style="font-size:15px;"> The inside of town hall buzzed with activity. Teams of people decorated Christmas trees with shiny plastic balls in festive colors. Another group strung giant snowflakes, like the ones Michelle was carrying, from the rafters and on nails along the walls. It was all hands on deck to prepare for the festival. The whole building smelled of fresh pine from the trees. Lights and decorations put the dazzle on the greenery like a sparkling jeweled necklace, making the finishing touches on a beautiful gown.
“This looks amazing!” Allie stepped inside and twirled, trying to take it all in. What Michelle had already completed in such a short time was impressive. Long tables served as workstations around the room, and folks seemed to be enjoying themselves. There was no shortage of volunteers. Michelle handed off the box of fake snowflakes to one of them.
“You did such a good job,” Allie said.
Her friend pulled her hands to her heart. “Thank you.”
Allie noticed the new mayor, Ezra Green, giving orders to one of the snowflake makers. “This one needs a little more sparkle…” he said, handing it back to her.
What does he know?
Ezra’s father had been mayor all the years Allie had run the festival, and Ezra and his dad were as different as night and day. Mayor Green, Sr. had always stayed out of the way, simply reminding her once in a while to keep up the traditions and trusting her to get the job done. He was laid back, never in a hurry, and always wore a smile. Ezra was up to his elbows in the middle of things, plus he had an abundance of nervous energy that was unsettling—like a piece of live wire dancing around. That would’ve driven her crazy.
Michelle’s shoulders drooped. “Uh-oh. Here comes the mayor. I haven’t had enough coffee for this.”
Allie couldn’t get used to referring to Ezra, who she’d known since grade school, as mayor. “There’s not enough coffee in Evergreen,” she agreed.
Ezra marched over to them. “Michelle, I have an idea.” As jittery as a Chihuahua in a room full of strangers, he could hardly stand still.
“Good morning, Ezra,” Allie said.
He all but growled in her direction. “Former resident.”
“I haven’t even left yet!” He’d taken her decision to relocate so personally.
Michelle gave him half a chance. “What’s your idea this time, Ezra?”
“I think we should have an app,” he announced, way too proud of himself, standing there with his big idea as bold as brass. “You know, an interactive experience.”
“The festival is in five days. We can’t get an app made in five days.” Michelle’s frustration level rose.
Clearly, this wasn’t the first harebrained, last-minute idea the new mayor had tossed her way. Allie was so glad she’d never had to deal with Ezra when she’d been planning the festival.
His eyes bugged out like he was about to explode. “Well, we need to find some way to make the festival current. We need to shake things up.” He did a little shimmy shake that made her think of the chicken dance. If only she had that much energy.
Michelle brushed her curls from her face, a nervous habit from way back. “This is my first year in charge, and I don’t want to shake things up.”
Ezra narrowed his eyes. “It’s my first year as mayor, and I want things shaken.”
Michelle sucked in a breath, and then let him have it. “Your dad was mayor for thirty years, and this was good enough for him.”
It was taking all Allie had to stand there and hold her tongue.
“That’s my point!” Ezra said. “We don’t want this to be our parents’ festival.”
Michelle turned to Allie for help. “Allie?”
“Don’t look at me.” She threw her hands up. “Soon-to-be former resident, remember?”
Ezra wiggled his brows in a way that was as annoying as a kid brother, although Allie was pretty sure that wasn’t what he was going for.
“Hey, everyone. I came to help out.”
Allie spun around to see the newest addition to Evergreen heading their way. Barbara Rousseau, once an executive at one of the largest financial institutions in the nation, had bought the big turn-of-the-century home at the corner of Green Street and Pine Drive. Years ago, it had been a bed and breakfast, but it had gone into foreclosure and sat empty for years, falling into disrepair. Finally, a distant family member had put it on the market. The place had needed some serious TLC, but the widow had taken an early retirement and invested her money and her vision into the place, and it hadn’t taken her long to transform it. Folks anxiously awaited her grand opening on Valentine’s Day, but recent rumors had it that she’d be opening at the first of the year.
The pretty redhead was all bundled up against the weather in a camel-colored coat and colorful infinity scarf, more corporate than small-town Evergreen.
“Barbara! How’s the inn coming?” Allie asked.
Her face lit up. “Oh, my goodness. So great! We’re opening in two weeks. I can’t believe it.”
So, rumors were true. That was great news, because there wasn’t an inn or hotel within miles of Evergreen. Until now. Nice lodging in the area would help everyone.
Ezra did that weird brow wiggle again. “It’s so nice to have someone move to Evergreen to open a business.”
“Thanks,” Barbara said.
He turned his gaze to Allie. “Instead of business owners moving away.”
“Okay, meanie,” she said to Ezra. “Don’t make me tell them about the incident in second grade.”
Ezra paused, then pasted a smile on his face and said, “Best of luck in your new job.”
Allie and the girls exchanged a knowing glance. She’d put Ezra right in his place. Honestly, she wasn’t sure which thing he was so worried about her telling; there were so many. It could’ve been anything from the time he’d cut her left pigtail off at the shoulder when he’d sat behind her, to the time the teacher had asked him to “tell her more” and he’d broken out in the song from Grease, to the time he’d told everyone that his ancestors had come over on the cauliflower. He’d always been a funny kid with way too much energy, but he’d also been one of the brightest. As irritating as he could be, it was true that he’d probably do great things for Evergreen.
“Michelle”—Ezra was clearly eager to change the subject—“since Doc Hadley retired and moved away, we need someone new to play Santa. I’m thinking we go against type: younger, handsome…” He stroked his hair, preening, in hopes for their approval.
Michelle shut him down. “Too late. I already got a guy out of Burlington.”
“I think I saw him,” Allie said. “He looks like Santa Claus even without the costume.”
“Wait? He’s here already?” Michelle was surprised. “Must be
