Page 47 of A Moon Lake Christmas Hero

She cupped my cheek with her hand. “And I love you.”

We looked deep into each other’s eyes.

We loved each other.

Everything else we could figure out—together.

ERIN

The Moon Lake Inn glowed like a beacon in the winter night, every window illuminated and wreathed in twinkling lights. James helped me from the SUV, and the twins immediately raced ahead, their excited squeals leaving puffs of breath in the cold air.

"Ready?" James squeezed my hand. Apparently Christmas Eve at the Moon Lake Inn was a tradition around here. And who was I to break traditions?

I nodded, taking in the sight before me. Through the frosted windows, I could see shadows moving, hear laughter spilling out.

James had told me that each year Lisa and Claire transformed the Inn's main room into a magical Christmas wonderland. Garlands draped from every beam, crystals, and lights casting rainbow shadows on the snow-dusted windows and I couldn’t wait to see it.

The twins had been excited since they woke up this morning and pretended to be fairies from the moment James and I helped them put on their new dresses.

The scent hit me as soon as James opened the door and held it open for me—pine, cinnamon, and something else... mulled wine and frankincense?

The warmth enveloped me like a hug.

Not unlike the people of Moon Lake had welcomed me.

"There they are!" Lisa rushed forward, pulled me into a tight hug while Peter helped James with our coats. "We were starting to worry!"

"The roads are getting slick," James explained, which was a complete lie. We weren’t late because of the snow; we were late because James decided it was a good idea to pull me into his bedroom, lock the door, and have a quick make-out session.

I snorted, which earned me a round of raised eyebrows, and a squeeze from James. I pretended not to notice either one.

Thank God, the twins banged on the door, demanding fairy hairstyles, when they did, or we would’ve arrived even later.

"Auntie Lisa! Auntie Lisa!" The twins bounced around us—oblivious to the tension in the air. "Can we go see the other kids?"

"Of course! They're all in the playroom—we've got a Christmas craft station set up,” Lisa said and gave me a wink. “Everybody knows fooling around is mandatory at Christmas.”

Oh God. I knew everybody secretly wanted to know our relationship status. I just didn’t know how to tell people. Or if James even wanted to tell people at all.

As the girls darted off, Claire appeared with two steaming mugs, candy canes hooked over the rims. "Hot chocolate with a little something extra," she winked, passing them to us. "Welcome home, Erin."

That word—home—settled warm in my chest, sweeter than any hot chocolate.

James slung his arm around my waist, and together, we crossed the kitchen.

The main room was alive with activity. Carter spun Edith in an impromptu dance to "White Christmas," her laugh ringing clear above the music.

Near the massive Christmas tree, Birdie sat cross-legged on the floor, surrounded by older kids. She showed them a complex paper plane pattern.

I looked around and immediately spotted Hawk, who was leaning against the wall, watching Birdie with a soft smile. I elbowed James. “Are Hawk and Birdie an item?”

James followed my gaze to Hawk, then watched Birdie. “I have absolutely zero idea. I’m not the right person if you want to know all the gossip going on in town,” he said, and gave me a soft squeeze.

“So you’re the mayor just on paper?” I whispered, which earned me another squeeze. “Don’t worry. The girls are all eager to get me up to speed. I’ll just ask Jessie.” I glanced once more at Hawk, who was still smiling. Something told me that was a rare sight on the man, but I would confirm my inclinations later.

"No way, man," Goofy's voice carried from near the fireplace. "Die Hard is absolutely a Christmas movie!"

"You're delusional," Peaches countered, but his grin gave away his amusement. "It's an action movie that happens to take place at Christmas."

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