Page 76 of The Lie That Stole Christmas

“We’re on schedule and ready to go.”

“That’s what I like to hear.”

Carter continued onward, and Ashley leaned into him.“So that’s Larry?”

“He had a full tooth the last time I saw him,” Carter said, and Ashley laughed.

Carter continued to move through the crowd of people, waving to everyone, acknowledging them all by name.He didn’t treat anyone like a worker or some person who had a vendor table.He treated everyone as if they were family, just like her grandmother would have.

“Here we are.”He stopped in front of the guesthouse beside a wooden sign hidden beneath a canvas tarp.

He gathered the tarp in his hands and yanked it free.

Ashley’s breath caught.

WELCOME TO THE WETHERBY CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL

Beneath the lettering, hand-painted in elegant gold script:

In Loving Memory of Lily Wetherby, whose Christmas spirit continues to light our way.

Tears pressed against her lids and she rested her fingers on her lips.A lump formed in her throat, making it impossible to speak no matter how many times she swallowed.

“She started this,” Carter said.“Your grandfather provided the property and the funding, but your grandmother dreamed it into existence.”

“She wanted everyone to feel the magic of Christmas,” she said.

“And she did.This festival has become a tradition for so many families.”

Ashley looked out over the grounds.In a day's time, children would be running through the paths laughing, drinking hot chocolate, riding in Santa’s sleigh, making memories that would hopefully carry with them for a lifetime.Just as all her memories at Winterridge did.

Even when she wanted to forget, she never could.The memories weren’t just in her head; they were a part of her.They made up the framework of her childhood.She’d let one horribly bad day overshadow all the good times, and for what?

Now Grandpa was sick, and who knew how many more Christmas festivals there would be at Winterridge.

“Thank you for this,” Ashley said, turning to Carter.

He shook his head.“I just allocated the funds.Ms.Porter’s niece made the sign.Clint and Wendell mounted it.”

“Team effort then.”

“It’s the Winterridge way.”

She smiled, but it fell short.While she was overjoyed with the sign with the festival with Carter, a part of her hurt.“I’m sorry.”

“For what?”Carter asked, his eyebrows drawn together.

“For not coming back sooner.”

“Ash.”He turned to her, brushing her hair behind her ear.“You came when you were ready.”

A laugh blurted out before she could stop it.“More like I was forced to come back.”

“Were you, though?You thought your grandfather was dead.You had nothing to prove.You didn’t have to come.I think what your grandfather did…”

“Was awful?”

“Not his best moment, but it gave you all reason to return to Winterridge.I think you all just needed a push to walk through those doors, and he gave it to you.Now it’s time to stop looking at all you’ve missed and focus on what’s to come.”