Page 37 of A South Hill Christmas Keepsake
She glanced again at Margaret Jane’s photo wondering if she and the mayor had been lighthearted and in love. If her coming back had anything to do with it, or the mayor’s mood.
It was hard to picture the cranky mayor in love like that. If that’s why Margaret Jane moved back, you’d think that fantasy would’ve blown up when she saw his moody scowl he seemed to wear all the time.
Eventually the pieces would fall into place like ornaments on a tree waiting for the star on top.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
By Thursday afternoon, the day before the festival kicks off, it was all hands on deck. Hannah Leigh was juggling more Christmas chaos than cocoa mugs to be sold at the Christmas Craft Market. Cookie contest entries doubled overnight, the drooping garland was demanding an immediate fixing, and a choir director losing her voice had her knee-deep in merry mayhem.
TheHometown Holiday Festivalwas barreling toward them faster than Santa on a caffeine buzz, and Aunt Winnie was in her element. Clipboards, duct tape, and pure determination. She’d turn this town into a winter wonderland if it meant gluing the garland on herself.
The countdown was ticking, and the day was flying by. It would be a miracle if they finished everything by morning.
Hannah Leigh needed a break, so she slipped out the back door of the Chamber of Commerce. She headed straight to the coffee shop even though her conscience was thumping louder than reindeer hooves on a rooftop which was giving her a headache.
Inside Bringleton’s, roasted espresso and vanilla comforted her. She spotted Nate at a corner table, sipping hot cocoa and flipping through a book.
Is it being back in South Hill, or spending time with Nate, that feels so good about this visit?
The thought hung there for a heartbeat. She took in a breath and walked over, pretty sure Nate was the answer. “How are you doing?”
“Good,” Nate said, clearing his things from the table across from him. “Join me.”
But just as Hannah Leigh pulled the chair out, her phone buzzed.
WINNIE: Mayor’s tree lighting dry-run in 15 minutes. Need you there ASAP.
“That would’ve been so nice.” She groaned. “I can’t.” She flipped her phone around so he could see the message. “I’ve been summoned.”
“Sorry.” Nate looked disappointed. “Maybe we can get together later. Dinner?”
“I’ll text you. Before this, my day was packed, but somehow this little temporary assignment keeps growing.
“You’re already waist high in this thing,” he teased. “No turning back now.”
She pushed her hair behind her ear.“It might drown me before it’s all said and done.”
“Hope not, and you’ve got to eat. Keep me on speed dial. And here, take this.” Nate pressed a small, red-wrapped box into her hand. “For later.”
The little gift took her by surprise. “What did you do?”
“Just a little something. I was thinking about you and how busy you’ve been. Go on. They are waiting on you.”
“Yeah. Thanks.” She spun and rushed toward the door. Before she reached the tree-lighting area, she took a moment to open the little box. A Bringleton’s gift card and a paper ornament that read,
For when the day runs long, and the town runs wild.
Your cocoa is on me.
Conversation optional, but I’m hoping for both.
—Nate
She hugged the card before tucking it into her coat pocket. The sweet gesture made it impossible to hide her excitement.He like-likes me. Like really likes me.She couldn’t stop smiling if she tried.
And with that, the rush to help with the tree lighting dry run didn’t seem as bad. In fact, she didn’t even dread dealing with the grumpy mayor.
By the time Hannah Leigh reached the square, the half-strung garland and ladders leaning every which way in the middle of decorating the jumbo Christmas tree looked nothing less than chaotic.
