“He’s telling you to accept the fruitcake, and he’ll help you hide the evidence if you don’t like it,” Jane replies with a chuckle.
“I guess so. Who knew you had a sweet tooth,” I mutter as I pet Angus’s head. “First marshmallows and now fruitcake.”
“My parents have always made Christmas special, which I love, but when I’m not home, Christmas is…pale. It’s lacking. Mom and Dad’s excitement, the decorating competition between neighbors, and the small-town feel during this time. It doesn’t even begin to compare to anything or anywhere else.”
“I love that. My mom raised me as a single mom for most of my life. I didn’t grow up with much, but she always managed to make it special. And it wasn’t the gifts she’d find or make; it was the time we spent together baking cookies or watching a holiday movie. Even though she’s gone now, it’s a season I always feel closest to her.”
“That’s beautiful, Andrew. We’ll be sure to remember her in the celebrations this year.”
“Ten, nine, eight, seven…” we all begin counting down, “three, two, one!”
As the crowd shouts the final number, the tree lights up in a dazzling display of colors. The glow casts a warm light over the village, illuminating faces young and old. Cheers and clapping echo through the square, mingling with the festive music that starts playing.
A show is played with the tree lights matching the tempo of the music. The sight is mesmerizing, with twinkling multicolored lights creating a stunning spectacle against the night sky. I turn to look at Jane whose eyeswiden as the music swells, and the lights on the tree dance in time with the melody.
The crowd erupts in cheers when the show ends.
“That was wonderful, wasn’t it?” Jane exclaims as families and couples start dispersing.
Her eyes look off into the distance, past me, and her face drops in horror. I look behind me when I see her parents and Nonna heading in our direction. Jane’s mom waves vigorously at us, and Jane’s hand tenses in mine. But she doesn’t let go, which seems like a good sign.
Angus turns in circles and lets out a small bark.
“Go on,” I tell him as I release the leash and then turn to look at Jane. “Your mom always has treats in her pocket for him.”
“Angus loves his treats.” She laughs, but it doesn’t reach her eyes. She’s nervous, and it shows.
“Maybe Angus can occupy her enough and we can slip away without saying hi,” I whisper, which wins a real smile from her.
“I wish. I apologize in advance. Be prepared for a thousand questions.”
My stomach churns as we walk toward them. How do I define my relationship with Jane? Are we dating? We haven’t even discussed it ourselves, what do I tell them?
“There’s our girl!” Harry raises his hands in excitement, his eyes dropping to our hands. He looks at me suspiciously. “Andrew.” He shakes my hand, the one not holding his daughter’s. “You’re here…together.”
Harry is a nice guy, very friendly, and before now, I was never intimidated by him. But I’m not just a fellow neighbor, or the local detective now. This is Jane’s dad, and if things go the way I hope, he’d be my father-in-law.
“Dad, why don’t you just ask what you want without any sugarcoating?” Jane groans, and a nervous chuckle bubbles out of me.
“Andrew,” her mom smiles, “I didn’t know you two knew each other.”
Nonna’s eyes twinkle with mischief. “Yes, how did you two meet, hmm?”
I look to Jane. “You didn’t tell them?” Jane shakes her head then I look at her family. “She pepper sprayed me.”
12
Jane
My mother gasps, her hand flying to her chest in shock. “Jane! Why on earth did you do that?”
I glance at my father who gives a subtle but approving nod.
I start to laugh but hide it with a cough then clear my throat. “Well, it makes sense if we tell the whole story.” I narrow my eyes at Andrew. I take a deep breath and give the cliff notes version of our first meeting.
“That was one meet cute, huh, you two?” Nonna smirks.
“More like meet hate,” my mom mumbles, but we all hear her.
