Page 55 of A South Hill Christmas Keepsake
Hannah Leigh leaned into him, warm in his side. “And we’re part of it.”
“The best part, he said with a squeeze of her hand.
Behind them, the tree twinkled in the distance, and Hannah Leigh knew this town wasn’t just holding its history. It was holding her, too.
Two mornings later, folded between the classifieds and the editorials of theSouth Hill Enterprise, folks found a brand-new column.
From Birdie’s Nest: Gossip with a Purpose
SOUTH HILL—by Birdie Horn
Well, darlings, what a Christmas we’ve had! That tree lighting shone brighter than a diamond in Miss Sandra’s Sunday hat, and hearts around here are glowing just as warm. Yours truly had a front-row seat to history. And let me say, it’s not every day that love stories past and present collide under the same South Hill sky.
Our Hometown Holiday Festival sparkled, Winnie’s pralines returned in triumph, and, yes, the rumor is true! People saw romance under the Christmas tree lights. I won’t name names (not yet), but if you were in the square, you know who you saw. And if you weren’t, well, ask anyone. South Hill keeps its secrets, but not for long.
So, here’s my reminder this week: keep your cocoa hot, your ears perked, and your hearts open. Because second chances aren’t just for fairy tales. They’re for us, too.
Editor’s Note: Stay tuned for more stories about the recipes that will appear in the South Hill Keepsake Christmas Cookbook. Don’t missyour chance to taste the stories this Birdie can’t stop talking about.
As Hannah Leigh read the column later that morning, curled on Aunt Winnie’s sofa with Nate’s arm snug around her shoulders, she couldn’t help but laugh. Birdie had always been the town crier, but now she had an official purpose.
And South Hill, bless its heart, had never sparkled brighter.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
The air in South Hill had that clear, bright snap that made breath look like smoke and cheeks as red as apples. Somewhere close, bells chimed the quarter hour. The town felt alive in a way it hadn’t in years.
Hannah Leigh hooked her arm through Nate’s, matching his easy stride as they joined the slow parade toward the square. She waved to Charlie who was driving Santa in his spit-shined convertible. Kids squealed with their hands in the air as Santa tossed candy canes to the folks along the parade route.
“I could bottle this,” she said. “Hope with a hint of cinnamon.”
“Careful,” Nate teased. “Bringleton’s will bottle it and sell it by the tub.”
They passed the antiques shop, where Mrs. Weaver’s headless mannequins stood like gossiping neighbors in wool cardigans.
Across the street, the Colonial Theater’s marquee announced:
CHRISTMAS JOY
ONE NIGHT ONLY
A young couple posed beneath it. Behind them, Aunt Winnie emerged from the dress shop with a shopping bag on her hip and a scarf flung around her neck and over her shoulder. She’d traded her apron for pearls, but her energy hadn’t dimmed.
“Well, look at y’all,” she called. “If joy had a marching band, you’d be leading it.”
“Evening, Winnie,” Nate said. “Headed to the festivities? It’s the last day.”
“I wouldn’t miss it. I don’t know that the mayor has ever called for a gathering that wasn’t on my agenda.” She lowered her voice. “That’s a first. And by the way, if Birdie prints that picture of me dancing with that cute little dog, I’ll deny it till theLord himself intervenes.” Her eyes softened. “You look settled, honey. That suits you.”
“I’m good.” Hannah Leigh smiled, her fingers slipping into Nate’s.
Bringleton’s door swung open, releasing a wave of cocoa and marshmallow steam. The shopkeeper waved them in. “Hot drinks for the walk,” he said. “If the mayor called an impromptu town hall at the Christmas festival, it must be important. No telling how long he’ll ramble.”
He marched over to the counter and handed them each a cup. “On the house for our favorite cookbook taster and her coach.”
“Are you buttering us up for Birdie’s column?” Nate asked.
“Son, I would never,” Bringleton said solemnly, then grinned. “But if you tell Birdie my Christmas cookies changed your life, I won’t stop you.”
