Page 42 of Sweet Home

“Mia, your work heading up the food drive helped us provide nourishment to so many beloved members of our community this year,” Mayor Fontaine said fondly. “We’re so glad that you’ve chosen to make Sugarville Grove your home. Now we’d like to make you our Christmas Star.”

Everyone applauded, and Mia blushed, but looked very pleased.

“The Christmas Star is someone who did a lot for our community,” West explained quietly.

“There’s a food drive?” Dulcie asked.

“They provide needy folks with staples to take home,” West said. “It’s been a lifesaver for a lot of our older population.”

“We made pictures,” Elizabeth said proudly.

“That’s right,” West said. “Elizabeth’s preschool class donated cheerful artwork to be added to the bags this year.”

Dulcie felt another tug at her heart at this idea, though she wasn’t sure why. It was such anice gesture, and it felt exactly like the kind of thing that would exist in this little town.

Up at the podium, the mayor began counting down from ten. By the time he got to eight, most of the crowd was chanting along with him.

“Three…two…one…” Dulcie yelled out as they reached the end.

Mia plugged in the big cord, and the tree lit up behind her, illuminating the beautiful ornaments.

The choir immediately began singing “O, Christmas Tree” and the crowd joined in.

Dulcie gazed up at the big tree, feeling her eyes get misty. It was such a beautiful sight, and even more beautiful because she was sharing it with people she cared about.

She stole a glance at West. His eyes were on Elizabeth as she lifted her little face to the tree, wonder brightening her eyes.

When the song was finished, the mayor announced the beginning of the Giving Tree event, and West bent to explain what was happening to Dulcie.

“A bunch of us that are lucky enough to be having a good year will usually buy and wrap some extra Christmas presents, and then we put them on those blankets under the tree,” West whispered. “They also accept laundered, lightly used clothing, as long as it’s in good shape. We put that in those boxes over there.”

“I know it’s been a hard year for some,” the mayor said. “But we take care of our own. Giving what we can, when we can, and from the heart is what this communitydoes best. I thank you all for sharing what you can this Christmas.”

At that, he stepped back, and the front row began moving forward, carrying presents or bags of clothing as the choir took up another song.

West placed Elizabeth gently on the ground and she immediately dug into the big bag they had brought and pulled out a stack of wrapped presents.

All around them, people were pulling gifts and clothing out of shopping bags and backpacks as they smiled and murmured to each other with excitement over helping their neighbors.

“Come on,” West whispered to her as their row moved up.

She pressed her lips together and shook her head, too caught up in her feelings to go with him, and too tongue-tied to explain.

But West seemed to understand. Elizabeth dragged him toward the tree and Dulcie watched as she proudly placed each present on the blankets, and then went to the boxes and carefully deposited a packet of clothing into one of them.

When she was finished, she popped back up and smiled so happily at Dulcie that the whole scene went blurry. Dulcie smiled back at her and quickly tried to wipe away the tears that slid down her cheeks before they got back to her.

“Hey,” West said softly as they rejoined her. “Are you okay?”

She nodded, but the tears justfell faster.

“Come on,” he said softly, taking her hand. “You too, Elizabeth.”

The three of them hurried away from the crowd, past the skating rink to the corner where they could see the whole town square. Dulcie turned back, drinking in the sight of the sparkling tree, the pavilion, the rink, and the gorgeously decorated shops. She knew now that those things were nothing more than pretty icing on a cake. The most beautiful and important thing about this little town wasn’t visible at all—it was the generous hearts of the happy people so dedicated to caring for one another.

“You’re crying,” Elizabeth said suddenly. “You’resad, Dulcie.”

Her little face scrunched up like she was going to cry too, and that only made Dulcie want to bawl even harder.

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