Page 42 of One Hundred Humbugs

“I’ll get it,” Ruby said, hurrying through the door that led from the garage into the house.

Becket continued wrestling with Houdini’s antlers, only looking up when he heard Ruby return. She and Mrs. Brown entered. Mrs. Brown’s cat Mr. Piddles cradled in one arm and a bag of knitted items in the other. Becket had to stifle a laugh when he saw Mr. Piddles dressed in a full elf costume, complete with pointy hat and shoes. The cat’s expression could be described as one of utter resignation.

“Good evening,” Mrs. Brown chirped. “I’ve brought those scarves for your goats.”

“Oh, Mrs. Brown, thank you so much,” Ruby said, her voice warm with gratitude. “We were just getting the goats ready.”

Becket caught Ruby’s eye and mouthed, “Poor cat,” as he struggled to keep his laughter in check, causing Ruby to stifle a giggle.

They spent the next few minutes wrangling the goats into their new scarves, with Houdini doing his best to eat Mr. Piddles’ elf hat. The cat, for his part, maintained a dignified air of long-suffering patience.

As Mrs. Brown prepared to leave, she turned to Ruby and Becket. “You two make such a lovely couple,” she said, her eyes twinkling. “It’s so nice to see young love blossoming in Aspen Cove.”

Becket’s cheeks heated up, and he saw Ruby’s face turn a delightful shade of pink. Before either of them could say a thing, she was out the door, Mr. Piddles in tow.

An awkward silence fell between them, broken by Houdini’s attempt to eat his own scarf.

“Well,” Becket said, clearing his throat, “time to head out. Don’t want to be late for the big event.”

Ruby nodded, still looking a bit flustered. “Right. Yes. The tree lighting.”

As they headed out, Becket made one last check on Daisy. Satisfied that she was comfortable and showing no signs of imminent labor, he joined Ruby and the goats outside.

The crisp evening air nipped at their cheeks as they headed into town, Houdini and Sir Chomps-a-Lot trotting beside them on leashes. The streets were alive with activity, holiday music drifting through the air, accompanied by the scent of cinnamon and pine needles from every direction.

“It’s like something out of a Hallmark movie,” Ruby marveled, taking in the twinkling lights and cheerful decorations they had installed.

Becket grinned, pulling Houdini back as the goat eyed a wreath like a salad buffet. “They say Aspen Cove doesn’t do anything halfway when it comes to Christmas.”

Ruby’s eyes lit up at that. “I’ve never seen a town do a proper tree lighting before.”

“Well, looks like you’re in for a treat,” Becket said, unable to hide his own excitement. Even though he was new to town, something about tonight was like stepping into a tradition he’d always belonged to.

As they walked toward the town square, twinkling lights cast a warm glow, and carols floated through the crisp, cold air. Becket watched Ruby—the way her eyes sparkled, reflecting every light they passed, her cheeks flushed pink from the cold. She seemed to belong here, right in the heart of Aspen Cove’s winter wonderland.

“Ready for your first Aspen Cove tree lighting?” he asked, a grin spreading wide across his face.

Ruby nodded, and there was a glimmer of something more than just excitement in her eyes—something thatmade Becket’s heart skip a beat. “You know what? I think I am.”

As they walked toward the tree, Ruby reached into the basket slung over her arm, offering gingerbread cookies to people they passed. Children’s faces lit up, and even a few adults couldn’t resist taking one.

When they reached Maisey, the owner of the diner, Ruby held out a cookie. “Gingerbread?” she offered.

Maisey grinned, balancing a tray piled high with cookies of her own. “Well, if you insist,” she said, taking one. Houdini’s ears perked, and the goat tried to sneak a nibble from the edge of the tray.

“Ah, ah, ah!” Maisey swatted him away, laughing. “Not for you.”

Becket shrugged apologetically. “Sorry about that. He’s got a bit of a sweet tooth.”

Maisey waved a dismissive hand. “Don’t we all?” She nodded toward the tree, pride evident in her voice. “You know, that beauty was planted just last year. Came straight from Amanda Anderson’s yard. She’s an author who’s writing an entire romance series about this town.”

“Really?” Ruby asked, looking at the tree with new admiration. “That’s so ... special.”

Maisey nodded. “Aspen Cove has a way of finding its way into your heart. Just like it did with Amanda—who inherited her cabin in the woods from Bea Bennett. This town...” She looked around, her eyes sweeping over the families, the lights, the joy in the air. “It makes you want to stay. Gives you roots.”

Ruby’s eyes softened as she looked at Maisey, then at Becket. “Seems like Amanda and I have a lot in common.”

“Maybe more than you realize,” Maisey said. “Aspen Cove has a lot to offer—if you’reopen to seeing it.”

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