The Snuggle is Real (Christmas Falls: Season 2)

Chapter 1

CHAPTER 1

Mason

Holy fuck.

The folks who hired me weren’t kidding when they said Christmas Falls went all out.

I gazed up at the towering Christmas tree strangled in strings of multi-colored bulbs awaiting the official flick of the switch at the treelighting ceremony tonight.

Even more impressive, though, was the number of people packed into this little park. When I’d interviewed for my position as director of the Holiday Hope Foundation, I’d laughed off warnings about how wild the season got.

“I’m from the Ozarks,” I’d said. “I know all about tourism.”

Truth be told, though, I’d lived in a smaller lake town, and even at the height of the summer season, it couldn’t compare to the absolute gaudy flair that was Christmas Falls.

All the streets had Christmas-themed names. So did the businesses. Jolly Java. Dancing Sugar Plums. Jingle Bites. The Snowflake Shack. The list went on and on. Even the dang airport was named Reindeer Runway.

And the decorations…well, they put the little roofline twinkly lights I used to install back home to shame. Large inflatables. Rooftop Santas. Flashing lights and animatronics.

These people went all out. And it wasn’t even Thanksgiving yet!

I was awed by it. A little horrified. But a lot impressed.

“Mason!” Griffin Calloway called, waving me over.

I tore my gaze from the holiday spectacle, adjusted the box under my arm, and jogged across the park. Griff was the events coordinator for the massive festival the town thrived on. When he called, you dashed o’er the fucking fields to get to him.

As the new guy in town, I was still working to forge the connections I needed to expand my organization. Holiday Hope Foundation had grown out of a small grassroots effort that included a coat drive, an angel tree, and few odds and ends programs.

My job was to develop it into one cohesive mission. But that also meant raising awareness about some of the changes in the works.

Hence why I was here, wagging my tail for Griff. Well, that and he was a fine-looking man. Taken, sadly, by another fine-looking man. Both of them were solid tens. Me? I was a six. Seven on a spectacular hair day.

I was too damn short and thin to turn many heads. Unless they were concerned the wind was about to blow me away. Always a valid concern in Illinois in the winter.

“Hey, Griff. How’s it going?”

“Well, no bulbs have burned out yet this year, knock on wood.”

He rapped on the table…which was made of plastic. I wasn’t sure if that would bring good or bad luck, but I was glad I wasn’t in Griff’s shoes.

I placed my box of brochures and donation forms onto the table. “I take it this is where I set up?”

“Yeah. You’ll have to share the table with Marlene, our volunteer coordinator. Hope that works for you.”

“Sure, yeah.”

“Good, because you’re not getting anything else.” He winked playfully.

When I first arrived in town, Griff’s reputation preceded him. He was a strict taskmaster who tolerated no nonsense in his festival planning. I’d been nervous to ask him if the foundation could take a more active part in the festival, given that everyone said Griff was inflexible.

But either he’d mellowed a lot in the last year or people had vastly exaggerated. He’d been happy to fit me in.

“There’s the deputy mayor,” Griff said. “I’ve got to run!”

“O”—Griff was already gone—“kay.”

The deputy mayor, Taylor Hall, stood by the stage with— whoa, was that the star of Merry Me, Santa ?

My eyeballs nearly fell out of my head as I stared at Heath Kelly, former soap actor, Hallmark heartthrob, and most exciting of all, the male lead in their last three queer-themed holiday movies.

Eeek!

“Are you okay, dear?”

I jolted out of an embarrassing fantasy that had recast me as Heath’s costar in a swoony kiss scene. “Uh, I was just…”

“Drooling over the movie star?” Marlene guessed with a chuckle. “I noticed.”

My face heated, and I turned my attention to unloading my box of supplies. I set up little plastic stands to better display copies of the brochures, donation forms, and applications for help.

Beside me, Marlene got busy with her own volunteer signup.

“I would think you’d already have all your volunteers by now,” I said.

“You would, wouldn’t you?” she said mildly. “But we always have a few last-minute scheduling conflicts. You can never have too many volunteers.”

I smiled. “That sounds about right.”

Soon, Marlene was inundated by friendly townspeople.

“Marlene! So good to see you. The tree looks gorgeous this year. I can’t wait to see it all lit up!”

“Hi, Marlene! Find me later. I’ve got some juicy gossip!”

“Marlene, don’t you just love how happy Griff looks this year? Gosh, he and Logan are adorable!”

I glanced across the park, and sure enough, Logan had wrapped his arms around Griff from behind and was whispering in his ear. Griff freaking glowed enough to compete with that tree once the lights came on.

I sighed wistfully. I was focusing on my career right now. I didn’t need a man. But I wouldn’t mind snuggling in against a broad chest now and again.

Marlene’s visitors took my brochures too, and soon half of them were gone.

“Maybe they should have hired you to lead the nonprofit,” I joked.

Marlene laughed. “Oh, honey, I’ve got quite enough on my plate already.”

A hush came over the audience, and the mayor stepped up to the microphone to introduce Heath Kelly.

“I’m so glad to finally be here with you all in Christmas Falls,” Heath said in his smoky smooth voice. “This is such a lovely way to start the season.”

There was cheering and applause.

“I know I’m pretty,” he joked, “but how about we light this tree and give you something really beautiful to see?”

“It’s unlikely to compare, but sure,” I muttered.

There was a deep, rusty chuckle near me. I whipped my head to the side, eyes widening at the mountain of a man who stood there.

“You’re a fan, huh?”

A fan of your broad chest? Yes, sir.

“Um.”

He pulled one hand out of the pocket of his thick flannel and waved it toward the stage. “The movie guy.”

“Oh.” I nodded. “Yeah, he’s talented.”

The guy smirked. “Not sure his talent is what you really appreciate.”

Marlene piped up. “Don’t you give Mason a hard time. He’s a sweetheart.”

He held up his hands. “No hard time given. I don’t see the appeal myself, but I’m open-minded.” His gaze flicked to my brochures and away. “I’m just here to help with the cleanup after the event. Gotta get work where I can during the winter months.”

“Oh, do you need an application?” I asked, hopeful.

I wouldn’t mind an excuse to see this guy again. Even if he was obviously straight and uninterested.

“Nah,” he said. “I live alone. Not much need to squander your funds on me when you could help out a family.”

“Well, there’s no family requirement. If you need help, then you do.”

His dark eyes met mine. “I don’t need any help. I get by just fine.”

The tree blazed to life, capturing my attention as red, blue, and green lights flickered over the park and the crowd cheered.

When I glanced back, he was already walking away.

“Don’t mind Ford,” Marlene said. “He’s a proud man. Wants to take care of himself.”

“We all need a little help sometime,” I murmured.

“I couldn’t agree more.” A sweet guy I recognized from the new chocolate shop, Jingle Bites, brushed his blond bangs out of his eyes. “Can you tell me about how this foundation of yours works? I can help spread the word.”

“Hey, Milo. Thanks for stopping by.”

He smiled. “Of course.”

I launched into an explanation of our services—the traditional winter coats and hats, holiday meals, toy drives, and gifting programs, as well as my plan to incorporate more business sponsorships so we could serve the community with more flexibility.

“Perfect.” Milo scooped up a couple of brochures and donation forms. “I’ll just take these in case I run across anyone in need.”

Traffic to my table had slowed down once the Christmas tree lights came up. The hot cocoa and cookie stations were getting all the action now.

But my friend Elias, who worked at the animal shelter, came over.

“Hey, Mason. I didn’t know you were working a table tonight.”

I smiled. “Yep. I was just telling Milo about our programs.”

Elias cast Milo a distracted look. “Right, sorry for interrupting. Love those designer truffles you do.”

I agreed. “That Irish Coffee one is freaking life-changing !”

Milo lit up. “That’s so sweet. Thank you.” He cast a worried glance in Elias’s direction. “But are you okay? You look a little frazzled.”

Elias did look stressed.

“It’s been a rough few days,” Elias admitted. “We had a pipe burst at the shelter, and now we need repairs. There’s so many insurance headaches. And I’ve been so busy trying to get the pets fostered and out of there that I haven’t had the chance to find a contractor.”

He handed me a flier that advertised pop-up pet adoption events.

“Maybe I can help,” I said.

“You want to foster a dog? I thought you’d never ask.”

I laughed. “Uh, well, I was going to offer to take some of your fliers. If anyone else comes by, I’ll hand them out too.”

“I can take some too,” Milo offered.

“Thanks, guys. You’re the best.” He handed Milo a couple of fliers, then set a stack on my table. “But I’ll be in touch about that dog. You’ve got that big old house, and you’re all alone. You need a new friend for the holidays.”

“I thought you discouraged pets as holiday gifts.”

“Oh, I do,” Elias said. “This dog won’t be a gift. He or she will be your Christmas Falls family.”

The house had felt empty, especially as the holiday season approached and I knew my own family would remain out of reach.

“Fine,” I said, “but only to foster over the holidays, okay? Not permanently.”

He chuckled. “Oh, that’s how it starts. Soon, you’ll be begging to keep your little fur baby.”

I rolled my eyes. “I doubt that. But hey, maybe you can get Milo to adopt one.”

Elias turned to ask Milo, but he’d wandered off sometime while we were talking.

“Damn, he got away,” Elias muttered.

I laughed. “Find me after the event wraps up and we’ll grab a beer. You need to relax.”

“It’s good advice,” Marlene said. “You boys are too wound up. Things always work out in Christmas Falls. It’s a magical season.”

We exchanged a dubious look. The season always seemed magical to people, but they didn’t see what went on behind the scenes at agencies like ours.

We didn’t just magic up donations and services. It took dedication and hard work.

That’s why the foundation had hired me to be their first full-time director. It’s why they wanted to strengthen their mission and fundraising.

People needed hope, and we had to find a way to deliver it.

I thought of Ford, who’d so quickly dismissed himself as worthy of aid. I thought of the stack of applications back in my office, some of which we might not be able to fulfill.

If only we could help everyone. That would be a real miracle.