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Mullings Creek had shone brighter this Christmas than it ever had before because we were a family.

And families took care of their own.

Mom walked over in her red long-sleeved lace gown, sheepishly grinning before I threw my arms around her, her iris earring cool against my cheek. “I’m so, so proud of you,” I whispered.

“I have no idea what you’re referring to.” She waved me off but then winked. “I’ll fill you in later.”

Mr. Bailey suddenly appeared at my side and cleared his throat. “Excuse me, Gianna. But would you mind if I asked your mother to dance?”

I smiled at her, and then said, “Not at all, sir.”

She took his arm, and then the two of them walked quietly toward the stage, where he spun her around before they danced to “White Christmas.”

Looks like Mom just may get her Christmas wish…

I peered around the room, my heart shrinking a bit when I still couldn’t find Sam.

Guess the jury’s still out on me, though.

James came over with a big grin on his face. “Operation Ho Ho Humbug worked!”

I hugged him, my throat tight, and whispered, “Thank you, James.”

For a few minutes, the two of us stood side by side quietly watching our parents dance, and I couldn’t help but think about how unpredictable this last month had been. This season was always full of surprises and unexpected wonders, and James Bailey had been just that for me. Experiencing Christmas in Mullings Creek through the Baileys’ eyes was one of the best gifts I could ask for myself—especially before I left.

Because maybe when we think we outgrow a place or a person, what we really needed was the opportunity go back and look at it the way we did the first time.

“Did I ever tell you the story about my eighteenth birthday?” Aunt Sofia appeared at my side, cheeks rosy under her mask.

I looped my arm through hers. “Can’t say I’ve heard that one.”

“I danced the entire night under the stars with a total stranger who kissed me at midnight…” She sighed wistfully. “And then I never saw him again.”

“Really?” James asked.

“That sounds like a movie,” I said.

“The best moments in our lives always do.” She winked.

And that was when I realized the music had stopped, most everyone had backed up off the dance floor and were now turning to look my way.

“What’s going on?” I followed Aunt Sofia’s and James’s stare to the front of the room and felt the ground tip out from under me.

Sam, dressed in a fitted black suit, red shirt, and white tie, his mask all black except for the tiny green leaves and red dots outlining its edges, crossed the stage and whispered something to the lead singer. Then he looked directly at me, beaming. The quiet butterflies in my stomach stirred awake, swirling and twirling as I took in my handsome best friend who now made his way toward me.

“You know, I don’t like to admit it when I’m wrong, but it has to be said.” James looked from Sam to me. “Red is definitely your color.”

I smiled and fixed his tie. “And green is definitely yours.”

“I’ll see you around, Gianna.” He grinned before setting his glass on the table and giving a small bow and a wink while slowly backing away.

I had honestly dreaded that goodbye for weeks, worried that it would make me feel guilty or empty or numb, but surprisingly, it didn’t.

I felt strangely okay about it.

At peace.

The band began to play, and hope bubbled up inside of me because it was my favorite Christmas song, “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.”