Page 64 of Lone Wolf in Lights
Timber Falls went all out for the Christmas market. There were little wooden huts that were already brought in, and town workers were busy setting up Christmas lights, turning Main Street into a little Christmas Village.
A bang outside the window caught Willow’s attention. She glanced through the frosted window, her heart catching in her throat as a familiar person came into view. “They made it,” she gasped, dashing to the door.
The cold nipped at her cheeks as she flung the door open, revealing love personified. “Mom! Dad!” she called.
Her parents’ eyes sparkled.
“Willow, sweetheart!” Her mother’s voice was a soothing melody that always seemed to make the world stand still. An inch shorter than Willow, she had the same hair color as Willow, but cut in a bob, and her bright blue eyes were as sunny and warm as ever. “And wow, look at the place. Christmas has definitely hit Timber Falls.”
“What a lovely town this is,” her father chimed in. He was a few inches taller than Willow and seemed to be aging backward. Fifty looked good on him. His blond hair, streaked with gray only made him more distinguished-looking.
“I’m so happy you’re here.” Willow sank into their arms, letting the familiar scent of home—a blend of her father’s spicy cologne and the soft lavender her mother always wore—fill her senses.
“Thank you for coming,” she said, her words were muffled against their shoulders. “Having you here for our first Christmas in Timber Falls means everything.”
As they pulled back, Willow grabbed her mother’s suitcase. “Let’s head inside,” she suggested. “I might even have your Christmas favorite—spiced whiskey, Dad.”
“Lead the way, darling,” her mother replied, slipping her arm through Willow’s as they crossed the threshold.
Aubrey rushed forward, her smile wide. “Diane. Cliff!” She enveloped Willow’s parents. “It’s so good to see you.”
Charly followed, wrapping them both in her arms when Aubrey backed away. “Did you have a good flight?” she asked.
Her father’s eyes sparkled as he took in the bar, surveying the improvements. “Girls, this place—it’s stunning,” he murmured, running a hand over the smooth surface of the bar.
“Thank you,” Willow said. “It took a lot of elbow grease, but every moment was worth it.”
From the corner of her eye, she caught her mother’s gaze lingering on her. The concern in those familiar eyes was unmistakable, and it tugged at Willow’s heartstrings. She knew that look all too well—the gentle furrow in her brow, the slight tilt of her head—it was the silent language of maternal intuition.
“Mom?” Willow asked, faltering for a second as she met her mother’s searching stare.
“Everything looks so beautiful, Willow,” her mother reassured her, her words floating like a soothing melody. “You girls have really outdone yourselves.”
“Really, you have,” her father agreed, wrapping an arm around Willow’s shoulders. “We’re proud of you—all of you—and of the Empowerment Elves you’ve formed.”
“Yes, so proud,” her mother finished. They wandered past the handmade crafts that the group had managed to remake. It wasn’t as much, not even by half, but it was something. “Are these all the crafts you’ll sell?”
Willow nodded. “But it was more about the group that made all this so special.”
Her parents exchanged a glance, their shared pride radiating.
“Darling, you’ve always had such a big heart,” her mother said, reaching out to cup Willow’s cheek tenderly. “And you’ve poured it all into this Christmas group. It’s so wonderful.”
“Nothing could make us happier than seeing you follow your dreams, especially after all you’ve endured,” her father added, his voice steady and reassuring.
“Thank you,” Willow whispered, allowing herself to lean into their love for a moment longer before she straightened her spine. “Come on, let me show you the rest of the bar.”
Her parents followed, and Willow saw the way Charly and Aubrey were gushing over her parent’s pride too.
By the time the tour was nearing its end, the Christmas music playing through the bar’s speakers had her mother singing along. When they came out of the back into the bar, Willow spotted a most welcomed guest.
“Betty!” she exclaimed. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
“Couldn’t stay away, could I?” Betty replied, her eyes crinkling with genuine affection as they embraced.
“Mom, Dad, this is Betty, who I’ve told you all about,” Willow introduced. “She’s been...well, she’s been like my grandma away from home.”
Her mother’s gaze softened, “Betty, we’ve heard so much about you,” she said, stepping forward. She offered Betty a warm embrace. “Thank you for being there for Willow when we couldn’t be. Your kindness means the world to us.”
