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Traffic leaving town slowed them down a bit, but when they finally pulled up to the lodge, her excitement bubbled right back to the surface.

Their room was ready, and she was practically bouncing on her toes as they stepped into the elevator.

Reece rested his hand low on her back, guiding her inside.

“Top floor,” he said casually. “We’re kind of a big deal.”

The giggle escaped before she could stop it.

When he opened the door to their suite, Alesha stepped inside and gasped.

Weathered wood planks lined the walls, softened by creamy drapes that swayed gently in the warm air. Edison bulbs cast a honeyed glow across rough-hewn beams and the massive stone fireplace on the far wall.

The bed dominated the room—reclaimed timber dressed in crisp white sheets, a chunky knit throw, and pillows in festive shades of red and green.

“It’s beautiful,” she breathed.

Reece stepped in front of her. “So are you.”

Her cheeks warmed instantly. When his fingers brushed softly along her cheek, a ripple of awareness spread through her.

She slid her hand over his chest. “How long until dinner?”

“Two hours.”

A slow smile spread across her face. “Then let’s make good use of it,” she whispered, giving him a playful shove toward the bed.

Without a word, he caught her hand and tugged her with him, and they tumbled onto the bed together in a burst of laughter.

And as he kissed her again, Alesha had the unmistakable feeling that this night at the resort was going to be one she’d remember for the rest of her life.

It was almost ridiculously cold out, and Reece had to wonder why anyone would willingly buy tickets for an outdoor show in December.

But as he and Alesha made their way from the lodge to the amphitheater, he quickly understood.

“Oh, Reece, look at all of this,” she said, her voice full of wonder. “It’s like stepping into some magical holiday wonderland!”

He wasn’t sure he would use those exact words, but they certainly fit.

Twinkling lights lined the path—what felt like a million of them—and soft holiday music drifted through hidden speakers. At the entrance to the amphitheater, two towering toy soldiers stood on either side of the gate, their red coats outlined in warm white lights as if they were standing guard over the evening’s holiday magic.

Reece watched as Alesha tilted her head back to admire them, smiling like a kid on Christmas morning, and he was suddenly more than willing to deal with the freezing cold.

As they made their way down the stone steps into the amphitheater, staff members handed out small lanterns glowing with warm light. The stage was decorated with evergreen garlands and strands of white lights, large lanterns lining the perimeter, and a massive Christmas tree shining in one corner.

He’d seen the show last year with his family and enjoyed it. But watching Alesha’s reaction made it feel like he was seeing everything for the first time.

When he looked around while they waited for the performance to begin, the audience appeared like a sea of soft golden light surrounding the stage.

“Good evening,” a voice announced over the speakers. “And welcome to the Lakeview Harbor Resort’s Festival of Lights. Let the celebration begin!”

The choir took the stage just as Alesha reached for his hand.

For the next ninety minutes, they listened to incredible music and a beautiful retelling of the Christmas story.

As the final songs approached, Reece glanced over at her. The lantern’s warm glow reflected in her eyes, and in that moment the music, the lights, and even the frosty night air seemed to fade into the background.

She was the only thing he wanted to see.