Page 34 of Magic in Mistletoe
“I think so too. That’s why this decision is so hard.”
“Maybe,” Nora suggested, “you could consider a long-distance relationship? I mean, once Dad’s busy season is over, it’s easy for him to travel.”
Sadie blinked in surprise, Nora’s suggestion catching her off guard. But as she mulled it over, she couldn’t deny the spark of hope it ignited within her. Unfortunately, fear soon followed. “I don’t know. My last long-distance relationship ended in disaster.”
“Because of that jerk onSingle to Wed?”
Sadie nodded.
“Did you ever watch the entire show?”
“No,” Sadie admitted.
“I did. I streamed the entire season after you told us what happened. And he played you from the start. Don’t feel bad that you lost your temper. He deserved it. And please don’t think that my dad is anything like that guy.”
Sadie closed her eyes and ran her fingers across the music box. Everything Nora said was true. Martin was one in a million. He’d never hurt her or anyone the way Todd—wait. She’d used his name without feeling sick or ashamed. The hurt remained but as part of her past. Not something that tainted her daily life. She felt so free.
“You’re right, Nora,” Sadie said, her strength and conviction growing by the second. “You’re absolutely right. We could make it work for now. And then, in the future, who knows?”
“Exactly,” Nora exclaimed. “Now we just have to tell Dad.” She got up and put another log on the fire. “You know, it’s kind of ironic that the place with the best power source for the toy factory is Mistletoe itself.”
“Wait. What?” Sadie asked.
“The power source we need is at its strongest under the town. Not where we set up the plant. I guess there was a miscalculation.”
“Would it hurt the town if the plant used this energy source?”
“Oh no. They’d never know. We just have to be close. It’s not like electricity. It can’t travel far.”
A heavy quietness settled over the room, weighing down on Sadie’s chest like her weighted blanket. She chewed on her bottom lip. Then, as if struck by lightning, an idea sparked within her, so incredible and daring that it left her momentarily breathless.
“Wait a minute,” she exclaimed, sitting up straighter in her chair. “Why not incorporate it into Mistletoe? We could move the village there and keep the town alive.”
Nora’s eyebrows shot up, her eyes widening with surprise. “You mean...combine the two worlds in Mistletoe?
“Exactly,” Sadie said, her heart pounding with exhilaration.
“But we can’t have that many people know our secret.”
“They wouldn’t have to. Essentially, Santa’s Village is a company town. Your crew lives near the factory with services to support them. Nothing suspicious there. Also, they are regular people, not elves. Again, no mystery. All we’d have to do is keep the power source hidden, and I’m sure that your people could figure it out, assuming they haven’t already. After all, you were building a village, and no one knew. Think about it. The entire town could be Christmas-themed. We could build a theme park and specialized Christmas stores and hold a weekly parade, creating a place where people who love Christmas would want to come, not only during the holidays but all year round.” Sadie paused. “It’s been done before, of course, but ours would be the best because, heck, it’s the real thing.”
“Wow,” Nora breathed, her eyes shining with excitement. “That’s an amazing idea. But do you think Dad, Great-Grandfather, and the other Santas would go for it?”
Sadie hesitated, uncertainty gnawing at the edges of her newfound conviction. But she couldn’t let fear hold her back—not when there was a chance to save Mistletoe and keep Martin close by.
“Only one way to find out,” she said.
Chapter 18
ThedoortoMartin’scabin creaked open, revealing the cozy interior lit by the warmth of a flickering fireplace. His smile broadened as he spotted Sadie sitting in his worn-out leather armchair. He’d worried that he might never see her again after his impulsive invitation. Maybe he hadn’t completely scared her off.
“Sadie, I’m so glad you’re here,” he said, his voice revealing exhaustion beneath his excitement. His robust build sagged under an invisible weight, and he knew his eyes had dark circles underneath.
“Dad, you look terrible,” Nora said.
“Why, thank you, sweetie,” Martin replied, planting a kiss atop his daughter’s head. “But it’s nothing that a good night’s sleep won’t fix.” And maybe the news that Sadie was willing to give him another chance. That would help. A lot.
Martin sank into the sofa opposite Sadie, the cushions molding around his weary form. He rubbed his temples, trying to chase away the stress-induced throbbing behind his eyes. “Finding a suitable location has been quite the ordeal. It’s taken a toll on me, I must admit, especially with Christmas a few days away and having to use the other sites for all our toys. Everyone is simply exhausted.”
