32. Rook

32

ROOK

S tepping into the ballroom was like stepping into a different world. The lights were down low, creating a warm, cozy atmosphere around the ballroom. Projectors around the edge of the room created swirling decorations and fake snowfall across the ceiling and the walls, in between the glowing ‘ Merry Christmas ’ on one wall and the sparkling animation of Santa stuck in a chimney on the other.

Candles lit up the gorgeous tables, and each Christmas tree was just as beautiful as the next. Knowing Kitty had poured her heart into decorating them just made them all the more beautiful in my eyes. People milled around us holding little gold gift bags decorated with silver, green, and red ribbons. Peppermint candy canes hung on the back of every chair, and the sweetest smell filled the air from the multiple chocolate fountains that sat between each cluster of tables.

“Your mom really went all out,” I murmured, placing my hand over Kitty’s at my elbow. I looked at her, and her eyes sparkled like a thousand stars as they reflected all the glittering lights and decorations.

“Isn’t it beautiful?” Kitty whispered, barely audible over the live band that played merry music at the bottom of the ballroom. “All these people. I haven’t seen the Yuletide Ball this full in years.” The addition of tears made her eyes sparkle even more, and my heart clenched at the sight.

Luckily, they were tears of joy.

“You did this,” I murmured. “You worked hard. You pushed against your father and that deal. You brought everyone together like this.”

Kitty shook her head. “It was your idea.”

“A single idea that was nothing without you,” I pointed out. “This is the fruit of your labor and your effort. You should be so proud because I know I am proud of you.”

“Don’t,” Kitty whined, and she dabbed her fingers just below her eyes. “You’ll make me cry.”

“Sorry.” I chuckled. I leaned down and pressed my lips to her temple. “But it’s the truth.”

“Goodness.” Kitty suddenly shuddered, and she clutched at my arm with both hands. “Don’t you just feel overwhelmed by how festive you feel?” She smiled up at me with such a wide smile that the corner of her eyes crinkled deeply and a few tears escaped.

I reached up and wiped them away quickly.

“This is the most festive I’ve felt in years,” I agreed.

“Amazing!” She bounced up onto her toes and then sniffled, adjusting her gorgeous dress. “Alright, time to show face and make sure everyone is having a good time!”

Kitty took that responsibility seriously, and it was a joy to watch her work. We moved from table to table and greeted every single person that we could. We saw people from the cafe and all the regulars from The Anchor—many of whom joked they were only here because they followed Melanie and the booze. We spoke to Hilda, who, thankfully, had no hard feelings about what occurred in her dressing room.

As she joked with Kitty, I got the feeling that she had entertained her own share of suitors in there. Maybe it was a small town thing I didn’t know about. Regardless, it was nice to know I wouldn’t have to avoid her eye each time we walked through town.

We spoke to people from the flower shop who showed off their bouquet work, we spoke to the carpenter who had fixed the eaves in record time, and we praised the ice maker who had come from the city at Mrs. Morgan’s request and was responsible for making sure the reindeer ice sculptures remained solid.

Every single person wore a smile on their face. Kitty was showered in thanks and praise for her efforts despite her best efforts to pretend that she did absolutely nothing. She even spent a few minutes with each person telling them to speak to her father. She assured them that the mayor was working hard to make amends and new plans were in the works. Most didn’t believe her, which was understandable, but almost all the townspeople were willing to talk to the mayor directly.

It was all we could ask for. Hearing promises from Samuel’s mouth themselves would mean more when he actually worked to commit to them next year. All those cabins would reinject tourism and money right back into this town. That was what we needed.

After our first circle of the ballroom, I brought Kitty to the drinks table and pressed a sparkling pink lemonade into her hands.

“Drink,” I coaxed. “It’s Christmas Eve and you’ve spent more time campaigning for your father than you have enjoying the party.”

“There’s a lot of fences to mend,” Kitty said, drinking deeply.

“But you didn’t break them,” I assured her. “So you’re already doing more than you need to.”

Kitty rolled her eyes affectionately. “It makes me look good if I ever run for mayor.”

“Is that something you want?”

Kitty shrugged and handed me her empty glass. “I don’t know. But I feel like I have options now. You know, when my dad took my phone and locked me in, I was planning on meeting you and running away with you. Or running away myself if you didn’t want this baby.”

I took her into my arms and held her close, looking deep into her eyes. “I would run away with you.”

“Really?” She tilted her head and let her sweeping hair slide down her arm. Seeing her with her hair down felt like some kind of secret, and I adored it. She looked gorgeous regardless, but she looked especially stunning with her face framed by waves.

“Absolutely.”

“Right now?”

“Without a second thought.”

“Ha.” Kitty leaned up onto her tiptoes and kissed me. “I love you.”

“I love you too.”

Our second loop of the ballroom was less about talking and more about watching people settle together. When we sat for dinner, Kitty and I shared our food, and Melanie served us an outstanding meal. From shredded turkey with mashed potatoes, brussels sprouts, and candied parsnips to chocolate pudding with a delicious vanilla custard that was so good I wanted to drink it.

It was also my first Christmas meal since I was a teen, which was more emotional than I expected.

Kitty’s mother made an appearance with her phone in hand and tears in her eyes. She presented her phone, and we were suddenly on Facetime with Paul, who had woken up in the hospital and was doing okay. He was set to make a full recovery, which meant he would be back to his sarcastic, grumpy self in no time. It was the perfect news on an even more perfect night, and despite our differences, I couldn’t wait to see him again.

We did another loop of the guests until I was finally able to pull Kitty away from the duties she had given herself and get her to focus on me.

“Dance with me,” I said, taking her hand and threading our fingers together

“Thought you’d never ask.” Kitty grinned. “Although first I gotta…” She paused and gripped me tightly for balance, then leaned down and undid the straps of her heels. She discarded them and kicked them under a table to keep them out of the way, then she started walking toward the dance floor.

“Not there,” I said quietly. “This way.”

Kitty eyed me quizzically but followed closely as I weaved us through the tables and out onto the patio.

The heaters I’d requested were set up here to keep the cold at bay. The surrounding trellis was decorated with glittering lights that looped around the beams and slats, and a few stars dangled down like frozen dewdrops.

“Wow,” Kitty breathed, taking in the lights, the glitter, and the sparkling white garden still covered in a soft layer of snow. “You did this?”

“Simple, I know,” I said, turning to face her. “But I just had to get you alone.”

“Ooh.” Kitty smirked and pressed herself against me, then lazily draped her arms around my shoulders. “You could have just asked.”

“I wanted to make sure you got to do everything you wanted to do,” I replied. “Plus, everyone had to thank the one responsible for saving this town.”

“Oh, I did do that, didn’t I?” She tilted her head. “I guess I accept that now.”

“Good, because you deserve it.”

Closer and closer we leaned until our noses brushed together.

“Are you happy?” Kitty asked quietly, moving one of her hands to caress my cheek.

“Yes,” I replied honestly, possibly for the first time in my life. I grasped her waist and very slowly started to sway to the music drifting through the patio doors. “I am very happy. You make me happy.”

“You’re giving me such an ego,” Kitty giggled. “Saved the town. Got your heart. Made you happy. Guess I can do it all.”

“And carrying my baby,” I whispered. “A future I never even dreamed of.”

“Just call me your little fairy godmother.”

“And you?” I asked, my voice whisper soft. “Are you happy?”

“So happy I’m almost convinced that I died when Anton was here and this is just a dream,” she whispered. “Because how are you mine? And how are things finally working out?”

“Effort,” I replied. “But if this is a dream, then we’re in it together.”

“How beautiful,” Kitty murmured, and she closed the last inch gap between us to kiss me slowly.

Our lips moved together as one, slowly overlapping one another while we danced slowly to the music. I wound my arms around her fully, and she slid her hand from my cheek to my hairline at the back of my neck.

Nothing else mattered.

Suddenly, Kitty gasped against my lips and we broke apart. Her attention was skyward. Just like the night on the balcony, the skies had opened. Soft, fat snowflakes drifted down from above and kissed her shoulders, sending a shiver through her body.

“Could this get any more perfect?” She murmured.

“I don’t think so. I have you. We’re going to have a baby together and raise it in this pretty little town, and if you’re lucky… really lucky…” I lifted her hand to my lips and kissed her fingertips. “Maybe a winter wedding would top everything off.”

“Rook!” Kitty gasped and planted a firm kiss on my lips. “I’m not getting married with a baby bump, so if you’re saying what I think you’re saying, plan that proposal carefully.”

I laughed along with her and kissed her back as loud gongs echoed through the house from the clock.

It was midnight.

Christmas Day. I made it with the love of my life.

We made it.

“Merry Christmas, Kitty,” I murmured against her lips, pulling her close under the falling snow.

“Merry Christmas, Rook.”