Sleigh Bells and Dragon Spells (Whispering Pines #8)

Chapter 39

THIRTY-NINE

T he community center sparkled like a winter wonderland. White lights draped from exposed beams created a canopy of stars overhead, while paper snowflakes danced from silver threads. Briar paused in the doorway, drinking in the transformation Luna had created. Christmas trees dotted the space, each uniquely decorated, their bases piled with brightly wrapped gifts.

“Luna outdid herself this time,” Daisy declared, appearing beside Briar with a box of what appeared to be ghost-shaped cookie cutters. Her pink hair caught the twinkling lights. “Though I still say we should’ve included a séance station.”

“Because nothing says ‘cozy winter night’ like summoning spirits,” Briar teased, following her friend inside. The scent of gingerbread and sugar cookies mingled with fresh pine, creating an intoxicating holiday perfume.

Activity stations had been set up around the room. A long table held supplies for gingerbread house construction while another displayed rows of sugar cookies waiting to be decorated. Easels formed a half-circle near the windows, each equipped with a blank canvas and paints.

“Over here!” Molly waved from the refreshment area where she’d arranged towers of holiday cupcakes alongside steaming carafes of hot chocolate. Next to her, Ivy had created an elaborate tea service complete with delicate snowflake-shaped cookies and petit fours.

“Is that... breakfast for dinner?” Briar’s eyes widened at the spread of waffles, pancakes, and French toast.

“Luna said comfort food brings people together.” Celeste approached, already munching on a piece of bacon. “And nothing’s more comforting than breakfast food.”

The room filled quickly as more women arrived. Mari and Tabitha headed straight for the painting station while Ellie and Fia claimed spots at the gingerbread table. Elsie settled into a cozy armchair, knitting needles already clicking away as she supervised the festivities.

“Before everyone gets too busy,” Luna called for attention, her silver-streaked hair gleaming in the magical light, “I have something for each of you.” She began distributing small packages wrapped in shimmering paper.

Briar opened hers to find a delicate crystal vial filled with swirling golden liquid. “Dragon’s tear essence,” Luna explained. “For when you need to understand what can’t be said with words.”

“Speaking of dragons,” Daisy piped up, icing smeared across one cheek, “how’s yours doing? We noticed the cabin’s looking a bit empty lately.”

Heat crept into Briar’s cheeks. “We decided he should move into my house in town. The cabin can be our getaway spot when we need peace and quiet.”

“Or when his dragon side needs to stretch its wings?” Ivy suggested with a knowing smile.

“That too.” Briar grabbed a waffle to hide her grin. “Though he’s getting better at being around people. Yesterday he actually volunteered to help decorate the town square.”

“Volunteered, or you volunteered him?” Ellie asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Same difference.”

Laughter rippled through the group. “You’ve worked miracles with that one,” Elsie commented, her knitting needles never pausing. “When he first came to town, he barely spoke two words to anyone.”

“He needed someone to believe in him,” Briar said softly. “To show him that love isn’t weakness.”

“Speaking of love...” Molly appeared at her elbow, holding out a special cupcake decorated with tiny golden dragons. “Want a peek at what’s ahead?”

Briar hesitated only a moment before taking a bite. The vision bloomed behind her eyes—a Christmas morning years from now. She saw herself and Falkor surrounded by children, some with his golden eyes, others clearly adopted, all radiating joy as they opened presents by a twinkling tree. The scene filled her heart near to bursting.

“Good things coming?” Molly asked, noting Briar’s misty eyes.

“The best things.”

“Any wedding bells in those plans?” Mari inquired, abandoning her half-finished painting to join them.

Briar shook her head. “We’re not rushing. After everything he’s been through, the fact that he’s opened his heart at all is miracle enough. Besides,” she grinned, “I still need to teach him proper Christmas cookie decorating technique. Marriage can wait until he masters construction-paper snowflake cutting.”

“That could take centuries,” Tabitha joked. “Have you seen what he did to those poor gingerbread men?”

“They’re not that bad,” Briar protested loyally.

“Honey, they look like they’ve been through dragon fire,” Daisy pointed out. “Which, considering the source...”

More laughter bubbled up as they gathered around the various stations. Fia proved to have a hidden talent for gingerbread architecture while Celeste’s attempts at painting kept mysteriously incorporating random explosions of glitter. Ivy brewed special teas that made the drinker temporarily speak in carol lyrics, leading to increasingly ridiculous conversations.

“Thank you,” Briar murmured to Luna as they watched Daisy and Mari engage in a frosting duel. “Not just for tonight, but for making me feel welcome from day one. The orphanage I grew up in taught me the importance of community, of having people who care. Finding that here, with all of you...” She gestured to their laughing friends. “It means everything.”

Luna squeezed her hand. “You give as much as you receive, dear. The children at the orphanage adore you, and you’ve helped heal more than just Falkor’s heart. This town is brighter because you’re in it.”

“Group hug!” Daisy declared, overhearing them. Before anyone could protest, they found themselves wrapped in a many-armed embrace, giggling like schoolgirls.

The evening continued with an exchange of gag gifts—enchanted mistletoe that ran from potential kissers, a sweater that played off-key carols, a coffee mug that insisted on adding progressively more sugar to every drink. Through it all, Briar’s heart swelled with gratitude. These women had become more than friends—they were family, bound together by love, magic, and the occasional frosting disaster.