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“I’ve only got a couple days. I have some media appearances and promos I need to do.”

“Sounds like we’ll have to cram in all the festive fun this town has to offer as quickly as possible,” Maye said, raising a cup.

They tapped cups to cheers their two peppermint mochas.

As they strolled the downtown streets, businesses were changing their window displays to holiday scenes, festive music squawked from speakers that were conspicuously placed in bushes and shrubs, and the street lights were wrapped with red and white ribbon like super-sized candy canes. The transformation of Main Street to Candy Cane Lane was in full effect.

“Want to check out the Christmas market?” Maye asked as they approached the Downtown Christmas Market sign.

“You know I do,” Chris said, taking it all in. “So all the vendors just stay through the holiday season?”

“Most do, yeah,” Maye said. “They redecorate their booths and bring in their holiday items, their reindeer antlers, their mistletoe…”

Chris flashed his eyebrows. “Well, what are we waiting for?” He grabbed her hand and started into the market.

“Step right up! Make-n-take ornaments, here!” a vendor called out from behind her table. “June’s got you covered. Custom ornaments, hea!”

Maye followed Chris as he made his way to ‘June’s Make Your Own Ornament’ crafting table as June continued hawking her goods.

“I’ve got wood slices with clean edges, wood slices with bark edges, clear globes with snow, clear globes without snow, popsicle sticks, unused of course, beads, ribbons, corks…everything you need to make that special someone the perfect ornament this season.”

“Feeling crafty this morning?” Maye asked, picking up a paint brush.

They spent the next fifteen minutes decorating an ornament. Maye was excited to surprise Chris by designing one for him. She held it behind her back to keep it a surprise when she finished.

“All done?” she asked. “Let’s see it.”

“You first,” he said, covering his creation with his hands.

“No, you,” she said.

“Okay, together,” he proposed. “In 3…2…1…”

Maye held up a globe ornament that she had painted snowflakes on. In the middle, she painted a friendly ghost wearing a Santa hat that was all tangled up in colorful Christmas lights.

“Aw, it’s a spooky Christmas ghost,” he said.

Maye got her first look at his ornament and it nearly took her breath away.

“Here,” he said, handing her a wood slice with rough bark edges that said “Our First Christmas.”

“You two need a picture,” June said. “Come on over to this side where the light’s real good.” June ushered them to the side of her table and directed them until she had them right where she needed. “Look up,” she said, giggling.

Maye looked up to see mistletoe aligned perfectly above them.

“That’s a pro move, June,” Chris said, as he turned to face Maye.

Maye handed June her phone and caught a glimpse of June winking at her as she squared up with Chris. She would have been knotted with anxiety in this situation if this were their first kiss. “Can you hold this?” Maye handed Chris her ornament so both of his hands were occupied, then she placed her hands on his cheeks and planted a kiss right on his lips, holding it until June had enough time to snap a few photos.

When she pulled back and opened her eyes, Chris looked stunned.

“Are you blushing?” She teased.

“It’s just that…” he said, slightly bashful. “It sounds funny to say, but I’ve never been kissed quite like that.”

“That’s quite a compliment, hon,” June said, handing Maye her phone. “He’s probably been kissed so many times. Probably dozens.”

“Okay, June,” Maye tried to dissuade her from saying anything more. “Thanks for that.”