Page 72 of Second Chance Christmas

“I think duty calls for our town’s fire chief.”

“I’ll meet you back here, one hour? This time in my truck for a warm ride?”

“Sounds like a date.”

Aspen smiled, the devilish twinkle in his eye. She blew him a kiss that earned squeals and gagging sounds from the kids.

She laughed and slipped from the sleigh. She grabbed the blanket and tossed it over the horse.

“Kade will be by in about five to take him home. Girls, if you call your moms over, maybe he can give you all a sleigh ride, too.”

They loved Aspen’s idea and she was tempted to cross over to where he stood and throw her arms around his neck and kiss him silly right here in front of the whole damn town.

“Come on, boys, I know you guys like the manlier stuff. Right? Let’s go check out that fire engine.” Aspen winked at her and she watched as he walked away with a little one on his shoulder and the others hot on his feet. Mrs. Howard looked on with a mother’s love in her eyes.

Change. Was it a good thing? After tonight, it held promises. Lots of promises.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

If she ate another candy apple or piece of pie she might need an ambulance. Or a very sexy firefighter to save her from herself, she quipped, taking another bite with a deep moan.

Ivy turned on her heel to a growing crowd behind her, all in line for their own slice and some hot cocoa. “Thank you, Mr. Mason.” She waved and moved to the side for the next person in line.

Pecan pie. Her eyes rolled back and she caught sight of pure Neve in that sugary goodness. She was tempted to get back in line.

Instead, Ivy dipped and swayed around running kids and scrambling parents. Circling young lovers with their arms wrapped tightly around one another. She could understand how the soft carols and atmosphere crafted a sense of community and friendship. Love. It was a time for love, after all.

White twinkle lights lit up the entire square. She bet the space station could see their little town. Street lamps, store windows and every booth…all the town had taken the time to wind them around the trunks of trees and string them across the expanse of the square.

She wouldn’t be surprised if they had to make a special order to outfit the place with so many bulbs.

“Magic,” she sighed.

Everywhere she stepped she bumped into a smiling couple. The tiny square overflowed with laughter from people of all ages. Some faces she recognized and there were those she didn’t. Visitors from her gran’s holiday efforts, she supposed.

She had to give it to her. The lady knew how to draw a gathering. Window dressings along the streets beyond the square created a halo of lights to surround the festivities. Booth after booth offered everything from homemade sweets tied up with pretty ribbons and warm beverages to toys and handcrafted souvenirs. Many of them featuring their very own Rocco.

Speaking of, she wondered where the mischievous critter was now. Her gaze followed giggly laughter and found her on the opposite side of the square accepting carrots from bubbly kids. If they were not careful he’d have the best night of his life with all the low hanging lights strung across the square.

On the far end she caught sight of the empty stage where the second main attraction would take place marked with a large red banner across the front that read Annual Cookie Contest.

To the right, booths offering knickknacks and holiday baubles. And across from those she spied Hardt’s booth decked out with a large white and gold banner announcing his bakery and world-famous recipes. Opposite him, Mr. December’s banner flashed with lights and a life-sized dancing Santa singing “Rudolf the Red nosed Reindeer.” Both men bustled behind the counters as they prepared for the Christmas cookie contest.

She read over the flyer she’d received from Mrs. December on the activities planned for the evening. First up came the ugly sweater contest, then the pie eating contest and a small play that would be performed by the elementary school followed up by the cookie contest and ending with the main attraction—the Christmas tree lighting. In all, a couple of hours of delightful fun.

Ms. Lucille emerged from the crowd with Charlie at her side.

“Wow. They really went all out this year. I don’t remember a tree this tall growing up.” Ivy tilted her head back to take in the entire height of the town’s tree.

“Joe really came through for us this year.”

“I’ve been told it pays to be connected.” Referring to Aspen’s earlier statement. Ivy handed Ms. Lucille the second slice of pie and hot cocoa. They finished their treats in a comfortable silence, as Ivy absorbed the contagious wave of happiness that infected everyone within a hundred yards of all the smiling people.

Flashing red lights and bubbly laughter drew her gaze to the far end of the square next to the stage. A red engine slowly crept to a full stop. Five firefighters descended from the rig, but only one caught her eye.

Unaware that she watched, Ivy took her time sipping her cocoa as Aspen bent and lifted a little tike up to sit behind the wheel of the fire engine. Another came up and wanted to pull the horn and he laughed, indulging them all. Horn blasts and flashing lights filled the night as every kid had the chance to experience the excitement of meeting firefighters.

“He has a heart of gold, that man.”

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