On Christmas Eve, Clara attended the midnight service at the small church her father had loved.
She sat alone in a pew, the memories of past Christmases washing over her as the choir sang carols.
She hadn't seen Jack since the snowstorm, and she felt his absence acutely.
After the service, Clara lingered by the church, watching families and couples make their way home.
She missed her father, missed the simplicity of being with someone who understood her.
And she missed Jack, more than she'd expected to.
As she made her way back to the farm, she found Jack waiting for her by the gate.
Snowflakes dusted his hair, and his face held a quiet determination.
"I thought I'd missed you," he said softly.
"But I had to see you tonight."
Clara felt her heart swell, her own resolve slipping away.
"I didn't know if you'd come."
They stood together in the moonlit snow, silence stretching between them.
Finally, Jack took her hands.
"Clara, I know we both have our pasts.
But I think... I think we could make something beautiful together.
If you'll let me."
A tear slipped down her cheek, and she nodded, the fear melting in the warmth of his touch.
"I want that too, Jack.
I do."
And there, beneath the quiet stars, they shared a gentle, long-awaited kiss, a promise of all that could be.
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A Winter's Promise
RomanceA Winter's Promise When Clara took over her family's Christmas tree farm after her father's passing, she vowed to keep his legacy alive, turning the farm into a place where families could find joy and warmth during the holiday season. But as each Ch...
