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My cheeks burn at her compliment.
“Thank you.” I push my hair behind my ears and pull my coat collar up to my ears to fight off the frigid air.
Winterberry isn’t far from Manhattan, but it’s much colder.
If someone had asked me two weeks ago what snow smelled like, I would’ve looked at them like they were crazy. But now? I’d tell them that it smells almost crisp, like there’s a sweetness in the air. The air turns so sharp that it pierces through your clothes, no matter how many layers you may have on.
If I could bottle up that scent, I would.
Together, the five of us walk the few blocks to Main Street, where the parade will pass by. Honestly, I’m not even sure what this parade is, but the excitement in the air is infectious.
“I forgot to ask, whatisthe Christmas Log Parade?” I ask the group.
“Oh, just you wait and see,” Brent teases.
We find a spot along the sidewalk, where Nora can sit on the side of the road with a front row seat. Both sides of the street fill up fast, but we leave enough space for Sally and Dominick to join us.
I lean over to ask Brent, “Are Sally and Dominick going to make it to the parade?”
“Yeah, Sally is closing the diner first and then Dom is coming from work, which means he’s coming from home. That isn’t too far from here.”
As people pass by, they stop and say hi, talking about their upcoming plans for Christmas and sharing excitement for the parade. Christmas is less than two weeks away, and you can tell the little ones are ready.
Not for the first time since coming here, I wonder what people would think if they knew who I really was. That my last name wasn’t Smith. Would they still like me if they knew I lied? I’ve gotten so comfortable these last few days that I haven’t even thought about someone recognizing me.
“Hey guys! Who’s ready for the parade?” Sally asks as she walks over to us, ripping me out of my thoughts.
“Me! Me! Me!” Nora yells with her arm up in the air and a big smile.
This girl is so full of excitement—the complete opposite of her dad, whose features are pinched. There’s a blank stare in his eyes, and each time someone comes up to us, he waves but doesn’t say much. I’m starting to realize that he’s not only grumpy, but socially awkward, too.
“Having fun?” I whisper as I slide up next to him. Our arms brush, sending warmth through my body.
“Oh yes, a blast,” he says, glancing around. “I’ll be happy when we’re at the bar. This isn’t my scene.”
“Is it the people? Or the Christmas?” I ask, hoping I don’t regret that decision.
“It’s both,” he says curtly, signaling the end of this short-lived conversation. Yep, regret it. “Hey Sal, did you see Dom when you were walking over here?”
“I didn’t. Don’t worry, you’ll be able to smell him a million miles away when he gets here. That man bathes in cologne I swear,” she says, rolling her eyes.
I wonder what the story is between those two.
“Leave him alone, Sal.” Brent laughs. It doesn’t happen often, but when it does, it’s a beautiful sound.
“It’s starting, it’s starting!” Nora screams in delight. “Dad, where’s Uncle D?”
“I’m not sure sweetheart. He’ll be here, he probably got stuck on a meeting or something. Don’t worry, he won’t miss it.”
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” a deep voice says from behind us.
I spin around to see Dominick.
“Uncle D! There you are. Phew, I thought you were going to miss the parade and that made me sad.” Nora bolts over to hug his leg before scurrying back to her spot on the curb.
“Yeahhhhh, we wouldn’t want that,” Sally mutters. Only I’m close enough to catch it.
Before I get the chance to ask her why she hates him so much, the sounds of Christmas music and excited, child-like screeching fill the air, indicating the start of the parade.
