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Every year, the high school hosts a Christmas craft fair. Different organizations have booths and raise money for their clubs and sports.
Jack grimaces. “Yes, and I really appreciate it. Market’s next Friday and Saturday. We’ll set up on Thursday after school if that’s good with you?”
“That’s great,” I assure him. “We all know the football booth would be a hot mess without my input.”
“Facts,” Ivy says with a nod.
“You sure you’ll have time now that you’re coordinating the Christmas Dash with Elena?”
“What’s the Christmas Dash?” Ivy asks.
“I’ll tell you all about it today,” I assure her before I turn to Jack. “Of course I do. You know Elena’s going to handle most of it.” The woman basically runs this town as the owner of the local coffee shop, which serves as the epicenter of Dasher Valley activity. “It’ll be great.”
“I don’t like the thought of you getting burnt out.” Jack pins me with a brotherly glare. “You sure you haven’t bitten off more than you can chew?”
“I’m fine.” I accentuate the word, even as my December to-do list unfurls in my mind like one of those giant scrolls that just keeps going and going and going.
The Dasher Valley 8 selection has taken up permanent brain space. On top of that, there’s the Dasher Valley Women’s Choir rehearsals and our upcoming caroling outing. The toy drive. The Christmas Market. A couple different holiday events at the bookstore. The Christmas Kickoff in the town green. And now the Christmas Dash.
But I like being busy. I like showing the community I care. What better time of year to do it?
“Quit being such a big brother,” I tell Jack.
He makes a face. “Alright. I’m out. Second-period gym class isn’t going to teach itself.”
Ivy leans in, and he kisses her again before giving me a hug.
“Later, Beth. Don’t work too hard.”
“How can I even call this work?” I spin around with my arms out wide.
“You’re weird,” he calls over his shoulder as the jingle bells over our front door clang with his departure.
Ivy stares after Jack with a dreamy look in her eye.
I have to bite my lip to keep from saying anything that’ll give away Jack’s secret. Inside, I’m screaming out the words to “Celebration” by Kool & the Gang. I’m going to have a sister!
“So,” I begin, going for my best impression of nonchalant. “Let me tell you about the Christmas Dash.”
I give her a run down, and Ivy retrieves one of the cups from the drink holder and hands it out to me. “Sounds awesome.”
“I think so too. Thanks for this.” I hold up the cup in salute. “Now, how was your time with your folks?”
“It was the best.”
She gushes about their time up north as I sip my gingerbread latte.
“My hometown has this light-up-the-lake event, which is the coolest. All the cabins on the water get fully decked out, and there’s a countdown, and then they illuminate their displays all at once. The lights reflect off the water, and everything glows and sparkles. The whole town turns out and strolls along the lakefront trail, admiring the displays. It’s the perfect kickoff to the holiday season.”
“Sounds amazing.” I set down my drink and scoop up the unhung end of my garland. I put a thumbtack between my teeth as I attempt to arrange the swag just right before tacking it up along the counter.
Ivy launches into a detailed rundown of everything else she and Jack did together while they were away, and I smile and nod and make humming sounds of agreement, but truthfully, my mind is a million miles away. Because listening to Ivy talk about Jack—and knowing that Jack is going to propose to Ivy—has me tangled up like a poorly stored set of Christmas lights.
“Hello. Earth to Beth.”
I blink only to realize Ivy has joined me on this side of the counter. She’s wearing her favorite shiny black leggings with boots and an oversized heather-gray cable-knit sweater. Her curly chestnut-colored hair is pulled to one side in a low ponytail that rests on her shoulder. Her chocolate-brown eyes are narrowed, and she’s waving her hand in the air in front of my face.
“Girl, where’s your head at? You haven’t made any progress here for the past five minutes.”
