Page 4 of Moonlight Over Mistletoe
This stern, prickly woman had him intrigued. He'd known plenty of souls in his long life, but Eleanor's complexity fascinated him.
As he continued along the sidewalk, he noted the crisp fall air, scented with wood smoke and what he believed to be apple pie wafting from the nearby coffee shop. A glorious day for a stroll. Perhaps one day Eleanor could join him? He shook his head, bewildered by his own thoughts. What had possessed him to suggest seeing her again?
“You're playing with fire, old man,” he muttered to himself but couldn't entirely suppress his smile.
4
Eleanorpushedthroughtheheavy double doors of the elementary school auditorium, her eyes scanning the crowded room. Spotting Vivian's pixie-cut hair peeking above the sea of heads, she wove through the rows of chairs. Vivian waved enthusiastically, patting the empty seat beside her.
As Eleanor made her way through the throng, she swatted at a spider dangling above her seat. “My goodness, would you look at this place? I don't understand why the meeting is here instead of the town hall,” she grumbled. Sliding into the seat, she leaned over to Vivian. “Look, the chairs lined along the wall are tiny kid's chairs. They're going to break under adult weight. “
Vivian laughed and shook her head. “You know the mayor. He makes everything dramatic. Perhaps he's announcing a donation to the school.”
Eleanor shrugged. “It better be something like that. I swear if Mayor Evergreen called us all here to announce the annual pumpkin pie baking contest again—”
Her musings were cut short as Mayor Gregory Evergreen strode onto the stage wearing an orange suit, black shirt, and orange tie. He stepped up to the microphone and gave it a few taps. The room fell silent.
“Citizens of Mistletoe,” he began, his deep baritone echoing off the walls. “Thank you for joining me here tonight. As you've all noticed, our meeting is here in the gym and not at the town hall.”
“No, really?” Eleanor whispered sarcastically, resulting in a playful poke in the arm from Vivian.
“Well, there's a dire reason for the venue relocation,” the mayor said. “I'm afraid I have some distressing news. After a routine inspection, it's come to light that our beloved town hall is suffering from severe structural issues.”
A wave of shock rippled through the crowd. Eleanor sat up straighter, her brow furrowing. The town hall was the very heart of Mistletoe. It hosted every celebration, from the Christmas Eve potluck to the Valentine's Day dance. She'd celebrated her wedding there. The thought of it crumbling broke her heart.
Mayor Evergreen continued, his face grim. “I know this comes as a shock. The town hall has stood for over a century, a symbol of our community's strength and unity. But time and the Alaskan weather both take their toll on even the sturdiest of structures.”
Eleanor pictured the grand wooden beams, the creaky old floors, and the historical photographs that lined the hallway. Could it really be beyond repair? What would become of their traditions, their history? Her memories?
Caleb Winters, owner of the general store, shot his hand up. “Mayor Evergreen, what exactly is wrong with the town hall? Surely it's fixable.”
The mayor sighed heavily, his torso sagging beneath his festive suit jacket. “I'm afraid the issues are extensive. The foundation is crumbling, the roof is leaking, and the electrical wiring is a fire hazard. Repairing it would cost nearly as much as building a new structure altogether.”
Another voice piped up, this one belonging to old Mr. Jameson, the town barber. “But the town hall is a piece of Mistletoe's history! We can't tear it down and replace it with some soulless, modern building.”
A chorus of agreement rose from the crowd, and Eleanor nodded along. The town hall was more than just a building; it symbolized their community's spirit, a reminder of all the memories they'd shared within its walls.
But then, a younger voice spoke up from the back of the room. “With all due respect, Mr. Jameson, a new building could be just what Mistletoe needs. Think of the possibilities. We could have a state-of-the-art sound system, energy-efficient heating, maybe even a community gym.”
The room erupted into a flurry of chatter as people debated the merits of preservation versus progress. Eleanor chewed her lip, torn between her love of the old town hall and the allure of a fresh start. She'd always vocalized her concern over Mistletoe's old infrastructure, so shouldn't she be on board with a new building? But it was the town hall—anything but that.
Mayor Evergreen held up his hands, calling for silence. “Clearly, this is a decision that affects us all. I propose we put it to a vote. All those in favor of repairing the town hall, raise your hands.”
A sea of hands shot up, including Eleanor's and Vivian's. The mayor counted quickly, then nodded. “And those in favor of building a new structure?”
A smattering of hands rose, mostly belonging to the younger crowd. But most of Mistletoe's citizens were loyal to their beloved town hall.
“Well, that settles it,” Mayor Evergreen said, relief in his voice. “We'll begin fundraising efforts immediately to cover the cost of repairs. It won't be easy, but if there's one thing I know about this town, it's that we always come together when it matters most. So with that in mind, we need your help. If anyone has any ideas for fundraising events or initiatives, please don't hesitate to share them. We're open to all suggestions.”
The room fell silent, the weight of the challenge settling over the crowd. Eleanor's mind raced, searching for a solution. Suddenly, an idea sparked to life. Did it stem from the memory of her and Carl dancing on the town hall grounds at their wedding reception or the more recent dance with Christopher? She wasn't sure. All she knew was that a plan was quickly forming in her mind.
She moved closer to Vivian, her voice low so that only Vivian would hear her. “What about a ballroom dancing competition? We could hold it in the town square, charge an entry fee, find sponsors, and offer prizes for the winners. It would be a fun way to bring everyone together and raise money at the same time.”
Vivian's face lit up, and she nodded enthusiastically. “Eleanor, that's brilliant. You should suggest it to the mayor.”
But as quickly as the idea had come, Eleanor's confidence faltered. She glanced around the room, taking in the faces around them. The thought of standing up and speaking in front of everyone made her palms sweat and her heart race. She knew she was regarded as the town cynic. People might reject her idea because she herself was always so critical.
“I can't do it,” she said to Vivian, shrinking back in her seat. “It's a silly idea.”
