Page 29 of The Christmas Dash

“I know. They hosted the outdoor movie events each summer, and I think the donations the town threw at them during those nights were enough to sustain them. Folks didn’t want to see them go. Who doesn’t love the thought of renting a movie and curling up with a bowl of popcorn on a Friday night?”

“The end of an era.”

“For sure.”

We fall into a comfortable silence as we walk the rest of the way to the bookstore. It’s not quite seven thirty yet, so the December sun is low in the sky, casting long shadows along Rudolph Run. It’s a clear day, which adds to the chill in the air. Plumes of our breath stretch out in front of us.

Beth stops in front of the bookshop door. “You gave me too much credit back there with Xander.”

“What do you mean?”

“You’ve come up with half of the details for this thing already. It hasn’t all been me.”

“Nah.” I brush her off. “It’s your enthusiasm and ideas that are getting us anywhere.”

“We’ll have to agree to disagree.” She pauses and looks toward her boots before meeting my eye again. “Do you want me to pick you up to head up to Valley Peak Friday morning?”

“If you don’t mind.”

“I don’t.”

“Okay, then sure. That would be good.”

“Good. I’ll see you then.”

She gets out her key and unlocks the bookstore’s front door before slipping inside.

A large part of me wants to follow her, but another large part of me—the sensible part—knows I need to keep my distance. Beth is not for me. She’s like the really expensive Christmas gift in the magazines that I used to long for each holiday season. The battery-powered, drivable kid car with the flames on the side. I’d circle it and ogle it and hope for it, but there was no way we could afford it.

There’s no way I can afford to get my heart caught up in Beth. Not again. Her life is here. Her business is here. Mine isn’t—and she’s made her position on that clear.

Christmas Dash Rhyme #1

Come one, come all

From far and near.

Bring your holiday spirit,