“It is,” I said softly.“The whole town comes together for it.I don't know; I feel like there's something special about a town coming together, you know?”
We walked past more shops and houses, each one decked out in holiday cheer.I pointed out my favorite spots: the diner with its mouthwatering aroma wafting through the air, the bookstore with its cozy reading nook by the window, and the little park where children played in the snow.
“It’s like something out of a storybook,” Christian said after a while.
I glanced at him and saw a flicker of something in his eyes—maybe longing or nostalgia.It was hard to tell with him sometimes.
“It is,” I agreed softly.“That’s what makes it special.”
We continued walking in comfortable silence for a while longer until we reached our destination: the Christmas market set up in the town square.Stalls filled with handmade crafts, delicious treats, and holiday decorations lined the area.
“Well, here we are,” I said, turning to face Christian.
He looked around, taking it all in.“Thanks for showing me around.”
“No problem,” I replied with a smile.
The Christmas market bustled with energy, the scent of roasted chestnuts and mulled cider mingling in the crisp air.Strings of twinkling lights crisscrossed overhead, casting a warm glow over the rows of wooden booths adorned with garlands and wreaths.The cheerful sounds of carolers filled the square, adding to the festive atmosphere.
As we approached our booth, I noticed Emma already set up with her array of pastries.The colorful display of peppermint bark brownies, cranberry bliss muffins, gingerbread cupcakes, and holiday cinnamon rolls looked absolutely irresistible.
"Hi, Emma," I called out as we got closer.
She looked up from arranging a tray of cookies and smiled warmly."Oh, hi, Claire!And you," she said, her eyes landing on Christian."I remember you.Scottish guy, right?"
Christian's expression remained stoic."English, actually."
Emma chuckled softly."Close enough."She turned to me."How's your grandmother doing?"
"She's fine," I replied quickly, trying to mask my earlier worry."Just needed some rest."
"Glad to hear it," Emma said with a nod before turning back to her pastries.
Christian and I began setting up our booth next to Emma's.He moved with a quiet efficiency that I appreciated, his hands steady as he helped arrange baskets of cookies and jars of homemade preserves.
"How do you like Holly Ridge so far?"I asked him as we worked.
He glanced at me briefly before returning to his task."It's...different."
I couldn't help but smile at his guarded response."Different good or different bad?"
He shrugged slightly."Different good."
"Good to hear," I replied, feeling a small sense of accomplishment.
As we finished setting up our booth, I stepped back to admire our handiwork.The baskets of cookies looked inviting, and the jars of preserves gleamed in the soft light.It was a simple setup, but it had its own charm.
"Looks great," I said, turning to Christian.
He nodded in agreement."Yeah, it does."
Emma glanced over at us and grinned."You two make a good team."
I felt my cheeks flush slightly at her comment but chose not to respond directly.Instead, I focused on arranging the last few items on the table.
"Thanks for your help," I said to Christian once we were done.
He gave a small nod."No problem."
