Page 9 of Falling Like Snow

My gaze flits to his. Again, he knows. I nod, swiping at the stupid rogue tear escaping the corner of my eye.

Winter has always been my favorite season, but it hasn’t been the same since Dad died three years ago. The first December without him, Mom and I were too devastated to celebrate Christmas. We didn’t even acknowledge it that year. Since then, I’ve learned how to compartmentalize and enjoy the best parts of the season—Dad’s favorite parts of the season—the pretty lights and holiday music, the snow blanketing the town, the overall glee.

But lingering memories of Dad haunt Bramble Falls, triggering unshakable sorrow at the most unexpected moments. Because that’s grief—unpredictable and unstable. It creeps, writhes, and whispers. Explodes, bludgeons, and screams. It’s a wound that won’t clot even when the bleeding slows. And those random sucker punches of heartache tend to happen more frequently in winter because it was our season—mine and Dad’s—full of traditions and laughter and immeasurable love. Winter is when everything reminds me of what I lost when his heart failed us.

My relationship with the season is complicated, so, yeah, as much as I love it here in Bramble Falls, escaping to New York might have been about more than just seeing the city.

Asher wipes another tear I didn’t realize had fallen. “Okay, how about this…,” he says. “What if we go to New York City over spring break? The inn will be up and running by then, so I should be able to go with you too. I know it’s not Christmastime and isn’t the getaway you need now, but it’s soon-ish. And it’ll be warmer.”

“Ellis would probably be thrilled with that. She seemed relieved when I called her after the meeting and told her we couldn’t go now…” She hasn’t exactly been itching to return to New York ever since her fight with her dad last month. Ellis moved here in the fall when her parents separated, but she only decided to stay in Bramble Falls after she learned her dad had betrayed their family. Still, she’s been willing to go back for me. “Yeah, all right. A girls’ trip would have been fun, but I would rather see the city for the first time with you anyway.”

“Okay, good. Then it’s settled. Now, let’s go get hot chocolate at the Caffeinated Cat. We’re going to need fuel for the tree-lighting ceremony prep we’re about to do all night.” Asher stands and pulls me up before I can respond. “And, hey, I know your feelings about this month are complex, but let’s make the most of being stuck here. We’ll make new memories. Happy ones. Okay?”

I throw my arms around him. “Why are you so good to me?”

“Because I am amazing. You sure got lucky getting me as your best friend,” he says with a smile in his voice.

“Now you sound like Jake,” I mutter into his jacket.

He pinches my arm. “Take it back.”

I tighten my hold on my best friend. “Never.” I finally let him go and grab my coat. “Thank you,” I tell him, knowing I don’t have to explain what I’m so grateful for.

“You’re welcome.”

“I love you.”

He gives me the softest smile. “I know.”

As we head outside into the cold, for the first time since Mom announced the last-minute Falling Snow Festival I’m not full of dread. Yes, I’m devastated about New York, but I will get there. And, just like always, Asher will be my rock while I hold on to the wistful memories and create new ones. With him by my side, talking me down when I’m spiraling and ensuring I have my daily dose of sugar, I’ll help Mom plan the most incredible December Bramble Falls has ever seen.

Chapter Three

The commons smells like burnt grilled cheese and waffle fries when I join my friends at lunch on Monday.

With an enthusiastic grin, I set my brown paper bag on the table and slide in next to Hannah. “Happy December first!”

“There’s nothing happy about December first,” Preeti groans. “It means finals are coming up.”

“It also means winter break is around the corner, though,” Hannah reminds her, deeply focused on peeling an orange.

“So, what’s the word?” Asher asks from across the table. “Do we have an official Falling Snow Festival schedule?”

Mom spent all of yesterday on the phone while typing frantically into a spreadsheet. I was awoken at two in the morning to her shouting, “Hallelujah! It’s done!” Before I left for school, she handed me a sloppily written list to share with my friends.

“We do.” I pull the sheet of paper from my jeans pocket and slide it to him. He unfolds it, and everyone leans over to read.

December 1: Tree-lighting ceremony

December 5: Jingle and Jam

December 13: Christmas Light Spectacular at the reindeer farm

December 14: Snowman-making contest

December 19: Show in the Snow

December 20: Holiday Market