Page 167 of A Very Merry Enemy
Holiday’s eyes fill with tears as she looks around the tent. At all these people supporting her. Believing in her. Celebrating her strength.
She buries her face in my chest, and I feel her shoulders shake.
“You did it,” I say. “It’s over.”
When she pulls back, she’s smiling through her tears. The crowd is still going wild.
Mayor Thompson approaches the microphone, looking stunned. “Well. That was…unprecedented.” He clears his throat. “But the show must go on! Our remaining four panel members have reached a decision.”
Everyone slowly settles back into their seats. Holiday wipes her eyes and stands up straighter, but I keep my arm around her waist.
“Without further interruption,” the mayor says, “the winner of the ninety-first annual Merryville Christmas Cookie Competition is?—”
CHAPTER 34
HOLIDAY
The tent is so quiet, I think I could hear a pin drop.
Mayor Thompson stands at the microphone with the envelope in his hand. Every eye in the room is on him. Lucas holds me so tight, I swear I can feel both our pulses racing.
“Without further interruption,” the mayor says, “the winner of the ninety-first annual Merryville Christmas Cookie Competition is—” He opens the envelope with agonizing slowness. “Team Jolly Holiday! Lucas Jolly and Holiday Patterson! Clear winners.”
The cheers are so loud, I can’t hear myself think. Lucas sweeps me up in his arms, spinning me around right here in the middle of the tent. I’m laughing and crying at the same time, my face buried in his neck.
“We did it!” I shout over the noise. “We actually did it!”
“You did it, Peaches!” He sets me down and cups my face in his hands. “You’re so fucking talented.”
Before I can respond, our families are rushing toward us. Mawmaw gets to me first, pulling me into a hug that smells like her perfume and Christmas cookies.
“I’m so proud of you, baby girl!” she says, tears streaming down her face.
My mom is next, then my dad, then Tricia, then Emma. Everyone is hugging and crying and celebrating. The twins are being passed around. Colby is jumping up and down, screaming, “You won! You won!”
Mayor Thompson approaches with the trophy and hands it to Lucas and me together. It’s heavier than I expected, solid and real in my hands. He also gives us an oversized check for five grand.
“Congratulations,” he says. “Very deserved.”
Cameras are flashing. The live stream cameras are focused on us. Someone from the local news is trying to get our attention for an interview.
Lucas and I hold the trophy between us, both grinning.
This is real. After everything, weactuallywon.
“Speech!” someone in the crowd yells.
“Speech! Speech! Speech!” More people join in.
I look at Lucas, and he nods, squeezing my hand. We step toward the microphone together.
“Thank you so much,” I say, my voice shaking with emotion. “This is—wow. This is incredible. I can’t believe?—”
My voice breaks, and Lucas takes over smoothly. “We’re honored to represent Merryville. This town, these people, you are everything to us. Our family. And a huge thank you to everyone who supported and believed in us.”
“Especially to Mawmaw,” I add, finding her close. “None of this would’ve been possible without you entering us into the contest. You always encouraged me in your kitchen.”
She blows me a kiss, still crying.
