Page 86 of The Naughty List Agreement

“That seems very specific to you,” she said.

“As it should be. We each have different needs,” he admitted.

“What is it that you need to tell me?”

Nick rubbed the back of his neck. “I need a partner to spend eternity with, and I want that person to be you.”

“That’s a bit dramatic,” Cora said. “I assume you mean eternity in a metaphorical sense? I’m hesitating to even let myself think of you beyond Christmas because life hasn’t given me a lot of people who stick around. I take responsibility for not being as open as I could be but…”

“I’m not going anywhere,” he reassured her.

“You say that, but no one can promise forever. People die,” she said bluntly. “You might get tired of me and my lack of Christmas decor.”

“But you have a tree now,” he said. “I like seeing the woman you are becoming. Not that you’ve changed exactly, it’s more that you’re comfortable in your own skin.”

“Geez, thanks.”

“I meant that in a good way.”

“I know you did,” she said. “I like it.”

“Me too. I know that life doesn’t come with guarantees, but I want to plan for an eternity together. In the meantime, maybe you can at least plan for, you know, spring?”

“I want to say yes.” There was a smile teasing the corners of her mouth that let him know she liked his offer but that wasn’t going to appease the council. They needed a Mrs. Claus by December 24th.

“But you need time.”

“I do,” she admitted.

He could work with that. He still had nine days. It could happen.

After that night, she seemed to see less and less of Nick. He’d dropped his big I-want-to-marry-you bomb and then gotten so busy they barely had time to talk. In a way it was a relief. She’d been afraid he’d pressure her to give him an answer. He always made sure to see her at some point during the day. They’d scheduled the wassailing for Saturday. She wasn’t entirely sure he’d make it but locals had really turned out. Cora had the merchandise department make some flyers with the lyrics on them which they handed out to everyone who showed up.

Nick came up behind her just when she’d given up on him. He’d worn his long red leather coat and his Santa hat, and his beard was dotted with flakes of falling snow.

“Everything okay at the office? Is the demand of the WonderHaus production line putting a strain on you?” she asked.

“Don’t panic. The WonderHaus is in hand and all orders will arrive on time. We’re a worldwide organization and I’ve spent a lot of time focused here at the Winter Wonderland, that’s all,” he said. “You look very festive.”

She twirled around so he could admire her outfit. She wore a pair of jeans down the side of which she’d stenciled holly and ivy, paired with her red wool coat that kept her warm against the chilly evening.

“Our entertainment crew is going to lead the songs. Do you want to grab a hot drink first?”

“It has to be mulled cider,” he said.

“Of course. Go to the middle of the longest table. We set up a Wassail bowl. You’ll be able to get some from there.” She wanted to go with Nick to grab them but Fliss came over with her tablet. “I need five minutes.”

“I’ll get the drinks,” Nick said as he left.

“What’s up?”

“The lights aren’t working in the middle half of the orchard. Maintenance is out there now. They believe some moisture got into the battery packs. They’ll need to replace those strands.”

“That’s where we set up the oldest tree, right? We’ll have to see if we can add those decorations to another tree.” Maintenance wouldn’t have a quick and easy job. “Let’s see if we can reroute the path and avoid that area. Maybe just a quick circle up in the front. Show me where the outage is.”

Fliss brought the path up on her tablet and Cora used her finger to redraw the line. “That should work. Tell maintenance thank you for alerting us and let them know we’re changing the route. I’ll go and inform Pamela.”

Cora chatted with the head of the entertainment crew about the changes. They were dressed as medieval bards and looked the part. Nick came up next to her, handing her a mug.