Celebrate the Season--Let It Snow! by Taylor Garland

Author:Taylor Garland
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Published: 2018-10-08T16:00:00+00:00

The sun had just finished setting when Dad knocked on Chloe’s door. “How’s it going in there?” he called through the door. “Are you ready for the party?”

“Almost!” Chloe replied as she put on her sparkly snowflake earrings. Then she opened the door and spun around so that the skirt of her dress flared. “Ta-da! What do you think?”

“Wow!” Dad exclaimed. “You look beautiful, Chloe. So grown-up, I can’t believe it!”

Chloe’s smile grew even bigger. Then she noticed her dad’s tie. “Seriously?” she asked. “You’re wearing a light-up tie in the shape of a Christmas tree?”

Dad glanced down at his tie. “Pretty great, isn’t it?” he asked. “Check it out—the lights have three different flash settings! And if I push this button, it plays Christmas songs! Want to give it a try?”

Chloe held up her hands. “No thanks,” she said. “I’m good. But, ah, Dad… I thought this was, you know, a fancy party.” Not a ridiculous-looking-light-up-musical-tie party, she wanted to add—but Chloe kept that thought to herself.

Dad nodded solemnly at her, but Chloe couldn’t miss the amusement in his eyes. “It is,” he replied. “That’s why I bought such a fancy tie. I remember the lodge’s website specifically said ‘festive dress encouraged.’”

“Festive, not funny-looking!” Chloe laughed.

There was a knock at the door.

“That must be Jessica and Sandy,” Dad said.

“Or maybe just Jessica,” Chloe said, remembering the look on Sandy’s face that afternoon. She’d been so upset that Chloe wouldn’t have been surprised if Sandy had decided to stay in her room for the rest of the trip in protest.

“Jessica texted me a little while ago. She said they’re both definitely coming,” Dad replied. “Hope they’re as ready to party as we are!”

“I don’t know, Dad,” Chloe teased him. “When they see that tie, maybe even Jessica will want to go home early!”

“We’ll see about that,” Dad said. Then he opened the door. “Merry Christmas Eve Eve!”

“Merry Christmas Eve Eve!” Jessica and Sandy replied as they hurried inside.

“Brrr,” Jessica added, rubbing her arms. “Either my party dress isn’t nearly as warm as my snowveralls, or it’s gotten a lot colder out there.”

“Probably both,” Sandy said, deftly stepping around her mom as Dad gave Jessica a quick hug.

That’s when Chloe saw it. She would have recognized it anywhere—her perfect party dress. But it wasn’t only Chloe who was wearing it.

Sandy was wearing it, too.

The only difference between their dresses was the color. Chloe’s dress was cranberry-colored, while Sandy’s was a deep, rich green. Beyond that, the dresses were identical. Same swooshy, swirly skirt. Same lacy top with long sleeves. Chloe could just see the edges of them peeking out from the cuffs of Sandy’s overcoat.

Sandy noticed their matching dresses at the same time. She slowly shrugged off her overcoat, and that’s when Chloe started to worry. Uh-oh, she thought. Is this going to set Sandy off? Is she going to be upset that we’re matching at the party? If she gets mad, I can’t change my dress! It’s the only fancy dress I brought!

Just then, Sandy started to laugh.

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