Page 58 of Holly and Ivar
“I saw that taking shape before I had to come back here.”Liv grinned and motioned them toward a table near the fire.“Hot cocoa’s on the house tonight.You both earned it.And I want a full report.”
Holly sat, grateful for the warmth that sank into her bones.“It went well.Rowan was lovely.She talked to all the carvers, took pictures with the kids, and helped hand out cookies.She admitted that the reason she’s supporting Chad on this project is to grow close to him again.”
“Oh,” Liv said, placing a hand over her heart.“That is so sweet.I just wish they could find a project to work on that didn’t destroy the forest.And what about Chad?”
“Ask Emma,” Ivar said.
“Emma?”
“There was flirting.”
“I’ll definitely ask her then,” Liv said, pouring steaming cocoa into mugs.“So maybe your plan will work.”
Holly smiled into her cup.“For what it’s worth, Rowan genuinely likes it here.You can see it in her eyes.”
Liv’s smile softened.“Then she’s the key to reaching Chad.”
The room quieted, the only sounds being the pop of the fire and the clink of mugs.Holly’s gaze drifted to the window, where a paper snowflake hung, turning slowly in the warm air.For a moment, she imagined the roots of the Yule Tree stretching beneath the earth in a luminous web, as intricate and singular as that snowflake.She could almost feel its pulse.Not inside her, but between them.She remembered the subtle shift in the air when she and Ivar joined hands at the Carnival, and the snowball fight ensued.That hadn’t been typical Santa magic.It had been something else.Something shared?Because Ivar had magic of his own?
“Anyway,” Liv said, breaking the silence, “the next event we have them in is the Tree Hunt.If we can convince the Hales to join in—not just to judge—that might seal it.Show them the heart of this town.”
Holly nodded.“What exactly happens at a tree hunt?”
Liv brightened.“Oh, it’s the best tradition.Everyone pairs up in teams and searches the forest for the perfect Christmas tree.There’s snacks, sleigh bells, friendly competition.The mayor gives out a trophy for ‘Best Tree,’ but mostly it’s just fun.”
Ivar leaned closer, his shoulder brushing hers as he lowered his voice.“We’re definitely winning that trophy.”
“Oh really?Confident much?”she teased.
“I’m the ranger,” he murmured.“I have a reputation to uphold.”
“Ivar,” Liv said, “would you mind grabbing the boys?I don’t feel like cooking tonight, so they can have dinner here.They’re probably stuffed with maple candy and popcorn, but I’d like to get a vegetable or two into them.”
“Sure thing,” he said, grabbing his coat.
“I could have texted them,” Liv said once he was gone, “but I wanted to talk to you.”
“What about?”
“What you’ve done for my brother.I don’t know what’s going on with you two, but he’s changed since you got here.He never joins trivia night, he always avoids the carnival, and he’s never participated in the Tree Hunt.Yet he just said you’re going to win.He’s become a different person.Thank you.He’s got a spark I thought I’d never see again.”
Holly didn’t know what to say.She stared into her mug, watching the tiny ripples fade.“We’re a good team,” she said softly.“He’s helped me too.My entire life has focused on work; he’s reminded me how to have fun.”
Theywerea good team.She felt it in every glance that lingered too long, every unspoken thought that seemed to echo between them.But now she wondered if what bound them was truly theirs or if the magic itself had drawn them together.
Liv smiled, lifting her mug.“Well, I think you’ve given him a little Christmas spirit, and I’m glad for it.To new friends and whatever comes next.”
Holly clinked her cup to Liv’s, the smile lingering on her lips even as unease began to stir.Whatever comes nextwas starting to worry her.
31
are yule serious?
Holly
Holly’sphonerangthesecond she stepped into her room.Henry!
“Tell me you found something.”
