Page 41 of Evergreen Christmas
“There’s room close to her, if you’re interested?”
Nate shook his head. “I’m sorry, what?”
Kandy gestured toward the front of the crowd, nearest the stage. “You can get a much better view of Jordyn receiving her award from the foot of the stage than you can from back here.” She rose to her toes, craned her neck and smiled. “Roxie’s muscled her way up to the front. She’s more excited than anyone, I think, to watch Jordyn receive her first-place ribbon.”
Despite the awkward tension coursing through him, Nate managed to smile. “I imagine so. But she’s up there to support Tucker, too.”
“Yes, but as a newcomer, Jordyn’s much more intriguing at the moment, don’t you think?”
Nate faced her then, searching her expression, his mouth twisting at the mischievous light in her eyes. “You know, Ms. Kandy, you Nanas are always up to something, but you act real subtle-like, as though you think the rest of us won’t catch on.” He narrowed his eyes. “I think I’d prefer it if you’d just come out and say whatever it is you’d like to say to me.”
Kandy at least had the good grace to look suitably chastised. “I know we Nanas are sticking our noses where we shouldn’t, but we have concerns.”
Nate lifted one eyebrow. “Which would be . . . ?”
“Jordyn hasn’t been here long and she hasn’t met many people,” Kandy said quietly. “But it seems she’s taken a liking to you.”
Nate faced the stage again, remaining silent.
“The other day,” Kandy continued, “she mentioned to us that she was going to talk to you about her interest in you. And judging by how down she’s been the past couple days, I’m thinking she had that conversation with you?”
Nate sighed. “I’m aware this is a very tiny town, Ms. Kandy, but I don’t see how my personal business is anyone else’s concern.”
“I agree,” she said. “And it shouldn’t be. But that kiss Jordyn put on your cheek the other day was witnessed by quite a lot of people, and word of it has made its way around town. I care about Jordyn—so do the rest of the girls—and we’re doing everything we can to help her settle comfortably in Noel. That would be quite a lot harder to do if someone were to break her heart right off the bat.”
Nate watched Jordyn take her place, center stage, and smile as Tucker and Mason joined her, one man standing on either side of her. Holly announced each winner, starting with Mason and ending with Jordyn, pinning a ribbon on her syrup-stained sweater beneath the thick blanket that was wrapped around her. Jordyn, beaming, lifted her chin and grinned wide as the crowd chanted her name.
“Jordyn is a good person,” Nate said softly. “And I’m glad she’s my neighbor. I have absolutely no intention of making things difficult for her or misleading her in any way.”
Kandy tapped her lips with one finger, issuing a soft sound of discomfort. “Well, see, that’s why I wonder if you were completely truthful with her during your talk the other day.”
Nate frowned. “I’m not sure I follow?”
“What I mean is,” she said, “from what Jordyn told us, you made it rather clear that you aren’t interested in pursuing a potential relationship with her. But for someone who supposedly isn’t interested, I’ve noticed you keep quite a lot of your attention on her.”
Nate knew better than to give Kandy any more ammunition, so he remained quiet.
“I’m not trying to pry,” Kandy said. “And this will be the only time I say this to you. Carol Belle, Eve, and I have known you all your life, Nate. I know you went through a very difficult time losing Macy. Carol Belle and I have suffered the loss of a spouse and know just how painful the experience can be. Life can be terribly cruel—especially when it steals those we love from us. I understand your throwing yourself into this Christmas competition since it was Macy’s favorite time of year, but I don’t think you enjoy it. To be honest, that’s one of the main reasons Carol Belle has tried her best to get you to bow out of the Christmas competition this year.”
Nate looked at her in surprise. “But I thought she wanted to increase participation and—”
“Yes.” She smiled gently. “That’s exactly what Carol Belle would like you to think—that she just doesn’t want you to win the Christmas Crown for the tenth year in a row. The truth is, she’s spoken to us on many occasions about how seriously you take the contest and the holidays. She’s afraid you may be participating for the wrong reasons. We all do.”
Nate scoffed. “How could anybody participate in a Christmas competition for the wrong reasons? I didn’t realize having fun wasn’t a good reason.”
“Oh, it is. But are you having fun, Nate?”
Her question, blunt and unexpected, caught him off guard . . . almost as much as the realization that he didn’t exactly have a firm answer.
He ducked his head and avoided her eyes.
“I think participating in the Christmas competition has become a period of mourning for you rather than joy,” she whispered. “Winning the Christmas Crown in honor of Macy’s memory is a very valiant and loving thing to do. But devoting the entire year, every year of your life, to her memory may be depriving you of a new life.” She looked at the stage, smiling as her gaze settled on Jordyn. “A new life with new people who might bring more joy to you than you realize.”
Nate followed her gaze, focusing on Jordyn as well. She bowed in tandem with Tucker and Mason, then high-fived both of them, all three laughing.
An ache unfurled in his chest and seeped into his veins, making him long to celebrate with her. To smile and laugh with her. To be a part of the cheerful moment.
“Life can be scary and painful,” Kandy said quietly next to him. “But I’m beginning to believe that the unexpected gifts it gives us along the way, especially when we’re not looking for them . . .” She sighed contentedly, her gaze straying toward someone in the crowd. “Might make it worth it in the end.”
