Once Upon a Second Chance (Once Upon a Holiday Story #1)

Chapter 11

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Daniel

Aaron and I didn’t trek back up to bed until after five thirty. Fortunately, the meeting was at two, so we were able to get a few hours of sleep.

The roads had cleared up and as soon as we entered the heart of town we were greeted by a holiday explosion. Garlands, wreaths, and bows adorned streetlamps, doors, and storefronts. Lights that would shine at night were hung, and displays were all being straightened up. Everlasting Springs had weathered another storm and its people were working in fierce collaboration to make sure the holidays would go off without a hitch.

“Wow, there are more people in this town than I thought.” I glanced at Aaron, who was staring wide-eyed out the window at everything going on.

“In all fairness, you arrived right before a storm—everyone was hunkering down.”

“True.”

The community center parking lot was filled with cars, which was uplifting. It meant everyone wanted to be part of making the festival perfect. Like every other building in town, it too was decked out in lights, garlands, and other holiday decorations.

When we got out of the car, Aaron’s shoulders were hunched and he was biting his lip. I moved closer and bumped his arm.

“Hey, it’s gonna be great.”

“This is a small town where everyone knows everyone. I’m a stranger. Aren’t they going to ask who I am and why I’m here?”

I shrugged. “Probably. And what you choose to tell them is your business.”

He didn’t respond but he also didn’t run screaming to the car, so I took it as a win.

We entered the community center, and there were a few people standing in the foyer. They turned and smiled, their attention immediately on Aaron.

“Good afternoon, Daniel,” Lorraine, one of our town librarians, greeted.

“Lorraine, Bill, Cheri, good to see you. Glad we have such a wonderful turnout.”

Bill hummed. “And who might you be?” Bill was the manager of the bank and a huge gossip.

“Uh, hi, I’m Aaron.” He shook Bill’s hand and did the same with Cheri and Lorraine. He didn’t expand on anything, and that was his choice.

“We’re going to go find a seat in the auditorium. See you later.” With my hand on Aaron’s lower back, I guided him away from the gawkers.

“I’m like a circus attraction,” he whispered once we were far enough away.

“You’re new and shiny, and they all want to know you. Don’t worry, you’re doing great.”

We took two seats in the last row; I knew it would make Aaron more comfortable, and I didn’t care where I sat. He was fidgeting, and I wanted to distract him.

“Were you able to get to sleep after you went up to bed?”

“It took some time…my body was confused, but I did. How about you?”

“I got maybe two hours and then my internal alarm clock was like, ‘Nope, up you get, old man.’”

Aaron snorted. “You’re not old.”

“I’m almost fifty, just five years from now.”

Aaron rolled his big blue eyes. “And you think fifty is old?”

“I did call myself old. Keep up.”

Aaron cocked his head to the side, a small smile playing on his lips. “You’re not even a little bit old. You’re in amazing shape, gorgeous. Hell, you look better than me, and I’m twenty-three.”

Jesus, he’s only twenty-three. He’s a baby . Aaron seemed so much older; the world had aged him on the inside, and I hadn’t fathomed he was that much younger.

“You look great, Aaron. You could have anyone you want.” I didn’t want to dwell on the age thing. It would likely make me depressed thinking I was drooling over someone more than twenty years younger than me.

“I doubt that’s true,” he mumbled, and I was about to ask him what he meant, but a tapping on the microphone turned my attention to the stage, where the mayor was standing at the podium.

“Good afternoon, Everlasting Springs.” A middle-aged woman with curly black hair beamed at the crowd of people. “I’m thrilled to see so many of your lovely faces, each one willing and able to make this year’s festival one for the books.”

Cheers and applause filled the auditorium, and I was glad to see Aaron’s eyes light up at the enthusiasm the residents had.

“Who’s that?” I whispered to Daniel.

“Mayor Renee Ronaldo.”

“You’ve all signed up for your committees, and while I’d love to stand here and tell you exactly how amazing you are, we have a ton of work to do, so I’ll step off and let the committee directors call their teams up. Thank you, everybody!” She waved and exited the stage.

“I’m surprised you’re not mayor.” Aaron leaned in.

“Me, why?”

“Your name is on everything, Daniel.”

I huffed. “I have zero political aspirations. My family may have built this town, but I have no desire to run it.”

He opened his mouth, but Hank’s voice echoed over the crowd. “Cleanup Committee and Building Committee, meet in room 312.”

“That’s us, let’s go.” I stood, and Aaron walked so close to me you probably couldn’t slip a piece of paper between us.

I was stopped a few times on my way. Gary said hello to me and Aaron, and I was relieved that he didn’t mention him being the one in the grocery store. Mostly, people were curious about the new face. Nobody in Everlasting Springs was particularly malicious, but Aaron was clearly uncomfortable.

“Here we are.” We entered the room and once again, eyes went straight to Aaron.

Hank waltzed over, gave me a pat on the shoulder, and shook Aaron’s hand. “Real glad you’re helping out.”

Aaron stood taller and smiled at Hank. The sheriff had made him feel welcome without shining a light on him.

“Happy to be here.”

Hank talked about everything that needed doing and set up teams for each project. When he came to the menorah, Jim, who owned the lumber yard, interrupted.

“We got an issue, Hank.”

“No issues, Jim. Time isn’t on our side here.”

Jim shrugged. “Sorry, but the thing is, with the storm, I don’t got any deliveries, all the wood for the stage and vendor stalls have taken up my supply. None left for the new menorah.”

Oh, that was a problem.

“Shit.” Hank raked his fingers through his hair.

“What else can we use, then?” Lenny from the post office asked.

“There’s nothing to use. Supplies will be here, but not in time to get it all done.” Jim sighed, clearly just as upset as everyone else.

“Um.” Aaron’s voice was low, but Hank heard him.

“Yes, Aaron, you got something to say?”

He peered over at me, and I motioned for him to speak.

“I was just gonna say, if it’s available, Daniel’s neighbors—sorry I don’t remember their names—their tree was cut down last night, an oak. If the wood is available, could that work?”

Every face in the room immediately graced Aaron with a smile.

“Brilliant!” Hank shouted. “Aaron, you’re a genius. I’ll give Patty a call. Everyone take five.”

Aaron was a savior in the eyes of everyone in the room, and I was damn proud of him for his realization. After everyone stopped clapping him on the back, I leaned in.

“Look at you, fitting in like you were born to be here.”

His cheeks pinked and for the briefest of moments, I wanted to press my lips to his for all to see. And the way Aaron was watching me, I got the feeling he wouldn’t protest.