The annual Heartland Christmas Market was in full swing, filling the snowy town square with twinkling lights, warm cider, and the sound of carolers drifting through the frosted air. Wooden booths lined the cobblestone paths, decorated with holly and handmade garlands. It was everything small-town dreams were made of.

Lila adjusted her knit beanie, tucking a few curls behind her ear as she finished setting up her booth. Her ornaments glittered under string lights, each one hand-painted with love and snowy detail.

"I can't believe this is really happening," she whispered.

"Believe it," came a voice from behind.

She turned to see Jesse, her childhood best friend and next-door neighbor, holding two cups of peppermint cocoa and grinning like they were still twelve years old sneaking cookies from her aunt's pantry.

"Hot cocoa for Heartland's newest celebrity artist," he said.

Lila smiled warmly. "Thanks, Jess. I was starting to lose feeling in my fingers."

He handed her a cup, then looked around at her display. "You always had the best eye for this stuff. Everyone else glued buttons onto jars and called it a day. You? You made magic."

Lila blushed. "You always say that."

"That's 'cause it's always been true."

Just then, Luke approached, holding a stack of flyers for the auction. His stride slowed the moment he saw Jesse leaning in toward Lila, their heads a little too close, laughter a little too easy.

"Hey," Luke said, setting the flyers on the booth edge.

Lila looked up. "Luke! You remember Jesse, right?"

Luke nodded stiffly. "Yeah. From the barn repair last spring."

Jesse extended a hand. "Still rocking that city flannel look, huh?"

Luke raised an eyebrow but shook it. "Some of us just like to blend in."

The tension was subtle but unmistakable.

Lila glanced between them. "I think I smell... testosterone."

Jesse chuckled. "Same old Lila."

Luke gave a tight smile. "Can I talk to you for a sec?"

Lila blinked, but nodded. "Sure. Jesse, will you watch the booth?"

"Of course," he said, grinning as he picked up a reindeer ornament. "This one still looks like your dog."

They stepped behind the booth, just out of earshot.

"What's up?" Lila asked.

Luke looked down, then back at her. "I didn't realize there was... history with Jesse."

She blinked. "We've been friends forever, yeah. He's practically family."

He rubbed the back of his neck. "It's just... I didn't expect to feel like I was the third wheel in your story."

Her eyes softened. "Luke, Jesse is my past. A good one. But you... you're something new. And honestly? A little terrifying."

His brow furrowed. "Terrifying?"

"You make me feel like I could actually have something big. Not just glitter and garland. But a future."

Luke took her hand. "Then let's build that future. Together. Mistletoe, glitter, jealous ex-farmboys and all."

She laughed, shaking her head. "You're ridiculous."

He leaned in slightly, voice low. "So... is there actual mistletoe around here, or did I just walk into a false marketing campaign?"

"Booth three," she whispered, smiling. "Next to the maple fudge lady."

They both turned back toward Jesse, who was now charming an older couple into buying three sets of ornaments. He winked at Lila when she returned.

She smiled back—kindly. Gratefully.

But her heart? It was walking beside Luke.

That evening, after the Market closed and lights sparkled under the falling snow, Luke found Lila by the firepit behind the cider stand. She held two roasted marshmallows in gloved fingers, one lightly toasted, one completely burnt.

"You always toast two?" he asked.

"Habit," she said. "One for the past, one for the future."

Luke took the burnt one. "Then I guess I'm your future."

She grinned. "It's a little charred, but I think it'll hold."

He leaned down and kissed her—slow, sure, and full of hope.

Across the square, Jesse watched from his truck, sipping cider and smiling softly. Not bitter. Just a man who knew when it was time to let go.

Meanwhile, at the farmhouse, Avery snuggled under a quilt with Ethan, watching an old black-and-white Christmas movie as Jet snoozed between them. She looked over at him.

"You know what I realized today?"

"What?"

"I thought I had to pick between flying and being grounded. But maybe I don't. Maybe I just needed to learn to land in the right place first."

He smiled. "And you landed with me?"

She nodded. "Perfectly."

Outside, the snowflakes drifted slowly from the sky, each one a small miracle.

And inside the warmth of Heartland, love was the greatest miracle of all.

🎄 End of Chap 5 🎄