Santa Loves Curvy Girls (New Release)

Narrated by Courtney Encheff and Luke Welland

Chapter 1: Belle

Garland, Maine was a special place where you could make a wish once a year when they put the star on the Christmas tree in the town square. More often than not, my wishes had come true.

Other than Christmas Day, it was my favorite day of the year.

As I finished getting ready, I looked in the mirror and fixed my candy-cane-red scarf. It stood out against my dark wavy hair. Then I checked the rest of my reflection. Tonight, I’d worn a form-fitting green sweater dress instead of an outfit that would hide my extra curves and wide-calf knee-high boots. Before I could second guess my appearance, I turned and headed down the stairs.

I’d never missed the star being placed on the tree, not since I was a little kid who sat on my dad’s shoulders, and I definitely wasn’t going to miss it this year.

I checked the time on my phone. My friends had to be on their way too. I tapped out a quick text as I left my house, letting Mom know I’d be at the town square.

The holidays were always a busy time in Garland, more so in December with thousands of tourists coming to town. There was so much to do, from volunteering at Santa’s Elves to going on sleigh rides or working at the Snowed Inn Lodge.

Not to mention finding someone cute to kiss at Mistletoe Hill.

I’d done just about everything there was to do in Garland except for that last particular attraction. Not that it was an official attraction. More like the secret make-out spot the local kids went to.

You had to have a cute boy invite you there, and I was just not the kind of girl who got those invites. Neither were my friends. We weren’t the right size or fit into the right crowds at school. Something I’d sadly realized as early as elementary school.

But that was another reason I had to get to Cider Center, where the big Christmas tree stood.

This year would be different. I could feel it in my bones. I had a very special wish to make this time around as the star lit up.

By the time I got to Cider Center, the crowds were bustling and murmuring with excitement.

“Excuse me,” I said politely as I made my way to the front. Even though I was shivering and I could see my breath, I wouldn’t trade being here for anything.

This was my moment.

There was something about the Christmas season that made it so the cold could reach my nose and fingers but my heart felt big, hopeful, and warm.

It was the season of miracles, wishes, and gift-giving. Anything was possible.

“Belle!” I heard someone call nearby.

I turned around, trying to find the person behind the familiar voice.

Holly’s bright brown eyes came into view among the sea of Garland locals and tourists.

“Holly!” I yelled. The crowds were getting louder now. People squeezed and jostled, trying to make it near the front for a good view. In just a minute, the tree would light up, officially kicking off the Christmas season in our little town.

She waved and smiled, our other friends in tow.

“I’m so glad you guys made it.” I hopped on my toes a little, trying to stay warm.

The girls lined up on either side of me.

Carolynn was the last to arrive. “Wouldn’t miss it,” she said, although I may have detected a hint of sarcasm.

“I’ve got five minutes before I’ve gotta run, but I didn’t want to miss this either,” Bethany said.

Sera was still in her work uniform. “Hi, Belle, looking cute.”

Carolynn, Bethany, Holly, and Sera. My ride or die group of best friends since elementary school.

And like me, plus size and desperately single.

“When’s your cousin getting here?” I asked Sera.

“Tomorrow, and I hear she’s real thrilled,” she replied, sarcasm dripping from her voice.

Before I could ask her what her cousin had done to get sent here for Christmas, the ceremony began.

Whispers of excitement filled the air around us as everyone turned their eyes up toward the Christmas tree in front of us.

The Garland Christmas tree stood well over thirty feet tall, covered in so many lights and ornaments that you could hardly see the evergreen branches underneath.

Legend has it that the tree was harvested at the North Pole each year, which is why magic traveled through the leaves and branches all the way up to the star and made so many Garland Christmas wishes come true.

The mayor of Garland always did the honors. With the help of a fire truck ladder, he made his way up, up, up toward the very tip of the tree. Little kids screamed and laughed and pointed. The mayor waved down at them.

When he reached the top, he pulled out a microphone, the large star under his other arm. “It’s the most wonderful time of the year,” he said, echoing the familiar song. “Today, it’s my honor as your mayor to place the star on the tree and light up Garland, knowing that the holiday spirit of the people of our town shines brighter than any light on this tree.”

This was it. My heart sped up with anticipation.

As the light of the star came on, I clasped my hands together and closed my eyes, whispering my wish to myself but praying it was heard by Garland Christmas magic.

Whoever was up there approving Christmas miracles in Garland, Maine, I hoped they saw how important this was, not just for me but for my friends, too.

I wish for my friends and me to fall in love by the new year.

Maybe it was a reach. No, it was definitely a reach. Especially with how hard dating seemed to be at my size. But I believed. I had to. This felt like my only shot to fall in love before graduating high school, so I was going to take it.

Long ago, the Garland Christmas magic had worked for my dad when he wished my mom would go out with him. Maybe today it would work for me too.

“Belle, look at it. Isn’t it so pretty?” Holly said quietly.

I opened my eyes. The star glowed a bright yellow white, along with the colorful lights on the tree. We stood there, mesmerized.

People around us began clapping and cheering, and we joined in.

Bethany wiped a tear from the corner of her eye. “This part always makes me cry.” I put my arm around her shoulder, feeling exactly the same way.

This was the reason I’d never leave Garland.

While the crowds around us dispersed, we instinctively stood in a circle to keep warm and close to each other.

“Wish for anything special this year?” Carolynn asked.

I opened my mouth, unsure if I should say.

Then Sera jumped in. “Just that we remain friends like this forever. No matter what.”

I grinned. “That’s a great wish.”

Holly glanced toward Santa’s Workshop down the street. “So, who do you think will be picked to be Santa this year?”

Getting selected was both a secret and a huge honor here in Garland. No one even really knew for sure how you got nominated or how you applied. That’s what a big deal it was for no one to know the secret identity of Santa Claus.

Carolynn shrugged. “Maybe they’ll pick Mr. Thornton.”

We shuddered. Mr. Thornton was our middle-aged math teacher. He certainly had the right belly to be Santa. But we liked to say he had more of the spirit of the Grinch than the cheer required to be Santa.

Before we went our separate ways, we kept making guesses, each one more and more crazy.

As we reached Cocoa Corner, the local coffee shop, we all got ready to head in different directions.

“He just better not be someone’s creepy old grandpa,” Sera said.

We laughed. I crossed my fingers like I was wishing for good luck. “I sure hope not.”

“See you next week!” Holly waved before crossing the street. Sera and Carolynn did the same. I waved after them. With all of us working part-time jobs for the holiday and this being the busiest time of the year, we wouldn’t be able to hang out again until after Christmas when we met up at our classmate Haley’s big New Year’s Eve party.

And if my wish came true (please come true) there’d be plenty to fill each other in about. A girl could dream.

*Find out what happens next in Santa Loves Curvy Girls!