Page 21 of Wedding Bells in Silverwood

“You want to get one? I kind of know the owner.”

“Is it Nick?”

Holly waggled her brows. “Yep.”

“Sweet lord. He really is a catch, isn’t he?” Kim hooked her arm through Holly’s. “Yes. Let’s indulge.”

Holly led her to the hot chocolate mug-shaped stand and waited behind the customer at the counter.

“How’s the hotel?” Holly asked.

“So quaint.”

“Uh oh. That’s Kim-speak for small.”

“No. It’s fine.” Kim raised a dismissive hand. “It’s dripping in Christmas decorations, and the staff is super nice.”

“It’s still two weeks until the wedding. Were you able to take off the whole time? Or do you have to go back in between?”

“I managed to take off between now and New Year’s Day, and then I have to head back to New York. Since the promotion, I have been working my butt off, including some overtime on the weekends. And I was sure to remind them of that.”

Holly playfully rolled her eyes. “Of course you did.”

“So, you know, they couldn’t say no.”

Holly patted her on the back. “Well, I’m just glad you made it.”

Kim giggled. “And who knows? Maybe I’ll meet myself a gorgeous, rugged mountain man and never go back. Just like you.”

Holly tiptoed in front of the window when it was their turn to order. “Hi, Viola. We’ll have two double luscious hot chocolates, please.”

“Sure,” Viola said. “Coming right up. How are you doing?”

“Fine, thanks,” Holly replied. “How are things going with you?”

Viola nodded. “They’re coming along. No worries.”

Holly smiled at her, relieved.

Viola turned around to prepare their drinks and reappeared moments later with the order. “Here you go.”

Kim took her mug and sipped the chocolate drink.

Holly handed Viola some cash. “Viola, this is my friend Kim from New York. Kim, this is Viola. She’s catering the wedding.”

Kim took another sip. “Mmm. Cool. Hey, if you’re serving these at the reception, I’m all for it.”

Their attention was drawn to the sound of a crane in the middle of the town’s square raising the peak end of a twenty-foot fir tree from a flatbed truck. Wearing a yellow construction helmet, Nick stood overlooking the task, his arms gesturing as he called out instructions.

Holly sidled up closer to Kim and pointed. “That’s Nick.”

Kim gasped dramatically and then whistled her approval. Always over the top, just like Holly remembered.

“He seems to know what he’s doing,” Kim said.

Holly laughed. “That he does.” She gazed at him fondly as he removed the helmet and ruffled his hair. “He’s a good guy.”

Nick happened to look their way, and Holly waved. Nick returned the gesture with a coy smile. Holly stuck her thumb out at Kim, and Nick gave her a bow.

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