“I love it.” She slipped the ornament into the bag and nodded toward the door. “Let’s stop at the bakery for some Christmas cookies and then decorate that perfect tree.”
Drew and Kacey spent the afternoon decorating the tree, eating cookies from her sister’s bakery, drinking eggnog, and listening to Christmas music. They reminisced and laughed, and he couldn’t remember the last time he’d had such an enjoyable day.
When the tree was done, Drew turned off the overhead lights, and they stood in front of it, admiring their work.
Kacey smiled up at him. “I was right. It’s perfect.”
“Yes, you were.” He felt the overwhelming urge to kiss her. As he started to reach for her, she crossed the room and flipped on the lights.
She pointed to the television. “How about we watch a movie?”
“Sure.”
“Do you have popcorn?”
“Who doesn’t have popcorn?”
She laughed on her way to the kitchen. “You find a movie, and I’ll make the popcorn. Is it in the pantry?”
“Yes.” Drew found the remote, flipped on the television, and sat down on the sofa.
Soon the aroma of popcorn coupled with the sound of popping filled the house, and he smiled. If only he could find a way for this day to never end.
Later that evening, Kacey flopped down on the sofa across from her mother’s favorite chair. “It was the perfect day, Mom. We never stopped talking and laughing.” She told her about decorating the tree and then watching a movie together. “I’ve never felt this close to a man.”
“You love him, don’t you?” Mom asked.
Kacey sighed. “Yeah, I do, but we want different things. He’s pursuing a job in Newton, and I’m planning to go back to Charlotte eventually.”
“What if there was a way that you could find a compromise?”
“How?”
“What if you worked remotely from Newton?”
“Mom, I don’t even know how he feels about me. I think he cares for me, too, but he’s never said he likes me as more than a friend.”
“What if you just asked him?”
Kacey grimaced. “And what would I do if he rejected me?”
“And what if he didn’t?”
Kacey huffed and stood up. “How about we start on those Christmas cards?”
“You were always great at changing the subject.” Mom headed toward her bedroom. “I’ll get out the cards, and you make us some tea.”
Kacey headed into the kitchen, her thoughts swirling with her mother’s questions.
The bakery was hustling and bustling the night of the Christmas Tree Lighting Festival. Kacey rushed around delivering hot cocoa and Christmas cookies to the customers standing in the line that stretched from the counter to the door. Mom ran the register, and Dani kept a supply of cookies and hot cocoa available. Customers sat at the tables in the dining area while enjoying their festive treats.
Out the front window, Kacey saw townspeople milling about, bundled up in coats, hats, scarves, and gloves while talking, eating Christmas cookies, drinking cocoa, and visiting the stores.
When there was a break in the line, Kacey retrieved her phone from the back pocket of her jeans and found a missed call and message Drew had left ten minutes ago. She was surprised that she hadn’t seen him, since he promised to stop by the bakery before the program started.
She stepped into the kitchen, moved to the far corner, and then played the message.
“Hey, Kace. It’s me.” His words came in a rush. “I need your help. I’m stuck in traffic, and the festival is going to start soon. Can you possibly fill in for me? Give me a call, and I’ll let you know what I need you to do. I’ll take over as soon as I get there. Thanks.”
