“I refuse to believe?—”
A shout pierced the air, and a snowball whizzed past Noah’s head.
Noah didn’t even flinch. “See? Feral pack.”
Eli nearly choked.
By late afternoon, the tree was covered in lights. The volunteers clapped, someone yelled “We survived!” and someone else immediately fell into a snowbank.
“Don’t we turn them on now?” Eli asked.
Noah shook his head. “The big switch-on happens at the end of the Lantern Walk. That’s next week on Friday. And you’re done for today.”
Eli wasn’t sure if he was relieved or disappointed.
“I’ll walk with you to the bakery.” Noah grinned. “I deserve a delicious reward for not letting you fall.” Snowflakes caught on his beanie and Eli wondered whether Noah had been thismesmerizing at seventeen too, and he just hadn’t let himself see it clearly.
“Yeah, thanks for getting me to the end of the day unmaimed.”
“You were good today,” Noah said.
“You keep saying that.”
“You keep being good,” Noah said with a shrug. “I give credit where it’s due.”
“I remember there being a festival when I was a kid. Has it changed much?”
Noah smiled. “Not really. Every December, Mapleford still becomes a constellation of light. You saw the lanterns yesterday?”
Eli nodded. The stacks of jars wrapped in tissue and twine were still in the Community Center.
“Well, tomorrow’s task is to line Main Street with them, ready for the first night of the festival. The whole town turns out to walk to the tree for the switch-on. Then a week later, there’ll be the parade. Santa comes to town, followed by floats made by local groups.” Noah grinned. “Newsflash—the volunteer fire department always wins.”
“Are they that good?”
He snorted. “Maybe. Or maybe their bribes are better. Then the last switch-on is the Lighting of the Pines, the night before Christmas Eve, when every tree around the square glows with tiny white bulbs.”
“Let me guess. We get to cover the trees too?”
Noah’s eyes sparkled. “Nowyou’re getting it. But there’s also the Mapleford Market to prepare for. Visitors come from neighboring towns. We’re talking handmade gifts, hot cider, and music from the high school band.”
Eli stilled. “Oh dear Lord.”
“What?”
“I remember the high school band.”
Noah laughed. “You can breathe easy. Mr. Michaelson runs a tight ship. They’re actually really good.” He pointed toward the river. “When that freezes solid, everyone comes out to skate under strings of lanterns while snow drifts through the pines.” He peered at Eli. “Youcanskate, right?”
Eli swallowed. “I’m good at falling on my ass. Does that count?”
Noah chuckled. “Don’t worry. We can practice a bit before then. I won’t let you make a spectacle of yourself, I promise.”
For some reason, Eli believed him.
They reached the door of the bakery, but instead of going inside, Noah paused.
“Thanks again for helping. I know this isn’t exactly your usual scene.”
