Ben hands over his card, still smiling. “We’ll see you around.”
I don’t know why, but his words sound more like a promise than a casual comment.
“See you around, Ben.”
CHAPTER 28
NATE
The winter air nips at my nose as Caspian and I walk hand in hand through the festival grounds. It’s the first day of the Winter Wishes Festival, and vendors are still setting up their stalls, creating that special kind of chaos that comes before any big event. Strings of lights crisscross overhead, waiting for dusk to transform the space into something magical.
Special Blend is closed and I helped Caspian set up his coffee stand so he’d have a chance to enjoy a little bit of the festival and meet some people.
Caspian’s fingers are warm in mine despite the cold, and I can’t help but steal glances at him as we walk. His cheeks are pink, and his eyes sparkle with excitement as he takes in everything around us. It’s his first Winter Wishes Festival, and watching him experience it makes me see it all through fresh eyes.
“Oh look!” Caspian tugs me toward the Moon Meadows Maple Farm stand, where Jason is unpacking bottles of maple syrup.
Jason looks up with a grin. “Hey, you two!” His eyes drift to our joined hands, and his smile widens. “I see things are going well.”
I feel my face heat, but I don’t let go of Caspian’s hand. Instead, I squeeze it gently, loving how natural it feels to be openly together like this.
“Hey, did you get a chance to look at that sustainability report I sent over?” I ask Jason.
“Yeah, it was great actually. Already started implementing some of your suggestions.” Jason grins, then turns to Caspian. “How’s the shop doing? Brie keeps going at me about stopping by, but it’s been a little busy at the farm.”
“The shop’s doing great,” Caspian says, examining the different grades of syrup on display. “I’m opening my stand in a bit. I’ll send over some maple lattes for you and Brie to try our special blends.”
“You’re a lifesaver,” Jason says. “Brie’s been talking about your coffee nonstop since you opened. I think she’s already addicted to your caramel macchiatos.”
We chat for a few more minutes before moving on, weaving between half-assembled stalls and greeting familiar faces. The sense of community is strong today, with everyone working together to create something special.
“Oh wow,” Caspian breathes as we approach Addy’s booth. She’s also still unpacking, but the paintings she has out are arranged in a mesmerizing display, each canvas capturing the essence of Vermont’s natural beauty. There’s something almost magical about how she captures light hitting snow or the way bare tree branches reach toward winter skies.
“These are beautiful,” Caspian says, releasing my hand to step closer to a painting of a sunrise over snow-covered mountains. “The colors are incredible.”
Addy emerges from behind her display, paint-splattered overalls and all. “Thank you! I was just about to come find you two.” She pulls me into a quick hug before turning to Caspian. “The coffee you sent over this morning was perfect for painting. I swear I could taste the inspiration.”
Caspian laughs, the sound warming me more than any coffee could. “I’d love to get one of these for my house,” he says, still admiring the artwork. “It would be nice to have a piece of Maplewood on my walls, and it’ll go perfectly with a few things I bought in the craft markets I visited while traveling here.”
“Speaking of getting together,” Addy says with a mischievous glint in her eye. “Nate, will you be bringing Caspian as your date to my wedding in June?”
Caspian looks between us, curiosity bright in his eyes. I wrap an arm around his waist, pulling him close. “Well, if he’s willing to put up with me until then, absolutely.”
“As if that’s even a question,” Caspian says softly, leaning into me.
Addy clutches her heart dramatically. “You two are disgustingly cute. I approve completely.”
We spend a few more minutes with Addy, and Caspian picks out a painting of a misty morning in the woods that reminds me of the view from a cabin my parents used to rent sometimes for Christmas. As we walk away, I notice his attention drawn to the Wishing Tree. It’s already filling up with decorations containing people’s wishes for the new year.
“Are you sure you don’t want to make a wish?” he asks.
“Why would I put my fate in a tree when I already have the best thing I could have wished for right here?” I ask, pulling him closer and delighting in how his cheeks flush at my words.
“You’re way too charming for your own good,” Caspian says, shaking his head with a fond smile. “Keep talking like that, and you’ll go a long way with me, Mr. Stone.”
“Good.”
We’re still making our way back to Caspian’s coffee stand when we run into Olivia, who immediately engulfs Caspian in a warm hug.
