She looked at him in wonder. “Is that true?”
He nodded. “Completely true. I for one don’t want to defy a legend.” He slipped down off the seat of the sleigh onto one knee and reached into his coat pocket. “Mari Louise Christmas, you would make me the happiest man in the world if you would marry me. Will you marry me right here on this carousel on New Year’s Eve?” He held out his grandmother’s ring in his hand as he looked at Mari. She stared at him, looking deep into his eyes, capturing him in her blue ones. She reached out and took the mic from his hand. “I’ll do better than that, Beau Hart. I’ll marry you in this very sleigh on New Year’s Eve.”
Again the people on the carousel and standing around the outside cheered as he slipped the ring on her finger and pulled her into his arms, kissing her as the ride started back up. Finally when he couldn’t breathe, he pulled away and held her close. Just six short days and she’d be his wife. He could hardly wait.
It was eleven-thirty on December the thirty-first and Mari Christmas was standing just around the back side of the Christmas carousel. The space on the other side was jammed full of people all there to watch her walk to the sleigh and climb inside and marry local cowboy, Beauregard Hart. Her father stood beside her. “Are you ready, Princess?”
She smiled at him. “I am, Daddy. Thank you for not making a big deal about how fast this happened.”
“Honey, how can I make a big deal. We never told you how your mom and I came to be married, did we?”
She frowned. “Now that you mention it, you didn’t.”
“I was working for your Uncle as a repair man here in the park on Christmas Eve when I was trying to replace a bolt in the sleigh. Somehow this lovely young woman ended up inside the sleigh with me and well, one thing led to another and we were married seven days later on New Year’s Day.”
“Daddy, you and Mom were part of the legend?”
“Yes darlin’, one look and I knew your mom was the woman for me. One kiss and I wasn’t willing to ever let her go. Twenty-six years later and here you are doing the same thing, only one day sooner. Do you love him?”
She smiled, “Oh yes, Daddy, with all my heart.”
“It’s obvious to your mother and I that he loves you the same way. That’s all we ever wanted for you, Princess, to find forever love. So no, we are thrilled with this wedding. To be honest, we are both a bit upset we didn’t think about having our wedding here.”
Mari smiled. “We’ve heard that several times in the last six days. It’s one of the new plans for next year. I’m having a small wedding chapel built beside the carousel. It will be able to host weddings year-round.”
“I think Nick and Dora will love that idea. I know I do. Now come on, let’s not keep your groom waiting.”
With that the wedding march started and Mari stepped up onto the carousel and started the slow walk to the other side where Beau was standing in his western tuxedo inside the sleigh. Her father handed her off to him and the minister who’d agreed to conduct their wedding started the ceremony. Mari didn’t hear a word he said but she must have answered in the right places. All she could do was fall deeper into the eyes of the man about to seal their marriage with a kiss and wonder at the depth of love she saw in his gaze. “I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss your bride.”
Beau pulled her tight against his body and her passion ignited like a yule log on Christmas morning. His head dipped to hers and he stopped just before sealing their lips together. “I love you, Mari Christmas Hart. Thank you for bringing my heart to life again.” Then his lips claimed hers and everyone and everything slipped away in the passion of his kiss. Then he reached down and scooped her into his arms and carried her out of the sleigh and straight for the parking lot where his truck was parked. Mari nestled into his strong chest and placed little kisses along his neck the whole way. No matter what happened with the park she was content to become Mari Hart but she hoped her happy ever after included the continuation of the place she’d given her heart to a cowboy named Hart.
Chapter Ten
T he day had finally come. Mari was nervous about this hearing, but it couldn’t destroy the joy and happiness she found in the arms of her husband. They should be on their honeymoon but they’d delayed leaving until tomorrow. She’d been surprised and thrilled when she found out she’d get a honeymoon in Bora Bora at a private beach house owned by Beau and Vivian. What no one in North Pole knew was that the Hollingsworths weren’t the richest people in town. No, that distinction belonged to Beau and Vivian Hart and now Mari, too. Beau’s parents had left them close to a million dollars when they died and Beau, through careful investments, had grown it over the last eleven years to just over fourteen million. Seven million was his and seven million belonged to Vi. Even Vivian had been shocked when Beau had handed her a bank book for a private bank in the Caymans with seven million dollars in it. He’d also told her of the house and private beach he’d bought for them in Bora Bora. They promised Vivian she could visit there after her graduation, but they would leave in the morning for one glorious month of sun and sand and time alone for just the two of them.
That was tomorrow, tonight was all about Santa’s Village and the battle with the town council. She felt Beau pull her closer to his side on the seat of the truck as they headed into town for the meeting. “Are you okay, sweetheart?”
She smiled at her husband, Cheese and Crackers! Beau Hart was her husband. She’d thought he was handsome in his jeans and tight shirt, that was nothing compared to the views she got in the last five days. “I’m a little nervous but no matter what I have a family that loves me, a husband who worships me and a sister-in-law who’s my best friend in the world. I’m more than okay.”
They were shocked when they pulled up in front of city hall to find the road blocked off and several state police and sheriff’s deputies directing traffic and trying to marshal the crowd of protestors. It seemed people from all over the United States had come to voice their displeasure with the town council trying to shut down Santa’s Village.
“I’m sorry folks, but you’re going to have to turn around. The building’s at capacity,” the trooper who walked up to them said.
Beau held out his and Mari’s ID. “This is Mari Christmas, and I’m her husband, Beau Hart. That hearing is about our business. It’s kind of required that we attend.”
“Oh, Mister Hart. Sorry about that. We were told that when you showed up to escort the two of you in. Follow me. You can leave your truck right here, it’s not like anyone is going to get through this mess.”
Beau nodded and the two of them walked into the council chamber. The room was full but two chairs had been set up front for them. Once they got there they saw that all the letters had been delivered by courier earlier that day and were stacked some eight feet tall, and ten feet long, two feet deep against the wall. Sitting on a small table was a television screen with Nick and Dora’s house in Florida showing on it. Right at six o’clock the city council members filed into the room and sat behind the curved desk with each of their names on a brass plate in front of them. The Mayor, who acted as the chairperson, stood in the middle and banged a gavel on the desk to quiet everyone. “Let’s settle down and come to order, people. Because of the apparent interest in a certain piece of new business before the council, we are going to forgo the reading of the minutes and dealing with old business until later and jump right into the proposed motion to deny the renewal of operational license to Santa’s Village Amusement Park.
“Councilwoman Hollingsworth, with the amount of support shown by the community and the United States citizens, are you sure you don’t want to withdraw your motion?’
“No, I don’t want to withdraw my motion. That park is a hazard and an embarrassment to our town. I move that we don’t renew the operational license for that monstrosity.”
The mayor sighed. “Alright, the motion has been made that the city council not renew the park’s license next year, do I have a second
?”
All the council members squirmed in their chairs as Beau’s maternal grandmother glared at each of them. Finally the man to her right raised his hand. “I second the motion.”
“The motion has been made and seconded. I will now open the floor to any citizen who wishes to discuss the motion.” Beau stood and was about to approach the microphone when a voice called out from the doorway. “Mr. Chairman, I’d like to address the council on this matter, if it pleases you.”
The mayor’s eyes widened, and everyone looked to see who had spoken. “Governor Braddock, it’s an honor to have you, sir. Please, the floor is yours.”
The man walked to the microphone and looked at the council. “As Governor of this state I must say that I’m very displeased to see this motion still standing. The eyes of the entire nation have turned to our great state but not for a good reason. No, the nation is watching to see if Montana is going to evict Santa Claus. This is unacceptable. Normally I don’t involve myself in city politics but since I happen to know Councilwoman Hollingsworth personally and I know the reason behind her continual motions to shut down Santa’s Village, I felt that I had no recourse but to take action. So I’ve come with a proclamation. “
He opened the leather folder he’d been holding. “I, Governor Steven Braddock, do here by proclaim Santa’s Village Amusement Park in North Pole, Montana, a state treasure. As such I proclaim that the aforementioned park falls under the jurisdiction of the State Park and Recreation division of the Montana State government. Furthermore, I proclaim Santa’s Village Amusement Park a privately owned and maintained State Park starting this fourth day of January 2019 and I finally extend to the park and its officers a state operational license for a period of not less than ten years. Signed Governor Steven Braddock. January fourth, twenty-nineteen.”
He shut the folder and handed it to Mari. “That, Mister Chairman, makes this motion without merit and a waste of time to pursue.”
The mayor smiled and nodded his head. “I agree. The motion is withdrawn as unenforceable.”
The governor nodded as the crowd cheered. The mayor had to call a short recess to have the council chamber emptied so that the town council could get back to business as usual.
“We won!” Mari exclaimed as she and Beau left City Hall.
“Yes we did. You have ten years to update your park without having to worry about my grandmother trying to shut you down.”
“Well your sister has that well in hand. Me, I’m going home and packing a very small suitcase for my honeymoon which starts tomorrow.”
Beau pulled her into his arms and kissed her like he meant it. Once she was boneless and could care less about her packing, he picked her up to carry her to the truck. “How about we don’t wait until tomorrow? Let’s start our honeymoon the moment we get back to the ranch.”
Mari looked up into his eyes. “That sounds wonderful to me.”
Epilogue
M rs. Claus slipped the black and silver cowboy boot tree ornament into the box and wrapped it with her usual care. Then she quickly addressed the package. To: Vivian Hart. From: Mrs. Claus. This one was going to be a long shot but circumstances were about to unfold that would leave young Vivian ripe for her true love’s care and protection. She just hoped the girl was open to love after all she’d been through. Otherwise two hearts would be broken. She sat the ornament on top of a larger package addressed to Tanner Long. In that package was a pair of black and silver cowboy boots; the exact duplicates of the ornament being sent to Vivian. The note with the boots said: “These should bring you luck both in life and the rodeo.”
Now it was all up to the two young people and fate.
The end.
About the Author
G eorge McVey always wanted to be a superhero; sadly, no radioactive storms or animals have been a part of his life. One day while spinning a tall tale for his family, some suggested once again that with all his experiences in ministry, and his imagination, he should be writing books. This time it was like lightning struck him and he decided, why not.
Since then, George has been hard at work using his creative imagination and writing several books. He's still adding to his bibliography to this day. You can find them all on his Amazon.com page. George lives in the wonderful state of Almost Heaven, West Virginia. In a lovely basement apartment with his wife of 31 years, Sheri, and a service dog named Daisy Mae.
If you ever come to visit him, you will probably find him sitting in his recliner or at his desk in the office working on some writing project. If he isn't working on a novel, then he will be working on a short story or blog post. If he isn't doing either of those then he is either asleep or eating, his other two favorite past times.
You can reach him by email at [email protected]. You can also find out more about his books, get a free book, or join his beta readers team to help make the books he sells better at his website http://georgemcvey.weebly.com. You can also connect with George on Facebook at his Readers Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/858552084327160/.
If you would like to read good clean books, then you might find any or all of these Facebook Readers Groups helpful. You can meet authors and talk with them and other readers about their books there. Sweet Wild West Readers Group, and Pioneer Hearts Readers groups. And don’t forget to join the Cowboys and Angels Readers Group and the Silverpines Readers Group where you can interact with other readers and the authors of those popular series.
Books by George
You can find all of George’s books on his Amazon author page. Just click the link below.
See George’s Books
Music Box Christmas (The Ornamental Match Maker Book 3) Page 7
