Chapter One
Alice
The town looked like something that belonged in a fairy tale. Alice stepped out of her car, her boots crunching on the freshly fallen snow. Everywhere she looked, sparkling fairy lights hung from rooftops, wreaths adorned every door, and the air was thick with the heady scent of cinnamon and roasted chestnuts. It felt like she had stepped straight into the centerfold of a holiday magazine.
With a smile playing on her lips, she drew an envelope from her pocket and pulled the card from within. There was an address for the quaint inn she’d parked outside, along with a reservation number and a note.
For the girl who makes time for everyone, except herself. Take a break, and put yourself first. You deserve it. Merry Christmas!
Janey xxx
With a smile playing across her lips, she grabbed her bags, and headed inside the inn and was delighted to discover it was every bit as magical on the inside as the out. A crackling fireplace bathed everything in a gentle glow, with stockings hung meticulously above, and festive decorations lined the room. It was charming.
Before the door had closed behind her, she was greeted by an older lady who might have been Mrs. Claus herself.
“Oh, my! You must be Alice,” the older lady exclaimed, her eyes twinkling. “We've been expecting you. I hope you had a pleasant journey. You've got our coziest room, all ready and waiting for your perfect Christmas stay.”
Alice smiled, tucking the card back into her pocket. “Thank you. It's even more beautiful than I imagined. Janey always did have a knack for finding the most wonderful places.”
The woman chuckled, clearly delighted with the compliment. “Well, we aim to please. Your room is all set, dear. Up the stairs, first on the left. And once you're settled, come down for some homemade apple cider. It's a favorite among our guests. Or if you prefer, take a stroll around town first. The festival is in full swing. Here’s your key. My name’s Betty, just holla if you need anything.”
She pressed a key into Alice’s hands and she slipped it into her pocket then carried her bag upstairs. Her room was as perfect as Betty had promised, but now that the kindly lady had mentioned it, she found she couldn’t wait to get out and see the town’s Christmas festival, so she paused just long enough to hang her clothes, and then hurried back outside.
The air was crisp and cool, and dusk was just falling, showing off the Christmas lights in all their glory. Alice wandered down the cobbled streets, stopping momentarily to admire a window display of miniature reindeer and elves busily preparing gifts. A group of children nearby were building a snowman, their laughter echoing sweetly in the cold air. It was a much-needed change from the hustle and bustle of city life and her often-grueling job as an environmental activist.
But the sight that really caught her eye was the town's square, a magnificent Christmas tree standing tall in its center, surrounded by stalls selling various holiday treats. Families were gathered around, children eagerly pointing at the ornaments, their faces lit up in wonder.
She bought herself a cup of hot cocoa from a nearby stall and sat on a bench, watching the world go by, the warmth from the drink spreading through her fingers. Janey was right: she really had been in need of a break. She’d been working for months solid without pausing for breath, and this was exactly the kind of place to change that.
But the calm, festive ambiance was jolted when her eyes landed on a signboard at the far end of the square: “Grant’s Christmas Tree Farm: Get Your Fresh Tree for Christmas!”
A freshly cut tree? The thought jarred her. After all the years she'd spent advocating for sustainable living and the preservation of nature, the idea that someone would cut down a tree for a few weeks of decoration felt like a slap in the face. She knew the long-term environmental impacts of such actions, and she couldn’t believe that in such a picturesque town, such practices existed.
Biting her lip, Alice decided she would visit this tree farm the next day. Perhaps she could talk to this Grant and suggest sustainable alternatives. Maybe he just didn't realize the harm he was doing. She knew from experience that sometimes even the most well-meaning individuals could be unaware of the broader consequences of their actions. Of course, sometimes they did, and simply didn’t care. It was hard to imagine someone chopping down trees for short-lived decoration could be entirely unaware of how damaging and wasteful the practice was.
She tried to shake off the uneasy feeling and focus on the present. The sounds of carolers reached her ears, and she turned her attention to a group of singers, their voices harmonizing beautifully to the tune of “Silent Night.”
But try as she might to immerse herself in the festivities, the unease about the tree farm lingered. Alice made a mental note to address the issue first thing in the morning. After all, if she could help bring even a small positive change to this enchanting town, her vacation would feel truly worthwhile. Janey had given her even more of a gift than she’d realized: the opportunity to fight environmental harm was something she’d never been able to resist.
For now, though, she decided to explore the town further, hoping to discover more of its festive secrets. The fairy lights, snow-draped roofs, and festive air—it felt like she had driven straight into a Christmas card. For a while she just walked and enjoyed the beautiful scenery and festive spirit, and lost herself to the childlike wonder of the place.
And then her stomach ruined the moment by rumbling.
A nearby café seemed inviting with its sign of “Frosted Cider and Christmas Cookies,” and seemed entirely too tempting to refuse. She slid into a cozy booth next to the window.
“First time in town?” The server, a cheerful woman in her late twenties, smiled as she approached Alice's table.
“Yes, it’s a little vacation treat,” Alice replied, her eyes skimming the festive menu. “The decorations here are lovely. It’s like an explosion of Christmas.”
The server chuckled. “It’s a tradition. Every year, the townspeople come together to decorate. Makes the holidays feel special, you know?”
Alice nodded. “Absolutely. Oh, I’ll take the frosted cider, please. And maybe one of those gingerbread cookies?”
“Coming right up!”
As she waited, Alice looked around, soaking in the café's cozy ambiance. An elderly couple at a corner table laughed as they chatted, while a young boy showed off a snow globe to his parents, his face wide with delight.
When the server returned with Alice’s order, she leaned in conspiratorially. “If you’re here tomorrow, you should check out the annual carol singing at the square. It’s a real treat, one we save for Christmas Eve.”
