Chapter 51: New Year's Eve on Lookout Ridge

On New Year's Eve night, as the digital clock steadily ticked closer toward midnight, they drove the battered pickup truck back up to the scenic peak of Lookout Ridge, wrapped securely in thick blankets against the bitter midnight chill. Down below them, the quiet lights of Cortis flickered across the dark valley floor like a fallen constellation of stars. As the dashboard clock officially flipped to midnight, James pulled Lily close against him, kissing her tenderly as distant fireworls bloomed in the sky over the country seat.