Then—whoosh—the tree came to life in a dazzling cascade of color. Multicolored lights rippled from the topmost star down through the thick evergreen branches. The hush that followed was unexpected. Like the whole town had stopped breathing for a moment. A kind of reverence hanging in the air. All that warmth. All that hope. It hit him harder than he’d expected. He’d skipped this moment for the last four years.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Cassidy. Her hands were clasped together, chin resting on her fingers, eyes wide and glowing in the soft light.
“It’s beautiful,” she said reverently.
Beautiful, Liam thought, looking at her.
“Oh no,” Madison said suddenly, turning to Zach with faux alarm. “I completely forgot to turn on the, um… Christmas tree in the great room.”
“Tragic,” Kit deadpanned, sipping her cider.
Madison ignored her. “Zach, do you think you might be able to help me with that?”
Zach didn’t hesitate. “I’d be crazy not to.”
Cassidy watched as Madison laced her fingers through his, tugging him toward the inn with a look that made it very clear the tree wasn’t the only thing she needed help with.
“You sure it needs two people?” Liam called after them.
“You haven’t seen how many lights she strung on that thing,” Zach tossed over his shoulder with an unapologetic grin.
Madison laughed, bumping into him as they disappeared down the street, hands locked, the rest of the festival forgotten.
“They’re so cute,” Kit said, watching them walk away.
Cassidy smiled then glanced around the square. Liam followed her gaze.
The crowd had really grown. The jazz soloist had been replaced by a brass quartet and a group of carolers. The festive singers were dressed in 1800s Dickens-style apparel, complete with bonnets, plaid throws, and full wool skirts.
Kit tilted her head. “Hold up. Is that Rachel from Zoe’s wreath class? The one with the red beret?”
“I think so…” Cassidy said, finding the woman in question.
“Wait, is she eying me up?” Kit stood a bit taller, tucked her hands in her wide-legged jeans pockets, trying to look cool and casual. “I thought I picked up a vibe from her.”
“She was one hundred percent flirting with you last week,” Cassidy confirmed.
Kit grinned. “Ha, I knew it. I haven’t had a woman look at me like that in along time.” Kit drew out the last two words.
Cassidy laughed. “Go. Maybe you’ll find some mistletoe over there.”
“Mama can hope.” Kit winked at Cassidy. “You two have fun. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do—which, to be fair, is a short list.”
And just like that, she slipped into the crowd, leaving Cassidy and Liam alone in the middle of the square.
Cassidy looked over at Liam. “Go on. You can leave. I’m fine hanging out by myself. I know you’re not into all this.”
“Listen, I don’t even know what all this entails.”
“Why am I not surprised?”
“How about you just be nice and tell me what’s on the agenda?” He nudged her elbow with his. “That way I can brace myself.”
“I might have memorized the Chamber of Commerce brochure…” Cassidy confessed.
“Why am I not surprised?” he replied, copying her.
She rolled her eyes. “Do you want to know what’s going on or not?”
