“This is the best damn display I’ve seen since oh-four,” he said, voice gravelly with emotion. “Don’t tell anyone I said that.”
“Thanks, Mr. Alders. Glad you like it.”
“You used dried oranges. My mama used to do that.” He looked up at the garlands, eyes misting for just a second before he cleared his throat and turned away.
“Merry Christmas,” Liam said to the older man’s back.
He replied with a wave above his head without turning around.
Liam nudged Cassidy. “And you thought he was the Gingerbread Jerk,” he teased.
“He sure was doing a fine job of acting like it,” she replied in her defense, but smiled when she said it.
A flash of light caught his eye. He and Cassidy turned and spotted Elsie, standing off to the side, phone in hand. Her livestream was still running, but the look on her face had shifted. It was less smug, more thoughtful. Like she couldn’t believe how many people had turned out for Liam’s display, and how many people were watching her livestream.
Cassidy followed her gaze.
Families were gathered around the cider barrel, children slipping paper letters into Liam’s handmade Santa mailbox. A group of teens took selfies with Daisy the llama. Mr. Alders stood chatting with Liam’s parents with a smile on his face. Every inch of the storefront felt like a scene from a storybook.
Cassidy brought up her phone, joined the livestream, and showed Liam, who couldn’t help the feeling of pride that bloomed in his chest. The comments were flooding in faster than Elsie could keep up.
I wish my town did stuff like this.
The real Christmas spirit!
Where is this?! I want to move there!
Following just for this vibe
Elsie looked down at her screen, then back at Liam’s display—at the wooden ornaments, the handmade sleigh, the burlap and dried oranges. Her mouth parted slightly, like she was realizing this was what people actually wanted.
“She sees it now,” Zoe murmured beside Cassidy. “It’s not about flashy or new. People love things that feel traditional at this time of year. It’s about feeling connected.”
Cassidy nodded. “She thought she needed to reinvent Christmas to make it special.”
Zoe tilted her head. “Turns out it was already special. She just hadn’t seen it yet.”
Now the only thing that was left to do was wait until tomorrow night to see who the winner was.
FIFTY-THREE
CASSIDY
Wednesday, December 24th
It was the annual Christmas Eve walk, and Cassidy was nervous. She was trying not to be. It didn’t matter who won, she told herself. Yes, she wanted to give to the hospital. And yes, of course she wanted to win Business of the Year and host the New Year’s Eve party. But she also knew how important the llama sanctuary and the farm shop were to Liam.
She couldn’t very well root against the man she loved. That wouldn’t be very in the Christmas spirit, now would it?
She knew all of this. But still… she wanted to win.
She tugged her scarf higher around her neck and exhaled, her breath puffing in the cold air. It was frigid tonight, barely above twenty degrees, yet Cassidy had never felt warmer. She was wrapped in layers with her red wool coat and green stocking cap with a pom-pom on top, and walking hand in hand with Liam while he walked Muff. Her pup was in doggy heaven, getting pets from all the kids and plenty of ear scratches.
Just like Muff, there was nowhere else Cassidy would rather be.
Lanterns flickered all around them, carried by children in puffy coats and mittened hands. At the front and back of the procession, volunteers held old-fashioned torches, their flames flickering against the still night air. Further ahead, a brass band played “O Come All Ye Faithful.”
The whole town had turned out for the walk. It was a Maple Falls tradition—part light-up tour, part caroling, part party. And to her, it felt like something magical.
