Snowed In With The Grinch

Chapter 15: A Step Toward Understanding

The next morning, Holly woke up to the pale gray light of dawn creeping through her window. The snowstorm had eased overnight, leaving a thick, powdery blanket across the town. Snowfall Valley looked like something out of a storybook, its rooftops frosted in white, icicles dripping like jewels from the eaves. But inside Holly’s chest, there was still a heavy knot of uncertainty.

Her conversation with Jack the night before played over and over in her mind. She’d apologized, she’d listened, and yet, something told her they hadn’t really fixed things. He’d opened a window into his world, one filled with grief and memories he clearly didn’t share often, but there were still barriers between them—walls she wasn’t sure how to scale.

She sat up, shivering as her toes touched the cold floor. Maybe they’d both said enough for now. Jack needed space, and Holly needed time to sort through the strange, unfamiliar emotions swirling in her chest. Guilt, yes, but something else, too—something softer.

After dressing quickly in her warmest clothes, Holly made her way downstairs. The lodge was quiet this early in the morning, with only a handful of guests milling about. Marjorie was at the front desk, humming a Christmas tune as she arranged a tray of muffins.

“Morning, dear,” Marjorie said cheerfully, her eyes sparkling as Holly approached. “I trust you slept well?”

Holly gave her a small, distracted smile. “Well enough.”

Marjorie tilted her head, clearly sensing the hesitation in Holly’s tone. “Something on your mind?”

“Just... work stuff,” Holly lied, not ready to dive back into the heavy topic of Jack’s grief. “I should probably check in with Jack soon, see where we’re at with the sculpture schedule.”

Marjorie gave her a knowing smile, one that made Holly feel like she was being gently nudged in a direction she wasn’t ready to go. “You’ll find him out in the square. He’s been at it since dawn.”

“Of course he has,” Holly muttered, her lips twitching in a reluctant smile.

---

By the time Holly reached the town square, Jack was already hard at work. His breath fogged in the frigid air as he moved around the massive snow sculpture, his movements quick and precise. He was carving the angel’s face now, his gloved hands guiding a small chisel with meticulous care.

For a moment, Holly simply watched him. There was something hypnotic about the way he worked, the way his focus seemed unshakable. It reminded her of the night she’d first seen him in the square, only now she understood the weight behind his intensity.

She took a deep breath and approached cautiously, not wanting to startle him. “Hey,” she called softly.

Jack paused, his shoulders stiffening slightly before he turned to face her. His expression was guarded but not cold, and Holly took that as a good sign.

“Morning, McAllister,” he said, his voice neutral. “What brings you here?”

“Checking in,” Holly said, gesturing toward the sculpture. “Seeing how it’s coming along.”

Jack glanced back at the angel, his lips curving into a faint smile. “It’s getting there.”

Holly nodded, stepping closer. Up close, the details were even more breathtaking. The angel’s wings seemed to shimmer in the light, their curves delicate and precise. Its face was serene, almost otherworldly, and Holly couldn’t help but feel a pang of awe.

“It’s beautiful,” she said quietly.

Jack’s smile softened, but there was still a hint of tension in his posture. “Thanks.”

Holly hesitated, then took another step closer. “Jack... about last night.”

“You don’t have to say anything,” Jack interrupted, his tone gentle but firm. “We’re good.”

Holly frowned, not entirely convinced. “Are we?”

Jack met her gaze, his eyes searching hers. For a moment, it felt like he was weighing whether or not to let her in further. Then he sighed, setting his chisel down and leaning against the base of the sculpture.

“I don’t like talking about Ben,” he admitted, his voice low. “It’s not that I’m trying to hide it. I just... I’d rather focus on the good stuff, you know? The memories that make me smile, not the ones that...” He trailed off, his jaw tightening.

“Not the ones that hurt,” Holly finished softly.

Jack nodded, his gaze dropping to the snow at his feet. “Yeah.”

Holly shifted, unsure of what to say. She wanted to comfort him, but she didn’t want to push too hard. Jack wasn’t the kind of person who opened up easily, and the last thing she wanted was to make him retreat again.

“Marjorie told me about the first sculpture,” she said after a moment. “The angel you made for him.”

Jack glanced at her, his expression unreadable. “She did, huh?”

“She thought I needed to understand,” Holly said carefully. “And I think she was right. Jack, what you’re doing here... it’s not just art. It’s—” She hesitated, searching for the right words. “It’s love. And that’s... that’s pretty amazing.”

Jack blinked, clearly caught off guard. “Love, huh?”

Holly nodded, her cheeks flushing slightly. “Yeah. Love for your brother, for this town, for everything you’ve built here. I think it’s incredible.”

For the first time since their fight, Jack’s face softened completely. The guarded look in his eyes faded, replaced by something warmer, something more vulnerable.

“Thanks, McAllister,” he said quietly. “That means a lot.”

Holly smiled, relieved that she hadn’t said the wrong thing this time. “You’re welcome.”

They stood in silence for a moment, the only sounds the faint crunch of snow beneath their feet and the distant hum of holiday music drifting from a nearby shop.

“Hey,” Jack said suddenly, his grin returning. “You want to help?”

Holly blinked. “Help? With the sculpture?”

“Yeah,” Jack said, picking up an extra chisel and holding it out to her. “I’ll show you how. Unless you’re scared.”

Holly rolled her eyes, though her lips twitched in a smile. “I’m not scared. I just don’t want to ruin it.”

“You won’t ruin it,” Jack said confidently. “I’ll make sure of it.”

Holly hesitated for a moment, then reached out and took the chisel. The metal was cold against her gloves, and she turned it over in her hands, feeling both nervous and excited.

“Okay,” Jack said, stepping behind her. “First, you’ve got to hold it like this.”

He reached around her, adjusting her grip on the chisel. His hands were warm and steady, and Holly felt a small flutter in her chest as he guided her movements.

“Now, see this part here?” Jack pointed to a section of the sculpture, just below the angel’s left wing. “We’re going to smooth out this edge. Nice and easy.”

Holly nodded, focusing on the task. She pressed the chisel gently into the snow, following Jack’s instructions as he guided her movements. It was surprisingly satisfying, the way the snow gave way beneath the blade, leaving behind a smooth, polished surface.

“Not bad,” Jack said, his voice close to her ear. “You’re a natural.”

“Don’t push your luck,” Holly muttered, though she couldn’t help the small smile that crept onto her lips.

They worked together for the next hour, carving and smoothing the sculpture in companionable silence. Holly found herself relaxing as the minutes ticked by, her earlier tension melting away like the snow beneath their feet.

When they finally stepped back to admire their work, Holly felt a surprising surge of pride. The angel’s left wing was complete now, its edges clean and elegant. She couldn’t believe she’d had a hand in creating something so beautiful.

“Not bad, McAllister,” Jack said, giving her a playful nudge. “You might have a future in this.”

Holly laughed, shaking her head. “I think I’ll stick to spreadsheets, thanks.”

Jack grinned, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “Fair enough.”

As they stood there, side by side, Holly felt a warmth spread through her chest that had nothing to do with the layers of clothing she was wearing. For the first time since she’d arrived in Snowfall Valley, she felt like she belonged. And it wasn’t just the town—it was Jack.

Holly’s first real collaboration with Jack brings them closer than ever, but as the festival approaches, so do the unspoken fears and vulnerabilities that still linger between them.