Page 24 of Evergreen Christmas
The Nanas had also arranged for Jordyn’s chimney to be repaired at a fraction of the cost she would’ve spent had she done the hiring herself.
All in all, Jordyn had settled into her new home in record time. Last night she’d enjoyed a warm fire (without billowing smoke!) in the living room, rested comfortably on her cushy new sofa, and after relaxing for a bit, had crawled into bed, pulled the soft comforter up to her chin, and slept more soundly than she ever had in her life.
“I mean it,” Jordyn said, squeezing Kandy’s hand once more. “It’s not just the material things y’all helped me pick out. It’s your presence. It’s so nice to have your help and company. I’d be honored to be able to call all of you my friends.”
Kandy beamed. “We feel exactly the same, dear.”
“Well, then.” Jordyn rubbed her hands together briskly, shifted the truck in gear, and started driving down the road. “The least I can do after everything y’all have done for me is listen closely and abide by the rules of today’s contest.” Turning onto the main road, she grinned. “Shoot away, Kandy.”
During the short drive from Chestnut Ridge to Noel’s town square, Kandy gave her a rundown on the ins and outs of the Snowman Fight contest. It was difficult for Jordyn to concentrate, however, as the passing scenery—impressive on any day but mesmerizing on a snow day!—demanded her attention.
“You have twenty minutes to build your snowman, that’s all,” Kandy said. “But the difficulty level will be at an all-time high for you, since you’re doing this on your own. You won’t have time to make even a fraction of the ammunition the other teams will have at their disposal.”
Jordyn, distracted by the dazzling snowflakes that peppered the windshield, frowned. “Ammunition?”
Kandy nodded. “Snowballs the size of your head, I’m telling you, will be lobbed your way from everyone! Especially the Stones.”
“Stones?” Jordyn’s mouth gaped open. “They throw rocks during this thing?”
Kandy laughed. “No! I’m talking about the Stone family. They’re your biggest competition apart from Nate, and you’ll need to be alert at all times around them.” Her tone turned serious. “And don’t let the Stone children fool you. They might be young, but they show no mercy and they’re devilish. Downright devilish!”
Jordyn hid a smile. Boy, Noel’s residents sure seemed to take this Christmas competition seriously, but surely it wasn’t as aggressive as Kandy suggested. After all, it was a Christmas contest!
“I’ll be fine, Kandy.” She patted the older woman’s knee for good measure as she parked the truck among the other vehicles surrounding the town square. “No need to worry. I can handle myself.” She glanced at the energetic scene before them and grinned. “Now, let’s get out there and join the party!”
And, she discovered shortly, it was indeed a party.
Dozens of people, gathered in small groups, were positioned throughout the snowy town square, huddling close amid the blustery wind, casting glances all around to check out the competition while rubbing their gloved hands in anticipation. The stage the Nanas had used to kick off the Christmas competition two days ago was still positioned in the center of the town square and Eve, Carol Belle, and Holly stood near the microphone, waiting for all participants to arrive so they could begin the contest. When they noticed her, they waved, their faces lighting up.
Smiling, Jordyn waved back.
“Now, you’re sure you are warm enough?” Kandy, who had walked with Jordyn to the edge of the town square, got busy, checking Jordyn’s attire. She tugged at Jordyn’s gloves, fluffed her scarf higher on her neck, and verified that all of the buttons on her jacket were properly fastened to ward off the cold. “And one more thing,” she said, pulling a green, knitted wool hat from her purse. “Keeping the head covered helps keep the body warmer, and we don’t want you catching a cold now, do we?”
Feeling treasured, Jordyn closed her eyes and smiled as Kandy gently tugged the hat into place on Jordyn’s head, then tucked her long red waves over her shoulders. The older woman’s touch was caring and kind, much as Jordyn imagined a mother’s hands would be.
“Now, you’re all set.” Kandy squeezed her shoulders. “Just don’t forget that you need to be on your guard against the snowballs just as much as you must focus on building the snowman. Twenty minutes. That’s all the time you have to build.”
Jordyn hugged her and grinned. “No problem. How hard can it be?”
The expression of consternation on Kandy’s face said it all.
“Okay, folks!” Carol Belle’s voice echoed with authority across the town square. “It’s time to begin. Take your places, please.”
Jordyn hugged Kandy and thanked her one more time, then dashed across the town square, glancing around her for an empty spot in the snow to build her snowman. Toward the center of the town square, near the stage, Roxie stood with Nate and Tucker. When the little girl noticed Jordyn, her hand shot up in the air, waving feverishly.
“Ms. Jordyn!” Roxie was waving both hands in the air now, beckoning Jordyn over. “We saved you a spot over here! Come and join us!”
Jordyn hustled over, weaving between the teams as she went, bounding across the freshly fallen snow. When she reached them, she smiled down at Roxie. “Merry Christmas, Roxie! I’m glad to see you here this snowy afternoon.”
Roxie, just as cute as ever in her festive Christmas cardigan and knitted wool cap, beamed up at Jordyn. “You’ve got the same hat as me. ’Cept yours is in a different color.”
Jordyn gently tapped the tip of Roxie’s nose. “Seems we do. Did you by any chance get yours from one of the Nanas?”
Roxie nodded. “Yes, ma’am. Ms. Kandy gave it to me.”
“That’s where mine came from as well. You wear yours beautifully. The color red suits you.”
Roxie blushed. “I like your green one. It matches your eyes.” She looked away briefly, then pointed to an empty area nearby. “We saved you a spot to build your snowman right over there.”
