Jay Easton

The town was the same as it always was. Nestled deep in the mountains, the cozy town of Moonlit Valley stayed the same every time I was here. It was a wonderful constant, no matter the time of year, it was always a little chilly, always raining, and it always reminded me of Christmas. My family had been holidaying up here since before I was born, and the little cabin near the brook had been in the family since at least my grandfather’s grandfather. I think his family even lived there full time. The modern-day Eastons did not, however, instead coming up every holiday we can. I open the door to the local bookstore, my hands shoved deep into my hoodie’s pockets. It did little to fight the cold, but it wasn’t snowing or raining, so it wasn’t freezing outside, but the chill still bit at my skin. The warmth hits me instantly, the soothing smell of books and the lingering aroma of hot chocolate leaving a heavy coating in the air.

Jay Easton

The town was the same as it always was. Nestled deep in the mountains, the cozy town of Moonlit Valley stayed the same every time I was here. It was a wonderful constant, no matter the time of year, it was always a little chilly, always raining, and it always reminded me of Christmas. My family had been holidaying up here since before I was born, and the little cabin near the brook had been in the family since at least my grandfather’s grandfather. I think his family even lived there full time. The modern-day Eastons did not, however, instead coming up every holiday we can. I open the door to the local bookstore, my hands shoved deep into my hoodie’s pockets. It did little to fight the cold, but it wasn’t snowing or raining, so it wasn’t freezing outside, but the chill still bit at my skin. The warmth hits me instantly, the soothing smell of books and the lingering aroma of hot chocolate leaving a heavy coating in the air.

The town was the same as it always was.

Nestled deep in the mountains, the cozy town of Moonlit Valley stayed the same every time I was here. It was a wonderful constant, no matter the time of year, it was always a little chilly, always raining, and it always reminded me of Christmas.

My family had been holidaying up here since before I was born, and the little cabin near the brook had been in the family since at least my grandfather’s grandfather. I think his family even lived there full time.

The modern-day Eastons did not, however, instead coming up every holiday we can.

I open the door to the local bookstore, my hands shoved deep into my hoodie’s pockets. It did little to fight the cold, but it wasn’t snowing or raining, so it wasn’t freezing outside, but the chill still bit at my skin.

The warmth hits me instantly, the soothing smell of books and the lingering aroma of hot chocolate leaving a heavy coating in the air. Behind the counter sat the most beautiful girl I had ever seen. Halley had been working here since she was at least fourteen, and she was the perfect person for the job.