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He shrugged again. “It’s no big deal. I wasn’t the only one lending a supportive arm. Your brothers were out there too. They’ve gone home, by the way.”

“And you didn’t come to blows?”

“I think they wanted to. Fortunately, your brother-in-law, Ryan, stepped in to mediate. He seems solid.”

“He is. Holly finally picked a man who just might be good enough for her.”

“Glad to hear it.”

He gazed at her, then gestured to her guitar. “I can take that for you, if you want.”

“Thanks.”

The church pastor had told her he would come over from his home next door and lock up after the concert, so Hannah walked with Wes out into the December night.

The winter night was beautiful, snowy and still. Full of endless possibility. Fresh snow blanketed everything in pristine white, the streetlights casting a warm, golden glow.

At her vehicle, she unlocked her door and Wes placed her guitar gently in her back seat.

They stood facing each other in the peaceful silence.

“It was a beautiful concert, Hannah. I haven’t heard you sing alone with your guitar in a long time. It was unforgettable.”

Heat rushed to her cheeks as she remembered her evocative song choice. Every time she sang “Christmas Lights,” she thought of him walking away from her house, illuminated by the icicle lights her parents had strung up that year.

“I think everything went well,” she said, trying to keep her voice steady. “I was happy with the turnout and the fundraiser.”

“I’m glad.” He paused, studying her face. “On one of my trips back and forth, I saw the kids and Morgan leaving with Ed.”

“Yes. I think they’re going to be okay.” She gave him a meaningful look. “But you knew that already, didn’t you?”

He nodded. “It took a lot of courage on both of their parts to give each other another chance. It was beautiful to see their reunion.”

Her heart swelled as she remembered how he had quietly slipped out during the concert to check on Morgan when she left, a woman he barely knew, simply because Hannah had asked.

The gesture meant everything to her.

“It probably won’t be easy for either of them, but she needs family in her life right now. Especially someone as caring as Ed seems to be.”

“I agree.” His expression grew serious. “Christmas is a time for mending fences and healing relationships, isn’t it?”

Something in his tone made her breath catch. His features looked almost tortured in the soft light as he reached for her hand.

“Hannah, I have no right to ask this. I know I don’t. I hurt you immeasurably with my stubbornness and stupidity.”

“You did,” she whispered.

He closed his eyes briefly. “I love you, Hannah. I never stopped loving you. Is there any possible way you might consider forgiving me?”

She stared at him, stunned, thinking of the song she had sung that evening, holding on to chandeliers of hope.

How I always loved you, darling, and I always will.

She had spent years telling herself she didn’t care about him anymore, that she had moved on. She had certainly told her sister and friends that enough times.

But looking at him now, snow gathering on his shoulders and in his hair from helping elderly neighbors cross the street safely, she knew she’d been fooling herself.

She loved him. She had never stopped loving him.