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A few of the older people in the crowd chuckled, but most of the young parents didn’t know what he was talking about. He was okay with that since he’d cleaned up his life, but he wouldn’t pretend that he was an angel growing up. It was important to mention it for those who knew him then.

“My mother grew up here, and the town supported her when she became a single mother. They also encouraged a young female entrepreneur to take chances. She started with this mall, which once held only twelve stores, and over the years she turned it into what it is today. Your support of her dreams brought countless jobs and opportunities to others in the community. Your support of the mall in its infancy has turned it into a place millions trek to every year. Her legacy isn’t me. It’s this mall. It’s you. It’s the woman beside me. It’s the legacy that is now ours to carry. And I don’t just mean Joy and me. I mean all of us. We can carry on the dream Mom had for Snowcap Ridge as a town that helps, loves, and supports each other no matter the season. That has become my goal with every holding in the Van Adler portfolio. To continue Mom’s legacy by remembering the people who support and keep the malls running. To support them and help them build their businesses to bring jobs to their towns, the same way we have with Snowcap Ridge. All of you have taught me the importance of that, so this is a heartfelt thank you from someone who needed that lesson more than you’ll ever know. Now, what do you say we light this tree?”

A round of applause rose as the lights dimmed and Kian handed the microphone to Joy. Her smile was warm even as tears fell down her cheeks. “What do you say we have Kian light the tree this year in memory of Lorelei?” she asked.

The crowd went wild again as she motioned him toward the tree, where a button sat, connected by wires that ran beneath the tree and around the back.

“Let’s start the countdown!” Joy shouted, setting the microphone down as the lights went out.

Kian leaned into Joy’s ear as the crowd counted. “Mom would be so proud of you if she were here.” Unable to resist, he kissed her ear, knowing no one could see him.

“For the first time, I can say this and believe it, Kian. She’d be incredibly proud of you, too.”

“One!” the crowd yelled.

Kian took Joy’s hand, and they pressed the button together. The tree lights flickered on, settling into a steady white glow that lit up the gorgeous gold and silver ornaments. It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas played softly as the crowd murmured in awe of the tree’s beauty.

He slipped his arm around Joy and said nothing, enjoying the warmth of her soft body against his and taking in the beauty of Snowcap Ridge Outlet Mall. He wasn’t talking about the tree.

26

#Thepoweroflight

The air was frigid, but the cocoa was hot, and the heat blowing through the vents of Kian’s SUV was slowly warming Joy. Was she looking forward to standing outside to watch the tree lighting? No. Not even a little bit. The temps had dropped ten degrees since they walked into the meeting with Mark Stanton, and to top it off, flurries were falling from the sky.

Another blast of cold air hit her when Kian climbed into the car after clearing the snow and ice that had accumulated while they were inside the country club. She tugged her hat down further over her ears, forgoing fashion for common sense tonight given the weather.

“Warming up?” he asked, shifting the car into Drive and pulling away from the country club.

“I’m cold to my bones, but the hot cocoa is helping. Thank you.”

“Happy to oblige the lady,” he said with a wink. “While I was getting it at the bar, Mark approached me.”

Groaning, Joy peeked at him from the corner of her eye. “Was it a quick and immediate no?”

Shaking his head, Kian smiled the smile that said all hope wasn’t lost. “No, he didn’t mention the presentation at all. He just wanted to sing your praises.”

“Be real,” Joy said, taking a sip of cocoa. Had she liked Mark immediately? Yes. He was a billionaire many times over, but you wouldn’t know it from talking with him. He was down-to-earth, intimately familiar with the retail climate, and had fresh, innovative ideas for his business.

“Never been more real,” Kian said, slowing the car at a stop sign. The rear end fishtailed, and she grabbed the door handle. “Sorry, it’s a little slippery under this thin layer of snow.”

“Winter in Wisconsin,” she muttered, finishing her cocoa.

“You have to admit it’s beautiful, though,” he said as they crossed the street toward the park. “Not as beautiful as you are, of course.”

“Yes, because I’m a stunning beauty in a stocking cap and a pantsuit.”

“I like a girl who isn’t afraid to set fashion aside for common sense. The fact that you aren’t afraid to do so tells me you take care of yourself. I can picture the warm pair of flannel pajamas you’ll wear tonight. They’re white with tiny blue snowflakes.”

“Wait, you picture my pajamas?” Joy asked, shaking her head to clear it.

“That sounds weird, but it’s just a natural reaction when I picture you relaxing in your apartment at night.” Kian’s shrug showed he was uncomfortable, and he quickly changed the subject. “Mark was impressed by your business acumen.”

“Is that so? He’s never been too impressed with my business acumen until you came along.”

“You heard what he said. Your proposal never reached his desk. He learned about it only after reaching out to me.”

“If that’s true, it sounds like a management problem. Lorelei reached out to the company numerous times.”