Epilogue
HOPPER
Eleven months later…
I’d never seen so many people at the Grisold Christmas Tree Farm. We’d had to hire in a couple of seasonal workers to pull off Noel’s holiday fest extravaganza the weekend after Thanksgiving.
One of the workers we brought in was my father.
His sobriety hadn’t fully taken, and he was between jobs.
He was on the wagon, then off again. Right now, though, he was giving it another shot, and Noel had suggested including him in the fest. He’d shown up in good shape and appeared to be having a ball helping little kids feed a real-live reindeer, so I was happy we’d offered.
I wanted to enjoy his good days, even if they couldn’t all be that way.
I was running hayrack rides, Ed had reprised his role as Santa, and Maggie was presiding over workshops in our barn event space all day long to help visitors make ornaments, wreaths, and gingerbread houses.
Noel was running around, directing us all like we were in a massive theater production. But then, maybe we were. We all had our parts to play.
“Next hayrack ride will depart in fifteen minutes!” I called. “Get your tickets in the holiday market!”
A few folks cast me a look. I had a little line forming already, but most people would rush over right before I headed out.
A little girl who’d been taking a turn feeding the reindeer turned beseeching eyes up at her mom. “Can we go on the ride? Please. Pretty please! We can see all the trees before we pick one out!”
Her mom, who looked to be in her mid-twenties, laughed at her daughter’s excitement. Noel had been right. Combining all the events not only saved us from running ourselves ragged all month, but it also created a more magical atmosphere.
We weren’t just a tree farm today. In that little girl’s eyes, we were Christmas—and it was the best moment of her little life.
“A ride sounds fun,” her mom said. “By the time we get out of here, you’ll be tired of Christmas, right?”
“Never!”
The woman looked at me. “Had to try, right?”
I chuckled. “Maybe it’ll tire her out for a week or two.”
“We can hope,” she said as they turned to head into the barn to get tickets.
Noel came by, bringing me a travel cup full of coffee. “Gotta keep my man warm.”
I accepted it with a grateful smile. “Your festival idea is a huge success.”
“Eh, it was Griff’s idea. He runs the huge Christmas Falls town festival, so he knows what’s what.”
“I guess he does.”
“Just remember that when it’s cleanup time, too,” he said with a laugh. “Big event means big mess.”
I kissed the tip of his nose. “It’ll be worth it to have my evenings free to spend with you.”
His smile turned awkward.
I sighed. “You booked another event, didn’t you?”
“Just a tiny little wedding rehearsal dinner next weekend.”
“You don’t know when to quit,” I said. “I thought you were going to take December off.”
Ever since Noel had decided to stay in Nebraska, he’d been booking birthday, anniversary, and bridal and baby showers like nobody’s business.
We were still operating with limited space, though we brought in a pavilion tent for a wedding reception over the summer.
Laurie had invested in the farm, but we’d had a lot of planning and logistics to figure out before the new reception hall—modeled to look like a barn on the outside, and a gorgeous, modern space on the inside—could open.
We were aiming for the new year, which meant Noel really needed to take a breather while he could.
“It’s the last one,” Noel said. “I promise! Their venue fell through, and how could I say no?”
“Well, it starts with an N and ends with—”
Noel kissed me quiet, and I chuckled and gave him a squeeze. “Just don’t overdo it, babe.”
“When do I ever?”
All the time, I thought but didn’t say. Noel was in his element when he was working hard. He was driven toward excellence. It was part of what made him Noel, so I loved it, even if I did feel the need to rein him in now and again.
My wagon began to fill up with people eager to take a ride through the trees.
We’d strung more lights to make it a more scenic ride, but it was also an opportunity to point out the best Christmas trees.
I’d let them get out and mark a tree they wanted to buy, then come out and cut them tomorrow and deliver them to their homes. It was a win-win for all of us.
“I’ll see you later tonight,” Noel said. “Don’t forget we’ve got big plans.”
“I wouldn’t miss it,” I said.
We’d had a little house built on the property so we could have more privacy. We loved Noel’s parents, of course, but we wanted to start our own lives.
Noel’s parents weren’t offended. In fact, they’d insisted on moving to the smaller house and leaving us theirs.
“You’re starting your lives together,” Maggie had said. “Maybe you’ll give me some cute grandbabies, huh? You need the space.”
“Mom, I don’t know if you understand how the birds and the bees work,” Noel said teasingly. “We’re not making babies.”
“Then go find some!” she’d insisted. “I want to be a grandma!”
We’d laughed it off, but the thought had stuck in my mind. I wanted a family with Noel. I wanted to put a ring on his finger and make him my husband, then adopt some cute kids—or maybe get a surrogate mother to carry a child—and settle in to our happily ever after.
“We have to christen our new bedroom,” Noel said, as if he really needed to remind me of that.
“I’ll be there with bells on.”
“Ooh, kinky,” he whispered in my ear. “Now, I’m looking forward to it even more.”
I laughed, cheeks heating as an older lady gave me a saucy look. “Best get this show on the road if you have that waiting for later.”
I’d never turn down a kinky night with my boyfriend, but I had something even more important in mind. I hopped into my seat and started the tractor that would pull the wagon across the farm.
It was hours before Noel and I could meet in the bedroom.
I beat him there, giving me time to light candles on the dresser and each side table, casting the room in a soft glow.
Then I went to my knees, just as I’d wanted to do from the moment I’d met him. No man knew how to handle me like him.
Noel came through the door, oblivious to my plans. “Sorry I took so long. Iola can be exhausting. So sweet, but she’s wily. You wouldn’t believe what she wants me to—”
He stopped short, taking in the sight of me on my knees.
“Well, this is a nice surprise, but where are the bells?” he teased.
“I decided on a different kind of bling.” I pulled a ring box from behind my back and opened it as I shifted onto one knee.
Noel gasped, eyes huge. “Hopper…”
“Will you marry me, Noel? I want us to be husbands and fathers. I want to fill this house with a family we build together. Let’s make the next generation of Grisold Christmas tree farmers and chefs. What do you say?”
He laughed, eyes gleaming with tears, and dropped to his knees to cup my face in his hands.
“I say, best Christmas gift ever.”