on the momentum they had from the fall season. Carrie had checked in with the hotel owners and all of them were near or at capacity over the next two weekends. It seemed that the Merry Magnolia activities resonated with folks from up and down the Atlantic coast. They had the chance to create something really special and make Magnolia a premier boutique vacation destination.
She couldn’t help but wonder what her dad would have thought about all of this. Much of the spirit of what she wanted for the town emulated the images of American culture he’d portrayed in his paintings. Niall had always wanted the main focus in town to be him and not his work. He liked the fame, craved the recognition and people pandering to his whims.
Carrie wanted to create an event that would stand on its own within the town. Tourists who visited for the holiday would come back again throughout the year to experience the small-town charm with its homey shops, comfortable hotels and unique restaurants. Once the initial framework was solid, anyone could run the tourism campaigns and activities for each year.
She had detailed timelines and steps in a folder on her computer and had kept copious notes in the binder she carried almost everywhere. Her efficiency might make her presence obsolete in coming years. She gasped as she realized she was organizing herself out of her role in town.
Was that the plan? Get Magnolia back on track from some of the damage her father had done and then finally go live a little herself? Not that she didn’t love her life here. But ever since Dylan had mentioned that she needed to pay attention to her own work, the thought had niggled in the back of her mind. What had she been missing? What new adventures might await her if she was willing to grasp them?
“Does it ever snow in Magnolia?” Sam asked, breaking into her thoughts.
“Very rarely,” Dylan said.
Carrie turned as he walked into the room. He wore dark pants and an olive-colored shirt, looking both professional and a little rugged. “Not true,” she argued. “It snows sometimes. Plus, don’t you remember that one winter when we had the blizzard?”
“Four inches of snow isn’t a blizzard.”
“I like snow,” Sam said, dotting flakes onto the night sky of the backdrop. “My dad used to complain about shoveling all the time.”
“Boston gets a lot of snow,” she murmured, giving Dylan a look when his expression turned stony. She understood it might be difficult to hear reminders of the boy’s parents but believed it was good for both Dylan and Sam to be able to talk freely about the loved ones they lost. “I bet you built a lot of snowmen.”
“Yeah,” the teenager agreed, his focus still on the mural. “One time we got close to two feet and school was called off for three days. Me and my friends made a whole snowman army.”
“That’s awesome.” She shot a pointed smile at Dylan. “What do you think of Sam’s work?”
“It’s great. Very festive and all that. We need to get going.”
She could almost see Sam’s eyes rolling, but he continued to add details to the scene.
“Have you been to the beach, Sam?” she asked as she began to put away the art supplies. “Not really an opportunity for building snowmen around here, but sandcastles are a year-round activity.” She held out a caddy of paint supplies. “These go in the cupboard on the far wall.”
Sam turned to face her. “Are we close to the ocean here?”
“Of course,” she said. “That’s why the festival is called Santa at the Shore. The beach is really close when you’re out at Meredith’s farm. I’m surprised you couldn’t smell it in the air. You can walk from Last Acre, but there’s plenty of parking right at the public beach, too. No crowds at this time of year.” She glanced at Dylan. “You haven’t taken him to Magnolia Beach?”
“It’s the first week of December,” Dylan answered with a shrug. “Why would we go out there?”
“Because it’s still beautiful and fun to walk along the shore.”
“It’s windy and the water’s cold,” he countered.
“I’d like to go,” Sam offered.
Dylan’s mouth opened then shut again. “Okay, sure. Let’s go to the beach this weekend before the festival. Carrie will come with us, so I don’t miss all the beauty.”
Nerves zinged along her spine at the teasing quality in his tone. She wanted to refuse because spending time with Sam was one thing but