Randy thoroughly enjoyed watching Evie’s face light up at the sights and sounds as they wandered around the festival. The twinkling lights, the garlands, and the cheerful music all seemed to captivate her, and he found himself wishing that she would fall in love with Belle Island just as deeply as he had.
As they strolled through the crowd, their hands brushed against each other, sending a shimmer of electricity throughhim. On impulse, he gently took her hand in his, intertwining their fingers. To his relief and delight, she didn’t pull away. Instead, she gave his hand a gentle squeeze, and they continued walking hand in hand.
Her hand fit in his as if they were meant to be together. He glanced at her, admiring the way the soft glow of the Christmas lights illuminated her features, making her look even more beautiful than usual.
“This is amazing,” Evie breathed, her eyes wide with wonder. “I had no idea the festival would still seem so magical.”
“It’s one of my favorite festivals of the year. And believe me, we have alotof festivals.” He laughed. “There’s just something about the way the whole town comes together to celebrate at this festival that makes it extra special.”
“I can see why. It’s like stepping into a Christmas card or one of those feel-good Christmas movies that always have a happy ending.”
He barely dared to hope this one would have a happy ending too. That maybe, just maybe, Evie would decide to stay on the island. But he had to remind himself that she’d never said one word about staying. Not one word. So he pushed the thought away.
As they made their way through the festival, he introduced Evie to various townspeople. Many of them recognized her as Genevieve’s granddaughter and offered their condolences, but they also welcomed her with open arms like she was already a part of the community.
Throughout the afternoon, Randy found himself drawn to Evie’s side, their hands remaining clasped together as if it were the most natural thing in the world. He reveled in the warmth of her touch and the way her laughter seemed to fill the air around them.
The festival was packed with booths full of local craftsmanship and holiday cheer, and he was charmed by her delight at looking at them all. He guided her from booth to booth, introducing her to the artisans and their wares. They paused to admire the intricate, hand-carved replicas of the island’s iconic lighthouse, each one a miniature work of art. Her eyes lit up at each new discovery.
At The Yarnies’ booth, he explained how the group of local knitters had come together years ago, turning their hobby into a force for good in the community. Evie ran her fingers over the soft, colorful creations—scarves, baby sweaters, and blankets—all made with love and destined to support various island charities.
As they wound their way through the crowd, the aroma of holiday treats beckoned them with a siren call. He led her to booths piled high with homemade pies, cookies, and candies. He watched with amusement as she deliberated over which sweets to try, her nose crinkling adorably as she weighed her options.
And then that wayward thought came again. He realized he wanted to do this again with her. Next year, and every year. Share the traditions of the island with her.
Luckily, at that moment, she spied the funnel cake booth and tugged on his hand. “Come on. We have to get one to split. I always got one with Nana.”
When they finally got their funnel cake, she didn’t hesitate to dig in. Powdered sugar drifted down on her shirt like a dusting of snow, but she was too engrossed in the moment to notice. He was captivated by her obvious delight as she savored each bite of the warm, crispy treat.
After they’d finished, he reached out without thinking. Gently, he wiped a smudge of powdered sugar from her cheek, his fingers lingering for just a moment longer than necessary.
She smiled up at him. “They are messy, but I sure love them.”
Who knew that sharing a funnel cake could be such an intimate moment?
As dusk fell, he led her to the town square for the tree-lighting ceremony. He navigated them through the crowd, his hand gently guiding her by the small of her back until they reached his favorite spot. It was the perfect vantage point, offering an unobstructed view of the towering Christmas tree that stood at the center of the square.
“This is the best place to watch from,” he said, leaning close to her ear so she could hear him over the excited chatter of the crowd. “You’ll be able to see everything from here.”
She looked up at him, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. “I can’t wait. I’ve always loved the tree-lighting ceremony. It was one of my favorite parts of coming to visit Nana during the holidays.”
And he felt lucky to be sharing the tradition with her now. As the countdown to the lighting began, she slipped her hand into his, her fingers intertwining with his own. He glanced down at their joined hands, marveling at how natural it felt.
He gave her hand a gentle squeeze, feeling the warmth of her skin against his. As she squeezed back, he felt a surge of connection between them, a sense of shared joy and anticipation.
The crowd began to chant in unison, their voices rising with each number. “Ten, nine, eight…”
His heart raced as the countdown neared its end. He turned to look at Evie, wanting to see her reaction when the tree lit up.
“Three, two, one… Lights!”
The tree burst into a dazzling display of color, the lights twinkling and shimmering against the dark night sky. She gasped, her free hand flying to her mouth in wonder. He couldn’t take his eyes off her. She was stunning, her face alight with pure,childlike joy. He was certain his view was better than the view of the tree…
The crowd began to disperse, but still they stood there, hand in hand. He never wanted this moment to end. Standing there with Evie, surrounded by the magic of the Christmas season, he felt a sense of contentment and belonging that he hadn’t experienced in a long time.
Evie sat out on her deck in the darkness, snuggled in Nana’s favorite wrap after Randy dropped her off. The stars winked and twinkled above, along with the reliable march of the waves rolling to shore. She needed time to unwind. To think about all that had happened today. It had been magical, full of cherished memories of Nana, along with new memories being made.
Each story shared about her grandmother had filled her heart to overflowing. She missed Nana so much, but it helped to hear what an impact she’d made on so many people. As she gazed out over the moonlit water, she found herself smiling, grateful for the unexpected gifts this day had brought—connection, laughter, and a deeper appreciation for the legacy her grandmother had left behind.
