A ring for my heart

Prologue

The mistletoe hung innocently above the arched doorway of Winterhaven’s grand town hall, swaying slightly with each chilly breeze that seeped through the cracks. The room was alive with laughter, champagne glasses clinking, and the soft hum of a jazz quartet playing in the background.

Emily Harper stood on the outskirts of the crowd, clutching her flute of sparkling cider, her gaze drawn to the golden lights twinkling on the massive Christmas tree at the center of the hall. She’d always loved this time of year, the way the world seemed to pause in celebration, letting hope and joy take center stage. But tonight, amidst the glow of the holidays, her heart felt heavier than usual.

It wasn’t loneliness, exactly. Winterhaven was home, filled with people she knew and cherished. But as she watched couples twirling on the dance floor and friends exchanging heartfelt toasts, Emily couldn’t shake the feeling that something—or someone—was missing from her life.

“Dreaming again, Harper?”

The deep, familiar voice sent a shiver down her spine before she even turned to see him. Ethan Blake. The boy who’d once been the star of her teenage fantasies now stood before her, a man who was equal parts confidence and charm. His dark suit fit him perfectly, his blue-gray eyes as sharp and piercing as she remembered.

“Ethan,” she said, her voice soft but steady. “I didn’t think you’d make it back for the holidays.”

He smirked, leaning casually against the doorframe. “Neither did I. Guess the universe had other plans.”

Emily opened her mouth to respond, but before she could, a chorus of voices rose up around them.

“Ten seconds!” someone shouted, and the crowd joined in, counting down the final moments of the year.

Caught in the chaos, Emily suddenly realized she and Ethan were standing directly beneath the mistletoe. Her cheeks burned as she glanced up at the sprig of green, then back at him.

“Five… Four…”

“Looks like tradition calls,” Ethan said, his voice low and teasing. But his gaze held something deeper, a question neither of them had dared to ask before.

“Three… Two…”

Before she could overthink it, Ethan leaned in, his lips brushing against hers in a kiss that was as unexpected as it was electric.

“One! Happy New Year!”

The room erupted into cheers, but Emily barely noticed. Her heart was racing, her thoughts spinning. As Ethan pulled back, his expression was unreadable, a mix of surprise and something else—something Emily couldn’t quite name.

“Happy New Year, Emily,” he murmured, and then he was gone, lost in the sea of celebrating faces.

As the night stretched on, Emily stood frozen in place, her fingers touching her lips. It had been one moment, one kiss, but somehow, she knew everything was about to change.