Page 61 of Lone Wolf in Lights
On top of that, her heart felt raw, something she was trying to avoid. She missed Eli. There was no ignoring that. She missed talking to him, laughing with him, experiencing life with him. And she missed his touch.
First, she needed to make the Christmas market successful for what it meant to the Empowerment Elves and Haley’s Place. After that, she could let all the emotions that were slowly gnawing at her rise to the surface as the fog in her head began to clear.
“Two days,” Willow said, glancing up at the group. “We’ve got two days to do as many crafts as we possibly can.”
“We totally got this,” Jenna, the owner of the diner, responded without missing a beat, her fingers deftly tying a bow.
She’d shown up today—apparently Charly and Aubrey had told her what happened with Buck, so she wanted to help where she could.
“I’m just so grateful to the stores who were willing to give more donations,” Willow said. “Seriously, there’s some really good people in this area.”
“That’s why I love it here,” Lisa chimed in. “People are made of good stuff.”
Willow allowed herself a small smile, feeling the pride too. They weren’t just rebuilding the inventory for the Christmas market; they were showing Buck he didn’t win. And damn, did that feel good.
Charly breezed through the door of The Naked Moose, arms embracing a cardboard box. As she set it down with an audible thud on the wooden table the contents inside clinked together.
“Got some more donations from the folks over at Timber Falls Goods,” Charly announced. “Seems everyone’s happy to pitch in.”
Willow wiped her hands on her apron, flecks of glitter falling away, and moved to help Charly unpack. “You’re amazing, you know that? Thank you so much for driving around for me.”
“We’re in this together,” Charly replied. “Besides, it’s better me driving around than actually making the crafts.”
Willow shook her head at Charly. She almost couldn’t believe how many good things had happened today. They needed this win.
“Speaking of being in this together,” Betty interjected, her voice tender yet tinged with concern as she added a little bell to her cardstock, “how’s Amie doing?”
Willow paused, a card half-finished in her hand, and met Betty’s gaze. “She’s staying with family for a bit,” she explained, keeping the whole truth to herself.
“Smart girl,” Betty nodded, her eyes softening with empathy. “Sometimes the strongest thing you can do is allow yourself to be cared for by the people who love you.”
“Gosh, do I ever know that,” Willow agreed, taking more crafting items from the box. “She needs a safe space—to heal, to breathe.”
“Strength comes in many forms,” Betty stated. “And sometimes, it’s found in the quietest of places.”
“Like here,” Willow murmured, motioning to the room filled with friends and laughter, with hands busy at work.
“Like here,” Betty affirmed, a smile touching the corners of her lips.
Willow finished emptying the box and then returned to her seat and her card. She slid ribbon through the punched hole of the Christmas card, her fingers dancing nimbly over the sparkling paper.
“Willow, dear, I’ve been meaning to say,” Betty began, “how much I admire Eli’s protective nature. I can’t even imagine what would have happened if he had not arrived just in time.”
Willow paused, the ribbon slipping from her grasp as she raised her gaze to meet Betty’s. Right, they hadn’t told anyone they werefakedating. She couldn’t mentally handle that load right now. “Yes, he’s very protective.”
“Reminds me of my Henry,” Betty said with a nostalgic sigh. She plucked up a crimson card and ran her thumb over its edge before setting it aside. “He wasn’t a man given to violence, mind you. But there was this one time...”
Willow’s curiosity piqued at the mischievous glint sparking in Betty’s eyes. “Don’t stop now. What happened,” she urged gently.
“We were at a barn dance, many moons ago,” Betty recounted, her hands pausing over her craft. “I was fetching us a couple of sodas when this slick-haired man thought it wise to pinch my bottom.”
Willow snorted a laugh. “You are kidding?”
“Oh, it’s hard to believe now, but the men did love me back then,” Betty said with an easy grin.
“Of course they loved you,” Willow countered. “You’re a beauty and have got spunk.”
Betty laughed softly. “Well, maybe, but didn’t Henry see red?” Her gaze grew distant, lost in the memory. “He was like a bull with a matador. He strode right over, calm as you please, tapped the man on the shoulder, and when he turned...” She mimed a swift punch with her fist. “Broke his nose clean.”
