First Page of the novella, “Once Upon a Christmas Eve,” from Love Finds You Under the Mistletoe by Author Anita Higman.

“The people of Noel always said Holly Goodnight was like a rock tumbler–that she had a gift for smoothing out the edges of other people’s lives. Holly grinned at the thought. I probably have more in common with a rock hammer.

With a smile and a wave Holly breezed out of the post office and then darted across Main Street, just in time to grab Miss Flora’s arm as she stumbled on the curb.

“Thanks, dearie.” The older woman patted Holly’s cheek.

“No problem.” Once Miss Flora got her bearings, Holly kicked a ball back to a youngster before it rolled out in the street. The kid, little Perry somebody, didn’t thank her. He never did. The little knave. Holly rolled her eyes at him and headed toward The Little Bethlehem Shoppe on Main.

A male tourist, a tolerably handsome one, ambled out of one of the shops, yanked out his earbuds, and stared at Holly as if she were wearing her raindeer antlers. “Hi.”

“Hello.” Holly felt one of those mysterious life moments coming on, when the casual gaze between two strangers takes a crucial turn. It goes like this: somewhere in the heavenlies an angel flips a switch, bathing the couple in a halo, suspending time while the two assess each other. For dating potential, love, marriage, children. Retirement. Term life insurance.

Get hold of yourself, Holly. The sweet alchemy between them, which may have been only in her imagination, vanished like a whirl of snow.

The stranger bowed slightly. “Good day, mademoiselle.” He winked.