Page 52 of Dancing in Lake Mistletoe

“Daddy!”

I turn to see Josie running down the hill. Her face is painted with a holly branch that cradles her right eye and sparkling snowflakes across her forehead and cheeks. Mom is on her heel.

“Whoa, slow down,” I say as I bend to catch her.

“Guess what!”

“What?”

“Grandpa knocked all the balls down and won me a wand.”

“He did?”

“Yep.” She nods. “It’s in Nana’s bag.”

“So she doesn’t lose it,” Mom says as she makes it to us.

“Smart,” I note.

“Are you going on the sleigh ride with us?” Josie asks as I stand with her in my arms.

“I can’t right this minute, but if you wait until after the mayor lights the tree, I can.”

She wrinkles her brows, as if she’s considering the options. “Hmm, I think we can wait.”

“You want to help me find Mindi before we settle in to watch the lighting?”

“Yeah, we saw her in the market. That way,” she says, pointing toward one of the tents on the square.

“Your dad and I’ll set out the blankets in our usual spot,” Mom says.

I look back at Keller. “I’ll be right back.”

He gives me a salute. And Josie and I go in search of Mindi. We make our way through the crowd of people meandering around, enjoying the evening’s festivities, and to the tents fullof vendors, offering everything from baked goods and cocoa to handmade gifts.

“There she is,” Josie says when she clocks her at a nearby table.

The winter breeze lifts the caramel-streaked strands of her hair and tousles them around her shoulders. She smiles while humming a tune I can’t quite make out as she peruses the vendor’s festive displays. Her brown eyes crinkle with delight below her long, dark lashes as she fingers through a row of crocheted hand towels.

“Mindi!” Josie bellows, and she turns to us. “Come watch the tree with us.”

Mindi pays for two towels and then makes her way over to us.

“Hi,” she says.

“Hi, yourself.”

She tucks into my side and follows us.

Mom and Dad are waiting on a blanket in front of the tree. The three of us sit with them. Mom opens the top of a cooler and pulls out sandwiches and a bowl of cut fruit. We eat as we listen to the carolers who take the stage as the sun begins to set. Keller and Bran catch my eye.

“I have to go. It’s almost showtime.”

Josie scoots off my lap and takes a seat next to Mindi.

“I’ll be right back,” I tell them.

Hoyt takes the stage, and after a short speech, welcoming all the visitors to Lake Mistletoe and thanking us guys, he starts the countdown. “Ten … nine … eight … seven …”

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