Page 93 of A Love Like Christmas Time
The entrance to the town square is adorned with a giant arch decorated with red bows and baubles, and, of course, plenty of twinkling fairy lights. The huts are crafted from dark wood, each one decorated uniquely yet all featuring holly, pine garlands and lights. Occasionally, there is even a sprig of mistletoe.
“Oh my God, is that popcorn?” Nic stops and lifts her nose into the air, then nods to our left. “That’s what I’ve been smelling all day! Weneedto get some.”
So we do, munching on shared chocolate popcorn as we stroll over the market at a snail’s pace. Soft Christmas music plays from the speakers while the snow glistens in the remaining daylight.
“Andrea! I didn’t know you made candles,” Nic’s eyes widen as we approach her stand. Her display ranges from beeswax candles to intricately painted and even hand-carved dippedcandles, their colored layers twisted and formed into intricate patterns.
“Those are amazing,” I tell the town’s hotel owner, staring at them in awe. It must have taken forever to learn how to do this. Her round face pulls into a bright smile, and I make a mental note to ask her to teach me, because these must be so satisfying to make.
“Thank you very much, dear. Hold on, I have something for you.”
She leans down, disappearing completely behind her display before pulling out two dark green carved candles. They’re shaped like Christmas trees, with the wax layered in different green tones, twisted into branches and a small star on top.
“Here, you two.” She hands them over, and I take one from her instinctively. Huh! It’s surprisingly heavy. “Have these. Merry Christmas.”
“Seriously?” My eyes light up and I turn it in my hand. “Gosh, it looks incredible!”
“How much are they?” Nic asks, earning herself a quirked eyebrow and amused smile.
“They cost a sloppy kiss from Jensen and Dick that I will be collecting later today—” her eyes jump from Nic to me, “and one of your adorable gingerbread hearts.”
Our eyes go wide, Nic’s mouth opening to protest. “But—”
She quickly shushes us. “No buts! Welcome to Wayward Hollow, you two. Enjoy your first Christmas market here, and I hope you’ll be around for many more.”
My lips curl into a smile. “Thank you, Andrea.” I carefully hug the candle to my chest. “I’ll treasure it.”
“I’m so happy we moved here,” I confess to Nic as we wander away from the stall, after giving Andrea a quick hug and taking a moment to admire her setup on the other side of the booth. Her lower body was buried under a mountain of blankets, and she set up a warming red light in the corner, pointing her way.
“Bringing a space heater was so smart of her. I should have thought of that.”
“Girl, next year I’ll wear five wool socks to keep my feet warm, three thermal leggings under my pantsandbring a space heater.” Nic says with a happy sigh, nudging me softly with her elbow.
My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I unlink my arm from hers to pull it out of my pocket.
One little word manages to make me stop in my tracks, a cold fist gripping my heart. ‘Dad.’ I clutch the phone tighter, the urge to throw it into a snow pile overwhelming me.
“Lauren?” Nic asks cautiously, and I glance up from the screen, turning it around for her to see. She reaches for my other hand and gives it a reassuring squeeze, reminding me she’s there, as I wait for the screen to go dark again.
“Do you remember our conversation where you told me that I’d never get rid of you?” Her lips tug into a sad smile.
“Like it was yesterday.”
It was a perfect fall afternoon. We were hanging out at her place when she nonchalantly mentioned being alone in the world after breaking off contact with her parents. I was quick to correct her.
“I think I’ve done a shitty job of reminding you that it’s also the other way around,” she says, clearing her throat. “I’ll always be here for you. I’ll be the annoying little sister clutching onto your leg, making you drag it behind you as you try walk.”
Her words wrap around me warmer than a heated blanket, emotions forming a knot in my throat, but they manage to draw a shaky chuckle from me. “Thanks for that visual.”
“Make fun of it all you want, I mean it. You’re my best friend. You caught me when my world was spiraling and put me back upright.”
“Please,” I scoff. “You did that all by yourself.”
“No, I didn’t.” She pulls me aside to let people pass by us. “Yes, ultimately, I probably would have picked myself up. I would have had to. It would have taken me months though, if not years, and I’d probably still have the leeches that my family are, sucking me dry. I don't regret cutting contact with them, because you being there for me taught me that I deserve better. Whatever you decide to do with your parents, I just wanted to remind you I’ll always be your family. Because I think it takes repeating until it makes its way into your thick skull.”
I stare at her, mouth agape and at a loss for words. She raises her hand, puts a finger under my chin to push it close.
“Thank you, Nic,” I finally whisper and take a shaky breath. “I’ve been wrestling with the decision,” I confess, putting my hands in my pockets. “My brain knows that continuing to allow them in my life will come with heartache, regrets and anxiety. But my heart…” I tap my hand against my chest. “Hasn’t given up all hope yet that it could get better.”
