Page 10 of Moonlight Over Mistletoe
“Don't you have some extra copies of the signup form, El? I thought I just saw some,” Vivian said.
Eleanor shot her look. “Well, yes. I think I do.”
As she fumbled for the registration form, Vivian stood abruptly, her chair scraping against the floor. “I think I'll grab another coffee. Eleanor, Christopher, can I get you anything?”
“No, thank you,” Christopher replied. Eleanor shook her head.
Vivian sauntered away, leaving Eleanor alone with Christopher, his jovial presence filling the space between them.
“So, Eleanor,” Christopher leaned in, “what sparked you to organize a ballroom dancing competition? I'd love to hear more about it.”
Eleanor's fingers tightened around her mug. “I'm a dancer. Or I was. It's been a long time,” she muttered, fixated on the swirling coffee. “Carl, my late husband, and I used to compete professionally. We also owned a studio in Seattle.”
“Really? That's fascinating. What was your specialty?”
A ghost of a smile tugged at Eleanor's lips. “The Viennese Waltz. Carl always said I floated across the floor like a snowflake.”
“I bet you were magnificent,” Christopher said.
“We were a good team, my husband and I,” Eleanor said, her gaze growing distant as she drifted back in time. She could almost feel the satin of her favorite gown and hear the music swelling around her. Blinking, she forced herself back to the present. “It was another life,” she said. “Before I left Seattle, before I lost Carl, before everything changed.” Eleanor cringed. She’d said too much. What was wrong with her?
Christopher's large hand covered hers, startling Eleanor. “I understand. Losing a spouse, it leaves a hole nothing can quite fill.”
Eleanor's eyes snapped to his, finding genuine empathy.
“I think that's part of the reason my family has been pushing me so hard to try new things recently. My wife has been gone for a long time, and I know it's time to retire, but the thought of doing it alone…” Christopher’s voice trailed off. “They worry, but sometimes you simply want to wallow in peace,” he finished, chuckling.
Despite herself, a smile tugged at her lips. “I’ve become quite proficient at wallowing.” Their eyes held, a silent understanding passing between them, putting her at ease, so much so that she revealed to Christopher what she'd admitted to no one, not even her best friend: "But unbeknownst to Vivian, she's inspired me to step out of my comfort zone." Suddenly, his motive for entering the dance contest dawned on her. “Your family put you up to the ballroom dance competition, didn't they?”
Christoper pulled his hand away. “Well, they suggested it, but I never do something I don't want to. And besides, it's for a good cause.”
“It certainly is,” Vivian's voice cut in.
Startled, Eleanor turned to see her friend sliding back into her seat, a mischievous grin on her face. Vivian placed a coffee in front of Eleanor and a hot chocolate in front of Christoper. “I know you both said no, but I couldn't resist.”
“Thank you,” Christopher said. “One of my favorites.”
“Yes. I thought you were a hot chocolate kind of guy. So, are you signed up yet?” Vivian asked him.
“No, not yet.”
“Well?” Vivian glared at Eleanor. “What are you waiting for? Give him the form.”
Eleanor reached into her folder, pulled out a registration form, and then passed him a pen.
Christopher donned a pair of reading glasses and quickly completed it. “I put Martin's address as my own. It's easier that way.”
“I guess it’s hard when your address is simply The North Pole,” Vivian said, and Eleanor kicked her under the table. Fortunately, Christopher laughed.
“As you can imagine, I get that a lot,” he said.
“Yes. I should think so,” Eleanor said, taking the paperwork and sliding it back into her folder. She already had several completed forms, having picked them up from Caleb's store. So why did this one feel more… significant?
9
Thefirstsnowfallofthe season had dropped two inches of snow on the streets of Mistletoe. Eleanor, snug in her new boots, couldn't help but admire how pretty the town was under a blanket of white.
Just as she was passing the general store, Caleb came out, a friendly smile lighting up his face. “Eleanor, I've been hoping to catch you.”
