Page 21 of Love By the Lights

I glanced at him and gave him a soft smile. “Thanks. You too.”

He rubbed the back of his neck, but smiled back. “My display is nowhere near as great as yours.”

“Princesses are pretty great,” I replied.

“Third place goes to the Graham household, newcomers Dakota and Caroline!”

A huge smile broke out on Dakota’s face as Robbie clapped a hand on his shoulder. “Great job, buddy!”

“Second place goes to Colin Hart!”

My stomach sank a little. I didn’t win, but I did come in second. That wasn’t bad, but my five-year streak had been broken. When Dakota looked at me with apologetic eyes, I shrugged.

“Time to pass the torch,” I said sincerely.

“And the winner is… the Burton household! The entire display was created by Joey Burton, age sixteen. Joey, come on up and get your prize.”

Joey Burton was a kid who’d grown up in Port Grandlin and someone who lived a few neighborhoods away from my own. He’d worked hard on his display year after year and I’d even given him a few tips when he asked. If anyone was going to beat me and end my winning streak, I was glad it was him.

A few minutes later and the mayor was thanking everyone for coming before announcing that the winter festival would continue until three that afternoon. When she was finished, Dakota turned to me and pulled me into a big hug.

When he released me, I raised my eyebrows. “What was that for?”

“It was a thank-you for doing your lights display. If you hadn’t, we might have never… you know.”

I laughed, but he was right. Before I could say anything, Caroline tugged on his jacket sleeve.

“Can we ride the carousel?”

“Of course we can,” he said.

She turned to me. “Mr. Colin, will you ride the pony next to mine?”

Heat bloomed in my chest. “Absolutely.”

And with that, I was following Caroline across the park grounds to the carousel, holding Dakota’s hand, and despite the cold winter air, feeling warmer than ever. I couldn’t imagine being happier and I was so grateful to have both of them in my life.

“Love you,” I murmured to Dakota.

He looked at me while we continued to walk, a soft smile on his face. “I love you, too.”

The End