Sleighed by the Farmer’s Daughter (Sweet Christmas Kisses)

Chapter Seventeen

After securing the reindeer in their assigned pens and stalls, the family gathered in the small square. “Mack, Seth, you two did a fantastic job. We can see how deep the snow was, and we’re in awe that you managed to get all this set up by yourselves,” Allison said, her smile full of pride.

“It was a Christmas miracle, that’s all I can say. I never would have made it without this guy. We make a really great team,” Mack shared, squeezing Seth’s arm.

Just then, vehicles began pulling up, and townspeople, dressed in their Christmas costumes, started piling out. Holly’s sisters, Ivy and Willow, emerged from the barn kitchen to join in the congratulations as everyone marveled at all the work Mack and Seth had done.

Before Seth knew it, he was back at the house, getting ready to help in the village as the final preparations were completed.

“I have a surprise for you,” Mack said, knocking on his bedroom door.

When he opened the door, an elf costume in his size blocked his view of the hall. The tinsel sewn around the edges told him she had made it just for him.

“Mack, this is... wow! I can’t believe you made me my very own elf suit.” He was astonished and at a loss for words.

“To be perfectly honest, I didn’t make it. I only enhanced the design to fit your character. My great-grandmother made this for my great-uncle Frank, who was affectionately known as Frost. It’s a bit of an antique, but the fabric is in good shape and won’t leave you with any important bits hanging out. My family knows you’re wearing it, so they won’t challenge you to any hay bale tosses or anything that will stress the seams too much. I did give them a thorough test, though, and I’m confident they’ll hold. Make sure to wear your thermals underneath, just to be safe.”

“Thank you, Mack. I know how much this means to your family, and I take this as quite a compliment. Please thank your parents for letting me borrow this.”

Allison appeared over Mack’s shoulder. “We were happy to do it, and I’m thrilled Mack personalized it for you. Tinsel is quite an original and fitting name. Here are the largest elf boots I could find. Don’t try to squeeze your feet in if they don’t fit—frostbite wouldn’t be a good look. Your snow boots will be just fine if none of these work.” Clapping her hands together, she made her way back down the hall. “Chop, chop. Daniel is pulling the wagon out in fifteen minutes. We can’t keep our guests waiting.”

The rest of the day passed by in a blur as Seth helped Mack take hundreds of pictures. His job was to collect each family’s information so the images could be shared with them later that day and to help entertain the little ones while their parents took pictures. Four hours seemed like a lot when they started, but it went by in the blink of an eye. Before he knew it, he was helping serve and fill glasses during the Claus dinner party—a wonderful affair that he was proud to have helped make happen.

As the dinner was concluding, Seth snuck off to Peppermint’s Picture Post to check on Mack, who had made an appearance at the dinner and then vanished. Sure enough, she was seated behind a computer, working furiously.

“You look serious. What can I help with?” he asked, noticing the wrinkles on her brow.

“Oh, you are such a godsend! My computer was giving me problems, and I had to update it before I could get this done, which took forever!” She handed him a large basket full of manila envelopes he had filled out with the families’ details earlier. “Will you please start delivering these photo packages to the families?”

“Sure. I’ll be back for more when I get these dispersed,” he said, heading out the door with long strides.

“Make sure you get them to the right family!” Mack hollered as he closed the door.

“Yes, ma’am.”

Thirty minutes later, Mack ran the last package out to a patiently waiting family, who thanked her profusely before departing with the other guests. Townsfolk began gathering their belongings and making their way to their vehicles.

Mrs. Meade, the final committee member to depart, stopped in front of Mack and Seth, who stood arm in arm, breathing in the success of the day. “I just want to say what a wonderful job you did pulling this off, Mackenzie. Any less determined young woman wouldn’t have made it happen this year. I know your family is proud of you, but I want you to know the town Christmas Committee is also extremely proud. And you, young man,” she said, turning to Seth and poking him none too gently in the chest, “I’ll have you know you are breaking my son’s heart. He’s had his cap set on Miss Mackenzie Adams for years now, and you swoop in and take her away in less than a week. You better not hurt her, or you’ll have my son to answer to.” She cupped Mack’s cheek affectionately and strolled away like a queen dismissing her court.

“Wow! She’d make a scary mother-in-law. Do I need to worry about this guy, Allen?” Seth asked, kissing the top of Mack’s head.

“I don’t know. I haven’t seen him in almost a year. Guess you can decide how much competition he’ll be when you meet him at the Christmas Eve service later tonight. He makes a pretty famous version of his grandmother’s Molasses Crinkle Cookie. Everyone already had your gingerbread men, so they’ll no doubt be comparing you two later tonight.”

“If your mom will let me commandeer her kitchen, I could whip up my grandmother’s famous Maple Walnut cookies.”

“I’m sure that could be arranged in an effort to prove which gentleman is worthy of her daughter’s affections.”

“Oh, that’s me all the way, sweetheart. Let there be no doubt in anyone’s mind on that account. Allen slept on his chance at your heart. It took him years to figure out what I knew in days... You are the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with.”

Mack grinned up at him, her heart swelling at his words. “You’d better bring your A-game, then. My mom’s kitchen is yours.”

The rest of the afternoon was spent cleaning up the village, settling things for the remainder of winter, and preparing for the evening festivities.

The Christmas Eve service with the Cloverdale congregation was a heartwarming affair filled with traditional carols and several charming short plays put on by the local youth. The cookie exchange that followed was more of a social gathering, where everyone sampled platters of cookies and enjoyed a variety of hot chocolate flavors.

When the Adams family returned home and prepared for bed, Seth was surprised to find a pair of pajamas covered in leaping reindeer sitting on his bed.

“Mom called the shop owner who sells ours every year and asked if she had any left in stock,” Mack explained from the doorway, her voice soft with affection. “She happened to have one XL left and brought it to church tonight. It might be a little big, but she wanted you to feel included at breakfast tomorrow. Sleep well.”

Seth’s heart swelled with love at the thoughtfulness of this family. He had never experienced anything like this before, and he knew deep down that this was the future he wanted—not just for himself and Mack, but for their future children. He wanted this sense of warmth and belonging for his brothers Eric and Jason too.

As he held the pajamas in his hands, Seth made a promise to himself. He would be a more active part of his family moving forward. His new sister Sarah wouldn’t have to beg him to spend time in Hickory Falls and get to know his niece. This unexpected detour to Cloverdale had opened his eyes to what a real family could be, and he was more grateful than ever for getting stranded on this farm in the middle of nowhere—and for the farmer’s daughter who had completely slain his heart, making him want to be a better man.