As Kat gazed in the floor-length mirror, she hardly recognized herself. So much had changed in such a short amount of time.
The last several days had flown by in a whirlwind of wedding planning and settling into Penny’s apartment. Since Trudy had booked her room with new guests after she’d left, every night at Penny’s had become an old-fashioned slumber party. They’d baked cookies in their pajamas, watched classic Christmas movies, and stayed up way too late giggling about boys.
Well, two boys in particular.
In all her life, Kat had never felt more wholly content. And it showed in the glow of her skin and the bright glimmer in her eyes.
“You look stunning.” Penny stood beside her, joining her reflection in the mirror.
The vintage gold gown cascaded over Kat’s curves, grazing the tops of her satin, peep-toe heels. Her red curls had been swept to the side, pinned in place with a pearl-studded comb, revealing her bare neck.
“So do you,” Kat murmured, admiring her sister’s graceful silhouette. The shimmering silver dress fit her like a dream, and she’d never looked more beautiful. She’d also never looked more like their mother. But this time, the similarities made Kat’s heart ache a little less. Her guilt and bitterness had vanished, replaced by a sense of peace and hope for the future. “The dress looks like it was made for you.”
“It does, doesn’t it?” Penny swayed her hips, smiling as the feathers danced with the subtle movement.
“Everything is exactly as it should be.” Kat sniffled, suddenly overcome with emotion as memories of the day’s events came flooding back.
They’d spent Christmas morning with Colt and his family at Luke and Cassie’s home, celebrating with familiar faces and a few new ones. Kat met Cassie’s mother, Donna, along with Eliza’s parents, Hank and Sylvia. Frank and Beverly were there, too, glowing like dreamy-eyed newlyweds. And Fitz had a grand time rollicking in the snow with Grant and Eliza’s son, Ben, and their dog, Vinny.
After breakfast—during which Kat had made Fern’s hot chocolate and Jack served his scrumptious flapjacks—they called Fern to wish her a merry Christmas. She’d raved about the coffee and sweets Kat had sent for everyone at Hope Hideaway. And for Fern, she’d included a special edition of A Christmas Carol, complete with the most exquisite illustrations.
To Fern’s delight, Kat and Jack promised to visit the following weekend, and Kat couldn’t wait for the two of them to meet in person. Although Jack never revealed that he’d been the one to save the shelter, Kat knew the truth in her heart. And she loved him all the more for his quiet, selfless act of generosity.
They’d also made plans for Fern to visit Poppy Creek in the new year, and the mere thought of her two worlds melding together had stirred tears of joy.
Penny squeezed her hand, her own eyes glistening. “It really has been magical, hasn’t it?”
“And surreal. My whole life has changed. And to think, it all started with the search for Helena’s brooch.”
Releasing her grasp, Penny reached beneath her veil on the dressing table. With a wistful smile, she asked, “You mean this brooch?”
Kat sucked in a breath as the late afternoon sunlight filtered through the gossamer curtains, causing the imitation gems to sparkle. She’d almost forgotten how beautiful it was. “It’s so lovely, it’s hard to believe it isn’t real.”
“It’s real,” Penny said with a slight catch in her voice. “Just not in the way we expected.” She stepped forward, unclipping the pin on the back. “And I think Helena would be glad you found it.”
“We found it,” Kat corrected, her throat tightening.
“Without you, I wouldn’t have even known it was missing.” Misty-eyed, Penny secured the sprig of mistletoe to the front of Kat’s dress. “It belongs with you.”
Too overwhelmed to speak, Kat caressed the smooth stones, blinking back tears.
“You know, I used to wish Helena had never left us,” Penny admitted in a shaky whisper. “But then, I wouldn’t have you.” She traced a fingertip beneath her lashes, careful not to smudge her mascara. “It’s one of life’s many mysteries, isn’t it? How God can take something broken and make it beautiful.”
“You know what they call that?” Kat asked with a soft smile.
“What?”
“A miracle.”
Jack hopped out of his truck and straightened his plaid tie.
Normally, he didn’t believe weddings should be held on holidays because they interfered with family time. But in this case, Penny and Colt were his family. And as he strode toward the chapel at the top of the hill, he didn’t think they could have chosen a more perfect day or venue.
The tall steeple covered in snow glittered in the sunlight like a beacon announcing the celebration. And the fragrant evergreen wreath with a red satin bow popped against the backdrop of white. Simple and tasteful, just like he imagined his and Kat’s wedding would be one day.
The thought made him grin.
“You look pretty happy for a man without a date.”
Startled, Jack nearly slipped on a patch of ice.
Lucy stood by the front steps wearing a smirk.
“Luce? What are you doing here?” Jack wobbled, regaining his footing.
“Merry Christmas to you, too,” she laughed. “Kat invited me. She said you needed a plus-one since she’s in the bridal party.”
Jack smiled. Of course Kat had invited her, knowing how special it would be to have his sister visit on Christmas. He already knew she was the kindest, most loving woman alive, yet she continued to amaze him with her generous heart.
Refocusing on Lucy, he asked, “What about Mom’s shindig?”
She shrugged. “We’ve already done all the planning. She doesn’t need me there. Besides, I told her this was more important.”
He swallowed, too stunned to speak.
“You’re not going to turn me down, are you? I bought a new dress for the occasion.” She swished the hem of her burgundy gown, which was partially hidden by her wool cloak.
“Any excuse to go shopping, huh?” he teased, lightening the mood before his emotions turned him into a blubbering mess.
Offering his arm, he escorted his sister up the stone steps.
“You should have seen your face,” Lucy giggled. “For a second, I thought you might fall and break your neck.”
“So did I,” he chuckled.
“Well, you might want to grab the railing, because I have another surprise.”
“Oh, yeah?”
“Kat told me about the inn.”
Jack paused at the top of the stairs. “She did?”
“Yep. And that’s not all.” Lucy’s grin widened. “She offered me a job.”
“A job?” Apparently, the shock had reduced his vocabulary to one-syllable words.
“She said the inn probably won’t be ready until the fall, but when it is, she’d like me to decorate it.”
Whenever Jack didn’t think he could possibly love Kat more, she proved him wrong. “What did you say?”
“I already told Dad to look for my replacement.”
“Seriously?”
“Staging houses is fun and all, but decorating a historic inn would be an exciting challenge. Kat says she wants it to have modern comfort while also remaining true to the original architecture with period-appropriate whimsy and charm. Honestly, the job is a dream come true.”
As Jack listened to his sister, a lump formed in his throat.
She may not realize it, but her dream wasn’t the only one coming true.
After the ceremony, the town square buzzed with merriment as wedding guests mingled with carnival goers. Lighthearted games and lively music paired with the tantalizing aroma of candied chestnuts and spiced apple cider to create a magical winter wonderland.
Basking in their newlywed glow, Penny and Colt disappeared in the crowd of well-wishers, and Lucy scampered off to greet old friends. For a moment, Kat felt as if she and Jack were the only two people in the world.
Her heart full, she leaned against him, enjoying the weight of his arm wrapped around her shoulders.
“I have to hand it to Mayor Burns,” Jack said with a bemused chuckle. “The Christmas Carnival wasn’t the worst idea, after all.”
Kat smiled in agreement. “The storefront displays look wonderful.”
As they strolled the town square, they admired the abundance of creativity, pointing out their favorite features.
The hardware store had built a sleigh using an assortment of tools and household fixtures, and Mac’s Mercantile constructed a life-size Santa Claus out of produce and food staples, right down to the cauliflower beard and a belly made from a literal bowl full of jelly.
When they paused in front of Jack’s Diner, Kat’s heart warmed as her gaze rested on their arbor covered in frosted mistletoe. They’d also added ribbons and baubles, along with crystal icicles, and in Kat’s opinion, the entrance to the diner rivaled the gateway to the North Pole.
“Are you ready for the big reveal?” Jack glanced at the clock tower on the courthouse. “I set the timer so the lights would go on at exactly six o’clock.”
When the big hand hit the twelve, the arbor illuminated in a flash of glittering light.
Kat gasped as the gold and silver bulbs twinkled amid the lush greenery. “Jack, it’s beautiful.”
Even though she’d designed a similar display in Starcross Cove, the splendor of what she’d created with Jack far surpassed her expectations.
“Care for a closer look?” Taking her hand, he led her beneath the archway.
Enveloped in festive sprigs studded with tiny, shimmering stars, Kat gaped in breathless awe.
“Do you know why people kiss under mistletoe?” Jack stood so close, she felt his warmth clear through her coat and scarf.
Trying to focus on his question—and not the overwhelming urge to kiss him right then and there—she murmured, “I have no idea.”
“The truth is, no one knows for sure. But there’s one legend I’m particularly fond of.” He smiled and the sight made her heart flutter just like the first time they met.
“In Norse mythology, the nefarious god Loki used a spear made out of mistletoe to kill the son of Frigg, the goddess of love. When the gods were able to bring her son back to life, Frigg declared the mistletoe a symbol of love, and promised to kiss anyone who passed beneath it. I like this version of the legend because it’s all about redemption.”
“It is?” Kat asked, not following his logic.
“For the mistletoe. You see, it could’ve gone down in history as the plant that killed Frigg’s son. Instead, it became a symbol of love. And if couples don’t kiss when they’re underneath it, they’ll have bad luck.” He met her gaze, his lips quirked in a mischievous grin.
“Bad luck?”
“Atrocious, awful, appalling luck.” He inched closer, and a tingle skittered down her spine.
“Well, we certainly don’t want that, do we?”
As Jack lowered his lips to hers, playfully sealing their good fortune, a whisper of hope washed over her.
No matter what life brought their way, they would look for the good.
And together, she knew they would find it.