Bethany’s Parade Clause, Elizabeth Chayse-Williams, November 19, 2025

Bethany wanted rules. Marco brought cookies. The parade brought mischief.

Temporary town clerk Bethany has one goal: keep her head down, finish her contract, and escape Mountmooke Bay before the Christmas lights come down. But when she’s roped into co-chairing the town’s beloved parade, she finds herself face-to-face with Marco—the sunshine-hearted deli owner who believes cookies make everything better.

She’s grumpy, he’s golden-retriever charming, and the parade has a mind of its own. Between last-minute float fixes, surprise horses, and enough glitter to coat the whole town, Bethany’s orderly world starts to thaw in the warmth of Marco’s smile.

Full of small-town charm, slow-burn sparks, and holiday mischief, Bethany’s Parade Clause proves that sometimes the best love stories are hidden in the fine print.

Artwork by Christa Perry