Chapter 16
SIXTEEN
Burk
“How was your night?”
I turn around and narrow my eyes at my cousin. He’s smiling widely, clearly having heard about my text to Gram, even though I returned to the farm well before it was time for work. “None of your business.”
He barks out a laugh. “Keep telling yourself that,” he replies. “Everything is everyone’s business in Snowflake Falls. Surely you haven’t been gone so long you’ve forgotten that.”
I glance to the left, spotting Joy’s dad heading our way, and keep my mouth shut.
“Hey, Burk. I gotta bring up another load of greenery. Can you help me?” Ray asks, his face unreadable.
“Sure,” I tell him, walking away from Klint and heading toward the back of the barn.
A nervous energy surrounds me. Even though it’s nearing the end of the workday, we’ve been busy enough I haven’t really been around Ray.
He was already on the tractor and bringing up a few pre-cut trees when I got down to the barn, and I’ve been running between the barn and the tree farm, helping customers cut down trees all day long.
“Been busy today,” he says as we approach the rear side door.
“Yep. Must have cut down two dozen trees today,” I tell him, slipping inside and walking to the bench. We offer greenery bundles made from broken branches or those we cut from the bottoms of trees. A lot of people buy them for decorations, while some make things like grave blankets out of them.
“There’s usually an uptick of sales about two weeks out. Most likely, we’ve seen the biggest spike in sales now. We’ll still sell trees right up to Christmas, but this weekend was probably our big one,” he tells me, having already bundled and wrapped the greenery for easy sale.
“Well, I wouldn’t mind a bit of a slowdown. I’m not used to so much manual labor,” I reply with a chuckle.
Ray turns his attention my way. “You’re doing great, Burk. And stop selling yourself short. Something tells me that job of yours can be pretty labor intensive too.”
I swallow and think about building furniture. “Yeah, it is. It’s just not as consistent with moving heavy material as this is.”
He waves his hand. “Potato, po-tah-toe. Both hardworking, labor-intensive jobs, doing things with your hands and brain.” When he makes no move to grab a stack of the greenery, I wait him out. “Cindy and I were looking at your social media pages last night.”
A lump forms in my throat, and even though I want to grab my phone and see what it is they could have possibly seen, I stand here and keep my eyes locked on his.
“You’re very good, Burk.”
“Thank you, sir.”
He waves his hand. “Stop with that sir bullshit. Call me Ray.”
I nod, but don’t say anything else. Something tells me he’s not done talking yet.
“I know this is kinda last minute, but we’d love to hire you.
You can tell us no. There is absolutely no pressure.
We know you’re busy working here, and it seems you’ve been keeping busy in your free time as well,” he says, but doesn’t say another word about the fact I’m spending said free time with his youngest daughter.
“We’d love for you to make a small arch that can be used for the ceremony and then put in their backyard afterward in the landscaping. ”
I’m genuinely shocked by his request, but that’s quickly replaced with a sense of honor. “I’d love to.”
He seems a bit taken back by my instant agreement. “Yeah?”
“Absolutely. I’d be honored,” I tell him, my mind already spinning ideas. “What do you have in mind?”
He shrugs. “We’re leaving the creative part up to you.”
“All right. I might send you a few photos to get an idea of what you’re looking for.”
Ray lifts his chin in thought. “Or you could ask Joy.”
I open my mouth and close it quickly. “I could do that, if that’s what you want.”
Joy’s father just smiles at me. “If you agree to make it, we’re going to ask Eve is she has any preferences.”
I feel like I just walked right into the comment about Joy. “Well, yes, I’ll make it.” The prospect of using Gramps’s woodworking shed gets me all sorts of excited.
“Great,” he replies, reaching over and giving me a thump on the back. “And as far as the other, she seems to be happy.”
My eyes slowly connect with his as I swallow over the lump in my throat. “Uhh, I’m glad.”
“Me too, son.” He considers his words for a moment before adding, “Listen, it’s none of my business, but for what it’s worth, I thought you should know.
I talked to her earlier this morning before I left for work.
They were all headed to go dress shopping for the wedding, and even though we didn’t talk about anything in particular, she just had this extra light about her, and she smiled nonstop.
I think that probably has something to do with you, I assume? ”
I try to keep my reaction neutral, but I can’t. A grin spreads across my lips.
“I see she’s not the only one,” he states with a chuckle.
Clearing my throat, I meet his green eyes, the same ones both his daughters have, and say, “I’m enjoying spending time with your daughter.”
He nods. “I think the feeling is mutual.” Sobering, he adds, “You’re planning to leave still?”
For the first time, I hesitate. I know what I need to say, but I struggle to get the words out. The thought of leaving still weighs heavy on my chest. “Yeah,” I finally spit out, that one word like a hot knife to my insides.
“I know your life is back in South Carolina. You seem to have a great job, friends, and your immediate family there.”
“I do,” I reply. “But I also have some of that here too. Yes, my work and clients are back home, but I plan to keep in contact with my extended family and friends here.”
“I hope you do.” His smile is fatherly and warm, his eyes full of compassion and strength. “You have a place here too, Burk. Don’t ever forget that.”
My phone buzzes in my pocket, but I ignore it. Ray and I load the greenery into the bed of the side-by-side utility vehicle, his words hanging heavy between us. As soon as it’s situated, my phone vibrates a second time.
Ray chuckles. “I’ll take this up front. You go ahead and answer. It might be from someone important,” he states with a wink, as if he knows it’s his daughter messaging me.
When he walks away, I strip my gloves off my hands and retrieve the device. Joy’s name lights up on the screen as I tap to read her message.
Joy
Hope your day is going well. Mine is great! We all found dresses. Can’t believe she’s getting married in two weeks!
My fingers fly over the screen, desperate to respond.
Me
I’m glad you found dresses, and it’ll be here before you know it. Are you on your way back?
Joy
Just got home. I’m heading down to the bakery to prep for tomorrow and make a grocery list. Wanna come over after you get off work?
Me
How does pizza sound?
Joy
Pizza always sounds good. It’s a date.
Me
Yes, it is. Sully’s still the place to go?
Joy
Affirmative.
I chuckle and shake my head at her silly reply.
Me
Then, I’ll grab dinner and meet you shortly.
Joy
You remember what I like?
Me
Pepperoni with mushroom and onion.
Joy
You’re good, my friend.
Me
No sausage.
Joy
Why would anyone put sausage on a pizza?!
Me
I don’t share your sentiment, but I’ll abide by your weird pizza topping wishes in hopes I can steal a few kisses later tonight.
Joy
Well, you keep talking like that and you might get more than just a few kisses.
Me
I’ll bring you two pizzas.
Joy
*insert laughing emoji*
Me
Should be there around 6:30.
Joy
Back door will be unlocked. Come to the bakery.
Me
Lock the door, Easy-Bake. I’ll knock.
Joy
Fine, but only because I don’t want you to not bring pizza. Snowflake Falls is safe.
Me
And you will be too because the door will be locked.
Joy
See you soon. I’ll be the one standing beneath the mistletoe.
Me
Three pizzas.
With a big, cheesy grin on my face, I place my phone back into my pocket and slip my gloves on. I have a little over two hours left of the workday, and then I’ll secure my kiss, even if she’s not standing beneath the mistletoe.
Before I even knock on the door, I test the knob to see if it’s locked. It is, thankfully. No, I don’t think she’s in any real danger in Snowflake Falls, but the world isn’t the same place it used to be, where you can leave your doors unlocked and go to bed without a care in the world.
I knock and hear the lock release just seconds later. Then, there she is, standing in the doorway looking like the most beautiful woman in the world on Christmas morning. “Hi.”
Joy smiles. “Hi.” Her gaze drops down to the pizza boxes in my hand. “Did you really bring three pizzas?”
I chuckle as she steps back and grants me entrance. “No, but I did bring a large pizza, some wings, and garlic breadsticks. I can’t believe I’ve been here for almost two weeks and haven’t had Sully’s yet.”
“That’s because your grandma has been busy fattening you up,” she replies, locking the back door behind us.
“Very true. She spent a little time this morning with Gramps, but then came home and worked the pay hut all afternoon. We were pretty busy,” I state, setting the boxes on the counter because she’s clearly been working at her big station in the middle of the room.
“Sorry, I haven’t had time to clean up. Want to go upstairs?”
I glance around. “Why don’t we move to the front and eat up there. You clearly have more work to do, and after I’ve fed you, I’ll help.”
Her eyebrows shoot upward. “You’ll help?”
“I’m an excellent baker’s assistant, Easy-Bake. I had plenty of practice as a boy.”
“You ate the raw dough!” she bellows, grabbing two bottles of water from the fridge and following me up front.
“That’s the most important job. Taste-tester. It’s imperative to try both the before and after product.”
She slips into the chair across from me, the sounds of her giggles filling the empty room. “If you say so. Now, you’re not supposed to eat the raw dough because of eggs and whatnot.”
I give her a pointed look, holding her gaze. “You still sample though, don’t you?”