Page 34 of The Christmas Blueprint

Awareness flared in her eyes, and instead of taking a step back, shutting him down, she stepped forward. Her lips parted, which he read as a long awaited, finally issued invitation.

“Sophia.” He ached to touch her, kiss her, finally connect. “I can’t,” he whispered.

Her lips parted, her eyes darkened—the sky at midnight.

The rolling rhythm of a snare drum mimicked the slam of his heart, and he wondered if he was having a heart attack, but no, more drums and horns or whatever thrashed into a noisy rendition of “Jingle Bells” as the high school band blared by.

Sophia grinned and ran outside, cheering wildly. He’d forgotten she’d once been a tall, skinny freshman playing her heart out on the trombone in the stands while he’d been swallowing yards, racking up points.

Still running.

But instead of brooding, he found himself caught up in her enthusiasm, striding out to stand by her side, basking in her light and energy and enjoyment of the moment.

Why did he no longer do that—take joy in a moment? Savor the small things—a band, a smile, a delicious drink with an old friend? He always had to look ahead, anticipating the next hurdle and the next play.

Maybe this year he could learn, reset a little.

“Santa!” Harlow shrieked and ran out to join them on the sidewalk.

Santa did look impressive. He was wearing the big red suit, of course, but just as the reindeer’s antlers were wrapped in lights as they trotted down Main Street, Santa had blinking LED bracelets that flashed different colors and white fairy lights wrapped around his hat and beard. Elves walked beside the sleigh, tossing glow stick necklaces and bracelets to the kids in the crowd.

“Sort of Santa meets Vegas,” he murmured.

Sophia laughed. “Let it be said that for the first time ever Bear Creek and Vegas were uttered in the same sentence. Killian.” She caught his arm and slipped hers through his. “I’m glad you came home. It’s time for both of us to slay a new personal dragon, starting today.” She smiled at him, stars in her eyes, and the Christmas lights wrapped around the light posts on Main Street glinted in the blue-black of her hair.

“This holiday is going to be the best.”

“Yes, it is,” he said, wondering if it could be true and knowing he was going to make an effort this year, not just work his way through the season trying to capture an elusive goal. He’d been forced out of his routine for a year. Time to stop sulking and make the most of it. Figure out what he was really looking for and help a few people along the way.

Harlow danced in front of them, excitement in every bounce as she implored the elves for a necklace or bracelet.

One of the elves laughed and pelted Harlow with several glowing items, which she snagged out of her hair and quickly shared with her friend. “Thank you,” she said. “Merry Christmas.”

“You too. Here’s some for your mom and dad.” Another couple of glow sticks whizzed toward Killian’s head, and he instinctively caught them.

Harlow turned around to look at them, and Killian felt guilty over the simple mistake.

“Oops.” Sophia laughed, and as the confusion faded from Harlow’s face and she turned back to chat with her friend, Killian felt the awful tension drain. He was ridiculous to read so much into nothing, but for a moment, it was like he had a glimpse into a future that was, for so many reasons, impossible.

“You going to share, Flanagan, or keep looking at a ghost?”

He turned back to Sophia. She’d nailed it. He had been feeling haunted since he’d packed his truck and headed south.

Her smile grounded him. “Share,” he said placing the glow stick around her neck and fastening it. He also attached two bracelets. “Beautiful.”

“Can we go to the tree lighting?” Harlow was at his side. “Are you boyfriend and girlfriend?” She looked between them, and Killian was once again stunned into silence. He was going to have to do better. Process faster. Anticipate. Nothing in any recent experience had prepared him for a tween girl.

“We’re a team,” Sophia said. “And we’re hoping that you’ll join us.”

“For what?”

“Adventure and a little mischief along the way.”

Harlow smiled. “Really?” She looked from Sophia to Killian and back again.

“And next up is the tree lighting.” Sophia had clearly cast herself as tour guide, and Killian was man enough to own that he really liked her in that role. “And caroling, which is one of my favorite parts of Christmas.”

“Me too,” Harlow said. “I love to sing. My dad plays guitar, and we sing together. He said my mom had a beautiful, haunting voice. Maybe we have that in common.”

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