Five

"Come visit Mistletoe Antiques." Emmy smiled and handed the two middle-aged women coupons for her shop. "Ten percent off your

total purchase until Christmas Eve."

"Oh, I've been here." The shorter one, wearing white knitted earmuffs and a fuchsia leather coat, eagerly took the coupon.

"You have such beautiful things." She turned to her friend. "June, we need to stop by after we're finished with the festival.

You will adore this shop."

"How kind. Thank you. Come by soon for some free hot chocolate too. Merry Christmas!"

Emmy grinned as the pair walked away. She let out a relieved breath, creating a small cloud of white mist that instantly disappeared.

Those were her last coupons, and now she was free to enjoy the festival while Carina manned the shop. They were never busy

during Jingle Fest, and she didn't mind hanging out in the courtyard area of downtown Bird Valley, handing out coupons and

wishing people a merry Christmas. Now it was late afternoon, and she was cold and tired and her feet hurt. But the business

she generated today would be worth it.

She wandered down Main Street and marveled. It didn't matter how many times she'd attended this event, she was always astonished

at the sheer amount of lights, sparkle, and glitter. After she got a hot cup of coffee and sat down for a bit, she would walk

the entire festival, which wended its way through three streets in downtown Bird Valley.

As she approached a vendor selling coffee, tea, and hot chocolate, she saw Sheryl waving to her from the funnel cake booth a few stands down. Sheryl's husband, Ben, their three kids, and Maggie were also in tow.

Emmy wasn't surprised to see her friend here. Sheryl and her family always came to Jingle Fest, and she figured she would

run into them eventually. Several times during the day she wondered if Kieran was here, too, but she hadn't seen him.

Sheryl left Ben to handle the kids and funnel cakes while she and Maggie walked over. Emmy paid for her coffee and stepped

away from the booth. Small crowds of people filled the street surrounding them, walking, laughing, eating, and enjoying the

day.

"How'd the big handout go?" Sheryl asked.

"I ran out of coupons, so I would say great." She sipped her coffee. Ah, good and hot.

"Excellent." Sheryl glanced around. "There are a ton of people here. More than last year, I think."

"I agree." Maggie looked adorable in her red-and-black plaid flannel coat, red beret, and black snow boots, even though there

was no snow in the forecast. But this was southern Missouri, where the weather changed without warning, and it was good to

be prepared.

Ben and the boys headed their way, and Emmy was dying to ask Sheryl where Kieran was, but she didn't dare. It was bad enough

Sheryl had forced her to have lunch with him. That was embarrassing. She didn't want Kieran to think it was her idea, so she'd

tried to act nonchalant about it. Then he said he was hungry, and knowing she had lunch ready to go upstairs, it didn't seem

right to avoid inviting him up. Besides, there was a tiny, confused part of her that had wanted him to join her, even though they were simply sharing a meal and nothing else.

"Hey, Emmy." Ben handed one of three plates piled with funnel cake to Sheryl. "Did you want some? I can go back and get you

one."

"Thank you," Emmy said, appreciating the gesture, "but I'm fine."

When the boys clambered for their share of the cakes, Maggie shushed them, taking the two plates from Ben. "I'll feed the

rug rats," she said, gesturing to an open area where numerous picnic tables were set up. "You and Siobhan enjoy yourselves."

"Are you sure, Mom?" Sheryl asked, her brow furrowing.

"She's sure." Ben put his arm around his wife's waist and swept her away. "See you later, Emmy."

"Nana, why do you call Mom Sha-von ?" Thomas, the youngest son, tugged on his ear. Unlike his brothers, who favored Sheryl, he had the same sandy-blond hair

as his father.

"Because that's her name."

"I thought it was ‘Sheryl.' And what's a rug rat, anyway?"

"A charming young boy who always listens to his elders." Maggie winked at Emmy.

Thomas shook his head. "I'm not a rug rat, then."

Maggie sighed as the older boys giggled, then arched a disapproving brow at Trevor and Toby. "None of you are. Now let's go

sit down before the funnel cakes freeze."

"It's not that cold out, Nana," Toby said as they headed for the eating area.

Emmy smiled. Maggie and the three boys continued to bicker until they disappeared into the crowd. She looked around. Still

no sign of Kieran.

Oh well. Lately she had gotten used to enjoying the festival on her own. Some years she spent it with Sheryl and her family,

even though Emmy felt like a spare wheel. When she was a child, she and her parents had enjoyed going, but Mom and Dad hadn't

been back to Mistletoe in three years. And up until Carina went to college, the two of them had gone together.

Then there was the one time she and Josh went, and he couldn't wait to leave. He didn't even want to go on a carriage ride together. It was her personal tradition, and she'd always ridden with her parents, with Carina, or by herself. Riding with Josh was going to be her first romantic ride, but he had refused to go. "I don't like horses," he'd said, checking his watch. "Are you done seeing everything? The game starts in an hour."

She didn't like football, and he didn't like almost everything she did. But she swallowed her disappointment, and they left

to watch the dumb game. It was the only year she'd ever missed her carriage ride.

Emmy blinked, taking a mental sledgehammer to the painful memory. That was a long time ago, and this was now. She was going

on that carriage ride by herself, and she would enjoy every second of it. She spun around and crashed into someone, spilling

coffee all over her gloves.

"Oof," Kieran said. His eyes shone with mirth as they met hers. "We gotta stop doin' this, lass."

"Sorry," she mumbled, looking at the two huge coffee stains on her mittens. "I just bought these," she lamented, then glanced

at Kieran again, who appeared apologetic. "It's okay. I got them on sale." But she really loved them. Maybe she could lift

the stains later. She fumbled with her cup as she tried to take off the sodden things.

He took her hand and removed one of the mittens, his fingers gliding over bare skin.

She shivered, and not from the cold. And it wasn't like he was purposely trying to touch her. But she couldn't help her response,

and she watched as he took her cup so she could take off the other mitten. His expression was inscrutable, and he was staring

at the contents inside the cup as if he was wondering what she was drinking.

"Decaf," she said, pointing to the booth behind them.

"What?" Then he looked at her. "Oh, right." He quickly handed her the mitten and empty cup.

"Maggie and your nephews are over there eating funnel cakes." She pointed at the eating area.

"That's why I couldn't find them," he said. "They told me they'd be by the funnel cake booth. But when I got here, I didn't

see them."

"You came alone?"

"I had an errand to do for Mum's party. My sister's made good on her promise to put me to work."

Emmy nodded. Maggie's party was turning out to be a huge event, and so far it was still a secret. "I'm not sure where Sheryl

and Ben are," she said, several flakes of snow floating down between her and Kieran. "Maggie set them free for a little bit."

He chuckled. "That sounds like Mum." He shoved his hands into the pockets of his wool coat.

Once again Emmy tried not to stare at him, but it was an impossible feat, just like it had been back in high school when she

was crushing on him. He was handsome and smelled amazing, of course, which always helped. But she also enjoyed watching him

take in the festival with unabashed wonder, as if he'd never seen such a display. It was wonderful to be around someone who

was as taken with the splendor as she was.

"Have you been here before?" she asked.

"Not since I was a young lad." His gaze moved back to hers. "I don't remember it being so..."

"Magical?"

He grinned. "‘It's magical, all right." A faint buzzing sound came from his coat pocket. He pulled out his phone and glanced

at the screen. "Text from Sheryl," he said, swiping his thumb over it. "‘The kids have eaten too much junk and Mom's tired,

so we're going home. Enjoy the festival.'"

"They're leaving already?" Emmy frowned. "They usually stay until the fireworks at the end."

"They have fireworks in winter?"

"Just a few." She ticked off her cold fingers. "A candy cane, a Christmas tree, a snowflake, and Santa. Then everyone sings ‘We Wish You a Merry Christmas.'"

"Sounds like fun." He put his phone in his pocket. "Is Carina with you?"

"She's at the store. I'm on my own today."

He tilted his head. "And now I am too. Would you mind givin' me a wee tour?"

Oh, his deep voice and light Irish accent was doing a number on her knees. Her first instinct was to say no. He had an effect

on her, one she was still trying to figure out. But there wasn't any harm in showing him around the festival. It wasn't like

she was going to be infatuated with him again by the time the fireworks went off.

"Sure," she said with a smile. "I'd be happy to."

***

Kieran did think Jingle Fest was magical. He thought Mistletoe had gone all out for Christmas, but it paled in comparison to the way

Bird Valley had transformed its entire downtown area. The last time he'd been here was the Christmas before his father had

died. Back then only one street had been decorated, and there had been only a few vendors. Nothing compared to what it was

now.

Similar to the feeling he'd had eating fish and chips at the diner, nostalgia washed over him, along with muted, unexpected

grief. The grief wasn't new. He'd experienced it more than once during his visit, since almost everything seemed to remind

him of Dad. It didn't help that his mother kept a gallery of family pictures with his father prominently displayed all through

the house. When he'd decided to visit, Kieran had reckoned since so much time had passed since Dad's death, he didn't have

to worry about missing him when he returned to Mistletoe. He'd been wrong.

"Kieran?"

Emmy's sweet voice brought him out of his reverie. They had been walking along Main Street and were now at the end of it,

the snow falling thicker and faster than it had moments before. "Aye, lass?"

"Are you okay?" She moved closer to him. "You got quiet all of a sudden."

He had the urge to take her hand, and not only because he wanted to hold it. Just the brief feel of her soft skin against

his fingers had sent his senses into overdrive, so strong and quick that he had to distract himself with the coffee to get

his bearings. But he also needed some grounding right now. "I'm fine," he said, mustering a smile.

She stopped walking and faced him. "You're missing your dad."

His eyes widened. "How did you know?"

Her expression turned soft. "I would be missing mine if I were in your shoes. Christmas is a magical season, but it can also

be painful."

And just like that, he had the grounding he needed. "I think that might be part of the reason I never came back here," he

murmured. "As long as I focused on chasing adventure and then renovating Castle O'Neill, I didn't have to think about Dad

too much. Truth be told, he's never been far from my mind... and heart. Even in Ireland. But here..." He shook his head.

"I don't know why I'm tellin' you this."

Her chilly hand slipped into his. "Because you need to."

Kieran met her gaze. Sparkling green eyes filled with understanding looked back at him. "Thanks, Emmy."

The clip-clop of a horse's hooves and jingling bells sounded behind them. Emmy began to pull her hand out of his, but he held on to it.

She glanced at their clasped hands. Then at him. And to his endless relief, she didn't pull away.

When he looked over his shoulder, he saw a horse and canopied carriage, gaily decorated with green and red garlands and gold bells. He turned to Emmy. "Want a carriage ride?"

Her pretty face lit up. "Absolutely."

A few minutes later they were tucked in next to each other in the carriage, but they weren't holding hands anymore. The driver,

wrapped up in a thick coat and wearing an old-fashioned top hat, signaled for the horse to move. The pace was slow as the

carriage meandered through the winter wonderland, and Kieran didn't mind that one bit.

Emmy rubbed her hands together, and in one move Kieran entwined his bare fingers with hers again. "We'll keep each other warm,"

he said. When she relaxed against him, he couldn't stop smiling.

"Do you think they planned this?" Emmy said. At his questioning look she added, "Sheryl and Maggie. It seems coincidental

they would go home just as you showed up."

"The thought had entered my mind," he admitted. "Mum's been after me to find someone for years. Sheryl too."

"And Carina's been hinting for me to start dating again."

His ears perked at the word again . "You, um..." He cleared his throat. "Were you serious about someone?"

"Yes. The wrong someone." She sighed. "I have terrible taste in men. The last one was a complete jerk. So were the other two,

back in college. Then there was..." She stiffened next to him. "Never mind. Let's just say I'm resigned to being single."

Her hand moved out of his, and she stuffed it into her coat pocket.

"Me too." But he said the words with little enthusiasm. It wasn't that he was opposed to marriage. He'd just never met anyone

who made him want to settle down. To share a home together. Even have children, if the good Lord was willing. Not a single

lass he'd gone out with had ever caused his heart to—

The carriage rattled and lurched as it ran over a huge rut in the road, jostling him and Emmy so much he instinctively put his arm around her.

"Sorry about that!" the driver shouted. "Had to take a detour because they're getting ready for the fireworks later tonight."

Kieran looked at Emmy. "You okay?"

She nodded, and for a moment he thought she would move away. Instead, she nestled against him.

Pitter-patter. His heartbeat danced, and he tightened his arm around her. He smiled as the snow gently fell around them. As the carriage

took them back to the center of town, Emmy snuggled against him.

Now this is magical.