A Cross-Country Christmas(38)

You really don’t remember running down Main Street in your boxers, do you?

You really don’t remember stealing the trophy from Coach’s office, do you?

You really don’t remember passing out in centerfield that night we broke in to the stadium or your teammates carrying you home, do you?

But this was different. The look on Lauren’s face told him so.

Oh, no. What did I do?

“We should get out there.” Lauren’s tone brightened the mood. “We don’t want to miss it!”

“Right,” he said dumbly. “Right.” He was unable to shake the dread that had parked itself in his chest.

They got out of the car and followed the crowd of people to the open space at the bottom of a snowy mountain. Off to the side, twinkle lights outlined the resort buildings, and at the top of the hill, Will could see activity. Still, he had no idea what to expect. He’d never been to a torchlight parade, and despite the community excitement for it, nobody had explained exactly what it was. That made the anticipation all the greater.

He stood close enough to Lauren that their arms touched, and he had no intention of pulling away. She knew his secrets now, and so far, she wasn’t running away. That counted for something, right?

“You know, I just told you basically my whole life story.” He glanced down at her.

She met his eyes. “You did.”

“And I still don’t even know why you hate your birthday.”

She looked away. “Nope. You don’t.”

Christmas music filled the air. A live band of five men wearing Santa hats and overalls was situated at the base of the mountain. Not too far away, a bonfire blazed, and beyond that, rows of small booths had been set up to face each other, a wide walkway between them, lights hung from one side to the other creating an illuminated tunnel. People milled through the space, buying hot chocolate and warm apple cider and roasting marshmallows in the large flames.

The band finished their rendition of “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” then directed everyone’s attention to the mountain. A hush came over the crowd, and pairs of opposing streetlights flicked off, one at a time. The booth lights dimmed. Bright red flares glowed against the white snow as skiers moved into place.

“Ladies and Gentlemen,” a booming voice crackled over the loudspeaker, “Welcome to El Muérdago ’s Annual. . .Torchlight. . .Parade!”

The crowd erupted in cheers, and Lauren looked at Will, mouth open with excitement, and smiled. For two Midwestern flat-landers, this was foreign tradition—but the excitement of those who knew what to expect was infectious.

In spite of the heaviness of their conversation in the parking lot, Lauren seemed to be enjoying herself. Regardless of her professed hatred of this—and every—holiday.

“Please, direct your attention to the top of Mount Tapa Blanca, where our expert ski instructors from the Tapa Blanca Ski School are getting into position.”

Each skier carried a pole horizontally, and both ends had been lit with sparkling red flares that flickered as they moved into a line. Will thought there had to be at least fifty skiers up there. One by one, they traversed the mountain in large, slow, sweeping S-curves. The flares illuminated the bright white of the snow, like a stunning red comet with an endless tail behind it. He couldn’t be sure, but he thought the skier’s banks and curves down the mountain were timed to the Christmas symphony being piped through the speakers.

The crowd watched in quiet reverence as the skiers cut down the slope until finally, at the very top, a sleigh illuminated. In it, a bright red figure waved down to the people below.

The crowd cheered again, yelling and waving as kids called out “It’s Santa!” in a cacophony of overlapping voices. The music swelled. Slowly, the torches that trailed down the hill fell into a line, pulling the Santa-filled sleigh behind them.

Will couldn’t deny the unexpected tug of emotions that needled him, and when he looked at Lauren, he saw her wiping tears from her eyes.

He nudged her with his shoulder and leaned in closer. “You okay?”

She let out a nervous half-laugh-half-cry. “I think it’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”

He wrapped an arm around her in a friendly side hug. “Miss Scrooge, I think we’ve finally located your Christmas spirit.”

She sniffled and he squeezed her again before letting her go, but not before he noticed how perfect she felt tucked into his side.

She fit.

Once Santa reached the bottom of the mountain, the lights flickered back on and the sleigh slid to a halt. Parents released their children, who flocked to the sleigh, and though the show seemed over, a fireworks display was just beginning. Will and Lauren stood at the bottom of that mountain, ringing in the holiday season with a crowd of perfect strangers save each other—and it was a magical moment.

There was nowhere else Will would rather be.

They’d come a long way in just a few days. He and Lauren might actually become friends.

After the impressive fireworks finale, the voice on the speaker came on again. “Ladies and gentlemen, thank you all for celebrating the holidays with us! The Christmas market is still open, so peruse the booths, visit Santa, drink hot cocoa, and for those couples wanting to steal a kiss. . .”

Will caught Lauren’s eyes, then pretended to see something else off in the distance as the announcer continued