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“Just past sunset. The mayor will light the Christmas tree first, and then he’ll call for all the contestants to bring their boats to the shore,” I tell her.
“How long is it until sunset?”
“Several hours,” Isaac replies.
“Darn it,” she grumbles.
I squeeze her hand. “Don’t worry; there are lots of things to enjoy before then,” I say.
Her curious eyes come to mine. “Like what?”
“First off are the reindeer games,” I say.
“What’s that?” she asks.
“Do you have a field day at school?” I ask.
She shakes her head. “No, but my mommy took me to watch our neighbors at their field day.”
“Okay, the reindeer games are like field day. You pick a partner, and the two of you compete against other teams of two in a bunch of holiday-themed races for a prize. I signed you and your dad up to play,” I explain.
She glances back at Isaac. “Daddy, you have to try really hard, and you can’t take pictures,” she commands.
“Not even one picture?” he asks.
She sticks up her index finger. “One. But only if it’s not our turn.”
“You got it, boss,” he says.
I guide them through the tents, where we sample the offered wares. People are milling about, chatting joyfully, and children have their faces painted, like reindeer or elves, and eat all the sugary holiday treats they can manage.
Isaac stealthily leads us under every single mistletoe he spots and kisses us both each time while Cobie giggles.
When we find ourselves surrounded by Dickens-costumed carolers, we sing along.
“Deck the halls with balls of holly. Fa-la-la-la-la,” Isaac’s booming baritone sings.
“Did you just say,deck the halls withballsof holly?” I ask.
“Yes, that’s what the song says.”
“No, the song saysboughsof holly,” I correct.
“What the heck is a bough?” he asks.
“It’s another way to say branch. Like a branch from a holly bush. People confuse it for mistletoe,” I explain.
Isaac’s brows furrow. “Really? I like balls,” he says.
“Me too,” Cobie says.
I spit apple cider, and it sprays across the carolers.
“Oh.” I cover my mouth as I mutter, “I’m so sorry.”
They give me a disapproving look and continue their mission of spreading Christmas cheer through the crowd.
Cobie spots Lexie with her parents and takes off to greet her friend.
