“It’s a shame. I’ve never read it.”

They’d discussed this character flaw of his before, but now Kate felt she could really shine. All her life prepared her for this moment. Adopting a practiced British accent, she dipped into the same performative storytelling style she often did when reading the abridged children’s version to the little ones in the festival cast.

“Marley was dead: to begin with. There is no doubt whatever about that. The register of his burial was signed by the clerk…” Kate stopped. That wasn’t right. “No. Was signed by the clergyman, the undertaker…” Again, she messed up. “No…”

When she looked back up, Clark graciously hid his laughter behind a hand clenched over his mouth.

“Are you trying to recite it right now?” He managed between tightly gritted teeth.

“I used to have it basically memorized.”

“Is that a brag?”

“It’s a tradition,” she defended as they made their way through the illuminated house back to the pine-scented living room.

“Then read it on your phone.”

“You don’t get it. The book itself is important. It takes me to Victorian England. Reading it on my phone reminds me I’m here in this time and this place. The paper is a medium across time.”

“Listen. I like you, but you are a huge nerd. You know that, right?”

Despite her disappointment, Kate laughed. It wasn’t the first time she’d heard that and it wouldn’t be the last, but coming from Clark who cobbled his own shoes and whispered when the TV was on, it was a hilarious accusation to hear. “No one knows better than me.”

But if loving Christmas and trying to get others to love it too made her a nerd, then she gladly accepted the title, and nothing could ever make her give it up. Especially now, when Clark looked at her the way he did, like she had all the answers to his questions about finding joy in this world.

Her mission for a copy of A Christmas Carol thoroughly defeated, they returned to the living room, though for what, Kate couldn’t quite decide. Going to bed now would be akin to admitting defeat. She still wasn’t convinced he cared enough about this day or this town or the festival. And, if she was being honest with herself, she didn’t want to leave him. He was, against all her better judgment, fun to be around. She was enjoying herself, even without the trappings of her usual traditions.