THE ANNUAL CHRISTMAS Eve event at the inn is a way bigger deal than I thought. When I first arrived, Sky told me the whole town attends, but I just didn’t think he meant literally the whole town. I should’ve known, though; the 10K race for the hospital showed me that Stowe turns out for events. That, and Jesse has been talking about what a big production this party is for the past month.
But it’s not until two days before Christmas, when volunteers start materializing by the carload to donate their supplies and their time, that I fully grasp the scope of this tradition.
I have never seen so many people working together to build something so magical. The local music store brought a stage that their employees are helping to set up now for a concert performance by the high school show choir. At least twenty-five families showed up early this morning with thousands of strands of lights, which they’re now wrapping around the trees lining one of the trails behind the inn for a mile-long horse-drawn carriage ride through the woods. (Jesse’s friend, Will, and a few other residents with horses will bring them over in trailers on the big day.)
The owners of Milk & Maple are here too, setting up a drink cart that will serve hot chocolate. Beside it, a local bar, Hannigan’s, set up another drink cart that will provide hot adult beverages. Jesse has a whole list of food trucks offering dinner and dessert that will arrive the night of. Two men are wheeling in a gazebo on a truck past me to set up for Santa and his elves, and several others are bringing in insulated tents and space heaters to keep guests comfortable.
I feel as if I’ve been transported to a Hallmark movie Christmas set, which is good and bad. It’s good because I’ve never been a part of something like this, and it makes me love Stowe even more. It’s bad because at some point, I’m planning on talking to both Sky and Jesse, and this party will be a very public place for such private conversations.
I consider the possibility of waiting to talk to each of them until after the party, but it goes till midnight, and then it will be Christmas Day, and how would that even work? We’d all be dancing uncertainly around one another for hours.
Plus, at this point, I’m completely clear on my feelings and don’t think I can wait any longer to get them off my chest.
—
On Christmas Eve morning, I find Jesse putting big red bows on the chicken coop for guests who wander into the barn.
“Hey,” I say, walking toward him. “I was looking for you.”
“Hey,” he grins, handing me a box to help. We’ve been tag-teaming so many tasks the past few days. I keep thinking we must be done, but then more decorations seem to come out of nowhere. “What’s up?”
“Am I in charge of a particular booth or station tonight?”
“You’ve done the upfront work. Tonight you don’t have to worry about anything.” Except I do, I think. I’ll have to worry about your feelings and Sky’s.
“Oh, okay. Does the same go for you?”
“Yeah, pretty much. I’ll just walk around to see if anyone needs help with anything.”
I nod and tuck a strand of hair back behind my ear. This gesture alone causes Jesse to stop what he’s doing and face me.
“Will you . . . need me for something?”
“I just want to make sure we have time to talk.”
“Talk, talk?” he clarifies.
I nod. Jesse has been so patient the past few weeks, but now there’s a look of desperation on his face, as if he wants me to just say what’s on my heart right now. Part of me wants to. I want to be as careful with Jesse’s emotions as I can. Maybe I should just tell him now.
I clear my throat. “Jesse—” But then the chickens all start to cluck at once, and a familiar voice calls out my name, followed by Jesse’s name. I look over my shoulder.
It’s Will.
“I’ve got the horses in the trailer. Where do you want them this year?”
Jesse stares at me and I stare back at him, and for a moment I think he’s going to tell Will to get out right now.
But he only shakes his head and sighs. “Follow me, Will. I’ll show you.”