One Hundred Humbugs (Aspen Cove #25)

Chapter 17

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Ruby’s fingers trembled with excitement as she signed for the delivery. The truck driver gave her a curious look as she practically bounced on her toes, but she couldn’t contain her enthusiasm. The moment he drove away, she turned to Becket, her eyes sparkling.

“They’re here!” she exclaimed, gesturing wildly at all the boxes. “Can you believe it? We did it!”

Becket’s grin matched her own. “I still can’t wrap my head around how fast this all came together,” he said, shaking his head in amazement. “You’re quite the miracle worker, Ruby.”

A stirring rose in Ruby’s chest at his words. It wasn’t just the compliment—it was the way he said her name, like it was something that mattered. She pushed the feeling aside, focusing instead on the task in front of her.

As they unpacked string lights, garlands, wreaths, and an assortment of decorations, Ruby’s mind buzzed with ideas. She pulled out a pair of life-sized nutcrackers, their painted faces grinning up at her. “Oh, these are perfect for Main Street!” she declared .

Becket hoisted a box of light-up reindeer. “And I know just where these can go. The kids will love them.”

Ruby hesitated, her words catching in her throat. “I... I’m just trying to right a wrong,” she admitted.

“The wrong my goats caused,” Becket corrected with a grin. “I should’ve been the one to buy all this.”

“It’s a joint effort,” she insisted. “You’re paying in muscle and patience.”

Ruby thought back to the day she arrived in Aspen Cove—determined to get in and get out, no strings attached. When had that changed? When had this place, these people, started to matter so much?

As the sun set, painting the sky in brilliant oranges and pinks, a surge of anticipation washed over Ruby. Soon, they’d be embarking on their secret mission to transform Aspen Cove overnight. The fading light cast long shadows across the snow-covered ground, and Ruby was mesmerized by the play of colors on the pristine white surface.

“Let’s get some rest before tonight,” Becket suggested, his hand resting on the small of her back. The touch sent a shiver up her spine.

Ruby nodded, though she doubted she’d be able to sleep a wink. “You’re right. We’ve got a long night ahead of us.”

A few hours later, under the cover of darkness, they set out. The snow had stopped falling, leaving behind a pristine blanket of white that glittered under the starlight. The night was clear, a canopy of stars twinkling above them like nature’s own Christmas lights. Ruby tilted her head back, marveling at the vast expanse of the night sky. In the city, she’d never seen stars like this, so numerous and bright they seemed close enough to touch.

“Beautiful, isn’t it?” Becket’s voice was soft beside her. “ It’s one of the things I love most about living in the mountains. You feel like you can see the entire universe.”

Ruby nodded, unable to find words to express her awe. Just then, a streak of light flashed across the sky—a shooting star, brilliant and fleeting.

“Oh!” Ruby gasped, instinctively reaching for Becket’s hand. “Did you see that?”

Becket squeezed her hand, his eyes wide with wonder. “I did. Quick, make a wish!”

Ruby closed her eyes, her heart full of the magic of the moment. She didn’t wish for anything specific—how could she, when right now, everything seemed perfect? Instead, she wished for more moments like this, more nights under the stars with Becket by her side.

When she opened her eyes, she found Becket watching her. “What did you wish for?” he asked.

Ruby shook her head, a grin playing on her lips. “Can’t tell you, or it won’t come true. But maybe, if we’re lucky, we’ll see another one before the night is over.”

Becket held onto her hand as they walked toward Ruby’s rental car. “Well, I’d say we’re already lucky. But I wouldn’t mind a little extra star magic.”

They approached the car, which was stuffed to the gills with decorations. Ruby laughed at the sight of garlands poking out of windows and a reindeer nose pressed against the back windshield.

“I still can’t believe we managed to fit this much in here,” she said, opening the driver’s side door.

Becket grinned as he squeezed into the passenger seat. “It’s like a Christmas clown car. I half-expect elves to start tumbling out.”

They drove down the empty streets, the car groaning under its burden. As they began unloading at the start of Main Street, Ruby realized the magnitude of their task.

“We’re going to have to make a few trips back to the house,” she said, her arms full of twinkling lights.

Becket nodded, already starting to untangle a stubborn strand. “Good thing we started early. We’ll make it work.”

And make it work they did. Over the next few hours, Ruby and Becket fell into a steady rhythm. They decorated a section of Main Street, then drove back to the house to reload the car with more supplies. Each trip became a mini adventure, filled with quiet laughter and a lighthearted competition to squeeze just one more box into the already overflowing vehicle.

By their third trip back, a sense of accomplishment settled over Ruby. “You know,” she said as they pulled up to the curb, “I think I’m getting pretty good at this covert Christmas operation.”

Becket reached over to tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “Told you—you’re a natural at spreading Christmas cheer.”

As they resumed their work, Ruby kept glancing up at the sky, hoping to catch another glimpse of a shooting star. But even without one, the night felt alive with possibilities. The town was still, most residents long asleep. Ruby’s heart pounded with a childlike excitement, as if she were sneaking downstairs on Christmas Eve.

They worked in easy silence, starting with Main Street. Ruby draped lush garlands along the storefronts, ensuring each one hung perfectly. Becket followed close behind, weaving twinkling lights through the greenery. The soft glow reflected off the snow, casting a magical shimmer across the street.

“These wreaths are gorgeous,” Ruby whispered as she hung one on the bakery door. Adorned with pinecones, berries, and a red velvet bow, the wreaths smelled like fresh pine.

Becket nodded as he wrestled a strand of lights around a lamppost. “The whole town’s going to smell like Christmas.”

He paused, his expression playful. “How long do you think it’ll take Maisey to figure out it was us?” he asked as they festooned the diner window in greenery and plaid.

Ruby laughed, the sound echoing in the still night air. “Five minutes, tops. That woman has a sixth sense for town gossip.”

As they worked their way down Main Street, Ruby placed the life-sized nutcrackers between businesses, positioning them as cheerful guardians. A grin spread across her face as she imagined the delight on children’s faces when they saw them. “I used to be terrified of nutcrackers as a kid,” she admitted.

Becket raised an eyebrow. “Really? The fearless Ruby, scared of nutcrackers?”

She stuck her tongue out at him playfully. “Hey, those teeth looked menacing to a six-year-old. What about you? Any childhood Christmas traumas I should know about?”

Becket pretended to think for a moment. “Well, there was that one year I caught my dad trying to eat Santa’s cookies. Talk about childhood disillusionment.”

Their laughter echoed through the empty street. Ruby noticed how easy it was to be with Becket, how natural their banter was. When had that happened?

“Hey, come help me with these,” Becket said. He was setting up the light-up deer in the small park at the end of Main Street. Ruby hurried over, and together they arranged the deer in a graceful scene, as if they had just paused mid- leap. The twinkling lights on the deer seemed to dance, casting a soft glow on the surrounding snow.

As they worked, Ruby found her gaze continually drawn to Becket. The way his brow furrowed in concentration, the gentle strength in his hands as he adjusted the decorations, the way his eyes crinkled when he smiled at her.

The night wore on, and Ruby’s initial burst of energy began to wane. She stifled a yawn as she hung the last of the wreaths on the sheriff’s office door. The town hall clock chimed in the distance, reminding her of how long they’d been at it.

“Hey.” Becket’s voice was soft as he approached her. “Take a break. I’ve got this last bit.” She started to protest, but Becket silenced her with a kiss. “You’ve been going non-stop for days. Rest for a bit.”

Reluctantly, Ruby settled onto a nearby bench. She meant to close her eyes for just a moment, but the next thing she knew, Becket was gently shaking her awake.

“Ruby,” he whispered, his breath warm against her ear. “Look.”

She blinked awake, disoriented before gasping in awe. Main Street was transformed. Garlands draped across every storefront, twinkling with hundreds of tiny lights. Wreaths adorned each door, their red bows a cheerful contrast to the green. The lampposts were wrapped in lights and tinsel, glowing in the pre-dawn light.

The nutcrackers stood proudly between shops, and in the distance, she could see the light-up deer, looking as if they might come to life at any moment. The town’s Christmas tree, which had been set up days ago, now looked even more majestic surrounded by the new decorations. The entire scene was dusted with a light layer of frost, making everything sparkle as if touched by fairies.

“It’s beautiful,” she breathed, her eyes filling with tears. “Becket, it’s perfect.”

He pulled her close, and she nestled into his embrace, feeling safe and content. “We did it together,” he whispered into her hair.

As they stood there, wrapped in each other’s arms, a shift happened inside Ruby. This town, which had initially seemed like a burden, a reminder of loss, now felt like ... home. She thought of the laughter shared with Marge, the kindness of the townsfolk at the diner, the quiet moments with Becket and the goats.

Somewhere along the way, Aspen Cove had stolen her heart.

She thought back to her first day here, how cold and unwelcoming the town had seemed. Now, looking at the twinkling lights and decorations, she saw it through new eyes. It wasn’t just the physical transformation of the town that struck her, but how she herself had changed. The Ruby who arrived in Aspen Cove weeks ago would never have imagined feeling this sense of belonging, this connection to a place and its people.

“What are you thinking?” Becket asked, his thumb wiping away a tear she hadn’t realized had fallen.

Ruby looked up at him, seeing her future reflected in his eyes. “I’m thinking that I don’t want this to end,” she admitted. “Being here, with you, in this town ... it feels right. It’s like I’ve found a piece of myself I didn’t know was missing.”

Becket’s face lit up, brighter than all the Christmas lights combined. He leaned down, capturing her lips in a kiss that made her toes curl. When they parted, both breathless, Ruby laughed, the sound bubbling up with pure joy. “What’s so funny?” Becket asked, his eyes twinkling with amusement.

“Just thinking about how much has changed,” Ruby replied, shaking her head in wonder. “I came here dreading every moment, and now ... it’s like this place has worked some kind of Christmas magic on me. On us.”

As the first rays of sunlight began to peek over the horizon, Ruby and Becket drove home in comfortable silence. Becket steered the car with one hand while the other rested over Ruby’s, their fingers intertwined. When they reached the driveway, he quickly hopped out and raced around to open her door, ever the gentleman. Ruby stepped out, and their hands naturally found each other again.

The crisp morning air nipped at their cheeks as they strolled toward the house, but warmth spread through Ruby, a glow of contentment settling deep in her chest. The sky had shifted from inky black to a soft lavender, with streaks of pink and gold announcing the coming day. It seemed symbolic somehow, like the dawn of a new chapter in her life.

They climbed onto the porch, and Becket pulled her close, his strong arms encircling her waist. “I can’t wait until everyone sees what we did,” he whispered, his breath warm against her ear, the excitement clear in his voice.

Ruby nodded, excitement bubbling in her chest. “Me too...” She turned in his arms, reaching up to cradle his face in her hands. “Thank you for everything. Especially all the kisses.”

“You like my kisses?”

“They’re the best I’ve ever had.”

“Well then,” Becket said, pulling her closer, “we shouldn’t waste a single minute doing anything but kissing.”

Their lips met again, but this time the kiss was different. Deeper, more urgent. All the emotions of the night—the excitement, the joy, the newfound affection—seemed to pour into it. Ruby’s hands slid into Becket’s hair as he pulled her flush against him, erasing any space between them.

They stumbled through the front door, neither willing to break the kiss. Ruby shrugged out of her coat, letting it fall to the floor with a soft thump. Becket followed suit, his coat joining hers in a heap. Their hands roamed, exploring, as if trying to memorize every curve and plane of each other’s bodies. The sudden heat of the house contrasted sharply with the chill still clinging to their skin, adding to the intensity of their touches.

Ruby’s hands found Becket’s, and she began tugging him towards the bedroom, her intentions clear in her eyes. Becket hesitated, his voice husky with desire but tinged with concern. “Ruby, are you sure about this? About us?”

In response, Ruby pulled him down for another searing kiss. When they parted, she met his gaze, her eyes filled with certainty and want. “I’ve never been surer of anything in my life,” she whispered against his lips. “I want you, Becket. All of you.”

They stumbled into the bedroom, leaving a trail of discarded clothing behind them. As they collapsed onto the bed, Ruby marveled at the sensation of Becket’s skin against hers. Each touch, each caress sent electric sparks through her body.

Their lovemaking was both tender and passionate, a perfect reflection of their journey together. Ruby lost herself in the sensation, in the feeling of Becket’s hands on her body, his lips on her skin. She poured all of her emotions into every touch, every kiss, wanting Becket to feel how much he meant to her .

As they moved together, it seemed to Ruby that her heart might burst with the intensity of her feelings. She saw the same emotions reflected in Becket’s eyes—affection, wonder, and a hint of awe, as if he couldn’t quite believe this was real.

Afterwards, they lay tangled together, Ruby’s head resting on Becket’s chest as he traced lazy patterns on her back. The morning sun filtered through the curtains, bathing them in a soft, golden light. Outside, they could hear the town beginning to stir, the distant sounds of early risers discovering their handiwork.

A swell of emotion rose in Ruby’s chest, filling her entire being. She tilted her head up, meeting Becket’s gaze. “You know,” she said, wonder in her voice, “I think I could fall in love with you.”

Becket’s hand stilled, and Ruby held her breath, worried she’d said too much. Then his face broke into a tender smile, his eyes shining with affection. He leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. “I think I could fall in love with you too,” he whispered against her skin.

The admission hung in the air between them, full of promise and possibility. It wasn’t a declaration of love, not yet, but it was a step towards something deep and meaningful. Ruby snuggled closer to Becket, feeling safe and cherished in his arms.

As they drifted off to sleep, wrapped in each other’s embrace, a deep sense of peace settled over Ruby. Her last thought before sleep claimed her was how their mission to carefully replace the decorations of Aspen Cove hadn’t just brightened the town—it had transformed her heart as well.