Page 56 of Flake It Til You Make It

“I’ll think about it,” Taylor replied, like he’d actually been thinking of anything else, lately. And with Rocco? The riskwouldbe worth the fear. Taylor already suspected that was true.

“Good,” Jem said, nodding. “You wanna swing by the fair?”

Taylor agreed. Ten minutes later, they arrived at the festival hall and he left Jem at Murphy’s display, nearly empty now, since the fair was coming to a close.

He wandered the aisles, not sure what he was looking for—liar, you know exactly what you’re looking for and it’s not here, it’s at Jolly Java—but stopping every so often to chat with a vendor or a Christmas Falls resident.

There was a cute booth with a comfy-looking nook, baby blankets with various fanciful designs, everything from princesses and castles to dinosaurs and spaceships, hanging on garments racks on each side.

Sadly he didn’t know anyone who needed one of them, because he’d been sorely tempted to stop and hang out for a minute.

After another few minutes, Taylor wandered off to where the food stalls were. He bought a cup of hot cider and sat down at one of the picnic tables, currently occupied by an older lady with white curly hair a halo around her head.

“Is it okay if I sit here a minute?” he asked.

“Oh, darling, yes,” she said brightly, looking pleased he’d come and sat down at her table, even though there were several empty ones available.

“I’m Taylor Hall,” he said, reaching out his hand. She took it, shaking it firmly but delicately.

“The deputy mayor at my table. I’m honored,” she said. “Marjorie Wagner.”

“You’re a resident or a tourist?” he asked.

“Resident,” Marjorie said firmly. “A longtime resident. Almost fifty years. My whole family lives in upstate New York, near Syracuse, but I won’t leave Christmas Falls. My husband and I moved here forty-eight years ago, raised our children here, and here is where I’ll stay.”

“That’s beautiful,” Taylor said. “I moved here four years ago and I can understand why you’d never want to leave.”

“Not often young people want to move here. Often I see they’re moving away.” Marjorie frowned. “They think it’s old-fashioned and believe that means it’s backwards, even though we both know this town is anything but.”

Taylor nodded. “I came here every Christmas with my parents when I was growing up. We’re from Chicago so it was close enough to drive to. I always knew I’d come back here.”

“You understand then. This town becomes part of your blood.” Marjorie sighed. “My daughter keeps begging me to leave. Or to at least come up for the holidays, but I can’t leave now. Won’t leave now.”

“I do,” Taylor said. “My dad’s still in Chicago.”

“Not your mom, dear?”

“No, we lost her a few years ago,” Taylor said. “But that’s part of why I live here and work here. Her memory.”

Marjorie’s eyes filled with tears. “Oh, sweetheart. That’s beautiful.” She gripped his hands and wouldn’t let go. “She’d be proud of you.”

Even though Marjorie had never known Teresa Hall, he hoped she was right. Though he could theorize what she’d be thinking of how he’d treated Rocco.

“Thanks,” he said.

“I hear you’re up for a big promotion,” she said.

“City managerisa big deal,” Taylor admitted.

“But you’re equal to it. I know what kind of good you’ve done for this town.” She paused. “And now I know why. Unlike that dolt, Steve Mills, who thinks he can waltz back here and try to tell us how Christmas Falls is.”

“He’s wrong,” Taylor said steadily.

“That he is, my boy.” She stood, carefully, wobbling a little, and Taylor reached out to steady her. “I have no doubt you’re going to get it, instead. The council might be difficult, sometimes, but they’re not stupid.”

“I hope so,” Taylor said.

“You’ve got this in the bag,” she said forcefully, and he imagined her going to each member of the council and insisting that they pick Taylor, now.

---