Fair Mountain Christmas
(Heartwarming Christmas)
By Heidi Eljarbo
Nostalgia and Christmas miracles burn bright in this uplifting and heartwarming story about new beginnings and falling in love under a blanket of stars.
Fair Mountain, December 1972.
A few days before Christmas, Juni’s editor gives her a writing assignment that throws her far outside her comfort zone. She and her terrier, Leo, retreat to her grandparents’ old cabin in the Norwegian mountains in hopes of inspiration. But the trip turns into a heart-wrenching and emotionally challenging encounter.
Memories of Juni’s childhood seep in as soon as she enters the cabin, and as for the writing assignment…what does she know about what children need for Christmas?
Juni’s focus changes when handsome Henry Norheim from Moose Lodge down the hill unex-pectedly shows up outside her cottage door. His dedication to family, traditions, and Christmas celebration is contagious, but for Juni, coming out of her lonely shell is easier said than done.
As Juni’s deadline draws closer, and the snowflakes softly swirl down on Fair Mountain, she has to face up to her past, open her heart, and dare to take a step forward.
Will the miracle of Christmas live up to its promise of hope, goodwill, and love this year?
Excerpt
She turned to Leo. “Do you want to go out and play by yourself?”
The dog jumped up and barked. What a positive creature. He was always ready and happy when she suggested something. She closed the kitchen window and let him outside.
“Hey, you. Don’t go far.”
Leo lapped up snow and ran off to play, chase squirrels, or whatever he did outside. She closed the door and went back to the typewriter. Now to work.
She added a few sentences to the two points she already had and structured the article. Did she want to add a question at the beginning? Should she challenge the readers to think for themselves or merely read for entertainment?
A headline should have no more than seven words. Her editor had chosen the title Five Things Children Need for Christmas. Juni counted the words. She was within the margin.
Next, a simple introduction. As a journalist, she aimed to grab the attention of the reader in the ingress, the first paragraph, and summarize the story in a teasing, inviting way. Juni always wrote that part first. It inspired the entire piece. But not this time. Since she still did not know what to write, she’d wait and do that last.
The byline wasn’t a problem. She typed her name after the colon.
Should she add subheadings or dotted points for the five topics? The mini headlines with a well-rounded text would mean more content, but it would also produce a livelier and more interesting article.
The last paragraph should add a golden finishing touch. Perhaps a quote from an expert or a sentimental phrase to keep the reader wanting more.
Leo barked outside, and she opened the door to let him in. His wooly fur was covered in snow.
“Who are you, and what have you done with my cute dog? You need to thaw, or I’m afraid the Abominable Snowman might come and claim you as his pet.”
Leo hopped inside and shook himself, spreading a vast amount of snow onto the hallway floor. Juni grabbed the towel and rubbed his coat then followed him around the room, wiping up the snow that melted into small puddles on the wooden planks.
As the old wind-up wall clock struck seven, the cassette player stopped, and all the lights went out. The sun had set behind the clouds hours earlier. Immersed in her writing, she hadn’t noticed the weather change. The view from her window had gone from softly falling crystals to a dark and wintry storm. The mountain climate was less welcoming now.
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