Page 6 of Wedding Bells in Silverwood

“Oh, Nick!” She threw her arms around him as their lips met. As the kiss deepened, the buzzing of the aurora borealis became a choir of angels singing their approval. If someone told her a few years ago that she could feel this happy, this blessed, she might have said they were crazy. But now, with Nick embracing her under the magical sky, she knew their love was meant to be.

Chapter Three

Holly could barely contain her excitement, bouncing on her toes as she scanned the crowd of departing passengers. Her anticipation had Cupid pacing back and forth in front of her and Nick. It had been over two years since she’d seen her mother. When Holly’s aunt Lita had been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, Holly’s mom decided to return to the Philippines to care for her. This was the longest Holly had gone without a visit, and her wedding—combined with the holidays—served as the perfect occasion for the mother-daughter reunion.

Nick placed a hand on the small of Holly’s back. “Maybe you shouldn’t have had that second cup of coffee.”

“I don’t think it would have mattered.” Holly pointed. “Oh, there she is.” She stepped forward and waved.

Vivian St. Ives, all four-foot-ten of her, rolled her suitcases toward them. She stopped once to wave, copying how Holly bounced on her heels, before continuing, taking quick steps with her short legs. Even with a huge smile, her face contained barely any wrinkles. She beamed at Holly and Nick with big, brown eyes. Though her dark hair was thinner than Holly remembered, it was still long enough to be twisted into a messy bun.

“Holly, my baby girl.” Despite living in the States for many years, Vivian still had a strong, endearing Filipino accent.

Holly rushed into her mother’s open arms. “Mom, it’s so good to see you.”

As her mom backed out of the embrace, she took Holly’s face in her hands. “You look great. Younger, even. This mountain air is doing you good.” Her gaze went to Nick. “Or maybe it’s love.”

“Hello, Mrs. St. Ives.” Nick bent down to hug her. “It’s nice to finally meet you in person.”

“Call me Vivi,” she insisted. As she withdrew, her heels came down to touch the floor. “Oh, you’re much taller than I expected. Video chats don’t really do people justice.”

Cupid whined, clearly confused by all the hugging.

“Wow,” Vivian exclaimed. “He’s even more beautiful than on the computer.”

“He is a looker,” Nick agreed.

Vivian crouched down and ran her fingers through Cupid’s fur. “And sofluffy.”

Cupid sniffed Vivian’s face and licked her cheek.

Vivian giggled. “That settles it. You’re sleeping in my bed. Then I won’t need such a thick blanket.”

“Come on, Mom. There’ll be plenty of time later for puppy kisses.” Holly took the handle of one of her mother’s suitcases. “Let’s get you to the cabin.”

“Yes. I’ve been dying to see it after all this time.”

Nick took the other suitcase and led them to the parking garage.

It wasn’t until they were on the road and heading toward town that Holly could catch her breath.

“My goodness.” Vivian stared out the side window, a wide smile on her face, taking in the view of the surrounding mountains. “I feel like it’s been forever since I’ve seen snow. I forgot how gorgeous Silverwood is.”

Holly grinned, reveling in the excitement in her mother’s voice. She always found her upbeat mannerisms and positive attitude infectious, and being around her excitability was one of the things she missed most.

“Is there anything special you want to see while you’re here? I mean, aside from our wedding.” Holly reached over and settled a hand on Nick’s arm as he drove. She still couldn’t wrap her head around the fact they were getting married in three weeks.

“Well, the wedding is the main event, isn’t it? Other than that, not much.” Vivian leaned forward between Nick’s and Holly’s seats. “But I do want to have a bite at The Gingerbread House and take a look at the art school. And, of course, I can’t wait to go to Silverwood’s famous Christmas Market.”

Holly laughed and exchanged a look with Nick. “Not much, huh?”

“How is the school, by the way?” Vivian asked.

“It’s been going really well.” Delight surged through her. “Emily—Mrs. Weedleman—pops in now and then to see how we’re doing, and I get to work with Lucy every day, which is amazing.”

Vivian clapped her hands. “Tell me how Lucy is. I can’t believe someone I knew as a little girl has a baby now.”

Holly smiled at the thought of her long-time friend. “Lucy is good. You’ll get to see her—and Samantha Grace.”

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