Chapter 28
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
EMILY
“Has anyone told you that you make the most adorable elf?” Dana asked, approaching the booth where I was selling trees in a green elf hat and tunic.
I grinned, a warm buzzing spreading through me as I held her gaze. “Only you—about four times this weekend.”
Taking up Roz’s offer to work had been a good decision. Not only was I getting paid to celebrate Christmas, but Dana frequently dropped by.
She leaned against the counter. “Any difficult customers?”
I glanced around. No one was paying us any attention, but I lowered my voice just in case. “One woman keeps swinging by but not buying anything. Tall, brunette, attractive. Always wears her hair in a ponytail and dressed in farming gear. She’s terribly distracting.”
Dana bent close to my ear, her breath tickling my skin. “Well, let me know if I need to have a word with her.”
I laughed. I couldn’t believe it was already Sunday afternoon. The weekend had raced past in a heady blur of sex, Christmas tree sales, and finishing off my parents’ delicious leftovers. A cloud of heaviness settled over me. I’d be leaving tomorrow, and then it would all be over.
Roz walked over with an armful of Christmas wreaths Olivia had made using the trees that were damaged in the storm. I stepped back to put some distance between Dana and me.
Roz started to restock the display next to the register. “Looks like we’re nearly out of pre?cut trees above eight feet. Dana, are you free to help me cut a few more?”
Dana nodded. “I’ll see you soon,” she murmured, her hand grazing the side of my waist.
In public, we behaved as friends, every so often stealing a little touch. But in the privacy of the cabin, all bets were off. I bit my lip.
A customer approached, and I pushed all Dana-related thoughts aside to focus on putting the transaction through.
A few minutes later, Olivia skipped over, wearing a red Santa robe in place of her usual floral attire, and a mini wreath on top of her brown hair. “Do you need a bathroom break? I’m done making wreaths. I keep getting spiked by the holly.”
I laughed. “Ouch. Well, they look amazing. I’d love a break, thank you. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
I stepped out from behind the booth and headed to Roz and Olivia’s house, pulling out my phone to check my messages.
Lucia: How are things going with Dana?
Emily: Really good, although I’m leaving tomorrow :( I really don’t want to go.
As I walked across the back deck, I noticed another new message. My stomach sank as I recognized the number.
Rebecca: Hi Emily, I just wanted to check you if you’d come to a decision? Please let me know if you’d like to speak. I’m very happy to put any concerns you have to rest or answer any questions. Thanks, Rebecca.
I shoved my phone in my pocket and opened the back door of Roz and Olivia’s farmhouse.
I’d pushed Phillip to the back of my mind, delaying the decision yet again.
Just like I’d put off thinking about Austin for now too, although it was too soon for anything to happen to him.
Charles would talk to HolLove, and HolLove would hopefully launch an investigation.
It was unlikely there’d be any developments for a while, if anything happened at all.
But I didn’t want to think about Austin or Phillip right now, not when I was having such a great weekend.
At least I hadn’t heard anything more from Phillip since the flower delivery.
After using the bathroom, I washed my hands and adjusted my elf hat in the mirror.
The sun was low in the sky as I walked back out of the farmhouse and down the stairs.
My shift would be over soon, and then I’d be back at Dana’s for our last night together.
Could I suggest I stay a couple more days?
But I didn’t want to overstay my welcome.
I took over from Olivia at the booth and greeted the next customer with a smile.
A few minutes later, the hay wagon loaded with Christmas trees pulled up beside the stall. Roz and Dana jumped out and began unloading them.
Dana lifted the fir trees as if they weighed no more than a feather. She could probably lift me effortlessly onto the workbench in her shed, unbuttoning my pants as she trailed kisses down my neck... I bit my lip. I really couldn’t wait for my shift to end.
I glanced at my watch. Five p.m. The farm was officially closed. Thank god.
I’d just finished closing out the cash register when Dana walked over.
“I’m done for the day,” she said, smiling. “Do you have any plans for tonight? Fancy coming over for some lasagna?” She raised an eyebrow.
I laughed, looking around to check there was no one within earshot. “First that attractive customer distracts me all day, and now she invites me over for dinner. What next?”
Dana stepped closer to me, and lowered her voice. “I think I know what’s next. At least I hope I do.”
“Oh, do you?” A shiver of anticipation shot down my spine, and I had to resist the urge to lean in and kiss Dana. “But yes, I would love lasagna. I haven’t eaten any for almost six hours. I’m due for my hit. But perhaps we should eat some vegetables at some point.”
“Hmm, possibly.” Dana’s hand brushed against mine. “Let’s worry about that later. I want to get you home.”
We began walking over the grass to Dana’s truck, which was faintly lit by the lights from the farmhouse.
Dana cleared her throat. “So, I was talking to Roz earlier and had an idea. I don’t know if it’s something you’d be interested in, but I figured it’s worth at least discussing.”
I turned to look at Dana, barely able to make out her face in the dark.
“Roz is planning to convert the barn into a museum of The Christmas Tree Farm. She convinced Charles to let her keep some props and he’s going to send her a few stills from the movie.
She wants to have it all done by the movie premiere, but since that’s in less than two weeks, she’s worried about timing.
So, I was wondering if that’s something you’d be interested in helping out with—paid, of course?
You could even share some insider stories of the filming.
And Roz would also love to keep you on in your role as elf until Christmas as well, if you wanted to.
I know it’s not as exciting as acting roles, but it could be fun. ”
An excuse to stay until Christmas? My chest lifted. A mix of Christmas elf and museum curator roles sounded much more enjoyable than serving at my parents’ restaurant or picking up uninspiring voice-over work.
“That sounds fun. Would you be fine with me staying with you, or should I try to find somewhere else to stay?” The thought of being in Sapphire Springs and not being cozied up in Dana’s cabin was distinctly unappealing.
Dana squeezed my hand. “You can stay with me for as long as you’d like.”
My pulse picked up. “Are you thinking we’d, um, keep up our current arrangement?”
“If you’re okay with that, I would like that. A lot,” Dana said.
I grinned into the darkness, my head slightly giddy as I contemplated another two weeks with Dana.
We were delaying the inevitable, but surely as long as we had a firm cut-off, it would be fine?