Page 32 of Wedding Bells in Silverwood

Vivian edged forward. “What is she doing again?”

Kim twisted in her seat. “She thinks someone is following us.”

“Really? Like in an action movie?” Vivian twisted to look behind them.

“Mom, stop looking.” Holly shook her head. “It’s probably my imagination.”

Kim leaned closer to her. “You don’t think it could behim, do you?”

“Himwho?” Vivian stuck her head between them. “Who’shim?”

Holly shot Kim a warning look, but her friend apparently chose to ignore it.

“Grayson,” Kim replied. “Her ex.”

“Grayson?” Vivian placed a hand on the edge of Holly’s seat back. “Why would he be here? And why follow you?”

Kim turned more to face Holly’s mother. “He wants her back. He more or less warned me he was going to ruin her wedding.”

“But he doesn’t know where I am.” Holly fought to keep her voice calm. She didn’t want to yell, but the thought of Grayson being in Silverwood troubled her. “There’s no way he’d know where to look. I haven’t even mentioned Silverwood on social media. This is probably just paranoia triggered by you telling me what he said. I let it get to me, that’s all.”

“Are you sure?” Vivian asked. “It frightens me to think you might be in danger.”

“I’m positive,” Holly said, not just to convince her mom, but also herself. “He’s all bark and no bite. Trust me.”

“You’re right,” Kim agreed. “There’s no way that dummy could find you.”

Holly exhaled slowly. She didn’t want to believe Grayson could be a threat. She hadn’t mentioned him to Nick when Kim had told her about Grayson showing up at her office because she didn’t want him to worry. Plus, Holly had always made a point ofnotbringing up the topic of her ex-boyfriend to Nick. Leaving her exes in her past was important to her, and she didn’t want the thought of Grayson to dampen the joy of planning their special day.

Holly glanced in the rearview mirror once more. “See. That car veered off. They’re not following us.” She stretched her neck left and right, letting out a steady breath and telling herself it was all in her head.

As they approached the town square, Holly relaxed a bit more. The square was crowded, and it took her a moment to find a place to park.

Vivian unbuckled her seatbelt after Holly had parked. “Oh, I just remembered how fun this is.”

They all climbed out of the car. With the sun setting behind the mountains, the lights of the Christmas festival seemed intense.

“What is that yummy smell?” Kim asked.

The three of them entered the square, where twinkling fairy lights decorated every stand and booth.

“That could be anything,” Holly replied. “There are so many delicious things being sold here. Roasted nuts, popcorn, crepes, churros—”

“Stop.” Kim laughed. “You’re making me want to move here just for this festival. It’s absolutely the cutest.”

Delighted laughter and enthusiastic conversation tickled Holly’s ears.

“I agree. Everything looks and smells so good,” Vivian exclaimed. “And look, there’s your father’s sleigh.”

In the center of the square, the glorious sleigh Holly’s father had built stood atop a red carpet in front of the unlit Christmas tree. Fairy lights were attached to it but not yet switched on, and Holly bet they were connected to the switch that would light the tree.

The little stage set up near the tree was adorned with lustrous green garland and bright red ribbons. Festivalgoers filled the area, buying treats and warm drinks.

Holly and her group passed a stand selling herbs and spices. The aroma reminded her that she hadn’t eaten since that morning.

The cheery holiday music that played over the loudspeakers stopped abruptly, and then two seconds later, a small brass band performed “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.” Spotlights shone on the stage, and Silverwood’s mayor, Margie McGuire, stepped up to the mic. She waved at the crowd. The fur of her winter coat hood fluttered in the wind, but the woman’s auburn hair barely budged an inch.

The crowd applauded as the band’s song ended.

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