Always on My Mind by Kelsey Browning & Kelsey Browning

Author:Kelsey Browning & Kelsey Browning [Naigle, Nancy & Browning, Kelsey]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Crossroads Publishing House

Chapter 8

On the walk from his truck to the town square, Teague used the cool night as an excuse to reach for Jenny’s free hand. In her other, she carried her camera, which warmed his insides with hope. Through her glove, he could feel the heat of her skin. Lord, he wanted to touch her like this every day for the rest of their lives.

Yeah, a few other ways too, but holding her hand tonight was so peaceful. So right.

At least half the town’s population had gathered in the square. The streets were teeming with people sampling treats from the food vendors. Tables and tents lined the entire square block area, selling hot chocolate, baked goods and roasted nuts.

Jenny sniffed the air and rubbed a hand over her stomach. “Chestnuts?”

“We’re in Georgia,” he said. “Boiled peanuts.”

“Oh.” She wrinkled her nose.

“Better than it sounds.” He squeezed her hand and pulled her into his side. “Let’s scope things out, see if we can get close to the tree and look underneath. If we find Jesus, we’ll celebrate with a couple of fruitcake bars.”

“You’re not really motivating me with that promise. How about hot chocolate instead?”

“You got it.”

Before he could herd her toward the massive tree, she broke away and jogged up to the window at the flower shop. She cupped a hand around her face and peered inside, then backed off and started snapping pictures.

From the other side of the glass, Winnie, the owner of Love ’Em or Leave ’Em, waved at Teague and pointed at Jenny questioningly.

Teague circled his index finger in the universal sign for crazy, and Winnie nodded.

When Jenny returned to his side, he asked, “Anything?”

“I got a picture of some nice poinsettias and a bucket of candy-striped carnations, but no Jesus.” She was so cute when she sulked like that, inviting him to bend down and kiss that little pout off her mouth. “A real thief wouldn’t display the thing right out in public. Maybe we’re looking in the wrong—”

Suddenly, all the streetlights blipped off and silence hovered over the gathered crowd. A moment later, an instrumental version of “Silver Bells” drifted from speakers wired to the lampposts. The sound of an organ and percussion instruments bounced between the buildings, magnifying the joyous song and, in turn, Teague’s holiday spirit.

How would it feel to celebrate every Christmas season with Jenny and Grayson? He wanted to know. Too bad Grayson was missing the lighting. He’d have enjoyed it, but the kid had to fix what he’d broken.

The song drifted to an end and “O Christmas Tree” began playing. Slowly, one by one, tiny multi-colored lights blinked on, climbing up the thirty-foot Fraser Fir. They glimmered in the dark until they reached the five-pointed star—a bright cobalt blue glass work of art—and it lit up like a joyful heart.

Jenny tilted back her head and gazed up at the holiday pride of Summer Shoals. “It’s beautiful.”

That tree might be shiny and bright, but it couldn’t compare to the woman he loved.

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