Page 68 of Christmas Home

“You’re going to get into trouble, young man. Don’t be volunteering your sweetheart without his permission.”

I laughed. “I have a method to my madness. Clyde is obsessed with all things Christmas, especially when it comes to this town. I think this is gonna beourseason.”

Emanual smiled and nodded. I knew he remembered last year when Clyde was nearly overwhelmed by the Christmas concert and lighting events.

We pulled the same ragtag group of volunteers together again, along with Cliff, Randy, and their families, to help put the newdecorations up and retrofit them to where the old ones used to go.

Clyde was beside himself with excitement over it all. He kept finding me and did a happy dance and squeal before kissing me silly every time a new decoration went up. I loved seeing him so happy and in his element.

The winter wonderland was a credit to Clyde’s creativity. He disassembled the decorations or created ways to prop them up. Then with help from me and the guys—which caused Corey to cringe since we were pulling our crew off to do this instead of finishing houses—we got the wonderland put together.

“You did an amazing job here, sweetheart,” I told Clyde as we took in the masterful finished product. “You should be proud of yourself because I sure am.”

“We created something beautiful out of what was considered ugly. That’s the magic of this place,” he said, snuggling into my side.

I knew I’d be funding more decorations next year because now that I’d seen Clyde’s winter wonderland, I wanted to ensure it became a new Christmas tradition here in town and for us.

Just like last year, Solace joined Roth for the lighting ceremony. The difference was, after we finished lighting the downtown, refreshments would be offered at the meeting house, and Roth and Solace would perform there.

That was all how I’d arranged it, not letting anyone in on my secret plans. Because Mrs. Cole had adopted us, well, okay, she’d adopted Clyde, and Corey and me by extension, we ended up joining her and several of our friends for Thanksgiving at the mansion that’d always been such a terror.

It still surprised me that I could be there and not feel the panic that had plagued me most of my life. I had so many things to be thankful for in the past year, that being the least of them.

We all gathered on the square in front of the library. I was amazed at how many more people were here than last year. Several hundred, if I were to guess. I hoped Mrs. Cole had enough cinnamon rolls. I shook that off, knowing if anyone suspected how many people would be showing up tonight, it would be her.

When the lights flipped on, excited gasps came from the crowd. Clyde had been right, the white decorations showed off the beautiful architecture of the town. It was like we’d stepped into a Christmas movie.

“As you all know,” Emanual said, addressing the crowd, “there’s been some sadness about losing the decorations we’ve all enjoyed these past fifty-plus years, but even the most beloved things wither with age.”

Amos, standing at his side, leaned in and said into the mic, “Or get better with age, like me.”

The crowd chuckled. “That may be,” Emanual said, pulling his husband into his side, “but our Christmas lights weren’t enjoying the same fate. To say goodbye in a reasonable fashion, though, our beloved Clyde and his sweetheart, Ruther, have set up a special wonderland over at the new meeting house and museum. So, if you all wander over there, we’ll have another lighting ceremony, and Mrs. Cole will pass out her delicious cinnamon rolls and hot cocoa.”

I followed the crowd over to the park, smiling with anticipation. Corey looked at me expectantly, and I shrugged. I even wanted my buddy and business partner to be surprised. I knew he’d probably figured out I was up to something, but I was hoping his crush on Solace would distract him long enough for me to do what I had planned.

As soon as the crowd was gathered, Emanual gave me a nod, since I’d talked him into letting me announce the lighting and acknowledge Solace and Roth.

I climbed onto my new home’s front porch that we were using for a stage and waited to get people’s attention. “As you all know,” I began when people had settled, “things have happened quickly since I came back to town last year. In fact, I only recently came to the realization that Crawford City had always been my hometown, even if I never felt that way growing up. But I do now, and that’s a testament to all of you, my friends, and the friends I’ve yet to meet. In the past twelve months, not only did we begin this project and finish the public buildings, which, hopefully, make you all proud as the years flow by, but we were also blessed with the presence of a newcomer. Clyde, can you come up here for a moment?”

Clyde turned from where he was helping Mrs. Cole set out the refreshments. “What’re you up to, Ruther?” he asked loudly, getting a snicker out of the crowd.

“Go on up there. Don’t keep the man waiting,” I heard Mrs. Cole chastise him before shoving him my way.

Clyde walked onto the makeshift stage warily, looking out at the crowd, probably to see who was in on this and if it was some kind of good-natured prank.

“You’ve changed our world, including all this. It only makes sense that you should be the one to flip the switch.”

He smiled wide and took the switch. “On the count of five,” I said, mimicking what the mayor had done last year. When we hit one, he flipped the switch and nothing happened.

“Oh, crap,” he said, causing me to laugh.

“Oh, wait,” I said, pulling a box out of my pocket. “I think maybe this will work better.”

He looked perplexed as he took the box from me, and as he opened it, the lights came on. I knelt on one knee, so pleased I’d set up a remote start button because he immediately gasped, first at the ring, then at the beautiful lights around us.

“My sweet and handsome Clyde, you’ve made my life so much better and happier. I’ve loved you since we first met and have only learned to love you more as time passes. Will you be my husband?”

No one moved, as if the townsfolk were holding their collective breath while we all waited to hear my sweetheart’s answer.

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