Page 41 of Sweet Christmas Comeback
It was perfect.
Around her, the Tree Lighting committee bustled about with the organized chaos of people who’d done this a hundred times before. Electrical cords snaked across the square, connecting to generators and light displays. A small stage went up near the tree for the mayor’s ceremonial speech. The giant spruce itself stood dark and waiting, ready for its moment of glory at nine p.m.
Jade checked in with Mabel at the pond station, where her aunt was setting up with the same meticulous care. Then to the church, where Felicity was adding last-minute decorativetouches and already photographing everything from artistic angles.
“It looks amazing,” Felicity declared, gesturing at the whole scene. “Seriously, this is going to be incredible.”
“If people show up,” Jade said, trying to squash the anxiety in her chest.
“They’ll show up. It’s the Tree Lighting. Everyone shows up.”
By five-thirty, as the starry night sky settled over Frost Pine Ridge, people began trickling into the square. Families with bundled children, teenagers in groups, elderly couples arm in arm. They admired the decorations, took photos by the tree, wandered between the various vendor booths that had been set up for the occasion.
A few stopped at Jade’s station. She served hot cocoa with a smile that felt only slightly forced, chatting about the weather and the tree and how beautiful everything looked this year. The cookies sold slowly but steadily—not a rush, but not empty either.
It was fine. Everything was fine.
Except it was five forty-five, and there was no sign of any reindeer.
At six, Jade left her station in the hands of a teenage volunteer from the church youth group and walked to Mabel’s booth at the pond. The path was longer than she’d remembered, and her breath fogged in the cold air.
“How’s it going?” she asked, approaching the booth where Mabel was adjusting a thermos.
“Slow,” Mabel admitted. “A few people have stopped by, but not many. I think they’re all staying near the square where the action is.”
“It’ll pick up,” Jade said with more confidence than she felt. “Once the sleigh rides start, we’ll have a steady stream of people moving between stations. That was the whole plan.”
“Of course,” Mabel agreed, but she glanced toward the road that led to Leo’s farm. “The rides do start at six, right? That’s what you said?”
“That’s what we planned.” Jade checked her phone. Six-oh-five. No new messages. “Maybe he’s running late. Getting the reindeer harnessed takes time.”
“I’m sure that’s it,” Mabel said, but she didn’t sound sure at all.
They stood in awkward silence for a moment, both staring down the dark road where sleigh bells should have been jingling by now.
“Well,” Jade said finally, “I should get back to my station. Let me know if you need anything.”
“Jade! Miss Jade!”
Lila came running up, her pink snowsuit bright even in the dusk, her mittened hand waving frantically. Behind her, a tall man with Steve’s face—older, more weathered, but unmistakably Leo’s brother—walked at a more measured pace.
“Hi, Lila,” Jade said, crouching down to the girl’s level. “Having fun at the festival?”
“It’s okay,” Lila said, her enthusiasm dimmed slightly. “The tree looks really pretty. And the cookies smell amazing.”
“Well, let’s get you some,” Jade said, standing up and extending her hand toward Steve. “Steve Carter? I haven’t seen you in years.”
“Good to see you, Jade,” Steve said with a kind smile, shaking her hand. “Welcome home. Leo mentioned you’d been helping Mabel with the bakery.”
The mention of Leo’s name sent an uncomfortable twist through Jade’s stomach, but she forced her smile to stay in place. “Trying to. Come on, let’s get you both some hot cocoa.”
Mabel served them both—Lila getting an extra-large cup and two cookies because Jade couldn’t resist her enthusiasm. Thegirl’s eyes lit up at the reindeer-shaped cookie, examining the careful icing work with obvious delight.
“These are so good!” Lila declared after her first bite. “And the cocoa is perfect. This whole thing is really cool, Miss Jade.”
“Thank you, sweetie.”
“It would be even better with the sleigh rides, though,” Lila continued, her voice taking on a wistful note. “I was really looking forward to those.”
