Love Finds You in North Pole, Alaska (31 page)

“It won’t be.”

She narrowed both eyes. “You seem awfully sure of yourself….”

“They’ll be here on Thursday. It’s all arranged.”

“But…
tomorrow
is Thursday!”

“Hmm, so it is.”

“But…how’d you know I’d say yes?”

Bryce kissed her, and she put everything she had into it. “
That’s
how.”

Bryce and Sam stood toe to toe at the entrance of the Santa Claus House amid the fresh blanket of snow God had delivered the night before. Her parents and brothers and most citizens of North Pole—wearing down-filled parkas, fat mittens, and fur-lined boots—formed a tight circle around the soon-to-be bride and groom.

Breath-smoke puffed from Pastor Davidson’s mouth as he said, “Repeat after me. ‘I, Samantha Sinclair, do solemnly vow….’ ”

“I, Thamantha Thinclair, do tholemnly vow…”

Curt the barber leaned toward the pastor’s wife. “Why’s she lisping?” he whispered. “I never noticed before that Sam had a lisp….”

“Because,” the woman said, “that silly girl took a dare.”

“A dare?” He glanced at Sam, who’d just tugged her fur-trimmed hood farther to the front of her head. “What sort of dare?”

“Well,” she began, “she and Bryce were working on the reindeer sculpture they entered in the Christmas in Ice contest, you see, and they got to joking about that movie…you know the one, where the little boy gets his tongue stuck on a frozen flag pole?”

“No, but go on.”

“You’re joking. I thought
everyone
had seen that one. It’s one of the funniest, cutest—”

“Carol,” Curt reminded gently, “the dare?”

“Oh. Yes.” She snickered behind one leather-gloved hand. “Well, you see—and who knew Bryce could be such a card!—he told Sam it wasn’t just a movie trick, that tongues really could get stuck to flag poles. But Sam said it had to be a Hollywood stunt of some kind. So he dared her to stick her tongue on one of their ice-reindeer’s antlers, to see for herself.”

Curt gawked at Sam again. “Don’t tell me she actually
did
it?”

“Yes, she actually
did
it!” she said, hiding again behind her gloved hand.

“Aw, just my bad luck…I was in the shop and missed all the fun!”

“Oh, don’t worry, you’ll see it in living color. It was all captured on film, don’t you know. The newspapers were here covering the event, just like they do every year. Along with a film crew from that decorating show.” Her giggle was muffled by the mitten. “The director told me the show will air tomorrow.”

“But tomorrow is Christmas Day!”

“Exactly.”

“Seems to me they should have won first prize for that alone.”

Carol laughed as Pastor Davidson quirked a brow in his wife’s direction. “Goodness,” she whispered, “I’ve been caught jabbering during a church service again!”

She and Curt faced the makeshift altar of polished ice that had been carved by the pastor himself in preparation for the ceremony.

“I now pronounce you man and wife,” he said. “Bryce, you may kiss your bride.”

Cheers rose from the small crowd as one voice called out, “Don’t kiss her too long in this weather, marine, or you’ll stick to her like she stuck to that reindeer!”

Laughter echoed up and down the street as Gene Autry sang “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” right on cue.

Want a peek into local American life—past and present? The
Love Finds You
™ series published by Summerside Press features real towns and combines travel, romance, and faith in one irresistible package!

The novels in the series—uniquely titled after American towns with unusual but intriguing names—inspire romance and fun. Each fictional story draws on the compelling history or the unique character of a real place. Stories center on romances kindled in small towns, old loves lost and found again on the high plains, and new loves discovered at exciting vacation getaways. Summerside Press plans to publish at least one novel set in each of the 50 states. Be sure to catch them all!

N
OW
A
VAILABLE IN
S
TORES

Love Finds You in Miracle, Kentucky
by Andrea Boeshaar
ISBN: 978-1-934770-37-5

Love Finds You in Snowball, Arkansas
by Sandra D. Bricker
ISBN: 978-1-934770-45-0

Love Finds You in Romeo, Colorado
by Gwen Ford Faulkenberry
ISBN: 978-1-934770-46-7

Love Finds You in Valentine, Nebraska
by Irene Brand
ISBN: 978-1-934770-38-2

Love Finds You in Humble, Texas
by Anita Higman
ISBN: 978-1-934770-61-0

Love Finds You in Last Chance, California
by Miralee Ferrell
ISBN: 978-1-934770-39-9

Love Finds You in Maiden, North Carolina
by Tamela Hancock Murray
ISBN: 978-1-934770-65-8

Love Finds You in Paradise, Pennsylvania
by Loree Lough
ISBN: 978-1-934770-66-5

Love Finds You in Treasure Island, Florida
by Debby Mayne
ISBN: 978-1-934770-80-1

Love Finds You in Liberty, Indiana,
by Melanie Dobson
ISBN: 978-1-934770-74-0

Love Finds You in Revenge, Ohio
by Lisa Harris
ISBN: 978-1-934770-81-8

Love Finds You in Poetry, Texas
by Janice Hanna
ISBN: 978-1-935416-16-6

Love Finds You in Sisters, Oregon
by Melody Carlson
ISBN: 978-1-935416-18-0

Love Finds You in Charm, Ohio
by Annalisa Daughety
ISBN: 978-1-935416-17-3

Love Finds You in Bethlehem, New Hampshire
by Lauralee Bliss
ISBN: 978-1-935416-20-3