Chapter 16

HOLLY

Are you sure you want to do this?

Why wouldn't we?

We're supposed to get an inch of snow tonight. Do you know how cold it's going to be outside – or how weird that is for South Texas? Two years in a row, we've got a dusting.

Global warming – or Hell is freezing over?

You can decide later tonight which it is.

Holly stared at the string of text messages from Cade and pursed her lips. He was so insistent that they do the whole ‘Christmas-thing' to celebrate the holidays and had talked about it non-stop. Each time they had dinner, chatted via text or called each other, he mentioned the different holiday things that were supposed to be happening in the town square. Maybe he was just more excited about Christmas – or perhaps she was numb to such a celebration because she saw it all the time but seeing it through his eyes was different.

Cade was almost childlike in his enthusiasm – to the point that she felt a little neglected. He'd actually volunteered to help finish decorating the windows at the fire station this year instead of them going to the square together.

See ya soon! I love you

Love you too

Sighing heavily, Holly checked the weather again – deciding to dress in layers so she was warm. If it was going to snow, then she couldn't imagine something more romantic than having some hot apple cider, twinkling lights, Christmas carols, and being with Cade.

Yanking a red festive sweater over her head, she pulled out some jeans and a pair of boots. She had her old heavy coat that would work just fine to keep the breeze from cutting through her. Looking outside, she grabbed a knit cap from the back of the closet and smirked. She hadn't worn one in years, and this was the second time it was going to see the light of day. Last year had been a very unexpected surprise when they got several inches of snow, so maybe there was something to all these weather changes.

"And now we're going to go brave it," she chuckled easily, gathering her keys and glancing at her watch again. It would be dark out soon, and the lights would be illuminated in the town square at dusk.

She decided to walk into town because she knew parking would be at a premium. Cade's truck would be at the station, and she could get a ride home with him later. Pulling her coat around her tightly, she waved politely to others who were also making the trek toward the square and smiled as she saw the scene unfolding before her.

The Santa's Village was setup and in full force. A pen of reindeer had a flock of children around them begging for attention. The trees had lights on them, and some had ribbons or ornaments hanging from the branches. She could hear laughter, see the smiles, and smell all the festive scents wafting through the air. The windows along the square were illuminated with various displays. She saw sweet gingerbread houses nestled within fluffy cotton candy ‘snow drifts' and spotted ‘snow globes' made with spun sugar and sprinkled with crystals to create the illusion of snowflakes. Everything felt like something out of a grand fantasy or dream.

"Hey, Beary…"

"Oh hi, Beary…"

"Merry Christmas, Beary!"

"Happy holidays…"

She smiled, waved, and wished everyone a Merry Christmas as she passed them, treasuring the sweetness of living in a small town. There was nothing quite like the ambiance. Sure, it was annoying when you were the center of the gossip train. It was frustrating to have everyone know every iota of what was happening in your life. Moments like this made it all worthwhile, though, and she was fully aware of what a gift this was.

The fifteen-foot-tall Christmas tree in the center of town was lit up, and families were standing around it, hanging ornaments and looking at her. Holly's steps slowed as she saw others turning toward her. A very uneasy shiver ran up her spine at that moment as she realized that there were sixty to seventy people facing her – focused on her.

Her.

It was like something out of a Stephen King novel. Everyone was waiting, watching, looking at her and before her very eyes, they all raised their hands, giving her ‘The Shining' vibes – and clapped twice.

That was it? She thought hollowly just before her mouth dropped open at the sight of the wishing well illuminating in a sudden glow. Someone had decorated the well with what looked like at least ten strings of light in every color. Blinking ones, flickering ones, racing lights, and even the ones that faded in and out – and before she could question what was going on, Cade stepped forward.

"Hey, princess," he said simply, smiling at her. She stood there dumbstruck about fifteen feet from him, completely bumfuzzled and confused as to what was happening, when Cade looked to his right and nodded.

Holly jumped back slightly as twelve carolers stepped forward and began humming a light melody that sounded like a Christmas carol. The snowflakes were starting to drift down a little heavier now as she continued to gawk in amazement at the man before her.

Cade snapped, not breaking the invisible link between their eyes as his smile got larger, and Rodney suddenly crossed her line of vision – singing.

Oh my gosh…

"Once there was a girl with greasy swirls…" Rodney sang, making mocking curls on his cheeks and his forehead, and then rubbed his hands up and down his stomach in an exaggerated motion. It was so funny to see the pudgy man acting so dramatically, but then Jude sailed forward. The other firefighter glided like he was crossing a stage theatrically, with his arms spread wide, almost like a ballerina dancer prancing from the opposite direction – also singing.

What in heaven's name was going on, she thought, listening.

"A blonde halo of curls…" Jude sang – and then Cajun Josephs stepped forward, adding to the burgeoning song that was taking shape before her.

"An angel, some said, a tomboy, others cried…"

"Alone and lost when her father died…"

Neighbors and friends stepped forward with each stanza – and then began humming the same simple tune that the carolers were still warbling nearby. It sounded almost like ‘The Little Drummer Boy,' making her smile through watery eyes.

"But then came a man from far and wide…"

Her breath caught in her chest as Cade stepped forward, and she waited for him to sing – but he didn't. Sheriff Hart had stepped up, grinning, and looked at Cade as he sang.

"Who was at fault and slammed into her side…"

"I knew it," Holly laughed tearfully, covering her mouth as she realized exactly what was happening. Cade threw back his head, laughed in delight, and then held up his hand to her, like he was directing traffic, waving others forward.

"The girl had a crush…" Krista gushed, clasping her hands over her heart, causing several others to chuckle softly. Everyone knew she was the world's most outgoing and pathetic matchmaker – and loved her for it.

"The man admired her tush…" Mayberry chanted, causing another ripple of laughter from people as Cade winked at her.

"And would do anything to win her heart…" Dr. Josephs sang, stepping up and holding her husband Cajun's hand. The two had fallen deep in love last year, inspiring Krista to set her up on those random blind dates – but no more. No, her forever lay with the man who was watching her with his heart in his eyes.

"So he orchestrated a little something…"

"Because their first Season together was about to start…"

"Oh Cade…" Holly whispered emotionally as she saw people begin to move slowly, almost as if they were dancing in perfect unison. They moved in circles of four like a bunch of square dancers, still humming as others continued the lyrics.

Cade took another step closer to her, still silent.

"But there was more to this show…"

"So much more she didn't know…"

"See the twinkle in her eyes…"

"Mirrored the stars in the sky…"

"And the town's hero…"

"Turns out he wasn't a zero…" Rodney, Jude, and Mayberry all shouted in unison, no longer singing – and Cade just shrugged, grinning playfully for everyone around them, taking a few more steps toward her as those dancers still moved in slowly spinning circles.

"But rather was waiting to marry…"

"The lovely Miss Holly Beary…"

She gasped as Cade looked at her, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. The love blazing from his face was brighter than the sun and just as beautiful to behold. Then, before everyone, he knelt there in the snow and held out his hand to her. The humming and dancing came to an abrupt stop as everyone waited with bated breath to watch this unfold.

"Holly," Cade began hoarsely, taking her hand that was trembling like a leaf in his own that was also shaking with emotion. "I think you are the most incredible person I've ever met, and I'm going to make mistakes, screw things up, or act like a fool over the years – but that is only because I have you at my side. Someone that loves me unconditionally and makes me feel like I could do anything."

A small sob escaped her as her every wish, her every dream, was coming true before her very eyes. The man that had made such an impression on her was now here, professing his love and asking her to marry him.

"I wish your father were here so I could ask his permission," Cade began as someone shouted from nearby.

"Barry'd give it. I think you'd be just the guy he'd pick for his little girl."

"Hear, hear…" others said – and what was once a small, tiny sob… turned into an emotional one as they stared at each other. Cade pulled the diamond ring from the box and slid it onto her finger, holding her gaze.

"I love you, princess, more than you'll ever know… and I think ‘Holly Pruitt' sounds incredible, don't you?" he smiled tearfully as his lips trembled. "Would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"

"Yes," she whispered, nodding happily causing her hair to bounce against her shoulders as she happily jumped at him just as he was rising to his feet. He caught her in his arms, hugging her, as everyone started to clap around them, only to feel a tap on her shoulder.

Startled that someone would interrupt their moment, she turned – and stumbled against Cade in awareness of what else he'd orchestrated as she laid eyes on Pastor Petrie. The man was standing there, waiting to say the words over them that would make them husband and wife right now.

"Wanna do this now?" Cade whispered in her ear, leaning down and speaking intimately to her. "I'm a little insecure deep down inside. The faster you are stuck with me, then…"

Holly turned in his arms, put a hand on both sides of his cheeks, and jerked him down toward her, kissing him passionately before everyone. Oh yes, she wasn't going to wait another moment to love this man with every ounce of her being. Her fairy tale, her forever, her fondest Happily-Ever-After was beginning right now.

"Let's do this."