Page 52 of Whiskey Kisses For the Mountain Man
"Perfect. I'll see you at the lighting."
I kiss her once more, quickly, before heading out. As I drive to Ezra and Zoe's to change, my mind races with everything I justwitnessed. The way her parents tried to diminish her, control her, mold her into someone she's not. It makes my blood boil, but it also explains so much about Lettie—her need for approval, her determination to make this festival perfect, her insecurities about her body despite being the most beautiful woman I've ever seen.
It only strengthens my resolve for tonight. She deserves someone who sees her, all of her, and loves every inch.
Two hours later,I'm sweating beneath the red velvet suit, fake beard itching against my jaw as I hide behind the massive tree. The town square is packed with locals and visitors alike, all gathered for Eden Ridge's first annual tree lighting ceremony. Through a gap in the branches, I can see Lettie on the small stage, radiant in a red dress that hugs her curves, her face animated as she addresses the crowd.
"Welcome, everyone, to Eden Ridge's first Christmas tree lighting ceremony!" Her voice carries over the speakers, enthusiasm infectious. "This tree represents more than just holiday spirit. It represents community, resilience, and the magic that happens when people come together."
My heart swells as she acknowledges the Hunter brothers for their generosity, the Montgomery Farm for the tree, and all the local businesses that contributed to the festival. She doesn't mention me by name, but when she says, "And a special thank you to Hunter Distillery, without whom none of this would be possible," her eyes scan the crowd, obviously looking for me.
The moment approaches. West, stationed at the generator, gives me the thumbs up.
"And now," Lettie announces, "the moment we've all been waiting for. Eden Ridge's first Christmas tree lighting in three, two, one!"
She flips the ceremonial switch, and the tree erupts in thousands of twinkling lights. The crowd gasps and cheers. That's my cue.
I step out from behind the tree, the bells on my costume jingling with each step. "Ho ho ho! Merry Christmas, Eden Ridge!"
The children in the front row squeal with delight, but I have eyes only for Lettie. Her hand flies to her mouth, eyes widening in shock as she recognizes me despite the costume.
I make my way to the stage, the crowd parting with amused whispers as they realize Santa is none other than the town's notorious Christmas-hating mountain man.
"Santa has a special message tonight," I announce into the microphone, my voice carrying across the hushed square. "Sometimes, even Santa loses his Christmas spirit. Sometimes, the magic of the season gets buried beneath years of pain and disappointment."
I lock eyes with Lettie, who's watching me with tears already forming.
"But then someone special comes along," I continue. "Someone who reminds you that it's not about the day or the decorations or even the presents. It's about love. About finding someone who makes every day feel like Christmas morning."
I reach up and pull down the fake beard so my face is fully visible.
"Someone once told me that being cynical doesn't create joy. It just ensures you never find it." I extend my hand toward Lettie. "Snowflake, would you come here, please?"
She makes her way to me, cheeks flushed, eyes shining. When she reaches me, I take both her hands in mine.
"Everyone here knows I was Eden Ridge's resident Grinch," I say, earning knowing laughs from the townsfolk. "What they don't know is that three weeks ago, a Christmas Queen burst into my life and changed everything."
I turn back to Lettie. "You didn't just bring Christmas back into my life, Lettie. You brought light, joy, hope—all the things I'd convinced myself weren't for me. You saw past my walls, past my gruffness, past my pain, to the man underneath who was just waiting for someone to believe in him."
Tears are streaming down her face now, but her smile is radiant.
"I've spent forty-three years guarding my heart," I continue. "And then you came along with your candy canes and your snowman cookies and your absolute refusal to let me wallow in my misery, and suddenly, all those walls seemed pointless."
I release one of her hands to reach into my pocket, pulling out the small velvet box. The crowd gasps as I drop to one knee.
"Colette Donovan, I know it's fast. I know some will say we're crazy. But when you've spent decades in the dark, you don't question the sunrise when it finally comes. You just bask in its warmth and thank whatever gods exist for bringing it to you."
I open the box, revealing the ring I chose with Zoe's help—a vintage-style diamond surrounded by smaller stones that catch the light from the Christmas tree, making them sparkle like fresh snow.
"I love you, Snowflake. Every sparkly, Christmas-obsessed inch of you. And it doesn’t have to be next week or even next month, I know no added time will make me want to live any other minute without you by my side. So, will you marry me?"
Time seems to stop as I wait for her answer. The crowd fades away, the lights blur, and there's only Lettie, her handstrembling in mine, her eyes wide with shock and something else—something that makes my heart race.
"Yes," she whispers, then louder, "Yes! Of course, yes!"
I surge to my feet, sliding the ring onto her finger before lifting her into my arms, spinning her as the crowd erupts in cheers. When I set her down, I capture her lips in a kiss that promises forever.
"I love you," she says against my mouth.
