Jingle Wars (Hollyridge, #1)

by Veronica Eden

“Hi, Saint.” I beam as his velvet-soft nose pushes into my hand. “Oh my god,” I whisper in a strangled voice. “So soft.” As the donkey bumps against my palm, licking it, I laugh in delight. “He likes me!” Being accepted by a donkey might be the usual to someone like Finn, but it makes tears prick my eyes. I probably look crazy, eyes glistening because I’m stroking a donkey dressed as a reindeer, but it makes warm joy pour into my heart. I think I get why the Grinch was amazed when he felt his heart grow three sizes. This feels just like that. Finn watches with a strange expression. Without the anger, it does funny things to my chest, igniting butterflies. At last he mutters, “Saint, you’re a traitor.”

This town has this way of charming visitors to stay, like as soon as you’ve stepped foot in it a piece of your heart feels like it belongs here—always has, always will. I’ve heard of people who travel feeling this way about different destinations they go, but this is the first time I’m experiencing that magic for myself.

“Wow, everything is so beautiful. The lights, the trees, the snow,” Freya says in awe. I agree. “It really is.” Except I’m not looking at the scenery, I’m looking at her.

On a scale of one to ten, getting trapped in my dream cabin with Finn during a blizzard is an eleven.

“Catch your breath, beautiful,” he says gently. “We’re not finished yet.”

Something homey that feels like a hug when you come back to it.”

This domestic bubble of ours is perfect. I wish we never had to leave. Forever with Finn sounds like a dream come true.