Page 99 of Small Town Boy

“No question about it now,” Kenzie teases, holding back her giggles for just long enough. “You crank his tractor.”

“He told off Mrs. Burch and Mrs. Chamberlain,” Sylvie interjects. “That’s more than just tractor cranking. Might also be one of the best things I’ve ever seen.”

Heat crawls up my neck, making its way to my cheeks. I have to agree—it was pretty spectacular. Sylvie’s right about another thing though—it is more than just tractor cranking. Noel has proven to me that love does exist.

“Now, the question is if the rest of the town will follow suit.”

“Fuck them if they don’t,” Willa says. “You have us. And we’re more important.”

I wrap an arm around her, pulling her into a hug. I do have them, which means more than I can ever say.

“That branch right above your head is still a little cattywampus,” Camden says, pointing to the bottom of the tree.

“Then feel free to fix it, Doc,” Nash retorts from under the tree.

“Wasn’t sure if you wanted someone messing with your masterpiece.”

“It’s just a tree!” Willa calls out.

“Take that back!” both the twins holler in response.

She rolls her eyes, trying to hide a smile. Always the instigator. It’s her own special brand of love, although I’m starting to think Kenzie’s right, and that it’s going to come back and bite her at some point. Secretly, I’m more than a little excited about being able to witness that.

“What if no one shows up?” I ask out loud. “I don’t want to have single-handedly ruined this event.”

The thought has been bouncing around in my head all afternoon. No one else seems worried about the ultimatum Noel gave the entire town, so I’ve tried not to be. Yet, my mind keeps drifting back to the possibility.

Because…there is a chance.

“They will. Don’t worry about it.” Kenzie reaches over and takes my hand, giving it a squeeze. “If for no other reason than to see who does and doesn’t show up after this morning.”

“Or to see if there is an encore,” Willa adds.

Noel rolls out from under the tree, popping up to his feet like Tigger. I swoon as I watch him dust himself off, excited to get him home later tonight and show him just how much I love him. I want to spend all night with just our bodies doing all the talking. Which I’m pretty sure is how he prefers it too.

Noticing me eyeing him up and down, Noel smirks, sauntering over to us. He completely ignores the girls, wrapping his arms around me and kissing me. Hard.

“Well, excuse the fuck out of us,” Willa comments. “Are we in your way?”

“Nope.” His smirk grows, taking over as he shakes his head.

This man is going to be the death of me.

“Ready for your first tree lighting?” he asks, still holding me tight.

“I’ve seen a Christmas tree get lit up before. We have them in Boston, you know.”

“You haven’t experienced a Hickory Hills one though. Or one as a Keller.”

“I’m not a Keller yet,” I point out.

“A technicality.”

He’s not wrong, but still, my heart sings. I feel like I’m living in a fairy tale, my very own Prince Charming standing here with me.

“Told you that you had nothing to worry about,” Sylvie says.

“What?”