Page 30 of Holding Holly

Her eyes glisten for a moment as she nods quickly, then her head drops against my shoulder.

It’s been the best holiday ever, and it isn’t even Christmas Eve yet.

16

HOLLY

* Christmas Day *

What a complete whirlwind.

Meeting the man of my dreams and admitting that we’re deeply in love just days later.

Being introduced to practically an entire town full of people over the past week. Getting to know half a dozen women my age who are also relatively new to Old Hemlock Valley. We’ve exchanged numbers and are determined to start a book or wine club.

And somehow James and I have attended more lunches, buffets, dinners and drop-ins than I can even count.

“Last one, I promise.” James pulls up in front of a beautiful white house, with several cars and trucks already in the driveway.

“Who lives here, and will they be offended that I can’t possibly eat another bite?”

He takes my hand as we head for the front door, then turns to me with a smile that somehow hits different than all the rest we’ve exchanged today. “It’s all good. Mom is making you some peppermint tea to settle your stomach. I texted her half an hour ago.”

“Wait – what?”

The door flings open, and a beaming older woman flings her arms around James. “You busy little bee!” she says, ruffling his hair. “Helping everyone else in town, but not dropping by to see me more than twice a month? The shame!”

She turns to me with the warmest smile. “Holly. So lovely to meet you.” She hugs me gently and whispers in my ear, “He’s completely infatuated with you, my dear. I can’t wait to get to know you.”

I can feel my cheeks flaming. “Lovely to meet you, Mrs. Ashworth.”

She steps back and holds her hand beside her lips, as if I can’t hear. “James Henry Ashworth – you just told me she was pretty. Not that she’s gorgeous.”

“Well, Holly has to be seen to be believed.”

They usher me inside, and I met his father, his brother, countless cousins, and a bunch of neighbors. All the while, James keeps a hand around my waist or my shoulders, or my fingers laced through his. He’s showing me off. He’s proud that we are a couple. Thrilled that we are about to settle into our home and lives together.

As I curl up on his knee in an easy chair by the roaring fire, sipping a mug of peppermint tea, I realize that I belong here. With this amazing man, in this incredible town.

For the first time in my entire life, I truly feel like I’m home for the holidays.

EPILOGUE ONE

JAMES

* Three Hundred and Fifty Days Later *

As we stroll through the Walk of Lights on December fifteenth, the one-year anniversary of the day we met, I’m reminded of the first time I saw my Christmas angel. Beautiful, of course. But slightly shy. A bit unsure.

Now that Holly has had the stability of living in the same place and putting down roots for the past year, she has blossomed. My Holly Valley relatives have all loved listening to her spinning stories that make fun of the cop who sneaks food from people right in front of them. Of the man who can put away infinite slices of pie without blinking.

The man who is utterly heart-stoppingly in love with her.

We wander through the Walk of Lights, and I gently guide her to the gigantic Christmas tree.

“Okay, I’ll say it. Those ornaments are a little weird,” she says softly, so that nobody else can hear. “I noticed them last year. What’s the deal there?”

“People write down their Christmas wishes on pieces of paper, crumple them up and put them into ornaments, then hang them on the tree.”

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