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“Not as much as you three,” he said, noting several full bags around each of their chairs. “Did you hit every craft hut?”
“We did,” Anna Beth said. “I can go with you if you want to do one.”
“No, it’s fine. It’s almost time for the tree lighting ceremony, anyway.”
“I made you something,” his mom said. She set her ornament down and reached under the table, revealing a large Santa tote bag. From inside the bag, she pulled out a burlap ribbon wreath with holly berries, pine cones, and a little wood cabin. On the porch of the tiny structure was a figurine of a couple embracing and a brown dog sitting at their feet.
The woman had blonde hair.
Jared gave his mother an exasperated look. She’d made no secret she wanted to see Jared and Anna Beth together, but she didn’t need to make it so obvious.
“It’s nice, Mom. Do you have an extra bag for me to take it home in?”
“Of course I do.” She handed him one with green cactuses wearing Santa hats. “I want my bag back though.”
Jared slid the wreath into the bag and away from Anna Beth’s gaze. She’d been too busy finishing her ornament to see what his mother created. Hopefully when she did see it, she’d be flattered.
Bells rang, indicating the tree lighting would commence in five minutes. Anna Beth set her ornament down and grabbed a white box from the center of the table. She placed the ornament inside, but he didn’t see what it was before it disappeared.
Sarah stood up on the other side of Anna Beth, gathering up her bags. “Ernie is going to meet us for the ceremony by the drink tent.”
“I’m ready,” Anna Beth said.
Karen grabbed a box and placed her ornament inside. “Me too.”
“Can I help you with your bags, ladies?” Jared asked.
“That’s okay, sweetheart,” Karen said with a smile. “I’m going to find Mike and Casey. They’ve been delivering the wooden snowmen and reindeer all afternoon, so I don’t know if your dad is going to feel up to going to the raffle. Anna Beth, Sarah, thank you for letting me tag along with you.”
“Thank you for joining us,” Sarah said.
“Absolutely.” Anna Beth hugged his mom. “It was so much fun.”
Jared held his arms out and his mom came in for a hug. She stood up on her tiptoes and whispered, “I love this girl.”
“I know you do.”
His mom winked at him and walked out into the crowd. Jared reached down and grabbed Anna Beth’s bags.
“I can carry those.”
“I know you can, but I want to. Is that okay?”
Sarah huffed. “Anna Beth, stop arguing with the man and let him carry your bags.”
Anna Beth grinned sheepishly. “My aunt says I shouldn’t argue.”
“You should listen to your elders.”
“I was on your side, until you called me old,” Sarah deadpanned. “I’ll see you at home, Anna Beth.”
“I didn’t call you old!” Jared called after her, but she didn’t turn around. Jared looked down at Anna Beth. “I think I upset your aunt.”
“No, she was teasing you. She does that now. It’s slightly unnerving.” Anna Beth looped her arm through Jared’s. “Should we go?”
“Sure.”
They gathered at the back of the crowd just as the Mayor stepped up to the podium. “Citizens of Snowy Springs! Thank you for joining us tonight for our annual Christmas Festival and Tree Lighting Ceremony! It’s you, our citizens, who make this town a wonderful place to raise a family. I’m proud to be a part of this community and I hope everyone here feels the same way. Without further ado, let there be light!”
