Page 45 of A Christmas Spark
“For me? George, you didn’t need to—” She opened it, and her eyes misted over slightly. “Oh, it’s beautiful.” She looked up at him, beaming. “Pin it on me?”
He definitely felt like a teenager all over again then, pinning the holly brooch on his date’s sweater. When it was secured, he offered Mabel his arm. “Ready?”
“I am.” She glanced back, and he followed her gaze into the house.
“Who’s watching Rascal?”
Mabel laughed. “I’ve allowed her free reign of the house with all her new toys. She’ll be fine. Probably better than fine, actually—she’s been having the time of her life with that electronic mouse you bought her.”
As if summoned by the mention of her name, Rascal appeared in the doorway, a feather toy clutched in her tiny jaws. She meowed once at them, then disappeared back into the living room, presumably to continue her reign of terror over her new menagerie.
“See?” Mabel grinned. “She’s completely occupied. I think your prank may have been the best cat-sitting solution ever invented.”
George laughed, offering her his arm again, and when she took it, he escorted her down the steps to his waiting truck, his heart lighter than it had been in years.
This was going to be the best Christmas party he’d ever been to.
The moment George helped her out of his truck, Mabel could tell that the town had outdone itself with this year’s Christmas party. The community center had been completely transformed into a winter wonderland that took her breath away. Strings of twinkling lights draped from every available surface, creating a canopy of stars overhead. Large evergreen wreaths adorned with red velvet bows hung on the door and windows, and garlands of fresh pine wound around the support columns on the porch, filling the air with that distinctive Christmas scent that never failed to make her feel more joyful than any other time of year.
“Oh my,” Mabel breathed, taking in the sight before them. “They’ve really gone all out this year.”
George offered his arm again, and together they made their way toward the entrance. As they drew closer, the sounds of the party reached them—laughter and conversation mixing with cheerful Christmas music. Someone was playing “Silver Bells” on what sounded like a piano, and she could hear voices joining in on the familiar melody.
When they stepped inside, Mabel breathed in deeply, letting out a sigh of pleasure. It smelled like Christmas—not just the pine of the garlands and Christmas tree inside, but the food and drink. There was the rich aroma of hot chocolate and apple cider, mingled with the sweetness of fresh-baked cookies, and the savory smell of Jackson’s famous holiday pot roast.Cinnamon and nutmeg and chocolate and roasted meat, all of it making her stomach rumble appreciatively.
“Hungry?” George asked, his eyes crinkling with amusement.
“Starving,” Mabel admitted. “But first, I need to take all of this in. Look at what they’ve done with the place!”
The community center had been arranged so that the event was stationed out into different areas, all decorated and charming in their own way.
Near the entrance, a hot beverage station had been set up with decanters of cider and cocoa, along with an impressive array of homemade Christmas cookies arranged on tiered serving plates. The main floor had been cleared for dancing, with tables arranged around the perimeter where people could sit and visit. In one corner, someone had created a cozy reading nook with comfortable chairs and a small Christmas tree surrounded by wrapped gifts that were donations for the local toy drive.
It all felt magical. The whole town seemed to be there, full of community and joy, radiating from every person in the room. Neighbors were deep in animated conversation, children darted everywhere laughing and giggling, couples were dancing and even the teenagers seemed more cheerful, laughing and participating in what appeared to be an impromptu dance-off near the far wall.
“Mabel! There you are!” Vanessa’s voice rang out above the din of conversation, and Mabel turned to see her granddaughter approaching with a bright, mischievous smile. She looked absolutely lovely in an emerald green velvet dress, her auburn hair done up in a vintage style.
“Vanessa!” Mabel went to her for a hug. “You look stunning. That dress is perfect on you.”
Vanessa squeezed her grandmother back, then gave her a look of mock indignation when she pulled back. “Grandma,” she said sternly, but with a clear note of teasing in her voice, “Wereyou planning to mention that you were coming tonight with a date? Or was I supposed to figure that out when I saw you two walk in together looking like something out of a romantic Christmas movie?”
Mabel felt herself blush as she glanced quickly over to where George had walked off briefly to talk to Christopher. “Well, it just kind of… happened. Naturally. There really wasn’t time to give you a full briefing.”
“Naturally?” Vanessa raised an eyebrow. “This whole kitten custody arrangement, you dragging him to the Christmas market, ice skating…” She laughed. “His prank on you at the toy store. It’s obvious to everyone except, apparently, the two of you.”
“Is it?” Mabel looked skeptical.
“Yes,” Vanessa said firmly. “In fact, Jackson and I have been taking bets on how long it would take for one of you to make a move.”
Mabel gasped in mock horror. “Vanessa Anne! You’ve been betting on your grandmother’s love life?”
“I’m sure we weren’t the only ones,” Vanessa said with an unrepentant grin. “And for the record, I won. I said it would happen before the Christmas party.”
Mabel swatted her granddaughter’s arm. “Well, for the record, this is just a date. Nothing more.” She tried to look prim, but Vanessa clearly wasn’t buying it, and she had a hard time fighting her own smile.
It was impossible to fight it at all when she looked over and saw that two more neighbors had joined George and Christopher’s conversation, and they were all standing around, laughing and joking with one another.
Her heart felt warm and full, seeing George loosen up a little, enjoying his night. And she thought, as she watched him, that this might have been what she’d thought was missing, all along.What she’d felt that she needed, weeks ago, when she’d noticed that odd sensation in her chest.
