Page 65 of Healing Hearts at the Christmas Inn
Holly gasped along with everyone else. Thousands of lights blazed to life, transforming the tree into a pillar of brilliance. Red, green, gold, blue, white—every color imaginable sparkled and glowed. The star at the top shone so brightly it seemed to capture actual starlight.
The crowd erupted in applause and cheers. The choir launched into "Joy to the World," and people began singing along.
Holly felt Jack's hand find hers in the darkness, his fingers lacing through hers. She looked at him, and he smiled, his eyes reflecting the lights from the tree.
Neither of them let go.
They stayed for the rest of the ceremony, through three more songs and the mayor's closing remarks about community and togetherness. When the crowd finally began to disperse, Logan suggested they get hot chocolate, and Jack’s hand fell away from hers.
They found a vendor cart near the plaza and ordered drinks for everyone. Holly wrapped her hands around the warm cup, grateful for something to do with her hands now that Jack had reluctantly released her.
"Look!" Trinity's voice cut through the chatter. She was pointing down a side street. "What's that shop? It looks amazing!"
Holly followed her gaze and saw a storefront that seemed to glow from within. The windows were decorated with intricate displays, and through the glass, she could see what looked like every Christmas decoration imaginable.
"That's William's shop," Julie said, her voice warming. "He's been here forever. His staff make the most beautiful ornamentsand decorations. Everything handmade." She grinned teasingly. “By staff, I mean elves.”
“Oh come on, Julie!” The girls chorused, laughing.
"Can we go in?" Trinity asked, already tugging on Holly’s sleeve. "Please?"
Holly glanced at the girls' hot chocolate cups. Both were already empty. "We need to finish our cocoa first," she said, lifting her still-full cup.
"I can take them," Jane offered. "I wanted to say hello to William anyway."
"I'll join you," Julie said, smiling. "It will be nice to sit for a few minutes. These old bones aren't what they used to be."
Holly nodded, and Jane led the girls toward the shop, Julie walking beside her with a spring in her step that suggested her "old bones" were doing just fine.
As they walked away, Holly watched Trinity's animated gestures, the way she and Maddy walked so close their shoulders bumped, the happiness radiating from both of them.
"She's so happy," Holly said quietly, not even realizing she'd spoken aloud until she felt Jack's attention shift to her.
"Trinity?" Jack asked.
Holly nodded, her throat tight. "I haven't seen her like this in... I can't remember when."
"Maddy's the same," Logan said, surprising Holly. She'd almost forgotten he and Charlie were standing there. "I've never seen her so happy. It seems the girls bonded over being kindred spirits."
Charlie smiled, glancing at Jack. "I'm really glad Trinity found two friends here." She paused meaningfully. "It seems they've included your daughter, Jack, as an honorary tween." Her eyes sought Jack’s.
Jack laughed, the sound warm and genuine. "Yes, I see that. And I'm so glad because it's the first time I've seen Jane actually smile or seem so light in three years."
Three years.Holly's heart squeezed at the weight those words carried and three years made her think of her son as that’s how long she hadn’t seen her son.
Holly sighed, looking back toward William's shop, where the two generations of Christmas women stood with Trinity and Maddy. "This Christmas seems like it's going to be so perfect."
She felt three sets of eyes turn toward her, and heat crept up her neck, making her embarrassed by the emotion in her voice. Tears burned at the back of her eyes, and she couldn't stop them.
"I just wish Gabe were here." The words came out barely above a whisper, but they carried the weight of months of worry, loneliness, and missing her son.
Jack's hand found hers again, squeezing gently. No words, just that quiet support. Holly held on tight and let herself believe, just for a moment, that wishes could come true.
19
CHARLIE
Jack and Holly had broken off to browse the Christmas stalls lining the street, Holly mentioning she still had shopping to do. Charlie needed to pick up a few things, too, so she and Logan moved in their own direction, wandering through the crowds of people admiring lights and displays.
