Page 69 of Chasing Cheer
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Ash received a call from Sofia,telling him to meet her in the clearing because of a downed tree. Normally, an announcement like that right before the Christmas faire would have sent his anxiety spiking, but for the moment, he felt like he could conquer anything.
He kept looking around anxiously, hoping Holly would arrive soon.Will she come flying in on her sleigh?He shook his head. The idea was still preposterous, but somehow, his mind could accept it, like he’d known there was something magical about her all along, and her explanation had fit perfectly with what he’d already observed.
Ash pulled into an open spot at the edge of the woods, narrowly avoiding a large snowbank. He climbed out and walked to the clearing where the Christmas faire was normally held and froze. He thought, after all he’d learned that day, that nothing could surprise him. Yet there he was, unable to believe his eyes. At least thirty people were busy at work.
And in the center of all of them, practically glowing as she watched him approach, was Holly. His chest tightened. She had come back, just as she’d said she would. He stepped toward her and she toward him.
“You’re back,” he breathed, unable to drag his eyes from hers, even to look around at what appeared to be half the town and some kind of miracle. He supposed he shouldn’t have been surprised she’d pulled it off. She was Ms. Claus, after all. A part of him thought he had only imagined her being there earlier, telling him who she really was. But seeing her again, he knew it had all been real.
“I told you I would be.” Her forest-green eyes were shimmering with excitement. “And I wanted to surprise you.” She beamed and flung her hand around the clearing, reminiscent of when she’d shown him her decorations for the harvest fair, her expression aglow as she watched him.
Ash finally stopped to take it all in. The maze was a work of art. It had been constructed seemingly out of nowhere, with materials he had never seen before. It looked like something straight from a movie set or a Macy’s.
Human-height miniature houses, trees, and lampposts lined the streets of the maze. Sparkling lights covered the clearing, and the vendors who had been working there all week seemed rejuvenated by the addition. They had all rolled their carts to the edges of the clearing, surrounding the maze. The tantalizing scent of warm chocolate chip cookies drifted in the air. The trees around the clearing were adorned with lights and ornaments. The place looked like an enchanted Christmas village, more magical than it ever had.
“I would ask where all this came from, but I think I have a pretty good idea.” Ash finally took his eyes off the magical sight to look around at the members of the town, his friends, coming together to set up the maze and decorate the clearing.
“Sofia called everyone she knew, letting them know the town could use their help in the clearing. People jumped at the opportunity to help, Ash.” Her voice sounded like music to his ears.
“I thought it was just going to be the vendors this year, though I hoped people would still enjoy getting together. But now we have all this, and it’s beyond anything I could have imagined.”
“I know what you mean.” A look that he couldn’t quite interpret flashed across Holly’s face. “But you have people who love this town and who love you, and they all wanted to help. They wanted to give you back a piece of the magic you give them all year long this Christmas.”
Ash took a deep breath, thinking about what she and his friends had pulled off. Then his eyes widened. “Holly, it’s Christmas Eve!” He tried to picture what she had do that night, and it filled him with wonder.
“Don’t worry. I still have time for that. I love this town too. And I love you.”
The words hit him like the heat from a fireplace during a blizzard. He stepped closer, gently taking her arms in his hands.
Before he could speak, Holly touched a finger to his lips. “There’s one more thing.” She took his hand and walked toward the edge of the clearing. The reindeer were waiting there, golden sleigh in tow.
“I’ve been thinking. The reindeer could help us with the problem of the damaged sleigh. This one is perfectly functioning.” She waved in the direction of the sleigh then nodded toward the reindeer. “No one will know the difference. I’ve already tested it out, and the townspeople can see them. My magic must want them to be part of this parade. People can think I brought them here from Canada or something. Or that the vendor you mentioned before came through. I’ll have to have Dasher remind Ivy not to start floating out of excitement, but otherwise, they’ll be perfect angels.”
Holly’s face was alight, and Ash felt like he could not possibly be happier.
“That just leaves one question, then,” Ash said, grinning.
Holly raised her eyebrows. “Only one?” she asked, picking a snowflake off his jacket.
“I’ve played Santa in the parade the last few years. I’d love for Ms. Claus to ride with me. What do you say?”
“I think that could be arranged. Idoknow a thing or two about being Ms. Claus, you know.”
“Of course you do,” Ash said, his voice full of amazement. He pulled her in for a tight hug, never wanting to let her go.
ChapterFifty-Four
The people of Emerald Hollow readied themselves for the parade like film stars preparing for a shoot. The finishing touches were put on the clearing, the repaired floats were lined up behind the movie theater, and the volunteers had all headed to their various floats or lined the sidewalks of Main Street to watch the parade. The sidewalks were bursting with locals and visitors alike.
Just as Holly and Ash were about to climb into the sleigh, Sofia came running up to them, grinning. “Guess who’s here and ready to watch the parade,” she said breathlessly, her cheeks flushed.
“Who?” Ash and Holly asked simultaneously.
“The Hallmark rep! And you’ll never guess how he got here.”
Holly and Ash looked at each other then back at Sofia.
