Page 6 of Brewing Up Christmas

“Everything okay?” Kayla asked, glancing over at him.

“Yeah, fine,” Eli replied quickly, waving off her concern. “Just... nothing.”

He didn’t fully understand the meter, but one thing was certain—this was only the start. If he had any hope of getting back to normal, there was more work ahead. The thought weighed heavily on him, stirring an uneasy mixof frustration and resignation. He wanted to stay grumpy, to resist all of it, but seeing the meter jump by 50 points... it chipped away at his tough exterior. Just a little.

After the lights were done, they moved inside to tackle the café’s centerpiece: the Christmas tree. The large bay window at the front of Seaside Café offered a perfect view of the pier and beach beyond, and Kayla had big plans for this tree. Eli eyed the tree skeptically as Kayla dragged the oversized thing into position. It was massive, easily too large for the small café, but the way her face lit up made him keep his thoughts to himself.

“This tree will be the beacon,” Kayla said, brushing the snow-dusted needles off her jacket. Her eyes sparkled with excitement. “It’s going to light up the whole pier, and people will see it from the beach. I want this to be the heart of our little town this season.”

Eli rolled his eyes—internally, at least—but he couldn’t help admiring her energy. Kayla was one of those people who always seemed to have an extra ounce of optimism stashed away, no matter how cold or dreary things got. Her café was a reflection of that—bright, cozy, and welcoming, even on days like today when the sky outside threatened more rain than snow.

Kayla wiped her hands on her apron and glanced at Eli with a grin. “You ready to make some magic happen?”

“Not sure magic’s really my thing,” Eli grumbled, untangling a particularly stubborn strand of lights.

Kayla just laughed, brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear. “Oh, come on, it’s the holidays! Even the grumpiest people get a little cheer in them eventually. Besides,” she added with a teasing wink, “you’re better at this than you think.”

She was right about one thing—Kayla was good at what she did. Seaside Café wasn’t just a business for her; it was her way of bringing warmth to the town, even when winter’s gloom settled in. The café had a charm that couldn’t be denied: the smell of fresh coffee, the sound of soft chatter from locals and tourists alike, and now, with the tree standing tall in the center of the window, the beginnings of something special.

Kayla, Eli knew, had been running Seaside for the past few years, ever since she’d come back to Bayshore after some time away. There was a story there, though she never seemed to talk about it much. Instead, she poured herself into the café, making it the heart of the community. Even now, as she fiddled with the decorations, there was a determination in her movements, a desire to makethe place feel like home for everyone who walked through the door.

As Eli untangled the last of the lights, Kayla stood back to admire the tree. “You know,” she said thoughtfully, “this time of year always reminds me why I love doing this. It’s about more than just coffee and pastries—it’s about giving people a place to feel... connected. Especially during the holidays. That’s why I wanted the tree to be right here, in the window. It’s more than a decoration—it’s a signal that there’s always a place to come in and warm up.”

Eli didn’t respond right away, focused on wrapping the lights around the tree, but he couldn’t deny the effect Kayla’s words were having on him. The idea of making people feel welcome, of creating a sense of warmth and belonging—it was something he hadn’t really thought about. But as the decorations slowly transformed the café, he felt a shift, like the heaviness of winter was starting to lift.

The café, once just another stop in town, now glowed with a soft light as they finished stringing the lights. The tree, though oversized, fit perfectly in the bay window, casting a warm glow out onto the street. It was a beacon, just like Kayla had envisioned, and as Eli stepped back to admire their work, he had to admit—she was right.

“Well, it’s not the worst thing I’ve done,” Eli muttered, trying to brush off the sense of satisfaction creeping in as the lights flickered to life, casting their soft, golden hue across the room. He glanced sideways at the now-familiar meter that had appeared again, the red liquid bubbling up another 50 points.

Kayla, oblivious to the magical meter hovering just behind him, grinned wide. “It looks amazing! Thank you, Eli. You’ve got the touch, whether you like it or not.”

He crossed his arms over his chest, still grumbling, though the corners of his mouth twitched upward. “Yeah, well... don’t get used to it.”

Kayla laughed and patted him on the shoulder. “You say that now, but by the time we’re done with this town, you’ll be the one convincing everyone to hang their stockings early.”

Eli scoffed, but he couldn’t help the slight crack forming in his usual grumpy demeanor. He glanced out the bay window, where the wind had died down, and for a brief moment, the world outside didn’t seem quite so bleak.

Maybe, just maybe, this whole holiday spirit thing wasn’t as terrible as he’d thought.

Nolan’s Brewery Makeover

After finally finishing up at Seaside Café, Eli stretched his arms above his head, feeling the stiffness in his muscles from stringing lights and hauling the oversized tree into place. His fingers were still tingling from the cold, and he rubbed his hands together as he headed outside, the icy wind slapping him in the face. The day hadn’t warmed up one bit, and the walk home was going to be brutal.

He stuffed his hands into his pockets, hunching his shoulders against the wind as he made his way through the quiet streets of Bayshore. The gray sky loomed overhead, threatening more snow, but for now, the town sat in that still, cold calm that came right before a winter storm.

As Eli trudged through the empty streets, his phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out, squinting at the bright screen in the gloomy light. A text from Angelina.

Angelina

Nice work at the café. Now, on to your next task: Harbor Craft Brew & Books. I want lights wrapped around the beams and a holiday-themed book table in the center. Chop Chop, only 12 days until XMAS!!!!

Eli frowned down at the screen. Of course she had another task for him. And of course, it involved more decorating. He sighed, stuffing the phone back into his pocket. Harbor Craft Brew & Books was his usual haunt, but this time he wouldn’t be pouring drinks or shelving books—he’d be playing Santa’s helper. Again.

At least Nolan could help.

By the time Eli made it back to his small apartment, the wind had picked up even more, whipping around the corners of the buildings and making the cold feel even sharper. He quickly changed into a fresh shirt, threw on a jacket, and headed out again toward the brewery. The sooner he got this over with, the better.

When Eli pushed open the door to Harbor Craft, the familiar sound of the bell jingling above the door greeted him, along with the cozy warmth of the space. The smell of freshly brewed coffee mingled with the rich scent ofaged books, and despite his reluctance, Eli couldn’t help but feel a tiny sense of relief as he stepped inside.

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