CHAPTER SIX
Rebecca—
Bootsteps pound down the stairs. I turn from the kitchen counter to see JJ approaching in a pair of jeans and t-shirt with a denim shirt hanging open over it.
“I found some coffee,” I say, my hands wrapped around a steaming mug.
“Great. How is it?” he asks, moving to pour his own.
“Not great. I like a darker blend; this is really weak.”
He tastes it and grimaces. “Maybe it's stale.”
“Probably.”
“Guess we need to get some supplies.”
I slide a chair out at the dining table and sit, pulling out my phone. “I already started a list.”
“Good.”
At the sound of drawers opening, I turn. “What are you searching for?”
“Gramps used to have a list of companies. I think we’re going to need to have someone come out and check the furnace. I can’t get it working.”
“What do you think that’s going to cost?”
“No clue, but I don’t think we’ve got a choice. It’s going to get cold before we know it.” When he comes up empty, he sets his mug down, frowning. “I’ll be right back.”
He’s gone for a few minutes, then returns.
“Well, I think I found our heating problem.”
“What’s that?”
“The propane tank is empty. We’ll have to have someone come out and fill it.”
“Who do we call?”
He moves to the refrigerator and finds an old magnet on the side. “Here’s the place he used.”
He pulls his phone out and calls them.
I return to my list, tapping out items.
JJ walks to the front of the house and peers out the window. He’s on the call for a few minutes, then returns. “Well, even with a rush job, the quickest they can get out here is three days from now.”
“At least we’ve still got the fireplace. We should be okay, right? I saw a stack of wood against the cabin.”
“The loft holds the heat, but if it gets cold, that bedroom might not be very warm, even with the fire going.”
“I’ll sleep on the couch. I’ll be fine.”
I’ve got a pad of paper and a pen beside me, and JJ steps over and picks it up, scanning my notes.
“What’s this?”
“Some ideas I had for the place.” I watch his expression, wondering what he thinks of them.
“Free coffee, hot cocoa, and cider. Free popcorn ball or Christmas cookies. Santa on the weekends. Wreath making class. Gift shop,” he recites. “So, you’re giving stuff away?”
“We want to be inviting. We’ve got to get people up here.”
He scans the rest of the list. “Instagram spot. What’s that?”
“We need a cute area that people will want to take a photo in front of, and we want a sign with our name and logo in the picture. If we can get folks to share it on social media, we’ll get free publicity.
We could offer them a $2 discount or something like a free ornament or sleigh bell or frame to put a picture inside.
All they have to do is show us they shared the photo. ”
“A logo? You mean that old sign? It’s just the name with holly leaves around it.”
“I was thinking we could come up with something fresh.”
“Like what? I don’t want to change the name.”
“I’m not suggesting we change the name. Just a new logo. I haven’t figured it out yet. I was thinking of doing some research. There are some design programs on my computer, but I need Wi-Fi. I thought I might find a place in town to work. Maybe the coffee shop.”
“You’ve given this a lot of thought.”
“I’ve tried to come up with some money-making ideas, like the wreath-making classes and the gift shop. I was thinking we could talk to merchants in town and see if we could make a trade.”
“For what?”
“I was thinking we could trade them a Christmas tree and, in exchange, we could ask them to put up one of our sandwich boards advertising this place.”
“We have sandwich board signs?”
“Well, not yet, but I planned to get some. I want it to convey that getting a tree is more than about the tree; it's about making family memories and traditions.”
“I’m beginning to see how important this is to you.” He strokes his chin. “I can make a sign, and I have an idea for something for that Instagram spot.”
“Like what?”
“Let me see if I can make it happen before I tell you.” He pulls out his phone and shoots off a text, then turns to me. “You ready to go to town?”
“Let me grab my jacket and laptop. I’ll just be a minute.” I stand, and his eyes sweep over me. I’m dressed in jeans and a cute fall sweater. Nothing fancy, but I notice his gaze stop on my chest before quickly turning away.
When I walk outside a few minutes later, the black dog is in the drive again, wagging its tail, and JJ is scratching its ears. “Is that the farmer’s dog from across the road?”
“I guess so. Go on now,” he says, shooing it away. He’s pulled the company truck out of the barn. “I thought we’d take this. It needs to be driven.”
“Great.” I climb into the passenger seat, and JJ slides behind the wheel. I lean to check the dash. “There’s gas, right?”
“About a quarter of a tank. I’ll gas up while we’re in town.”
We bounce along the rutted gravel drive, and JJ turns onto the paved road.
“Maybe we should do something about that driveway,” I suggest.
“We don’t have the funds for that. We’d have to have it graded. As long as that drive is, it’d cost a fortune.”
“That’s too bad.”
“It’ll do for this season.”
“What shape is the parking area in?”
“I haven’t checked. I’ll do that later.”
When we hit town, I point at the local coffee shop, The Cozy Cup. “Before we grocery shop, let’s stop there. Maybe they have free internet.”
“Sure.” He pulls into one of the diagonal spots. It’s still early enough in the day that it's not crowded.
JJ holds the door for me, and we walk inside. Like the name suggests, it’s a cozy place with great coffee shop vibes, and I’m instantly in love with it.
We find a small wooden table in the corner.
“Have you ever been here before?” I ask.
“Nope. Looks like we have to order at the counter. You know what you want? I’ll go order.”
“I’ll have a—”
“Let me guess. A pumpkin-spiced latte.”
“Yes, please.”
He moves off to order. My eyes drop to his cute ass, and I have to admit the man has a sexy walk.
I open my laptop and, sure enough, I’m able to get on their free Wi-Fi. Once I’ve got my design program pulled up, I scan branding templates for ideas.
A thought comes to me, and I do a quick search for local photographers.
When JJ returns with our coffees, I spring my idea on him.
“I had a thought.”
“Yeah, what about?” He sips his coffee.
“I was thinking it’d be great if we could make a video of a happy couple picking out a Christmas tree. We could put it out on social media as advertising.”
“Great. Who’re we gonna get to play the happy couple?”
“Us.”
“You and me?”
“Why not? Surely you can fake being a happy customer. We can dress in winter clothes with hats and scarves. You know, look festive. There are a couple of photographers in town. I’m sure I can find someone to come out and film it for us. Maybe do some still photos as well.”
“How much is all this gonna cost?”
“I don’t know yet. Do you like the idea?”
He shrugs. “Sounds kind of cheesy, but you’re the one with all the ideas. You want to try it, I’m game.”
“Great. I’ll make some inquiries. Of course, we’ll need that Instagram spot.”
“I’m working on it.” He toys with his coffee cup. “I asked the manager if we could trade a tree in exchange for putting a sign up.”
“You did?” I lean forward, my brows lifting. “That’s awesome. What’d they say?”
“The guy said they get their tree from Angel Ridge Tree Farm over in Fairfield.”
“Oh.” My shoulders deflate.
“He said they’re the biggest place around. Ever heard of them?”
“Yes. They do a lot of advertising. There’s usually a big billboard out on the interstate, and I’ve seen their ads on social media, but I’ve never been there. Have you?”
“Nope.” He sips his coffee. “Maybe we should check out our competition. I wonder if the owners knew my gramps.”
“Possibly.”
“Maybe he’d give us some advice.”
“Why would he help us? We’re his competition.”
JJ shrugs. “Depends if he was friends with my grandfather. If I make it sound like we’re planning to sell, but have to keep it open one last year per the terms of the will, he might be nice about it.”
“Maybe. I wonder if they’re open.”
“Even if they’re not, we could drive by and look at the place.”
“I suppose.”
“Finish your coffee, then we can get that list of groceries you made and take them to the cabin. We should have time to run out to Fairfield after that. Sound good?” I ask.
“Sounds like a plan.” I sip from my mug, and he glances at my computer.
“You have a knack for this sort of thing. Where’d that come from?”
“I was an art major in college.”
“Really?” His brows lift.
I shrug. “I used to paint. I thought about selling my designs online. I’d even worked out a way to turn them into merchandise like tea towels and greeting cards, but David didn’t want me doing that.”
“Why not?”
“He always treated my abilities like a hobby, not something to be taken seriously.”
“Knowing my brother, I think he didn’t want you earning your own income.”
Everything in me goes still; he’s come so close to what I’ve suspected. After the way his parents sang David’s praises, it feels validating to have someone speak the words aloud I’ve always felt.
“Perhaps,” I whisper.
JJ studies me, but there’s no judgment in his eyes; it’s closer to sympathy. “I guess I see why you so badly need the farm to be successful.”
I down my drink and close my computer. “We should get going if we’re going to have time to do everything.”
“Sure.” He finishes his own drink, and stands. “Let’s go.”
“Let me run to the restroom.”
“I’ll meet you outside. I need to make a call.”
I head to the restroom and watch JJ retreat out the front door. When I emerge from the café, he’s leaning against a lamppost, his back to me, his phone on speaker, talking to someone.
“Bro, it doesn’t run.”
“I don’t need it to run. It’s just a prop for some photos. It’s important to her, Boot. I really want to make this happen.”
“Okay, well, I can load it on the flatbed and bring it up this weekend. Will that work for you?”
“Yeah, man. I appreciate it.”
“You owe me one.”
“Bullshit. You’re ol’ lady will be happy to see the thing go. You may even get you some.” JJ chuckles.
“You’re probably right about that. Send me the address, and I’ll text you when I’m ready to leave.”
“Will do.” He disconnects, and I pretend I just came outside and didn’t hear any of that. It sounds like he wants it to be a surprise, and I don’t want to ruin it for him. I’m touched he’s going to the trouble for me, and I’m dying to know what he’s getting us.