* * *
It had been three years since Luke broke off his relationship with Victoria. And living in a small town like Poppy Creek meant they’d run into each other thousands of times since then. She’d even dated someone from Primrose Valley for several months while Luke focused on work and his responsibilities around town. It didn’t make sense Victoria would react so strongly to Cassie’s presence. Unless Luke’s feelings for Cassie weren’t as tightly concealed as he thought.
“Here you go,” Sadie said brightly as she handed Luke their hot chocolate. “Careful, they’re hotter than a coal in a hand basket.”
“Thanks, Sadie.” Turning toward Cassie, he handed her one of the paper cups piled high with homemade whipped cream and a barrage of red sprinkles. They fell in step as they headed toward the second firepit at the opposite end of the square.
Luke wasn’t ignoring Cassie’s question. He honestly wasn’t sure how to respond. Considering his current state of mind, Luke could blame their breakup on the same reasons he wanted to avoid falling any further for Cassie—no time for himself and too many obligations. But back then, the weight of his responsibilities after stepping into his father’s shoes hadn’t sunk in yet. No, it had been something else entirely.
“It was something my dad told me,” Luke said quietly, vocalizing his train of thought.
Cassie tipped her head, cupping the piping-hot cup between her gloved hands.
“You asked why Victoria and I broke up,” he explained. “It was something my dad said.”
“Oh.” Her face softened as she gave him an encouraging smile to continue.
Luke drew in a deep breath, relishing the frosty air as it filled his lungs. He still recalled the exact moment he had the conversation with his father, down to the sharp scent of his dad’s citrus aftershave. “My mom picked up a cuckoo clock during a trip to Germany in college. Dad hated it. Even after forty years of marriage, he would jump out of his skin every time the hour hit and the cuckoo bird would spring out of its hiding place.” Luke chuckled, still able to picture the look of surprise sprawled across his dad’s face. “One day, I stopped by the house during a particularly bad argument with Victoria. Which happened a lot. The cuckoo clock went off, startling Dad as it always did. And he said, ‘Son, I love your mother. You knowhowI know?’ Before I could respond, he said, ‘Every time that clock scares the bejesus out of me, I think, I’d put up with a thousand squawking cuckoo birds if it meant being married to your mom.’”
Luke paused several feet from the firepit, staring blankly at the rollicking scene of marshmallow roasting and laughter as though he were removed from it, back in their living room with his dad, conversing in front of the fire.
“That’s so sweet,” Cassie said softly, drawing Luke to the present.
Luke gazed down at her, her delicate features illuminated in the glow of the bright, flickering flames. Her eyes searched his, probing for the meaning behind his story.
“Yeah, it was.” Luke smiled wistfully. “My dad was a man of few words. But when he spoke, people listened.” The familiar ache in his chest returned. “Even though he was talking about a cuckoo clock, I knew what he meant. Loving someone means accepting the bad with the good. It means pursuing them, no matter what. Love always hopes and always perseveres. I thought I loved Victoria. But when my dad shared his story about the cuckoo clock, I knew it wasn’t enough.”
Suddenly self-conscious about how much he’d shared, Luke stole a sideways glance at Cassie. Was it his imagination, or were her eyes glimmering with unshed tears? He cleared his throat. “I guess epiphanies occur at all kinds of strange and unusual moments, don’t they?”
He tried to laugh, but the unguarded look in Cassie’s eyes made him falter. Something lingered behind the intense shade of emerald green. Understanding? Longing? He wasn’t entirely sure. But he knew if he didn’t look away, he would have no choice but to kiss her. He desperately needed to shift the mood. “I bet our hot chocolates have cooled off by now.”
Luke watched Cassie take a sip, anticipating her reaction. But as she withdrew the cup from her lips, he couldn’t help a chuckle.
“What?” she asked innocently.
“Uh, you have…” Luke gestured toward her nose where a huge glob of whipped cream sat covered in red sprinkles. “Are you cold? Your nose is a little red.” He chuckled again.
Cassie’s eyes widened, and she quickly swiped at the unwanted adornment.
“You should leave it,” Luke teased. “The red nose looks good on you. In fact, from now on I’m going to call you Rudolph. OrRufor short.”
Cassie’s mouth flew open in protest as Luke took a sip of his own hot chocolate. As he lowered the cup, she snickered. “Is that so?” Her eyes flashed mischievously. “In that case, I’m going to callyouSprinkles.”
Luke rubbed his nose with the back of his hand, revealing a smear of whipped cream and red sprinkles. He had to laugh. “Touché.”
Cassie joined in his laughter until the crackling of a microphone interrupted their mirth.
A hush fell over the square as Mayor Burns took his place at the foot of the Christmas tree. Luke searched the enraptured faces of the crowd, catching sight of Eliza with her parents. Ben tugged on her hand in unbridled excitement as they waited for the big moment.
The only one not clad in Christmas pajamas, Mayor Burns stood out like a lump of coal in his official-looking black suit and slicked-back dark hair. Although only in his fifties, he looked about as miserly as Scrooge himself. Pre-haunting, of course.
As Luke stood next to Cassie, waiting for the mayor to finish his long-winded speech, he took a moment to soak up the ambiance. The palpable sights, smells, and sounds. The feeling of hopefulness that settled on his chest like a thick, comforting blanket. That’s what he loved most about Pajama Christmas. The intangible spirit of the season felt so real, he could almost hold it in his hands. And it’s what made being with Cassie so risky. During Pajama Christmas, anything seemed possible.
Suddenly, the town square illuminated with dazzling lights as the tree erupted in vibrant color.
Oohs and aahs rippled through the crowd.
Luke glanced down at Cassie. Her entire face shone in the multicolored glow. Maybe it was how lovely she looked or how magical the moment felt or perhaps he’d never know why he did it exactly.
