Chapter 4

Karen finished dinner with her daughter, and they walked out of the restaurant to get a good spot for the Tree Lighting. It was a snowy evening.

Mother and daughter strolled arm in arm to a vacant area by one of the wrought-iron streetlamps. Everything looked glorious. The twinkling lights glittered on every tree and lit up the outline of every store and house.

Parents walked with their children and couples walked holding hands as they made their way toward the town square. A band and chorus from Middletown High sat in the lit-up gazebo playing and singing Christmas carols. The smell of freshly roasted nuts with cinnamon and sugar filled the air.

“A lot of people turned out,” Bethany commented, looking at the crowd.

“If by that you mean most of the population, then yes. A benefit of small-town living,” Karen said. “And there are a lot of tourists like us, too.”

The sparkle was undeniable, the smiles hard to miss, and the cheerful waves and greetings frequent.

Bethany walked up to one of the street-side vendors. “Two hot chocolates and a bag of nuts, please.”

“Is nice, isn’t it?” Karen asked her daughter.

“It’s beautiful, Mom,” she said. “I’m so glad we came.” She blew at her hot chocolate and took a sip.