“You own the Emerald House?” Studies had shown that small-business owners were disproportionately happy people.Could that be the secret to whatever is going on in this building? Or do the people here spend a lot of time outdoors?The place was surrounded by forest. Studies also showed that time in nature was good for happiness.
Suddenly, Holly was intensely, scientifically curious about the town of Emerald Hollow. Maybe her theory about small towns was going to pan out, though even she had to admit that whatever was happening was beyond her wildest expectations.
Ash rested his hand on the dishcloth hanging over his shoulder as if he were about to pull it down and start cleaning the table. “Sure do. For about the last five years. Took it over from my dad and expanded the place. Don’t worry. I won’t be offended if you’re staying in a local motel or even a vacation rental,” he teased.
Holly didn’t usually have conversations with strangers. Aside from Lia, she made it a habit to focus on the mission of gathering Cheer. For the most part, that didn’t require interacting on a personal level with humans, and most humans didn’t go out of their way to talk to strangers either. But Ash was different. He appeared to be an open book.
Holly struggled to keep her face pleasantly neutral as she listened to him. Her watch vibrated furiously, and she clasped her hands together under the table. When she realized that Ash had stopped talking, she blinked, trying to focus on what he had been saying. His gaze still rested on her expectantly, a small smile pulling at the corners of his lips.
Pull yourself together, Holly.She straightened in her seat, flipping her hand over so that the watch face was buried in her thigh. “Oh, I haven’t decided where I’m staying yet. I thought I’d get a feel for the town first.” Holly tried to stick as close to the truth as possible, as was her habit.
He leaned in and spoke a little more quietly. “Well, the first night’s on the house, if you want to stay here at the Emerald House. But don’t advertise that. It’s not my standard practice.” His easy confidence slipped for a moment, and his shoulders briefly tensed, as he seemed confused by what he’d just offered. In that, at least, Holly could see that the people of the town were normal. Her magic, apparently, wanted her to stay at the Emerald House for the night, and Ash, naturally, had complied.
“You know, I think I’ll take you up on that.” Holly was still trying to get a sense of the room and what was going on in it.Why is the meter reacting this way?Staying in Emerald Hollow, near all that Cheer, didn’t seem like a bad idea at all. She wondered whether it was just the hotel giving off so much Cheer or if the whole town was a gold mine. She had to find out.
“Great!” Ash exclaimed, and his voice sounded full of warmth. Holly wasn’t sure if that was the magic or his typical personality. “When you’re done eating, just head over to the registration desk there, and Tamara will get you checked in.”
Just then, Sofia returned with Holly’s omelet. She smiled at Ash as she set the plate in front of Holly.
“This meal’s on the house, Sof,” Ash said to the server, who raised her eyebrows but nodded. “Nice meeting you… Sorry, I didn’t catch your name,” Ash said, leaning in slightly to allow a guest to slip past him out to the lobby. The guest gave Ash a quick fist bump. Ash’s gaze returned to Holly again. Little flecks of amber in his brown eyes glimmered.
She paused a moment too long before replying. “Holly. Nice to meet you too.” She wrapped her hands around the mug of hot cocoa, having completely forgotten about the taste.
Ash nodded. “Enjoy your meal, Holly. I’m sure I’ll be seeing you around.”
“Certainly,” Holly replied politely.
Ash smiled one more time, nodded, and walked away.
* * *
Ash movedin the direction of the café, unsure where he was going. A strange feeling had taken over him when talking to the new visitor. He had felt a strong pull to stay longer, to chat with her more, but hadn’t been able to think of any more excuses to keep the conversation going.
The woman, who was seated in his favorite booth, had the brightest complexion he had ever seen. Her face was a stunning combination of glow and dew that he figured must have required some expensive makeup, though it looked natural. Her eyes were a green as deep as the needles on the evergreen trees in the forest. Those two factors, paired with the soft and sleek red jacket she was wearing, sent his mind straight to thoughts of Christmas.
If Christmas were a person—a stunning person—that woman would be it.
Ash chanced one last look at her as he left the restaurant. She was staring at her hot chocolate as if it were the strangest thing she had ever seen. Still, her face radiated warmth, and her dark-brown hair framed her face like a halo.
Of course her name is Holly,he thought.How fitting.She’s Christmas personified. How could her name not be something like Holly?
He shook his head, trying to get rid of the feeling that there was something about her he had never encountered before.Who on Earth just booked a stay in the Emerald House?
ChapterSix
Holly sped through her meal, hardly noticing the omelet’s rich flavors. Her brief encounter with Ash and the strange way her watch had reacted to her time in the diner had thrown her off-kilter.And why is the hot chocolate here perfect?She’d been surprised twice within in the space of a few minutes.
Usually, she could predict what was going to happen when she went somewhere or at least anticipate things a few seconds in advance and plan her response, but Emerald Hollow was unlike anywhere she had ever been before. For once in her life, Holly felt as if she had no idea what would happen next.
Holly checked in with Tamara at the front desk, as Ash had directed, then passed down a hallway lined with wood-paneled wainscoting to get to her assigned room. After opening the door with an old-fashioned room key, she let her eyes rove over the room. The place felt homey.
She’d been given a charming suite with a queen bed draped in a lace-print quilt. A faint smell of fresh greenery filled the air. Holly stepped toward the window and drew the subtly floral-printed curtains aside to see a breathtaking view of the pine forest that fanned out from behind the Emerald House. Maybe that was what had reminded her of the North Pole. She could almost imagine the elves’ homes were somewhere in those woods.
Holly set her backpack on the round wooden end table and flopped down into a plush chair near an old-fashioned wood desk. When she checked her watch, her pulse spiked. She closed her eyes and reopened them. Finally, she shook her head, astonished. Her Cheer meter was nearly full.
That can’t be right. It’s the first day of the cycle.
She tapped the screen, trying to see if the magic needed to refresh. It typically took her close to a full Cheer cycle to meet her quota, twenty-five days at least.How could I be nearing that volume in one afternoon?
