Sebastian glances at the lantern and frowns as he slowly starts to walk towards its warm light. Every step has it growing brighter.
“I’ve never wanted to make a wish until now,” he murmurs as he walks through the snow. When he reaches the lantern, he is shocked to see that the area below the lantern is completely clear of snow! His heart starts to beat fast, could it be true? The stories of his childhood? Reaching out a trembling hand, he touches the black iron base and is surprised to find that it’s warm to the touch. His soft laughter ripples out into the night.
Make a wish, he hears in his mind.
Sebastian glances up at the window where Aiylin sleeps and nods as he whispers, “I wish to claim Aiylin’s heart. We want to keep her. I love her. I know it’s too soon. Love, at first sight, is ridiculous, isn’t it? Yet, I close my eyes, and I see her running towards me, and everything falls into place.”
The lantern flickers, and he jumps in disbelief and stumbles out of the protection of the light. Instantly the cold air surrounds him. Sebastian chuckles and walks home. “Guess I’ll have to do it the proper way. I’m going to court her and win her heart.” The lantern flickers again as he’s walking inside. “Time for some sleep.”
Chapter 21
Langdon is on one of the aisles looking at shirts and trying to act like he isn’t listening to the conversations around him.
Sheriff Dane is flirting with the clerk and talking about the Christmas market. When he asked the insipid girl to go with him, she, of course, batted her eyes and led him on.
“I don’t know, Sheriff. I made plans to meet Aiylin and Sebastian by the fountain in the center of the square.” Langdon perks up at the sound of her name.
“Tasha, I’ve asked you to call me Jacob,” he reprimands her gently and takes her hand in his.
“Jacob, do you mind sharing me?” she asks softly.
“Of course I mind,” he grins at her look of surprise. “I suppose I could manage for a few hours as long as you are by my side.”
“It’s a date then,” she smiles at him. Her eyes watch as Langdon quickly leaves. “Jacob, who is that man? He’s been in here every day for three days and asking questions.” Tasha walks around the counter to the window and watches him cross the street.
Jacob follows her, and his eyes narrow as the man returns to the hotel. “I don’t know. Is he giving you any trouble?”
“No,” she wraps her arms around herself and turns to look up at Jacob, “but the first day he was asking questions about Aiylin. He didn’t like what I told him.”
Jacob stops himself from touching her, though his instinct is to pull her into his arms and comfort her.
“Trust your instincts, Tasha. I’ll make sure to introduce myself to our visitor.”
“Lunch is almost over, I should get back to work,” she murmurs and turns to walk away. The floral scent she wears wraps around him, causing his mouth to go dry.
“Tasha,” he whispers, “I’m not sure I can wait until tonight to kiss you again.”
She whirls around in surprise, and a blush stains her cheeks. “Jacob!” she gasps, and her eyes drop to his mouth as he steps towards her. Thankfully the store is empty for the moment, and she doesn’t stop him when he pulls her in for a quick kiss.
“Tonight, we should talk about our future.” Jacob spins and leaves her standing in stunned silence.
“Finally,” she says with a huge smile.
Langdon is sipping on his tea in the hotel restaurant. He paid a visit to the general store earlier as it seemed to be the place locals gather to discuss personal affairs, and his patience paid off.
Today is the day of the annual Christmas market. The sun helped to melt the snow enough that the Market was currently being set up. Tonight, Aiylin would be his, and nothing would stop him from achieving his goal. He grins and adds more drops to his tea.
“Here you go, Mr. Barnett,” the waitress smiles and drops his bill on the table. Langdon watches through the window of the restaurant as the Sheriff steps outside of the general store with a smile.
“Thank you,” he pays the waitress, “keep the change.” Quickly, he stands and swallows what’s left of his tea before walking out of the restaurant. He slips quietly through the hotel lobby and takes advantage of the back entrance leading to the alley behind the building.
He has to make sure his arrangements are ready for Aiylin. Nothing can go wrong tonight. Langdon is giddy with excitement and giggles when he thinks of all the fun they will have together.
Sheriff Dane walks into the hotel and stops at the desk. “Good Morning, Andrew. I have some questions about a new guest. Do you have a few minutes?”
“Of course, Jacob. Come on back to my office.”
A few minutes later, Jacob is walking back to his office with information on a man named Langdon Barnett. He is a tailor in town visiting for the Market, or so he says. Then why the questions about Aiylin and Sebastian? Something doesn’t add up, and he’s learned to trust his instincts.
Chapter 22
Aiylin makes a list of Christmas gifts to try to find at the market and sets the paper aside. Her gift to the family will be a new holiday song played on the piano. She is busy writing at the table when Sebastian walks in
