Kristopher looked up at the cloud-covered sky. “Heaven help us all.”
Stella giggled. “Give her a chance. She hasn’t been on the Naughty List for a month of Christmases.”
Jacob coughed to cover his laughter. A month of Christmases this year was only a month.
“Here comes the wedding party.” Stella clapped her hands.
Jacob turned to see a huge sleigh full of his brother, sisters, and their spouses and kids. In the middle sat his mom, so full of joy she had to wipe it away from her eyes as it leaked out of her.
As soon as the sleigh pulled to a stop, she rushed to hug him. “How?” She laughed as she cried. “How did you keep this from me? I can’t believe it’s happening. This is the best Christmas.” She clutched her hands to her chest and gasped. “Your dad would be so happy to know you and Lauren are getting married.” She threw her arms around him and held tight.
Jacob hugged her back. “I’m happy that you’re happy, Mom.” He was. Each day she’d ended in a funk, and he didn’t know how to bring her out of it. Today, her personal cloud had lifted. He could literally feel it gone.
She nodded against his shoulder. “I am.”
His older brother, Andrew, and older sister, Aubrey, piled on him. “You son of a gun!” Andrew pounded his back in a bro hug.
Jacob was slow to respond, shocked that they were even in Moose Hollow when they were supposed to be on a beach. “How did you get here?”
Aubrey hugged herself. “There was a last-minute flight. Of course, when I got word my little brother was getting married–there was no question on whether we’d be here or not.” She hugged him close. “I’m so happy for you.”
Behind her, Lux waved as she leaned into Quik. He wore a dress uniform and was freshly shaven. Lux looked at him like he was her own personal hero. Jacob had it in the back of his head to give the guy a hard time about getting his clothing cut off by Lux–but after taking the man’s measure, there was no way he was going to mess with him.
Thank you, he mouthed to the two of them. Somehow, they’d flown his family in, and he was thrilled. Lux nodded, and the soldier saluted.
“My turn.” Charlotte elbowed Aubrey aside and threw her arms around Jacob’s neck. “I’m so jealous of you right now I could spit crushed candy canes.”
Jacob laughed. “Your time will come.”
She huffed and pushed away from him. “I’ll be an old lady with ten cats and the biggest candy bowl on Halloween. But I’m so happy to get another sister, I don’t even care today.” She flipped her hair over her shoulder. “Speaking of which, where is Lauren?”
The church bells sang. The town gathered, everyone looking up at the church bell tower in awe.
“I haven’t heard them since I was eight,” said Mayor Owens.
They played The Carol of the Bells, the music loud enough to draw attention but not too loud to speak over.
Ms. Pauline, smelling like burnt gingerbread, clasped her hands. “Do you remember how they used to play on Christmas Eve? Magical.”
Several of the Kringles exchanged looks.
Jacob cleared his throat. “Thank you all for coming.” He looked around, hoping to spot Lauren in the crowd. “I guess we’re only missing the bride.” A light ripple of laughter rolled over the crowd even as a different kind of ripple went through his stomach. He grabbed Nick’s sweater. “Is she coming?” he hissed.
Nick checked with Lux, who lifted her shoulders and looked down the street, a wrinkle of concern in her forehead.
Jacob gave his family a reassuring smile. They’d flown all the way here–interrupted their much-anticipated cruise to come back for a wedding that might not happen. The last time he’d talked to Lauren, she’d told him she was going to stay in her room. He hoped that wasn’t true.
He did his best to hold back the wave of disappointment and heartbreak that threatened to consume him if Lauren didn’t come to their wedding.
A gust of wind picked up his tuxedo jacket, and he grabbed it to pull it back down. By the looks of the clouds overhead–they wouldn’t get a second chance to save Christmas.
“Come on, Lauren,” he pleaded.
CHAPTER23
Lauren settled into the sleigh, surprised that she wasn’t cold. It was December 25th, after all, and she’d walked out of her house without a coat on in one of the heaviest snowfalls she’d ever witnessed.
Lauren wanted the dress on full display when she pulled up to the church. She couldn’t wait for Jacob to see her. They sped through town, trees and decorations blurring past her field of vision. “What’s the hurry?” she asked Layla.
