Chapter One

Wynter

“Get ready for the best news of your life,” Rachel squeals into the phone.

“Did I win the lottery?” I giggle.

“This is even better.”

I walk into the kitchen to turn off the whistling tea kettle. “Tell me,” I say, pouring water into my cup and adding a cinnamon tea bag. “Is it about you? Are you pregnant? Please tell me you’re pregnant with twins.”

“Not yet,” Rachel laughs. “But Lincoln and I are having lots of fun trying for our first.”

I can’t help but smile at the joy in Rachel’s voice. She’s truly living her best life, and I couldn’t be happier for her. After all the frogs she’s kissed, she finally deserves a man who treats her like he does. Together, they’re a perfect match—she’s the sun in his sky, and he’s her moon. I can’t help but hope that a love like that finds its way to me someday.

“So?” I sip my tea. “Are you going to tell me or what?”

“Are you sitting down?”

“Yes,” I lean on the kitchen counter.

“You’re lying.”

“No, I’m not.”

“We’ve been friends for over twenty years; I know you better than I know myself. You’re in the kitchen with your elbows on the counter, aren’t you?”

“No,” I huff as I drag the stool over with my foot and sit down. “I’m sitting on a stool, you goofball.”

“Hmmm, well, get ready ‘cause here it comes,” she takes a deep breath. “Remember a few months ago when you said you wanted to start your own event planner business?”

“Yes,” my pulse races.

“I got you your first job.”

“But I don’t have business cards yet.”

“Hon, you’ve got the job. You can get cards later. Sparkle and Company Events will be planning the Pinegrove Christmas gala this year.”

“What? How?” My hands are shaking.

“Lincoln’s the deputy mayor now. He put in a good word with Mayor Swanson.”

“But Chic Celebrations does all of the events in York County.”

“Correction, they used to. They'll be out of business after this town sees what Sparkle and Company Events can do. You’re going to kill it, Wyn. Absolutely kill it! Not only do you love Christmas more than anyone I know, but you also host amazing parties.”

“I don’t know what to say…”

“You don’t have to say anything except for yes. Will you do it?”

I grab a pad of paper and a pen, my heart racing with excitement. “Of course! Where and when?”

“Christmas Eve at the Pinegrove Library.”

Rachel’s words hang in the air, and my heart sinks. Pinegrove Library? That means I’ll have to work with Drake Hudson, the grumpiest man on the planet. He’s the director of the library, known for his brooding demeanor and no-nonsense attitude. I can already picture him, arms crossed, a disapproving glare firmly in place as I try to transform the library into a winter wonderland.

How am I going to throw the party of the year with a grouch like him breathing down my neck? I can’t afford to let his sour mood ruin the most incredible opportunity of a lifetime. I need a plan—and maybe a little magic to work around his icy exterior.

Taking a deep breath, I resolve to find a way to make this work. If anyone can turn a holiday frown upside down, it’s me. Christmas magic, after all, has a way of softening even the hardest of hearts.