Page 80 of The Christmas Dash

I’m puttering around the football team’s booth, making sure the guys have everything they need for their photo shoot with the fans as people trickle into the market.

I’ve kept one eye on Gabe. He’s across the gym, chatting with the high school principal and Darin, the math teacher. Jack was able to call in a favor late last night, and they managed to get a makeshift stage erected in the corner of the gym. Gabe will play an acoustic set, just him and his guitar. He told me that’s how he likes it.

“Hello, hello!” Ivy bustles over carrying three cups from the Clatter Café. “I brought cocoa.”

“Bless you.” I grab for one and take a sip, savoring the warm, rich flavor of Elena’s homemade recipe.

Gabe lets out a laugh, and I hear it even from across the gym. I can’t help but smile to see him so happy and excited.

“You’ve gone and fallen for him all over again, haven’t you?” Ivy bobs her head in Gabe’s direction.

I shrug.

“Even if you’re not ready to admit it yet”—she puts her arm over my shoulders—“I’m happy for you.”

I smile. It feels good. It feels like the start of something new but with the underlying comfort of a pair of old blue jeans that I know fits just right. Gabe and I fit. Gabe and I work. I’m excited to see where we can go, especially since he plans to be around Dasher Valley more often.

Shoppers are flooding through the doors now, and Wallace saunters over, a camera slung across his body.

“Ladies.” He holds up his own cup in salute. “Looks like a good crowd.”

I smile at him. “Thanks to you. We appreciate you helping to spread the word about Gabe.”

“That’s what I’m here for.”

“You taking up photography?” Ivy motions to his camera.

“Only for the job.” Wallace holds the camera up to his eye. “Gotta get some pics for our social media. This is the biggest thing to happen to Dasher Valley since the mayoral election.”

A group of squealing women, I’d place them in their early twenties, rushes past Wallace, knocking him toward us. I overhear their chatter as they hustle toward the stage.

“There he is!”

“I can’t believe Gabe McKenzie is back in town.”

“I can’t wait to hear him sing.”

“He’s so gorgeous.”

I stare after the women, a sudden sinking sensation in my gut that feels a lot like trepidation.

“See what I mean?” Wallace says on a smirk. “Anyhoo! I’m off to mingle. Catch you on the flip side.”

“Bye, Wallace.” Ivy waves and turns to me. “You’re freaking out, aren’t you?”

“What? No. Why would I be freaking out?”

“I don’t know. You tell me.”

“I’m fine, Ivy.” I brush her off and hope that by saying so out loud, I’ll internalize the fineness, too. “Come on. Let’s help these guys.” I hook my thumb over my shoulder to where the football team has assembled wearing their uniforms. The state-championship trophy is front and center.

This is good. If I can stay busy and not dwell on the fact that the guy I’m falling for . . . again . . . is also the heartthrob of women all over the country, maybe I can avoid full-blown panic.

I get lost in the mayhem of helping little kids get their picture taken with their hometown heroes. The football guys are really sweet with the families, and I’m so proud of them. I mean, I shouldn’t be surprised. Jack always tells me that his goal with the team is to form these guys into good men. He cares less about winning and more about molding young minds to believe in themselves and be team players. Luckily for him, his strategy has also bred a successful team.

Gabe appears in my periphery and I glance at my watch. He’s set to take the stage in less than ten minutes, but I motion for him to join me behind the photo backdrop.

“Hi,” I say when it’s just us.