“I’m not much of a speech maker,” Jack began, and the audience laughed warmly. “But I wanted to say a few things tonight.”
He looked around the room, his eyes touching on faces. “Six months ago, I thought I was going to lose everything. This inn, my family’s legacy, my home. I was drowning in debt and problems with no solution in sight.”
Holly felt her chest tighten. She’d been part of that story. She’d arrived in the middle of his crisis.
“And then a miracle walked through my door,” Jack said, and his eyes found Holly’s across the room. “Awoman who was running from her own problems, looking for a fresh start. A woman who saw this place not as a burden, but as something worth fighting for.”
Holly’s breath caught.
“Holly Bennett came into my life and changed everything,” Jack continued, his voice growing stronger. “She worked harder than anyone had a right to ask. She believed in this place. In me. In all of us. She didn’t just help save the inn. She reminded me of what it means to have hope. To have faith. To have love.”
Tears were already forming in Holly’s eyes.
“So tonight,” Jack said, “I want to thank everyone who helped us. Who worked tirelessly to make sure the Christmas Inn survived. But most of all, I want to thank Holly. For everything.”
The room erupted in applause, and Holly felt her face flush with emotion, embarrassment, and joy.
Jack returned to his seat and squeezed her hand under the table. “You okay?” he whispered.
“More than okay,” Holly whispered back.
After dinner, the band began to play. Soft, elegant music filled the ballroom, making people sway in their seats.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” the bandleader announced, “it’s time for the first dance. Will Mr. Jack Christmas and his partner please take the floor?”
Jack stood and offered Holly his hand. “May I have this dance?”
Holly took his hand, her heart racing. “Of course.”
He led her onto the dance floor, and as they stepped into the center of the room, Holly became aware of where they were heading.
The Mistletoe Arch.
Jack pulled her close, one hand at her waist, the other holding hers. They began to move to the music, and Holly let herself be swept into the moment. The feel of Jack’s arms around her. The warmth of his body. The way he looked at her like she was the most precious thing in the world.
They danced across the floor, moving in perfect synchronization, and Jack guided them subtly but deliberately toward the arch.
As they reached it, the music began to fade.
Jack stopped dancing but didn’t let go of Holly. Instead, he pulled back slightly so he could see her face.
“Holly,” he said, and his voice was shaking slightly. “Do you know why this is called the Mistletoe Arch?”
Holly shook her head, not trusting herself to speak.
“There’s an old Norse legend,” Jack said. “About the goddess Frigg and her son Baldur. Baldur was killed by an arrow made of mistletoe, and Frigg wept so much that her tears turned into the white berries on the mistletoe plant.When Baldur was brought back to life, Frigg was so grateful that she declared mistletoe a symbol of love. She promised to kiss anyone who passed beneath it.”
Holly’s heart was pounding so hard she could barely hear him over the rushing in her ears.
“Since then,” Jack continued, “mistletoe has been a symbol of love and promise and new beginnings.”
He took both of Holly’s hands in his, and then, in front of 200 guests and everyone she’d come to love, Jack Christmas lowered himself onto one knee.
Holly’s free hand flew to her mouth.
“Holly Bennett,” Jack said, his voice strong despite the emotion in it, “four weeks ago, you came into my life and changed everything. You gave me hope when I had none. You showed me what it means to fight for something you believe in. You made me believe in love again.”
Tears were streaming down Holly’s face now, but she couldn’t look away from Jack’s eyes.
