“Yay for heavy tights,” she replied, a shiver in her voice. “It could be worse.”
Kathy and McKenzie were waiting in the doorway and opened it for them.
“Are they going to cancel?” Zack asked, stamping his boots. His slacks were soaking. It wouldn’t be comfortable sitting in them through dinner.
“Not so far,” McKenzie said, surprising them with two towels. “I think they want to do the honors and eat before sending everyone home.”
“Store your boots and coats in there.” Kathy pointed to a large walk-in coat closet. “Now that you guys have arrived, I think the mayor will want to start.”
Once they had hung up their coats and changed their shoes, Zack took her hand, embarrassed by how his shook. “I forgot to mention my parents called to say they’re stuck in Price, so theycan’t make it. Please promise you’ll stay by me. I hate this public recognition stuff, especially since all I did was get shot.”
In a flash, Holly placed gentle fingers over his mouth. “Really?All you did was get shot.We both know better. McKenzie told me what happened that night, so don’tyoueven go there,” she said with disgust. “And now we’re going in there together, and you’re going to accept recognition for beingthat guy, the one who has the guts to stand between the public and danger.”
The intensity in her eyes—forhim—made Zack’s chest seem to swell enough to burst. He pulled Holly’s hand away and kissed her.
“Oh my heck, you two,” McKenzie said and laughed. “Will you hurry?”
“Let’s do this.” Zack took Holly’s hand, and they strode together into the large room.
CHAPTER 8
The room held more people than Holly had expected to face the storm, though there were a couple of empty tables. Still, she was glad they had assigned Zack and her seats at the same table as Kathy, McKenzie, and company.
After the mayor’s welcome, the caterer’s people brought in the food. Except for the occasional gusts of wind, it was easy to forget there was a raging blizzard outside. McKenzie’s stepbrother Ike and especially Marc shifted uneasily in their chairs. They often shared nervous glances with each other.
At first, Holly thought it was because of the storm outside. However, when she opened the program, she noticed the two men would also be honored. The first tribute would be to the city council member who had been killed. If technology worked all right, his widow would accept the plaque through a video call since she had moved with her two young children to another state.
The mayor apologized for the lack of a musical program due to the storm, saying the entertainers would receive another opportunity to perform. As it came closer to the award ceremony, Zack squirmed in his seat. Fortunately for him, themayor called all three men up at once. And the look on their faces when he ordered his staff to play the viral video recording of the helicopter rescue made her laugh.
“Zack is waving for you to go up too, Kathy,” Holly said, pointing to the stage.
Kathy groaned but, between McKenzie and Holly, they convinced her to join the men. It turned out to be a nice balance of Oldtimers and Newcomers, terms Holly was already hearing less often. Everyone working together to prepare for the Winter Festival had done just what the planners had hoped: brought people together. The more they realized they had in common, the less they perceived each other as enemies.
The mayor finally released them to return to the audience, and Holly couldn’t help noticing how Ike would occasionally glance at Kathy. Holly knew her friend had a crush on him, but she couldn’t decide if he returned her feelings or he was clueless. Which was unfortunate because they would make an amazing couple. But maybe that came from Holly’s own happiness.
When Zack reached the table, she kissed his cheek. “See? That wasn’t so bad, and now it’s done. Let me see your plaque.”
As he handed it over, her phone vibrated on the table. She scowled, not wanting to answer it. Since it could be the hospital, she picked it up. It was from her father. Was he calling to tell her they had decided not to come after all?
“Hello, Dad,” she said, her voice flat.
“Holly!” Her father’s voice crackled as with a poor connection, and she could hear wind in the background. “We’ve crashed. Your mother…static sounds…conscious, but Ivy…static…trapped…static…”
All the fire of Holly’s anger and hurt turned to ice around her heart. With shaking hands, she put the phone on speaker and cried, “Where did you crash, Dad?”
Everyone at the table went silent, and Ike whistled loudly. Zack had already stepped away and had his phone out.
“We just passed mile marker 145 on…static…but we slid…static…small hill.”
“We’re on our way,” Zack said loudly into her phone.
“Thank you…static.” The call dropped.
“I’ve notified 911. Kathy, are you coming with us?” Zack asked, taking Holly’s arm.
“Has the State plowed that section of the highway?” Marc glanced at Ike, who asked, “Who plowed the parking lot here?”
“I know who.” McKenzie dashed over to another man and quickly returned with a set of keys. “He said to try not to crash it, but it has a full tank of gas. You guys be careful.” She threw her arms around Marc and then Ike.
