Chapter Five
Fin had no clue what to say to Harper about her childhood. He never imagined she’d had it so rough and here he was trying to take advantage of her last night. At least a tiny bit but he’d thought she was equally as interested.
I really need to take things slow, damn it.
“Damn Harper, I don’t know what to say. That’s a hell of a story.”
She smacked him on his padded arm. “Don’t go feeling sorry for me. I’m a big girl and I’ve been taking care of myself just fine up til now. So, are we going on this ride around the farm or not?”
Far be it from him to make a lady wait. “Sure thing ma’am. Follow me.” Fin took off across the drive to the barnyard where the tractor was parked next to the equipment barn.
Donning a pair of pink Carharts, stocking cap and wool mittens, she tried to keep up but Fin kept focus on his path as he heard Harper stomping over the crunchy snow trying to keep up with his long strides. He’d always been a mover when he walked.
“Would you slow down; I can’t keep up with you.” Fin paid no mind to the tiny scrap of woman following him and stopped when he reached the tractor.
Are you going to be able to climb up there?” He motioned to the fender above the tractor tire, smirking. Years ago his dad had welded an iron bar right next to the fender and attached a cushy bar stool stationary type seat so his mom could ride the fields with their dad.
“I know you think your funny, but don’t you worry about me. Just get yourself up there, I’ll manage.” She watched Fin get situated on the John Deere then took a minute to contemplate her current situation. The clothes were bulky, but she could still move. Watch this Lover boy.
With more ease than even she expected, grabbing hold of the green fender, Harper stepped up on the trailer’s hitch and slipped up beside Fin within seconds.
“Hey I’m impressed, I didn’t even need to help you.” Fin snickered as she got situated.
“Very funny, haha. Now, are you taking me somewhere or are we just going to sit here all day so you can pick on me?”
Fin pumped the choke a couple times and turned the small starter key. Once he got the tractor running, he told her loudly, “make sure you hold on.” Then they were off.
***
Over the next few hours, he took Harper through so many fields up and down the mountain side filled with all different kinds and sizes of trees that she lost count. The last field they passed was closest to the house with a cleared parking area and a big sign that said Cut Your Own Christmas Tree.
Harper tapped him on the leg and pointed out toward the field. “Do a lot of people come out here to get a tree for Christmas?”
Fin stopped the tractor where they were and cut the engine so he could hear her better and they didn’t have to yell at each other.
“A fair share do. We get people coming from all around, not just Holly. For some people it’s a family tradition to cut one every year.
With Holly being our hometown, we make it easy for most residents.
We support the local Boy Scout troop and set up in an empty lot so they can sell the trees in town versus everyone having to come up the mountain.
The tree farm gives them a big discount and the boys, along with their parents have a blast taking turns doing the selling. ”
He looked like he wanted to say more but didn’t.
“Is everything okay Fin?”
Even through his thick bib overalls, the electric current pulsed through him from where her gloved hand rested on his leg.
He’d been trying to keep things on an even playing field but the more time he spent around her the more he liked her and that meant he also needed to be honest with her about his feelings and thoughts no matter what.
“I just want you to know I didn’t mean to come across wrong when you were telling me about your childhood earlier.
If you’ll let me, I’d really love to give you the kind of Christmas you’ve never had before, here with us.
” He looked at her expectantly, his brows arched.
“Since you’re stuck here with us for a while anyway. ”
“I don’t want you to do anything for me because you for sorry for me.
I don’t need anyone’s pity.” She turned away from him, the anger making her face a bright crimson.
He’d also picked up that she had a nervous habit of wringing her fingers together which she was doing now, even with her digits encased in gloves.
“I don’t’ feel sorry for you Harper, okay well maybe a little but…
” He held his hands up in defense when she tried to lash out.
“No wait, just hear me out, okay?” Fin twisted in the metal tractor seat to face her more directly.
“What I mean is, I do feel bad a little but just because you haven’t ever had anyone that could show you how magical Christmas really is.
I never really got it either until I met my sister-in-law.
I swear, you would have loved her, everyone did.
She literally breathed Christmas, so much so that she could have been one of Santa’s elves.
” He always got a little nostalgic when he talked about his brother’s wife Maddie. She was just a genuinely good person.
There she went touching his leg again.
“I’m sure I would have loved her. Even Elsie has talked about her from time to time.”
“I see so much of her in the girls. It’s got to be tough on Kaleb, but he seems to handle it okay.
Harper and Fin sat atop the tractor staring at each other for several moments.
“I love your eyes Harper, they’re such an unusual color and so mesmerizing they put me in a trance.” He touched her cheek with his padded glove, and she giggled.
“I’m trying to be sincere here and you’re laughing at me?”
“I’m sorry Fin, I can’t help it. I feel like we’re a couple of Eskimos sitting here. I can’t seem to get any bit romantical in Carharts two feet thick. Hey, maybe a polar bear, do they come in pink? That’s definitely me.”
No way could he be mad and he couldn’t help but join in as she laughed at herself.
“Alright, if you’re not gonna let me get all mushy, then let’s head back inside and eat. I don’t know about you, but I’m starved and it’s starting to sleet again. We’ll be frozen hungry pink Eskimo polar bears soon.”
During supper that night, Fin, with the help of Kaleb, explained to Harper all the different things they were going to do for Christmas including the town Christmas Tree lighting downtown on Christmas Eve if they ever got out on the roads again.
“Do I have to go to the lighting ceremony?” Harper shook her head and could feel her face heating from embarrassment.
“Why wouldn’t you want to go? I just assumed you’d gone to the others in previous years.
I’m sure you’ve met a lot of the people through the post office already and the rest will be thrilled to meet you.
They clean up the Holly Tack ‘n Feed and cater a big dinner, Ham and all the trimmings. I also think Santa will be making an appearance.” Of course, the girls squealed at that.
Kaleb rose from the table. “Alright you two munchkins, time for bed. Don’t forget Santa’s watching you.
You want him to stop and visit our tree, right?
” The girls shouted and jumped from their chairs like bolts of lightning.
Much to Harper’s surprised expression, the girls hugged her first then their Uncle Fin and left the room.
Fin turned to her expectantly, she assumed he was waiting on an answer about the events downtown.
“How sweet was that, I got hugs?” She smiled shyly.
“They’ve really taken a liking to you but you’re avoiding the topic.”
“Okay, no, I never went to any of the others. I just spent the night by myself. I kind of do want to go to the festivities because you’re making it all sound so fun but I’m having some doubts.
I guess I’m just not used to all the hubbub and excitement over Christmas.
That’s why I avoided it the last couple years.
Maybe it’ll just have to grow on me?” Harper pleaded with eyebrows raised.
She watched Fin’s face turn up with a soft smile and it warmed her heart. She knew this man was good for her. Maybe she’d just have to try and keep him around for good.