Ava woke the following morning to the sight of snow drifting past her bedroom window.
For several moments, she remained beneath the warm comfort of her blankets, watching the flakes dance through the pale morning light. The cottage was quiet except for the occasional creak of settling wood and the faint whistle of winter wind moving through the pine trees outside.
It was the first morning in years that she hadn't been awakened by an alarm clock.
There were no meetings waiting for her.
No overflowing inbox demanding attention.
No crowded train ride into the city.
No impossible deadlines.
For the first time in a very long while, she had nowhere she needed to be.
The realization felt both wonderful and unsettling.
Ava stretched and rolled onto her back, staring at the ceiling as sunlight slowly brightened the room. Part of her still expected anxiety to arrive the moment she opened her eyes. For months, it had become a familiar companion. Yet this morning felt different.
The weight on her chest wasn't gone.
But it seemed lighter somehow.
Perhaps Eleanor had been right.
Perhaps Starlight Hollow really did have a way of taking care of people.
The thought made her smile.
After showering and dressing in a warm sweater, jeans, and boots, Ava made herself a cup of coffee and explored the cottage more thoroughly. Every room felt cozy and welcoming. Framed photographs decorated the walls. Handmade quilts rested on chairs and couches. Small Christmas decorations appeared everywhere she looked.
Someone had clearly loved this house.
The feeling lingered long after she finished breakfast.
By late morning, she decided it was time to explore the town.
The snowfall had slowed considerably, leaving behind a fresh blanket of white that transformed everything into a winter postcard. Children pulled sleds down sidewalks while neighbors cleared driveways and exchanged cheerful greetings. The entire street seemed alive with activity.
Ava locked the cottage and headed toward downtown.
The walk took only ten minutes.
Every step revealed something new.
A bakery releasing the irresistible aroma of fresh cinnamon rolls.
A bookstore decorated with garlands and twinkling lights.
A toy shop displaying handmade wooden trains in its front window.
The entire town seemed designed to remind people of simpler times.
As she approached the town square, she noticed a large crowd gathered around an enormous Christmas tree positioned at its center.
The tree was breathtaking.
Towering over the square, its branches sparkled beneath thousands of tiny lights and countless ornaments. Even during daylight, it commanded attention.
Ava paused to admire it.
"It gets bigger every year."
She turned to find an elderly man standing nearby.
He wore a brown coat and carried a walking stick.
His eyes twinkled with amusement.
"Or maybe I'm shrinking," he added.
Ava laughed.
"It's beautiful."
"Proudest tree in Vermont."
"Trees can be proud?"
"This one certainly is."
His answer came so seriously that Ava couldn't help smiling.
The man tipped an imaginary hat.
"Welcome to Starlight Hollow."
Before she could respond, he continued walking.
Another local greeting.
Another unexpected kindness.
The friendliness of the town still caught her off guard.
Back in Chicago, people often avoided eye contact.
Here, strangers seemed determined to make conversation.
Eventually, Ava found herself wandering through a row of small shops.
She purchased a hot chocolate from a café and spent nearly an hour browsing a bookstore filled with cozy reading nooks and floor-to-ceiling shelves.
The owner recommended three Christmas novels and insisted she borrow one free of charge.
When Ava attempted to refuse, the woman simply placed the book in her hands and smiled.
"It'll be waiting for you to return it."
The trust amazed her.
By early afternoon, she found herself standing at the edge of a large Christmas tree lot located just beyond town.
Rows upon rows of evergreen trees stretched across the snow-covered field.
Some stood barely waist-high.
Others towered overhead.
The scent of pine filled the crisp winter air.
Families wandered among the trees searching for the perfect one while children chased each other between rows.
The atmosphere felt festive and alive.
Ava wasn't entirely sure why she had come.
The cottage already had a Christmas tree.
Yet something about the place drew her in.
Perhaps she simply wanted to experience another piece of the town.
As she wandered between the rows, she found herself smiling more than she had in months.
The simple joy on people's faces proved infectious.
Nearby, a little girl excitedly pointed toward a tree nearly twice her height.
Her father pretended to consider it seriously.
A young couple debated the merits of different branches.
An elderly woman inspected several trees with surprising determination.
Everyone seemed caught up in the spirit of the season.
Ava continued walking until she reached the far end of the lot.
There she stopped beside a particularly beautiful evergreen.
The tree stood tall and symmetrical, its branches dusted with fresh snow.
For reasons she couldn't explain, she found herself admiring it.
"That's one of my favorites."
The deep voice startled her.
She turned.
And immediately recognized him.
The man from the pickup truck.
Up close, he looked even more handsome than she remembered.
Tall and broad-shouldered, he wore a dark green jacket over a flannel shirt. Snow clung to his boots, and a pair of work gloves rested in one hand.
His dark hair peeked out from beneath a knit cap.
Most striking, however, were his eyes.
Warm brown eyes that somehow managed to feel familiar despite the fact they had never properly met.
For a brief moment, neither spoke.
Then he smiled.
The same easy smile she had seen through the cottage window.
"You were looking at my best tree."
Ava raised an eyebrow.
"Your tree?"
He nodded.
"My family's tree farm."
The realization made sense immediately.
She glanced around.
"You own all of this?"
"Not me."
His smile widened.
"My parents do. I just do most of the work."
Ava laughed.
"That sounds suspiciously like ownership."
"Don't tell my father."
The ease of the conversation surprised her.
Normally she wasn't comfortable around strangers.
Especially attractive strangers.
Yet something about Liam felt different.
Comfortable.
Natural.
As though talking to him required less effort than usual.
He extended a hand.
"I'm Liam Bennett."
"Ava Morgan."
His expression brightened slightly.
"The newcomer."
Her eyes narrowed playfully.
"Word travels fast around here."
"Very fast."
"Should I be concerned?"
"Only if you're planning something illegal."
Ava laughed again.
The sound felt unfamiliar.
Not because she never laughed.
Because she hadn't done it this freely in a long time.
Liam seemed pleased by the reaction.
"How are you liking Starlight Hollow so far?"
She looked around at the snow-covered trees.
The families.
The Christmas decorations visible in the distance.
The peaceful atmosphere.
"So far, it's exactly what I needed."
Something shifted in his expression.
A subtle understanding.
As though he recognized more in those words than she intended to reveal.
"Then I'm glad you found us."
The sincerity caught her off guard.
For a moment, neither looked away.
Snow continued drifting softly around them.
Children laughed somewhere nearby.
Christmas music floated across the lot from hidden speakers.
The world seemed to slow.
Ava quickly looked away first.
The moment felt far more intimate than it should have.
Especially with someone she had only just met.
Fortunately, Liam appeared equally aware of it.
"So," he said, clearing his throat. "Have you heard about the Starlit Wish yet?"
Ava frowned.
"The what?"
His smile immediately returned.
"The town legend."
"There's a town legend?"
Now he looked genuinely surprised.
"Eleanor hasn't told you?"
"I've known Eleanor for less than twenty-four hours."
"Fair point."
A mischievous glimmer appeared in his eyes.
"Then I suppose you'll have to hear it from me."
Ava folded her arms.
"This sounds suspicious."
"It absolutely is."
"Should I trust you?"
"Probably not."
She laughed.
Liam joined her.
The sound seemed to blend perfectly with the joyful atmosphere surrounding them.
Neither noticed how much time passed afterward as they wandered through the rows of Christmas trees talking about the town, its traditions, and the strange legend that apparently played an important role in Starlight Hollow's history.
For the first time since arriving, Ava wasn't thinking about Chicago.
She wasn't thinking about failed relationships or disappointing jobs.
She wasn't worrying about the future.
She was simply enjoying the moment.
And though she didn't realize it yet, Liam Bennett was enjoying it too.
Because something about Ava Morgan made him want to learn her story.
Something about her made him hope she stayed longer than Christmas.
And as the afternoon sun dipped lower across the snowy landscape, neither of them noticed that something important had already begun.
Something neither expected.
Something neither was prepared for.
Something that looked remarkably like the beginning of a love story.