Page 52 of Holly and Ivar
“The Hales,” she said.“They’re from my world.The bell on the door, the wooden toys, and probably the tunes Rowan didn’t recognize.They’re traditions, older, sure, but we still give out those bells when someone retires.And people still recite what Rowan said: ‘A little Christmas magic keeps out the wrong kind of mischief.’”
“So what does it mean?”
“I have no idea.”
Ivar started the engine, and they both sat in silence, lost in thought.Suddenly, a flash of red caught her eye as a cardinal landed on the hood of the truck.In its beak, it carried two small pine twigs naturally grown together in the shape of a heart, with a single red berry nestled where they joined.
The bird placed it gently on the windshield, then flew off into the trees.
Ivar reached out and picked up the sprig, handing it to Holly.“Any idea what this means?”
She shook her head, studying the delicate shape.The more they discovered, the bigger the mystery grew.
28
tinsel and tension
Ivar
Hollyhadbarelyspokena word since they’d left the Hale property.
Ivar didn’t push.He kept his eyes on the winding road, glancing over occasionally to make sure she was still with him—physically, at least.Emotionally, she looked miles away.
There were things he wanted to tell her, like the way the forest had seemed to pulse as they’d left.He’d heard the slow stretch of sap moving through frozen trunks, a mouse chewing on paper somewhere under the eaves, and what he could have sworn was a fox snoring.He’d always been attuned to the woods, but this was different.Sharper.Had the Yule Tree altered him in some way, or was it simply that the experience had made him more attuned to the world around him?And if he could sense these things, could Holly?
And then there was Chad.Ivar could still sense the man’s fear of the forest.
But that could wait.Right now, Holly needed him.
By the time they reached his cabin, dusk had painted the sky in pinks and icy blues.The first stars blinked through the treetops as he parked, climbed out, and came around to open her door.“You need dinner,” he said simply.
She followed him inside without a word.
Al trotted over to greet them, tail wagging, nails clicking on the wood floor.He looked from Holly to Ivar and back again, ears pricked as if reading the room.Ivar gestured to him, then Al padded over to Holly, settling beside her on the couch—close enough to comfort, watchful enough to protect.Ivar would thank him with an extra treat at dinner.
The smell of roasting root vegetables and garlic filled the air as Ivar moved around the kitchen.He chopped quietly, giving her space.Holly remained on the couch, arms wrapped around her middle, staring at the crackling fire.
“Ivar,” she said finally.“Do you believe in fate?”
He glanced up.“I believe some things are too weird to be coincidences.”
She nodded; seconds passed before she spoke again.“Betty Hale knew.About the land.About us.About magic.”Her voice caught.“I should have known.”
“How?”
She pulled out her phone.“Let’s find out.”
He watched as she dialed.“Calling your assistant?”
“No,” she said.“My father.”
The line clicked, and Adam Kringle’s voice came through loud enough for him to hear.“Sweetheart!Any news to report?”
“Dad.”Holly’s tone was sharp.“Did you know about the Hales?That they had a connection to us?”
A pause.“What?”
“I need the truth.No riddles.No side comments about sleigh bells and destiny.The house on the Hale property was full of stuff from our villages.You should have told me.”
