Page 145 of Tangled In Tinsel & Knots
“YES!”
The music starts again, softer now, a gentle instrumental holiday song.
“Let’s count down together! Starting at three!”
The crowd joins in immediately, hundreds of voices in unison.
“THREE!” I urge Corn Dog forward, guiding him closer to the tree with a hand on his harness.
“TWO!” I slip a small treat from my pocket, the moss he loves, and hold it near a special ornament we placed at his eye level. It’s a large, sparkly bauble that glitters more than any other, designed specifically to catch his attention.
“ONE!” I show him the treat right against the bauble, and Corn Dog, bless his food-motivated heart, pushes his muzzle hard against my hand and directly into the ornament.
The moment he makes contact, the lights explode to life.
They start at the bottom of the tree and climb upward in a wave of brilliance, thousands of lights in warm white and gold racing toward the sky, spiraling around the massive trunk, illuminating every branch until the entire tree is blazing with magic.
The star at the very top bursts into light last, a beacon I’m sure that’s visible for miles.
I glance at Chris, who winks at me and subtly pockets the controller. The crowd erupts into the loudest cheering I’ve ever heard.
Applause, screaming children, the choir launching into a triumphant carol. People are hugging each other, taking photos, pointing at the magnificent tree with wonder on their faces.
I pat Corn Dog’s neck, tears streaming down my face now. “Good boy. Such a good boy.”
He nuzzles me, probably looking for more treats, and I give him another piece of moss because he absolutely earned it.
“Everyone, have a very merry Christmas!” I say into the microphone, and the crowd responds with another wave of cheers.
I switch off the microphone, and suddenly the official part is over and I can breathe again.
Chris appears at my side immediately, pulling me into a hug. “You were incredible. Absolutely knocked it out of the park.”
“I couldn’t have done it without?—”
“Hannah.”
I turn to see Margaret from the council approaching, and my stomach tightens with fresh nerves. So I step off the stage quickly to meet her.
“You surprised me tonight, Hannah.” Her voice is measured, giving nothing away. “I was genuinely worried there for a bit. When the ceremony was delayed, when we weren’t sure what was happening… I thought you might let us all down.”
I swallow hard. “I understand. There were some unexpected complications.”
“But you handled them with grace.” A small, genuine smile appears on her face. “That moment with the reindeer was superb. The children will be talking about this Christmas for years. Well done. Truly.”
Relief floods through me. “Thank you. That means everything to me.”
“Merry Christmas, Hannah.” She gives me a brief nod, then turns and walks back toward the other council members.
I can’t be certain if that means we’ll get the five-year contract, but right now, in this moment, I did my absolute best. That’s all anyone can do.
Kane and Noel materialize at my side, and before I can say anything, they’re both kissing me, Kane on my lips, lingering and warm, Noel on my neck, just below my ear, in a way that makes me shiver.
“That was the sexiest thing I’ve ever watched,” Kane murmurs against my mouth. “You commanding that stage and the crowd… I’m going to be thinking about it for weeks.”
“Couldn’t take my eyes off you,” Noel adds. “Every person in this square was completely captivated.”
My cheeks flush. “I couldn’t have done any of it without you two. Whatever you went through to get Corn Dog here…”
