Page 43 of Holly and Ivar
HollystoodbesideIvar’struck, craning her neck toward the enormous banner in his arms.
“Welcome to Winterwood’s Christmas Carnival,” she read aloud.“That looks heavy.”
“Only if you’re not a big, strong park ranger like me,” he said, flashing her a grin.
“Well, I guess you don’t need me, then.”
Ivar chuckled and climbed the ladder, the banner draped over one shoulder.“You’re in charge of keeping your end from touching the ground.”
“I can handle that,” Holly said, tugging her mittens tighter.She lifted the bottom edge, then promptly lost her balance when the wind caught it like a sail.
“Careful!”Ivar called, steadying the rope from above.
“I’m fine!”she said, even as the banner whipped against her like an angry flag.“I just didn’t expect aerodynamics to be part of the job description.”
A familiar voice piped up from a nearby bench.“You’ve got to anchor the corners, young lady!”
Holly turned to see George Keating, leg wrapped in a bulky brace, waving a cane like a conductor’s baton.
“I thought you were supposed to be resting, George,” Ivar said, halfway up the ladder.
“Supervising,” George corrected.“I’ve got decades of banner expertise.Someone’s got to make sure you don’t hang it crooked like last year.”
“It was straight,” Ivar said.
“Not from where I was sitting.”
“You were sitting at the brewery.”
“Best vantage point in town.”George winked.
Holly laughed.“Should we take his advice?”
“Absolutely not,” Ivar said.“If we do, the banner will be upside down by noon.”
“I heard that!”George hollered.
Holly grinned up at Ivar.“You two seem to have a history.”
“Small town,” he said.“Everyone’s got history.”
Ivar tugged the rope taut.“Hold steady.Almost there.”
The banner fluttered once more before falling neatly into place across Main Street, its red letters gleaming against the gray sky.
They stepped back together, side by side, admiring their handiwork.
“Perfect,” Holly said, brushing snow off her coat.
“Not bad for Spreadsheet Holly,” Ivar teased.
“Careful,” she said.“I might start adding event management to my resume.”
“Pretty soon you’ll be running the whole carnival.”
“Don’t tempt me.”
A cheer echoed from across the square, where Emma and Tess were hauling out boxes of ornaments and garland.Emma cupped her hands around her mouth.“Looks amazing!Holly, you’re hired!”
