Emily clutched her shawl closer around her shoulders.
"Do we really have to do this?" she asked grumpily, following her sister through the thick snow. Jessica was leading her toward the mountain of the whispering winds.
"Oh, Emily!" Jessica called, "I promise you'll be glad you came with me!"
Jessica had recently become friends with a man from out of town called Kris Kringle. Ever since then, she'd been acting differently. Happy. Excited. Not exactly the usual emotions of a citizen of Sombertown.
"Why?" Emily asked.
"I met a friend of Kris's yesterday and we just know you'll love him!" Jessica continued.
"He?" Emily sighed, "Jessica, I don't need you setting me up with anyone. I don't need a husband, okay? You don't need to worry about me."
She thought back to some of the men Jessica had introduced her to before and sighed again.
"This one's different!" Jessica said, "I promise!"
Emily rolled her eyes and continued through the snow.
"Here we are!" Jessica said as they came to a clearing with a fence and a small shed.
Kris and several short old men were shuffling around carrying boxes.
"Jessica," Emily hissed, "You'd better not be expecting me to be courted by any gnomes!"
Jessica hushed her and said, "Those are the Kringles! Be nice! I told you you'd definitely like this man, remember?"
"Jessica!" Kris said happily catching sight of them, "And Emily, nice to see you! I have someone I'd like you to meet."
"Well, where is this mysterious person?" Emily asked in a friendly voice.
She didn't have to wait long. A tall, cloaked man with a long white beard and a pointed stocking cap came around the corner. He might've looked intimidating if it wasn't for his gentle eyes and kind grin.
"Winter!" Kris called him over.
He approached and said, "this must be the famous Emily."
Emily smiled and held out her hand, "Nice to meet you, Mister…?"
"Call me Winter," he said, taking her hand and kissing it gently.