Finding Christmas by Jeannie Moon Page B

day.
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    The Christmas Boat Parade was one event that brought people from all over the south shore. Boaters from Holly Point and the surrounding towns decorated their vessels and from different points on the shore, Christmas music blasted from speakers. Some people, the most intrepid, brought chairs and blankets to the beach, while others were on artificially heated decks at local restaurants, or at the yacht club, being served hors d’ oeuvres and cocktails. Either way, people had fun, and Maggie, considering she didn’t want to be identified as a VIP, was excited to be part of it.
    When Maggie headed home to change clothes after decorating the boat, he received his marching orders from Cooper and Ethan. He was not allowed to fuck this up.
    For some reason, his friends didn’t trust him to handle things with her. And if he thought about it, he wasn’t sure himself. “She’s under your skin,” Coop told him. “If you let her get away, you won’t forgive yourself.”
    Logistics for the parade were a little tricky, because it brought in a lot of visitors, but one of the nice parts of living in a waterfront village was that he didn’t have to rely on roads. Will drove the boat to the dock down the road from Maggie’s house to pick her up. Uncomfortable or not, she was primed to have a good time, and just like she wanted, the boat sparkled like a disco ball.
    Dressed warmly, with a fuzzy Santa had on her head for good measure, she waved and called out to people on the shore. She teased Leo, just like she had in high school, and sat next to Will as he navigated around the harbor. At one point she kissed his cheek.
    No words passed between them. No words were necessary.
    After it was over, Will came to grips with the fact that he’d most definitely regret it if he lost her. Probably for the rest of his life.
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    Will had been charming, and Maggie had an amazing day.
    Having a good time had been easy. He was funny, easy going, and sweet. From the morning with the aspiring Paralympians to the boat parade, Maggie not only felt like part of the town again, she was starting to feel that wonderful gift of Christmas in her heart.
    It was hard to describe, but there was a warmth, a comfort, that came with the season, and Maggie was starting to see she needed her family, her friends, and her home to bring it back. Rehabs facilities and hospitals just weren’t going to cut it.
    But Will was an unexpected surprise. If her heart had started to thaw, it was his doing. Everything about him, his quiet strength, his compassion, his humor, were like an antidote to the numbness that had consumed her. Combining him with a healthy dose of her family, and Maggie had started to feel like herself again.
    Once he’d secured the boat at the town dock a block away from her house, Will helped her out, immediately wrapping his arms around her waist.
    “Well, are you going to ruin my reputation?”
    Maggie giggled. “Hardly. I had a wonderful day. Thank you.”
    “I’m glad. I did too.”
    “Your first game is this week, right?” She’d memorized the basketball schedule. Pathetic, but she didn’t care.
    “Yeah. Are you going to be there?”
    “I wouldn’t miss it. I don’t think my brother would forgive me.”
    Continuing to hold her tight, Maggie made no attempt to get away. He felt too good.
    “I have a crazy week,” Will began, “but I’d love to take you out next weekend. Maybe dinner on Friday night?”
    “Oh, um…” A date! He was asking her out on a real date. “I’d, ah, I’d love to.”
    Will’s smile went wide, crinkling his eyes at the corners, melting Maggie’s heart.
    “You just made my day, Maggie Benson.”
    With her arms securely around his neck, Maggie pulled him close. Will had no idea that he’d made her entire year. “Thank you for everything. I can’t wait ’til next week.”
    Will pulled back and his blue eyes picked up all the colors from the holiday