Page 71 of Evergreen Christmas
With that, Carol Belle tugged her hat lower on her head, walked across the porch and down the front steps, then charged across the grounds, following the procession of lanterns as they surrounded the festively decorated tree.
Jordyn and the other Nanas followed her, jogging to catch up, then jerking to a stop as they reached the crowd of people who’d encircled the tree.
The crowd parted as they approached, and Noel’s residents lifted the lanterns they held higher in the air, smiling at Jordyn and the Nanas as they called out in a cheery chorus, “Merry Christmas!”
Kandy, walking beside Jordyn as they made their way through the crowd toward the tree, squeezed Jordyn’s hand. “What in the world is going on?”
Jordyn shook her head, her eyes roving over the familiar faces surrounding them. “I have no idea,” she whispered.
But then, as they reached a small clearing in front of the tree, Jordyn noticed Nate and Roxie standing in front of her perfect Fraser fir, broad smiles on their faces and an elegant silver crown cradled in Roxie’s hands.
“Seeing as how Noel’s winning Christmas tree isn’t in the town square this year,” Nate said, smiling, “we, as a community, discussed it and decided we would bring the party to Chestnut Ridge instead.”
Heart pounding, Jordyn drank in the sight of him. He looked as handsome and dashing as ever, dressed in a stylish pair of jeans, long-sleeved, white dress shirt and sherpa-lined jacket. But it was the look in his blue eyes that captured her attention as he strode across the distance separating them, lowered his head and whispered in her ear, “Merry Christmas, Jordyn with ay.”
She placed her hands on his arms to steady herself, then looked up at him, searching his expression. “What are you doing here?” She glanced around, her gaze roving over the dozens and dozens of people who smiled back at her expectantly. “What is everyone doing here?”
Nate smiled down at her. “We have discussed it and decided that we are going to refuse to accept your withdrawal from the Christmas tree contest.”
Jordyn, confused, shook her head. “What do you mean?”
“I mean,” he said, a teasing note in his voice, “we’ve decided to officially designate Fabio as Noel’s permanent town Christmas tree.” At her stunned silence, he continued, “You were right about one thing. This tree should remain exactly where it is and be allowed to grow. And every year, instead of cutting a tree down and bringing it to the town square, we’re going to undertake the trip to this tree at Chestnut Ridge and celebrate its beauty right where it grows.”
Excited murmurs arose from the Nanas, who stood several feet behind Jordyn, tears in their eyes as they smiled at the townsfolk and issued words of thanks.
Nate glanced past Jordyn to the Nanas and asked softly, “That is, if it’s okay with you, Nanas?”
Carol Belle shook her head, a smile brightening her expression. “It’s not okay. It’s absolutely wonderful!”
Nate chuckled. “And seeing as how I’ve brought you just about the whole town to celebrate this year’s Christmas competition, Ms. Carol Belle, does that mean you forgive me for hogging the Christmas Crown all these years?”
Carol Belle laughed, too. “I suppose so. You are officially forgiven, Nate Reed.”
“Then there’s just one thing left to do,” Nate said, glancing over his shoulder and smiling at Roxie.
Roxie, wearing a beautiful white Christmas dress and elegant red coat with her long blond curls flowing loosely around her shoulders, walked over and smiled as she lifted the crown in her hands toward Jordyn. “Congratulations on winning the Christmas Crown this year, Ms. Jordyn!”
Jordyn placed a hand on her chest, right over her heart, trying to calm its frantic beating. She sank to her knees in front of Roxie and smiled hesitantly. “But . . . this was supposed to be your tenth crown, Roxie.”
Roxie, smiling, shook her head. “No, ma’am. This is our first crown.” She glanced up at Nate and winked. “Yours, mine, and Daddy’s.”
Jordyn’s eyes shot to Nate’s, the tenderness in his expression bringing fresh tears of joy to her eyes.
“The first crown of many,” he whispered softly. He reached out, lifted the crown from Roxie’s hands and placed it on Jordyn’s head. Then he took Jordyn’s hand in his, tugged her gently to her feet and pulled her close, wrapping his arms tightly around her.
She looked up at him, barely able to catch her breath as she struggled to focus on his handsome face.
He lowered his forehead against hers and whispered tenderly, “I love you, Jordyn. Almost from the moment we first met. I’m just sorry it took so long for me to take the chance and reach out.”
She traced the curve of his strong jaw with her fingertip. “What made you change your mind?”
“The sacrifice you made for Roxie and for me.” He smiled gently. “It takes someone in love to be willing to walk away from what they want, to serve the needs of someone else. And when we spoke the other night in the town square parking lot, you mentioned that you were worried Roxie’s heart might break if I changed my mind about our relationship down the road, but you never mentioned anything about changing yours.” He cradled her face with his palms, his skin warm against her cheeks. “It occurred to me then that you might already love me, too. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be so certain that your feelings for me wouldn’t change later on.”
She grinned, her heart overflowing. “And you’re quite certain that I love you?”
He grinned back. “Yes, that’s one thing I’m absolutely sure of. And that’s all that matters because my love for you will never change either. No matter what challenge we might face in the future, we’ll work our way through it together.” He pulled her closer, his chest pressing against hers, their hearts beating in tandem. “There’s nothing I want more than to spend this Christmas—and every one that comes after—with you.”
Heart full to bursting, Jordyn smiled and cupped his face in her hands. “I really do love you, Neighbor Nate.”
