Page 31 of Evan

"That's it," I encourage her. "You're doing great."

She looks up at me, a mixture of pride and amusement in her eyes. "I feel like a newborn fawn," she laughs. "All wobbly legs and uncertainty."

I grin, enjoying the sound of her laughter. "Well, you're the most graceful newborn fawn I've ever seen."

As we make our way around the rink, I'm acutely aware of every point of contact between us. The warmth of her body pressed against my side, the way her hand fits perfectly in mine, the sweet scent of her shampoo carried on the winter breeze. It's intoxicating in the best possible way.

We pass by one of the warming stations, where families are huddled together, sipping hot beverages and watching the skaters. The air is filled with the sound of laughter and Christmas carols playing softly from speakers hidden in the trees.

"You know," I say, as we complete another circuit of the rink, "after we're done here, we should check out some booths. And I hear there's a reindeer petting zoo this year."

Molly's eyes light up at the suggestion. "That sounds wonderful. Chad would love the reindeer."

As if on cue, Chad zooms past us, now part of a small pack of kids playing some kind of tag game on skates. "Mom! Evan! Did you see how fast I was going?" he shouts, his voice filled with excitement.

"We see you, honey!" Molly calls back. "You're doing great!"

As we watch Chad zip around the rink, I'm struck by how much he's grown in the short time I've known him. Not just physically, but in confidence and spirit.

"He's really something, isn't he?" I say.

Molly nods, her eyes following her son's progress around the rink. "He is. You know, when his dad left, I was so worried. About everything. Whether we'd fit in, whether I'd be able to provide for him, whether he'd be happy... But now..."

She trails off, and I give her hand a gentle squeeze, encouraging her to continue.

"Now," she says, her voice filled with wonder, "I’m not so worried anymore. This town, the farm, you..." She looks up at me, her eyes shining. "It's like we've found where we belong."

My heart swells at her words, a lump forming in my throat. Because I feel it too. This sense of rightness, of coming home. For so long, I've felt tied to Benton Falls by duty and obligation. But now, with Molly and Chad in my life, I'm seeing it all through new eyes.

The twinkling lights aren't just decorations, they're beacons of warmth and community. The familiar faces around us aren't just neighbors, they're friends, family. And the farm, which for so long felt like a burden, now feels like the foundation for something beautiful.

"I'm glad to hear you feel that way too," I tell her, my voice rough with emotion. "Because I can't imagine this place without you two in it."

For a moment, we just look at each other, the rest of the world fading away. I'm lost in the warmth of Molly's eyes, the soft curve of her smile. The urge to kiss her is almost overwhelming, but I hold back, knowing Chad is in the vicinity.

"Mom, Evan,” Chad calls, right on cue. “Can we go see the reindeer now? Please?"

We both laugh, the spell broken but not forgotten. "Sure thing, buddy," I call back. "Let's get our skates off and we’ll go look."

As we make our way off the ice, I keep a steady hand on Molly's back, guiding her. She's more confident now, but the transition from ice to solid ground can be tricky. Once we're safely off the ice, we remove our skates and return them to Noah.

"You folks have a wonderful evening now," he says with a wink. "Enjoy the market!"

As we walk among the booths, each one decorated with twinkling lights and garlands. The air is filled with the scent of mulled cider and cloves, mingled with the savory aroma of roasting chestnuts. Chad's eyes grow wide with wonder. "Wow," he breathes. "It's like the North Pole!"

Molly and I exchange a smile over his head. "It sure is, buddy," I say. "Now, what should we check out first? The reindeer or the hot chocolate?"

As Chad debates this crucial decision, I catch Molly's eye. The joy and contentment I see reflected there mirror my own feelings perfectly. In this moment, surrounded by the magic of Christmas in Benton Falls, I know that I'm exactly where I'm meant to be.

Seventeen

EVAN

The scent of gingerbread and sugar wafts through the air as I push open the heavy wooden doors of the Benton Falls Community Center. The warmth inside is a stark contrast to the brisk December evening, and I feel my cheeks tingle as they adjust to the change in temperature. Beside me, Chad lets out an excited whoop, his eyes wide with wonder as he takes in the festive scene before us.

"Wow!" he exclaims, tugging on Molly's hand. "Mom, look at all the gingerbread houses. They're even better than the ones we saw at the start of the contest!"

Molly laughs, her hazel eyes twinkling in the soft glow of the twinkling lights strung across the ceiling. "You're right, honey. The professional entries are really something else, aren't they?"

---