Page 33 of One Hundred Humbugs

Becket nodded, already starting to untangle a stubborn strand. “Good thing we started early. We’ll make it work.”

And make it work they did. Over the next few hours, Ruby and Becket fell into a steady rhythm. They decorated a section of Main Street, then drove back to the house to reload the car with more supplies. Each trip became a mini adventure, filled with quiet laughter and a lighthearted competition to squeeze just one more box into the already overflowing vehicle.

By their third trip back, a sense of accomplishment settled over Ruby. “You know,” she said as they pulled up to the curb, “I think I’m getting pretty good at this covert Christmas operation.”

Becket reached over to tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “Told you—you’re a natural at spreading Christmas cheer.”

As they resumed their work, Ruby kept glancing up at the sky, hoping to catch another glimpse of a shooting star. But even without one, the night felt alive with possibilities. The town was still, most residents long asleep. Ruby’s heart pounded with a childlike excitement, as if she were sneaking downstairs on Christmas Eve.

They worked in easy silence, starting with Main Street. Ruby draped lush garlands along the storefronts, ensuring each one hung perfectly. Becket followed close behind, weaving twinkling lights through the greenery. The soft glow reflected off the snow, casting a magical shimmer across the street.

“These wreaths are gorgeous,” Ruby whispered as shehung one on the bakery door. Adorned with pinecones, berries, and a red velvet bow, the wreaths smelled like fresh pine.

Becket nodded as he wrestled a strand of lights around a lamppost. “The whole town’s going to smell like Christmas.”

He paused, his expression playful. “How long do you think it’ll take Maisey to figure out it was us?” he asked as they festooned the diner window in greenery and plaid.

Ruby laughed, the sound echoing in the still night air. “Five minutes, tops. That woman has a sixth sense for town gossip.”

As they worked their way down Main Street, Ruby placed the life-sized nutcrackers between businesses, positioning them as cheerful guardians. A grin spread across her face as she imagined the delight on children’s faces when they saw them. “I used to be terrified of nutcrackers as a kid,” she admitted.

Becket raised an eyebrow. “Really? The fearless Ruby, scared of nutcrackers?”

She stuck her tongue out at him playfully. “Hey, those teeth looked menacing to a six-year-old. What about you? Any childhood Christmas traumas I should know about?”

Becket pretended to think for a moment. “Well, there was that one year I caught my dad trying to eat Santa’s cookies. Talk about childhood disillusionment.”

Their laughter echoed through the empty street. Ruby noticed how easy it was to be with Becket, how natural their banter was. When had that happened?

“Hey, come help me with these,” Becket said. He was setting up the light-up deer in the small park at the end of Main Street. Ruby hurried over, and together they arranged the deer in a graceful scene, as if they had just paused mid-leap. The twinkling lights on the deer seemed to dance, casting a soft glow on the surrounding snow.

As they worked, Ruby found her gaze continually drawn to Becket. The way his brow furrowed in concentration, the gentle strength in his hands as he adjusted the decorations, the way his eyes crinkled when he smiled at her.

The night wore on, and Ruby’s initial burst of energy began to wane. She stifled a yawn as she hung the last of the wreaths on the sheriff’s office door. The town hall clock chimed in the distance, reminding her of how long they’d been at it.

“Hey.” Becket’s voice was soft as he approached her. “Take a break. I’ve got this last bit.” She started to protest, but Becket silenced her with a kiss. “You’ve been going non-stop for days. Rest for a bit.”

Reluctantly, Ruby settled onto a nearby bench. She meant to close her eyes for just a moment, but the next thing she knew, Becket was gently shaking her awake.

“Ruby,” he whispered, his breath warm against her ear. “Look.”

She blinked awake, disoriented before gasping in awe. Main Street was transformed. Garlands draped across every storefront, twinkling with hundreds of tiny lights. Wreaths adorned each door, their red bows a cheerful contrast to the green. The lampposts were wrapped in lights and tinsel, glowing in the pre-dawn light.

The nutcrackers stood proudly between shops, and in the distance, she could see the light-up deer, looking as if they might come to life at any moment. The town’s Christmas tree, which had been set up days ago, now looked even more majestic surrounded by the new decorations.The entire scene was dusted with a light layer of frost, making everything sparkle as if touched by fairies.

“It’s beautiful,” she breathed, her eyes filling with tears. “Becket, it’s perfect.”

He pulled her close, and she nestled into his embrace, feeling safe and content. “We did it together,” he whispered into her hair.

As they stood there, wrapped in each other’s arms, a shift happened inside Ruby. This town, which had initially seemed like a burden, a reminder of loss, now felt like ... home. She thought of the laughter shared with Marge, the kindness of the townsfolk at the diner, the quiet moments with Becket and the goats.

Somewhere along the way, Aspen Cove had stolen her heart.

She thought back to her first day here, how cold and unwelcoming the town had seemed. Now, looking at the twinkling lights and decorations, she saw it through new eyes. It wasn’t just the physical transformation of the town that struck her, but how she herself had changed. The Ruby who arrived in Aspen Cove weeks ago would never have imagined feeling this sense of belonging, this connection to a place and its people.

“What are you thinking?” Becket asked, his thumb wiping away a tear she hadn’t realized had fallen.

Ruby looked up at him, seeing her future reflected in his eyes. “I’m thinking that I don’t want this to end,” she admitted. “Being here, with you, in this town ... it feels right. It’s like I’ve found a piece of myself I didn’t know was missing.”

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