Holiday Reunion (Hollyberry Harbor #1)

Chapter 7

SEVEN

The Christmas tree burst with light and color. Hundreds if not thousands of people reacted exactly the way Sarah had wanted. Ooohs and Ahhs filled the air. Cheers echoed down the street.

Decorations covered every storefront window, every streetlight, and even lined the perimeter of the lake. They’d even managed to get a Zamboni to smooth a section of the frozen water so that visitors could skate like they once had years ago.

The whole festival felt like a fairytale. Everywhere Sarah looked filled her with more joy.

Well, everywhere but one place.

Every time she walked past the bakery, she was disappointed that the sweets she’d prepared were slow to disappear. She didn’t know what was wrong with her bakery that people ignored it and moved on to other attractions.

People were supposed to love the warm flaky croissants and the gooey frosted cinnamon rolls. She had to hope that those visiting would stop by near the end of their trip and take home a dessert for later.

Besides that one issue, Sarah was thrilled. Even the light show had turned out better than she had hoped. James had long since disappeared and it was hard to catch sight of him in the crowd. But when she did see him, she made a mental note to tell him how grateful she was for his help. There was no way she would’ve been able to complete the festival in time without him and his connections.

She wasn’t blind. He’d pulled quite a few strings when it came to getting the festival off the ground and it was more than the tree and the light show.

Sarah found herself drawn to the tree again. It was the perfect focal point, topped with a star that she’d remembered from the time she was little. No one could erase the history of Hollyberry Harbor when they had the Christmas festival.

And this year was no different despite James’s participation.

She clasped her hands behind her back and gazed up at the tree. Her heart was flooded with pride and love. Two more weeks and the festival would be over. She was allowed to enjoy this moment. Then she’d return to a life of worry and the reality of past due bills.

“You did it,” James’s familiar tenor voice murmured behind her ear.

The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end and she smiled more to herself than anyone else before she turned to look at him fully. “I think it’s safe to say that we accomplished a lot… together.”

James moved into the position right beside her. He shoved his hands in his pockets and gazed up at the tree. “It’s nothing like the one they have in New York, but I’d say this one might just have an edge.”

“Oh, I think it’s beautiful.” She snuck a quick look at him out of the corner of her eye before returning her focus to the tree. They stood quietly admiring the tree that James had not only picked but oversaw its decorating. He had an eye for detail, that much was certain. Out of all the trees in the woods in the surrounding area, he’d managed to pick one that wasn’t too big and wasn’t too small.

James might be trying to rejuvenate the harbor in ways she didn’t approve of, but at least he wasn’t going to come in and try to completely change it. From the snippets she’d heard, and the handful of detailed specks she’d caught glimpses of, James was going to simply modernize a few things. He wanted to bring in some big box store options, so guests weren’t leaving town to do their shopping.

Sarah sighed, hating how she could somewhat understand where he was coming from. If people had a place to purchase not only their essentials but also the handful of things that were somewhat out of the ordinary, they’d keep their money here. No wonder the others on Lake Harbor Avenue had jumped at the chance to be included.

Her heart was torn in two, waffling between her convictions to keep this place traditional and giving the shop owners who were struggling what they needed most.

“I have to admit something to you,” James’s quiet cadence tore into her thoughts.

She glanced at him. “Go for it. I don’t think there is anything you can say that will make me despise you anymore.” She’d meant to tease him, to lighten the mood but there was something in his eyes that caught her off guard and her heart stopped.

James faced her and took her hand. He stared at it a moment then said. “I… find… you have managed to…” His gaze lifted, burning with so many desires all she could do was tear her hand out of his.

“James, don’t.”

Pain flickered in those eyes so tangible that all she could do was scurry away. This wasn’t happening. It couldn’t be happening.

Maybe he was going to say something else. It was entirely possible she’d read too much in his expression. What if she’d run off for nothing? How embarrassing would it be for him to find her and tell her that he was walking away from the harbor project. She just might have managed to convince him to stay away.

The pounding in her heart said otherwise. Blood rushing in her ears was more than enough to block all outsides sounds from entering. She hurried down a path that lined the lake then found a spot to lean against the fence to catch her breath. Bathed in a glow from the overhead streetlight, she could barely make out anything in the surrounding darkness.

Something touched her arm and she yelped, turning to find James had chased after her. His brows were drawn together with concern. His jaw was tight as if he convinced himself that he shouldn’t be the first to speak.

She stared at him with expectation. There was no way she’d be the one to break this silence.

James moved closer, forcing her to have to tilt her head to keep him in her sights. He stared down at her, the tension between them growing thick. “You didn’t let me finish,” he finally murmured.

“I don’t know if I want you to,” she rasped.

“Would it really be the end of the world if I told you that you consume my every waking thought? Can you convince me it would be better to choose the mundane over magic?”

Her breath caught in her chest.

“Would it be so terrible for me to confess that my feelings for you are no longer to be ignored? Because that is the place you have put me in.”

She held up a hand, shaking her head. “I didn’t do anything.”

His lips twitched and that charming smile slowly appeared. “You must not know just how irresistible you truly are.” He took her hand in his once again but this time she didn’t pull away from him. He laced his gloved fingers between hers and his eyes flitted to meet hers. “Even your ridiculous stubborn attitude isn’t enough to push me away.”

Sarah snorted, but he continued before she could argue.

“You have a passion for this place, a way of seeing things that no one else does. And it comes so easy to you.” He let out a soft chuckle. “You would rather do things the hard way even if it means you struggle more just so you can ensure the heart of this place shines brighter. That’s admirable, Sarah.”

Her eyes widened. He was actually telling her that her refusal to join him was something he admired. How did that make any sense? And yet, here she was nearly thinking the same thing. He might have been trying to hide it, but he had a passion for the harbor as well. He simply wanted to go about saving it in a different way than she did. She swallowed hard but couldn’t look away. “It’s not a good idea.”

“Why not?” Boy, he was making it hard to turn him down.

“Because you’re doing something I don’t agree with.”

“That’s purely business,” he whispered, moving closer. “This? Between you and me? It would be… something else.”

Personal? Pleasurable? Her stomach knotted and her heart practically beat from her chest. Everything in her head told her to stay away, to keep him at arm’s length.

But her heart wasn’t willing to lose this battle.

Sarah shut her eyes, letting the nearby Christmas music distract her momentarily. James was so close. In fact, she had a feeling that if she opened her eyes, he’d be hovering right there, ready to steal a kiss. All he needed was her to sign off on it.

His words echoed in her mind. Would it really be so bad? People from different backgrounds managed to make it work all the time. That description didn’t even describe them accurately. They were both grounded here, to Hollyberry Harbor. That should be enough on which to build a foundation.

She opened her eyes with a flutter. “Okay,” she whispered. “As long as you promise one thing.”

“Anything,” he murmured so close to her lips that she shivered.

“Promise me you will keep your little business project separate from whatever this is. I don’t want your advice when it comes to my bakery, and I don’t need to know how you’re changing everything.”

His grin deepened. “Deal.” Without warning, he closed the distance between them, stealing her lips for his own pleasure. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled herself against him, letting the world around them fade away along with any misgivings her head wanted to throw at her.

In this moment, she chose magic.