Marry Me at Christmas

“No.”

She tucked her arm in the crook of his elbow and moved through the crowd. “You need to give it a try. Falling in love is magical. I remember the day I met Joseph. There was no warning. I was minding my own business when there he was. He smiled and introduced himself and that was it. I felt it.”

“Felt what?”

“Lightning. I was struck by lightning. Oh, there are other ways to describe it, but the truth is I knew from that moment he was the one. Fortunately, he felt the same way. We’ve been together forty-eight years.” She smiled. “I won’t lie and say there haven’t been times I wanted to back the car over him. Living with someone is always a challenge. But there hasn’t been a single day that I haven’t been grateful to have found him. Joseph has given me a wonderful life and two beautiful children. I want that for you.”

“Joseph isn’t my type.”

She laughed. “See. You’re charming. Put that charm to good use and find a girl. Fall in love. Get married. Have children. You’ll be amazed at how happy all that makes you.”

He wanted to point out that she didn’t know him well enough to make that assessment, but he couldn’t help thinking she was right. That was exactly what he wanted.

“You make it sound easy,” he told her.

She faced him again. “Love is many things, but it’s not easy. It requires everything. Whatever you’re most afraid to give is exactly what it will demand of you. But it’s worth it. That’s the secret. It’s worth it.”

Before he could ask her what she meant, he spotted the woman he’d been looking for. Madeline hurried over.

“Mom, are you being scary? Jonny looks trapped.”

“Not trapped,” he assured her. “Mesmerized.”

“Uh-huh. If only that were true.”

“I found Jonny waiting for the tree lighting and told him he should be with friends.”

Madeline looked at him. “You don’t have to stay with us.”

“I want to,” he said, telling the truth. “You have a tradition and I appreciate the opportunity to be a part of that.”

He was going to say more, but the music faded and Mayor Marsha stepped up in front of the microphone.

“Welcome, everyone,” she began. “This is our sixty-second tree lighting.”

As if on cue, snow began to drift down from the sky.

“How does she do that?” Madeline asked. “I swear, the woman knows God personally.”

“Maybe they text.”

She laughed. The sound was as light and engaging as the Christmas bells he could hear in the distance. Without considering what it meant or any consequences that could follow, he put his arm around her. For a second Madeline didn’t move. Then she leaned into him, snuggling close. Jonny liked the feel of her next to him. He liked her family and this town and the fact that it was only a few weeks until Christmas. Because for now, he could fit in, just like everyone else. And sometimes, that was the best gift of all.

* * *

“I’m late,” Madeline yelled as she raced to the door of Paper Moon.

“You said that five minutes ago, which means you’re really late,” Rosalind called after her. “And I mean that in a helpful way.”

“You’re such a mom.”

“Thanks. Have fun.”

Madeline wasn’t sure fun was the word she would describe where she was going, but it wasn’t entirely wrong. Helping out at the holidays was expected and this was her thing.

She would have been on time except for an unforeseen shopper that morning. Apparently her theory about no proposals over Thanksgiving hadn’t been correct. One young man had popped the question and a new bride-to-be had wanted to try on dresses.

Now Madeline hurried toward city hall. As it was less than two blocks away, she had a good shot of getting to her meeting before it started.

She waited to cross the street. As she stepped off the curb, Jonny came up beside her.

“Hey,” he said. “How’s it going?”

“Great.”

She told herself to act casual. She hadn’t seen him since the tree lighting a couple of days before. The fact that he’d put his arm around her for nearly an hour didn’t mean anything. This wasn’t high school. He’d been keeping her warm, not stating his intentions. She knew because when the tree lighting had ended, he’d said good-night and walked away without a backward glance. Or a kiss. Was it wrong to want a little tongue for the holidays?

He kept up with her as she circled around city hall to head in the front entrance.