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"So, the festival committees will get together and have more discussions about it. Now, here in Wayward Hollow, we have a tradition." Harry paces the stage.
"And I will be leaving participation up to each booth individually for our Kinstead friends. The Wayward Hollow Christmas market has always been much more than only a Christmas market. It has been a festival of community, of helping each other out, and we take the opportunity to help others every year. You might have heard about our competition. The booth that gets the most funds not only gets to pick a theme for next year." He stops and turns to the crowd. "They also get to choose the charity we donate all of this year’s proceeds to."
Right, Kieran mentioned something about it.
"Now, we've tallied up the profits, and I am happy to declare that this year's winner is..." He points at the sound guy, and suddenly there is a drumroll. "Nic and Henry!"
"Fuck yes!" Nic freaks out and punches the air, jumping in place. Then she turns to Henry for a kiss.
While clapping, Kieran leans over the table to Lauren. Her arms are crossed in front of her chest, and she's pouting.
"Are you okay, Lauren?"
"I can't believe it," she whines and stomps her foot. "I'm a loser."
"You're my loser." Caleb chuckles, snakes his arm around her middle and rests his chin on her shoulder as he watches Henry and Nic weave their way through the crowd.
"Okay. It takes some of the sting off." She keeps clapping for her friends as the two of them climb on stage.
"Who have you decided to donate to?" Harry asks and passes the mic to Nic.
"You know, the last weeks have brought Wayward Hollow and Kinstead a lot closer, and we found it only fitting to donate to someone from our communities committed to changing lives." They find me in the crowd.
"Henry and I want to donate our proceeds to Brooke so she can expand her shelter into a sanctuary. Because all animals deserve a loving home. The same kind of loving home that Wayward Hollow has become for me and all of my friends who moved here."
My jaw drops. Are they serious?
The crowd cheers, but I hear them as though through a wall of cotton. Is this really happening?
"Oh my God," I stammer and stare from the stage to Kieran. "Did you do this?"
He lifts his hands defensively, but the grin tugging at his lips betrays him. Is this what he was up to when I watched his carousel?
"Nope. It was completely our decision," Nic declares, suddenly back at the table, her boyfriend in tow.
"Now, I know it doesn't cover the entire sum you need to pay the bank, but it's a good start, right?"
"Yes." Oh my God. "Nic, Henry, thank you so much." My eyes sting with tears, and I can't help it. I throw my arms around Nic.
"You're welcome." She grins and pats my back. Then she whispers into my ear, "Kieran brought some convincing arguments to pick you as our charity. So, you know."
"I knew it," I mumble right back, squeezing her tighter. "It didn't mean you had to do it. Thank you, Nic."
"You are so welcome." She breaks the hug and takes a step back. "I'm just saying, if you get baby cows, I want to know. And I want cuddle privileges."
"Done." I nod. “You’ll get all the cuddle privileges you want.”
Kieran's hand finds mine, and he laces our fingers. I’m buzzing in place, heart soaring, his hand in mine the only reason I’m not lifting off the ground and flying away.
Oh my God.
I might actually have a realistic shot at this.
Chapter 39
Brooke
“URGENT: We have not yet received confirmation of the funds required to close on December 23. Please contact our office immediately to confirm that you are in a position to complete the purchase.”
