Chapter 15
Aspen
Saturday was the second annual Christmas parade in town. I had followed Eve's blueprint from last year, contacting the same participants to see if they wanted to join us again this year. Since Eve’s husband was the fire chief, fire trucks would be included.
So far, there weren't any issues, but I was reviewing her plans for parking and crowd control. I wanted to be prepared.
There was a knock on my door, and I startled. "Come in."
Who could be here this early?
Morgan came into the room. "We're cutting down our trees today."
"Okay," I said drawing out the word, wondering why I needed that information at eight in the morning.
He paused in front of my desk. "It's a family thing."
I blinked up at him. "Are you telling me I have to go?"
He braced his hands on the edge of the desk. "Mom and Dad expect you to be there."
I pursed my lips, considering the work I needed to get done today. "I have a tiny apartment."
"How would a tree look on your porch?" He straightened, crossing his arms across his chest.
That would be the crowning jewel in that space. I'd already hung a ton of twinkling lights from the ceiling. It felt a little like a fairy land there now. I narrowed my gaze on him. "You're playing dirty."
He grinned. "We want you there. Besides, it's a new family tradition."
"That's because Ayla wants to get a head start on Christmas," I mumbled, even though I loved my bonus niece.
"You're going to be busy after Thanksgiving. This will be your only chance to get one."
I gestured at the parking diagrams spread out over the top of my desk. "Can't you cut one down and deliver it?"
He raised a brow. "What would be the fun in that?"
Over the years, I'd noticed that Cooper gave us space to be together as a family without him. I was always appreciative of his efforts to remain scarce in the past because we didn't get along. But now? I wanted to see him.
We hadn't gotten together since that night at his house.
I was worried that I'd scared him away. I'd crossed the invisible line in our relationship where we didn't do anything too serious.
It was supposed to be spontaneous and fun.
Then we went our separate ways afterwards.
Instead, I'd changed all the rules by showing up at his house and staying the night.
That's why I slipped out in the early morning hours, not wanting to wake him up.
I'd taken things to a different level, and he had every right to end it. I hadn't attempted to cross paths with him or even checked on the progress on construction. It was my job, and I was letting Eve down.
I sighed, knowing I wouldn't win this one. "What time are you going to the tree farm?"
He grinned. "They open at one."
That meant working late, maybe even on Thanksgiving. I didn't want to leave anything to chance.
He tapped the desk. "I knew I could count on you, sis."
I narrowed my gaze on him. "Did Mom tell you to convince me?"
He smiled. "I'm her favorite at the moment since I started dating Reina. But it doesn't hurt to earn a few brownie points."
"Whatever you earned, it's more than I will." I never seemed to do what my parents wanted me to.
He sobered. "Mom and Dad love you."
"I'm sure they do." They just weren't pleased with my life choices.
"I bet if you met someone, they'd be happy," he said hopefully.
I rolled my eyes. "It would have to be the right sort of person. You know, the stuffy type who works in an office."
He raised a brow. "You work in an office."
I looked around the space. "Ugh. You're right. I've become part of corporate America. The one thing I swore I'd never do."
He shrugged. "Eh. You work for a small town. I wouldn't say it's corporate America."
"That's something at least."
Morgan made his way to the door. "I'll see you this afternoon."
"See you later," I said as he walked out.
I should check on the renovation, and what better time then now? I'd already lost my focus since Morgan interrupted me.
I walked toward the inn and through the lobby. They were serving breakfast in the restaurant. I pushed open the doors to the ballroom. I followed the sounds of construction to the bathrooms. There were materials and supplies on the floor, and people walking in and out.
One of the members of the crew stopped to ask, "You looking for Hudson?"
"Is he here?" I asked, pleased that he hadn't mentioned Cooper.
The man disappeared inside the women's restroom, and Hudson appeared a few seconds later. "You want an update?"
"That's why I'm here," I said, wondering where Cooper was this morning. Did he not work on the renovation itself? Was he only here during demolition?
"Everything's been removed, and we're working on replacing the pipes."
"Are we on schedule to complete everything before the winter ball?" I asked, trying to sound professional even as my mind was racing with questions about Cooper's role in construction projects.
He didn't have a specialty like most of the Sterling brothers. He wasn't an electrician or a plumber. My understanding was that he'd done general construction work since he'd started working summers when he was in high school.
"We're working round the clock to ensure that happens. Cooper insisted that we meet the deadline."
"Good. I'm glad to hear that." While the construction was going on, Natasha couldn't rent out the space or host other dances or fundraisers. I wanted to ensure that it was quality work, and it was done in time.
"Cooper's not working on the project himself?"
"He's the supervisor. The one who keeps us on task and orders supplies. Occasionally he'll chip in, but mainly when we need help or we're under a time crunch. So you might see him before the renovation is complete. Why? You trying to avoid him?"
It was the exact opposite, but I couldn't tell my brother that. "He was here for the demolition. I was just curious. This is all new to me."
"He likes to get his hands dirty with demo. We all enjoy it. It's a good way to work out any frustration or aggression."
Was Cooper frustrated because we'd just started seeing each other? Did I drive him as crazy as he drove me? That was a nice thought.
"Did Morgan talk to you about getting a tree this afternoon?" Hudson asked
I sighed. "He did."
He raised a brow. "You're coming out then?"
"It doesn't sound like I have a choice," I said as I watched the workers come in and out of the restrooms, grabbing supplies and tools.
He shrugged. "Mom wants us to do more things together outside of family dinners."
I reverted my gaze to him, placing my hands on my hips. "Yeah, but it's the busiest time of the year here."
He shrugged as if it wasn't a big deal. "You have to get a tree at some point, right?"
My jaw tightened. "I don't need a tree. We spend Christmas at Mom and Dad's."
"But think how nice it will look in your apartment."
I raised a brow. "The apartment I never spend any time in."
Hudson grinned. "It's Christmastime. It'll be fun to do family things."
"You're just excited because you have a family now."
He grinned. "Everything feels different when you're with someone. You should try it."
"I've tried dating. It's never worked out.
" The guys didn't like me in the end. I wouldn't subject myself to that kind of scrutiny again.
It was easier to be with Cooper. There were no expectations, and the sex was amazing.
I didn't have to worry about him getting to know me and not liking me.
We'd hated each other from the beginning.
"I'd better get back to work if I'm going to get a tree with you," I said.
"Later, sis."
At least I wouldn't have to pretend at the tree farm that nothing was going on. I could relax and spend time with my family.
After lunch, I drove to the farm. I wasn't even sure how I was going to manage to get the tree up the stairs to my apartment.
Maybe I could beg off getting a tree and just help everyone else pick out theirs. Although Morgan was right about the tree being a nice addition to my deck. I could sit out there and enjoy the decorations.
I parked my SUV in the lot where I saw the Sterling trucks parked and texted the group chat to see where they were.
I didn't bother asking for a saw because I had no intention of cutting a tree down myself.
That was the benefit of having five older brothers.
I didn't have to lift a finger if I didn't want to.
I followed Morgan's directions and found the family in one of the fields walking up and down the rows.
I drew up when I saw Cooper standing next to Maverick.
I raised a brow. "What are you doing here?"
Maverick grunted. "You can be nice for once."
Irritation burned in my gut. "I'm nice to Cooper."
"Since when?" Maverick retorted.
Cooper held up his hands. "It's fine. I can handle your sister."
Maverick waved his hand at us and drifted away.
I leaned in to whisper, "What are you doing here? I thought you'd be monitoring the progress of the renovation."
His forehead wrinkled. "Your brothers convinced me that I should have a tree."
"You don't normally?" I asked, wanting to know how he celebrated the holidays when he was by himself.
"No reason to."
I raised a brow. "You have a reason this year?"
A smile curved over his lips. "Maybe."
A thrill shot through me. "I can help you find one."
He fell in step with me. "You're not getting one for yourself?"
"The apartment is so small, and I'm not sure how I'd get it up the stairs."
He gave me a look. "You have five brothers who could help you."
"I don't want to ask them to come over this. They probably want to get home and spend time with their significant others." I was fine with not coming as high on their priority list anymore.
"I could use some help looking for a tree. Never done this before," he said easily, walking next to me.
"Did you have a tree growing up?" I asked tentatively, my heart rate picking up.
He was quiet for a few seconds, as if searching his memory. "Mom had one of those fake ones. I helped her put it up."