Chapter 10
TEN
Burk
“Burk, what’s your location?”
I pull the walkie-talkie from the clip and bring it to my mouth, answering my cousin’s question. “Wrapping a tree and then heading to the front.”
“Ten-four. There’s a pretty woman up here to see you.” There’s no missing the smile in Klint’s voice as he replies.
“Be there in a second.”
A pretty woman, huh? That can only be one person, and even though I try not to check my watch, I do it anyway. The bakery is closed, but she usually uses the rest of her afternoon to prep for the next day.
So why is she here?
“All set,” I tell the older couple as I place the smaller tree onto the sled and make sure all the supplies to cut down and wrap the tree are returned to the crate.
The couple, transplants to Snowflake Falls about five or six years ago, chats as we head back to the front area.
As we had made our way into the tree farm, they had explained how they relocated to town because they had both retired and wanted out of the city.
They chose Snowflake Falls for its charming small-town feel and friendly vibe and are happy with their move.
Their kids and grandkids still live in Aurora, but they come to visit as often as they can.
As I approach the pay hut, I instantly take notice of the woman standing there. It’s exactly who I thought—and hoped—it would be, and now that I’ve laid eyes on Joy, there’s a little extra spring in my step as I head her way.
“All right, Mr. and Mrs. Gleason,” I start, stepping up to the window in the hut and handing a ticket over to my uncle. “Karl will get you taken care of here, and then we’ll get you loaded up.”
Karl waves his hand. “I’ll load them. Go ahead and visit with your friend,” he says, flashing a knowing smile.
I nod and turn my attention to Joy. “Hey.”
“Hi,” she replies, her green eyes twinkling like Christmas lights as she bounces on her toes. “Sorry to just drop by like this.”
I pull off my thick work gloves and nod my head toward the concession stand. “You’re fine. Everything okay?” I ask as she falls in line beside me.
“Everything is…perfect.” She’s smiling so brightly it makes her entire face seem more alive than ever before. “I just got the best news, and I wanted to share it with someone.”
I nod. “Let’s grab a hot cocoa and we can sit for a few minutes.”
She agrees easily and we approach the stand. “Two cocoas, please, Gretchen,” I request, pulling my wallet from my back pocket. “Anything else?” I ask, turning toward Joy.
“Oh, no thank you,” she replies, offering my cousin’s wife a grin.
“Put your money away,” Gretchen tells me as she goes about making our cocoas. I know she’ll refuse to take any cash I try to give her, so I place it in the tip jar instead. No point in arguing with the woman. She’ll still refuse my payment.
“Here ya go. Enjoy,” she urges with a big, knowing grin. I know I’ll be asked a thousand questions later, first chance she gets.
We each take a cup of cocoa, and with my other hand, I gently lead her toward one of the picnic tables nearby. As soon as we’re seated across from each other, she blurts out, “Eve and John are engaged!”
I can’t help but return her excitement, smiling widely myself as she practically vibrates off the bench. “Yeah? That’s great.”
She nods before taking a slight sip of the hot liquid.
“He was super sneaky about it too. She came in this morning and told me he was going to ask Dad’s permission.
Well, apparently, he had already done that, so when he sent her off to the grocery store, he set up his house for a big proposal.
He had extra twinkle lights and red roses everywhere.
He even tied the ring to Miss Snowflake’s collar. ”
“And Miss Snowflake is…”
“Her cat. He has a cat too, Biggie, who loves to fornicate with her.”
If I had cocoa in my mouth, it would have gone flying at that exact moment. “What?” I ask, choking on air instead.
She nods. “True story. They’re like…bunnies. Or something. Anyway, they don’t even officially live together yet. They both still have their own places next door to each other, and they switch back and forth between them, so I imagine they’ll be moving in together sooner rather than later.”
“Well, an engagement gives them time, right?”
She just grins at my question. “You’d think, but no. They’re getting married on Christmas.”
“This Christmas?” My mouth drops open in shock. That’s less than three weeks away.
“Yep, this Christmas.” She takes a quick drink of her chocolatey cocoa before adding, “It’s going to be very small and intimate. She wants to get married in the old stone church at the edge of town.”
I remember that old building. It’s situated inside the cemetery and features big windows and a rustic fireplace. “I didn’t even realize they did weddings there.”
“Well, they don’t do many because it’s so small. Plus, there’s no air and the only heat comes from the fireplace.”
I’ve never been inside the building, but we’d ride bikes out there when we were younger. I recall peeking inside the windows and seeing the small wooden pews and the stone fireplace altar. “Sounds perfect, actually.”
“Doesn’t it?” Joy beams with delight. “She wants to do the ceremony around seven so it’s completely dark outside. The only light inside will be candles and the fireplace. It’s going to be rustic, romantic, and completely perfect.”
“Well, I’m happy for them. Extend my congratulations for me.”
“I will.” She takes another sip. “Not only do I get to serve as her maid of honor, but I get to make the cake too. And we’re going dress shopping Sunday afternoon.
She doesn’t want anything fancy and says she’s fine with off the rack.
There’s a boutique in Edgemere that’s open on Sundays through the holidays, so we’re going there to find dresses.
She told me I can pick whatever I wanted, but since it’s a Christmas wedding, I’m hoping to find something in a deep green or red, you know? ”
I nod, the smile never slipping from my face.
“I’m sorry,” she murmurs, covering her mouth with her gloved hand. “I’ve been droning on and on since we sat down.”
“It’s fine. You’re excited, I can tell.”
“I am,” she confirms. “I’m just, well, I’m happy for her. After everything that happened with Andrew, I want her to have every ounce of happiness she can get.”
My own smile is genuine and easy, because I do understand. I want that for Eve, but also for Joy. I want her to have everything she can get out of this life, including love. After hearing about that asshole Eli cheating on her, I want it even more for her.
And a part of me longs to be the one to give it to her…
But that’s not in the cards. After Christmas, I’ll be heading back to South Carolina, back to my old life. I have a job, my family, and friends there.
But you have those things here too…
“Anyway, I was just so excited after work when she called me, I had to tell someone. And it’s not like I’m telling her secret before she has a chance to, because it’s you.
I tell you everything,” she states, as if no time has passed since that statement was true.
When we were younger, we’d tell each other everything, as best friends would do.
I find myself reaching out and covering her gloved hand with my bare one.
Even though the air is crisp and cold, I can feel the heat from her skin through the wool material.
We both take a drink, neither moving our hands.
It’s intimate, and maybe I shouldn’t do it right here in the middle of my family’s tree farm—a family who is no doubt watching us like hawks from cover somewhere.
“So, I have one more question for you,” she asks, her cheeks turning a deeper shade of pink. Something tells me it’s not from the cold air either.
“Shoot.”
“Would you go with me? To their wedding?”
“Like a—”
“Date,” she blurts out, cutting me off. “Yes, will you be my date for my sister’s wedding?”
“I’d love to.”
The apples of her cheeks redden even more as she grins and glances down. “I know it’s Christmas and all, but it shouldn’t take too long. Wedding at seven and then we’re having cake and whatnot afterward at my parents’ house.”
“I’d be honored to escort you, Easy-Bake.”
“Okay,” she replies, shifting in her seat. “Good. Great.”
Her nervousness is adorable as fuck.
“Is there a dress code for guests?” I ask, thinking about what I brought with me. I don’t have a suit, but I’d happily go purchase one if needed.
“The groom is going to wear jeans with a sport coat, and she wants all guests to be comfortable. Jeans and a button-down or sweater would be fine.”
“No ugly Christmas sweater?” I joke.
“Don’t give her any ideas!” she bellows with a laugh.
“I have nice jeans and a button-down with me. I’m sure I can borrow a tie from Gramps or Klint.”
She nods and reaches for her cup once more. We spend the next ten minutes chatting and enjoying our cocoa, and by the time the cups are empty, I know I need to get back to work. My fifteen-minute break is up.
“Thanks for letting me interrupt your workday,” she says, standing up and taking my empty cup to toss in the nearby trash can.
“Anytime. As long as I’m not super busy, I’ll take as much time as I can to visit.”
Taking her hand, I walk her to the lot where her car is parked. When we reach the driver’s door, I lean in and brush my lips across hers. I don’t look around to see if anyone is nearby or watching. I don’t care. All I want is to steal a quick kiss before I get back to work.
Mission accomplished.
“What’s this I hear about you kissing on the Campbell girl in the parking lot?”
I stop in my tracks the moment her words reach my ears. “You spying on me?” I tease, even though I’m sure it wasn’t Gram.
She just shrugs and continues to stir the amazing-smelling pot on the stove. “It doesn’t matter how I found out, just that I did.”
I bark out a laugh. “Was it Klint or Gretchen?”