly’s booth.
“Okay if I sit?”
“Of course. Usually, you don’t even ask.” The corners of her eyes crinkled as her smile widened.
He gave a rueful laugh. “I guess I act like I own the place. How has your day been?” he asked, meeting her dark-green eyes. If a forest could be held in a gaze, that was what Holly’s eyes would hold.
“Nice. I’ve just been working on a few things for the Christmas faire. Nothing much. Just some finishing touches.”
Holly had been giving as much to the Christmas faire preparations as he had lately, and that kind of support and care for the town wasn’t something he took lightly. “I really don’t know how to repay you for everything you’ve been helping us with. Is there anything I can do for you?”
Holly’s enthusiasm was wonderful, but part of him was waiting for the other shoe to drop. She’d already said she was going home to Canada after the Christmas faire.What will life look like around here then?It was hard to imagine not bumping into her around the house, bright eyes and a smile always greeting him. He tried not to think about it.
“Anything you can do for me?” Holly repeated, seeming startled by the question. She tilted her head.
While Ash could tell that she was clearly self-sufficient, he wondered if she ever relied on others. Her job took her all over the world.Does she ever relax and let anyone take care of her?He wanted to place his hand on top of hers, but he held back.
“Just keep serving this incredible hot cocoa, and I’ll never need anything else,” she said after a moment. Her cheeks were glowing.
Ash raised his coffee cup to her mug, and the ceramic clinked softly.
“Cheers. I promise that as long as you’re here, the hot chocolate will be too.”
Holly gave a satisfied smile and took another sip of his old family recipe. He loved how much she loved it.
“So, I just had an idea,” he continued, sitting up straighter in the booth. “I have some work to do this afternoon, but what are you up to tomorrow evening?”
“I don’t have any plans.” Holly leaned toward him slightly, her shoulders rounding forward.
