Page 26 of The Mountain that Saved Christmas

“Can everyone finish what they're doin' and come on over to the tree,” Toby calls out through a megaphone he has somehow acquired. Out of everyone in our group, he'd be thelastone you'd want to have access to a public address system. I love the man like a grandson, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he suddenly broke out in a rendition of Mariah Carey's 'All I Want For Christmas Is You.'

Once we're all gathered in a wide sweeping circle in front of the town Christmas tree, I can't help but stare in wonder at just how beautiful it looks.

The tree is covered head to toe in colorful baubles and lush garlands, with long rows of silver tinsel, giant red bows, and fanciful glittered poinsettia flowers.

Around the base of the trunk there's a red and white holly-covered tree skirt with a mini-Christmas village circling the perimeter. We found it in the storage shed and cleaned it up, repainting it to make it look as good as new before placing tiny little LED lights inside the small windows. What makes the tree almost complete is the snowflakes sticking to the pine needles at the tips. It's almost like the mountain spirit herself wanted to add a little sparkle to our Christmas gift.

Toby and George stand beside the tree, both of them a vision of excitement and pride.

“I wanted to start by thankin' y'all for comin',” Toby begins. “We've been workin' hard to make sure tomorrow's festival goes off without a hitch so that Rainbow Springs gets the Christmas y'all want and deserve. We hope it'll be one you'll tell your children and your children's children about.”

He nods to the man beside him to continue. “We couldn't have done it without each and every one of you. Which is why we wanted y'all to be here when we place the last—and some might say, most important—decoration onto the tree,” George says.

There's a murmur of agreement amongst the crowd, and I feel a swell of pride in my chest. George and I may have already been friends, but after spending the last week here, I know that the bonds we've formed here will last a lifetime.

Toby gestures grandly toward the tall extended ladder set up against the tree and a hush falls over the crowd. “And now, the moment we've all been waiting for. Putting the finishin' touch on top of this magnificent tree, a topper made by your very own mayor, gnomery owner, and all-around nice guy, the same one who made the wish for this very festival to happen!”

Excitement crackles through the air as George begins to climb the ladder, each rung creaking as he gets higher and higher. My heart pounds with anticipation as he reaches the top, clinging to his still-hidden gift to the town.

My friend turns toward the tree, using the branches as cover while he uncovers his prized piece of work. I'm half expecting it to be a Santa gnome but knowing George, it could beanything.

Then, just as he turns to face the crowd, a sudden gust of wind rustles through the branches of the tree followed by a muffled quacking noise.

“Oh no,” Lee says, stifling a giggle.

Red's eyes jump to Toby before narrowing. “Told you what would happen if you uttered his name.”

Mags shakes her head. “He's not a villain in a horror movie, Red.”

“I disagree,” Rhett adds. “That bird has caused many a disaster when it comes to Bull Mountain and this family.”

“Hemeanswell though…” Cora says, surprising us all by advocating for the waterfowl whose middle name is trouble. Sheliterallycalls him Dickward.

Another quack sounds as the miraculous—some might say disastrous—one-legged, cross-eyed duck known as Dickward Doofus Duck Norris pops his head up out of the branches, flapping his wings wildly as if to make his grand entrance before he perches himself on top of the tree.

“Get away duck!” Dottie starts yelling, waving her hands in the air like she thinks that will dissuade the dastardly duck. Somehow, the idea must catch on because Toby brings the megaphone to his lips. “George, shoo Duck Norris out of the way. He's ruinin' your moment.”

George doesn't look convinced—or reassured—by Toby's words. “I've heard about him. He looks a little creepy close up,” George calls down to us. “Like one of my gnomes when the paint goes wonky.”

“Naw, he's OK. Give him somethin' to eat and he'll be your best friend,” Toby shouts back.

“Don't exactly have any food up here, Toby,” George says, not daring to look away from the bird we knowalltoo well.

Toby drops the megaphone and looks around the group, his eyes stopping on Austin who has not only appeared from nowhere, but is also happily munching away on a candy apple, seemingly non-plussed.

He points to his brother. “Austin, you're up.”

“Whmmt?” Austin mumbles.

“Quickly!” He waves him over urgently and looking confused as hell, Austin walks over to Toby's side regardless.

“What?”

Toby points to the treetop. “I need you to use your food to get Duck Norris's attention.”

“Why? It's mine and it's delicious,” Austin replies.

Tobygrowls.It's not a sound I'veeverheard from him. “Nowyou'rebein' the doofus. Yourfriend—that damn stalkin' duck—needs to move and needs to do it now so he doesn't spoil George's big reveal. The only way I know that'll work is for you to entice him withthat…” He stares at Austin's candy apple.

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