en lights crisscrossed Main Street, wreaths adorned every shop window, and the smell of cinnamon, pine, an

s were never her favorite, and she often felt out of place in large gatherings. But E

bustling square. Emma's eyes shone as she took in the twinkling lights, the childr

ah!" Emma exclaimed, po

enthusiastically. Beside him, Jack looked just as tall and steady as

aire called as her da

were already chattering about which rides to go

a for you

ateful nod. "You always seem

. "I will take tha

then pulled their parents toward the game booths. Jack and Claire found themselves side by

s angel at the same time Jack did. Their fingers brushed, and for a moment neither of them

ly, her cheeks warm. Jack's quiet

reen tree. The mayor gave a short speech, and then the switch was flipped. The tree blazed t

r eyes met in the golden light of the tree. Something unspoken passed between them-someth

irled with sparklers, and laughter rose into the cold night air. Emma and Noah joined a group of

re said softly, watching the ligh

But when she turned to look at him, his eyes were

ull of his gaze, the warmth of his nearness. She wanted to step clo

ed back, tugging at her hand. "Mom, c

ell. "We will see, kiddo. Let

aced. She knew something had shifted to

them, Claire realized she was no longer just a