Page 15 of Moonlight Over Mistletoe
Vivian reviewed the document. “It looks fine to me, El. You've checked it a dozen times already.”
Eleanor sighed. “I know, but it's the program. We will look like amateurs if there is a mistake. I'm sending it out to some dance organizations and schools. I know it's getting close to the date, but some more dancers might be interested. If there are mistakes, we won't be taken seriously. And we can completely forget about sponsorships.”
Vivian nodded, her quiet agreeability a soothing balm to Eleanor's frayed nerves.
“Here's the checklist,” Eleanor said. “Let's review it.” She took a moment to stretch her back. “The mayor's office is securing the tents for the town square. Mayor Evergreen's niece created a website for ticket sales and registration. The tourism department is distributing promotional material to everyone on its mailing list. The Mistletoe Business Bureau is seeking sponsorships. Caleb is organizing the heating and the special flooring for the dancers. Mistletoe Events is providing the tables and chairs, and the high school promised us some bleachers if necessary, and—” Eleanor was interrupted by the ping of a text.
She glanced at her phone. “Hold on. It's the florist.” Her heart sank as she read the text. “Oh, no.”
“El, what is it?”
“There was a major power outage in Silverpine Ridge, where the florist is. Their inventory is ruined, and their pipes froze and burst, flooding the store. They won't be up and running by Thanksgiving. What are we going to do?”
Eleanor paced around the room.
“I have an idea,” Vivian said.
“What? Tell me.” Stress had made Eleanor's eye twitch.
“Instead of real flowers, get the Snowflake Sugar Shop to create the large centerpiece and then smaller edible bouquets for the tables.”
“You've got to be joking.”
“I'm not. You've seen Rosie's sugar work. It's fantastic.”
Vivian was right. Despite Eleanor's grumpy demeanor whenever she entered Snowflake Sugar, she had noticed that Rosie and, yes, even Jack were incredibly talented. Not that she'd ever admitted it.
“I don't know, Viv. That's a lot to ask.”
“Didn't you say Sadie was on the committee?”
“Yes, but…”
“But what?”
“It's embarrassing to ask for help. I don't want people to think I made a mistake and they are doing me a favor.”
“That's ridiculous. Regardless of why you need it, I'm sure they'll be more than happy to help. So can you please promise me you'll ask them?”
Eleanor hesitated, her jaw tightening from her internal struggle. Finally, she sighed. “Okay. I guess there is no harm in asking.”
Vivian stood and wrapped Eleanor in a hug. “Great. Now tell me about the judges you secured.”
Excitement rushed through Eleanor, her lips curving into a proud smile. “I called up some old connections. It's been years, but they accepted my invitation.” She ticked off names on her fingers. “First, there's Dmitri Volkov, the Russian ballet master. He's as strict as they come, but he knows talent when he sees it. Then there's Lucinda Fairfax,” Eleanor said, her voice softening with fondness. “She was my roommate at dance academy. Retired now, but she was a star in her day. And finally, Antonio Moretti, the Italian ballroom champion. He's still quite the charmer, even in his seventies.”
Vivian grinned at her friend. “Eleanor, I must say, you're different. Happier, even. Your voice has a lilt to it I haven't heard in years.”
Eleanor's cheeks flushed, caught off guard by the observation. “I don't know about that,” she deflected, adjusting her tight bun nervously. “Oh, alright. I suppose organizing this competition has been fulfilling. It's reminded me of my love of dancing, and I’m trying to focus on that instead of the painful memories tied to it because of Carl. There I said it.”
“And?” Vivian prodded.
“And, what?”
“What about your growing connection to a certain Mr. Kringle?”
Eleanor remembered his kindness at the dance lesson, the way he’d held her as she poured her heart out. “Perhaps Christopher has something to do with it, too. He's not entirely insufferable.”
“That's high praise coming from you,” Vivian said, laughing at Eleanor's grudging admission. “But seriously, it's good to see you passionate about something again. The whole town's noticed how involved you've become.”
