Chapter 13
The next afternoon, for the third time in three days, Penny found herself in her car, driving to meet Daniel for another day of Christmas activities.
This time, her destination wasn’t the orchard.
On today’s schedule was a holiday double: picking a tree at Abner’s Christmas Tree Farm, then decorating it at Heartsprings Valley Cafe.
The drive was sunny, traffic was light, and a fresh dusting of powder (courtesy of a brief snowfall that morning) imbued the fields outside her car window with a bright white glow.
The cheerful holiday tune playing on her car radio had it right: It was beginning to look a lot like her favorite time of the year.
As she hummed along, she realized that despite the anxiety she felt about her parents’ upcoming move, her primary mood today was buoyant.
Last night’s Wassail had been more eventful than she’d anticipated — and so was her author-sitting gig.
She hadn’t known what to expect when she’d agreed to accompany Daniel Bedford around town on his Christmas tour, but today’s activities were definitely creating a tingle of anticipation.
You’re attracted to him, her inner voice said. Don’t even try to deny it.
With a sigh, she accepted the truth of that. A spark existed between her and Daniel — a spark that wasn’t affecting only her. What he’d said during their sleigh ride made it clear that he felt something for her, too.
Which, she reminded herself, was perfectly natural and normal. Being attracted to someone was a healthy, ordinary part of the human experience. It had been a while — too long, really — since she’d felt that sense of possibility and connection. Having it happen again was, well, nice.
And the best part, she reassured herself as the radio launched into the familiar tale of a certain famous reindeer, was that this particular spark wasn’t anything she needed to get worked up about.
After all, Daniel Bedford’s presence in her life was temporary.
Their paths, currently entwined, would soon part.
He’d return to New York, she’d get back to her normal routine, and that would be that.
His visit to Heartsprings Valley would become a memory, something she’d remember as an unexpected and, yes, enjoyable interlude.
The clarity of the realization was simultaneously grounding and, if she was being honest with herself, a tad deflating.
With a determined effort, she turned her attention back to the drive.
Her destination, the tree farm, was up ahead.
After turning off the main county road, she aimed her car down a narrow lane toward a farmhouse and barn nestled at the base of Heartsprings Ridge.
Rising behind the barn were hundreds of future Christmas trees, their green branches dusted with fresh snow.
As the parking lot in front of the farmhouse came into view, an SUV with a big tree strapped to its roof passed her by. Inside, she caught a glimpse of a mom and dad in the front seat and two laughing kids in back.
That’s what Christmas is about, she told herself. Families creating memories together. Maybe today’s activities would help Daniel see that.
As she pulled in, she saw that Daniel had already arrived and was standing next to his car with Eva, who waved at her excitedly.
“Afternoon!” the girl exclaimed as Penny climbed out of her car. “I have great news!”
“News?” Penny asked.
“Mr. Farraday called. He said he loved the videos I sent him and wants me to keep doing exactly what I’m doing.”
“That’s great.”
“He said my footage of the sleigh ride was ‘Christmas gold.’ Can you believe that?”
“Sounds like he picked the right person for the job.”
Eva could barely restrain herself. “So I was just telling Mr. Bedford, I’m gonna stick to you two like glue.”
Penny glanced at Daniel and got a smile and a shrug.
Eva whipped out her phone and aimed it at Penny. “Okay, let’s do this. You guys are here to pick out a Christmas tree, right?”
“Right,” Penny said. “For the Heartsprings Valley Cafe.”
“Well, get to it,” Eva said. “Remember — I’m not here.”
Somewhat awkwardly, Penny turned to Daniel. He was dressed in a dark winter coat, jeans, blue sweater, and winter boots — and looked as handsome as ever. “Good afternoon.”
“Good afternoon,” he replied, his gaze serious and intent.
“Wait,” Eva said, her attention fixed on her phone. “Say out loud where you are and what you’re doing here.”
“Okay,” Penny said, feeling self-conscious. “We’re here at Abner’s Christmas Tree Farm on the outskirts of Heartsprings Valley, ready to pick a tree for the Heartsprings Valley Cafe. Daniel, what kind of tree are we looking for?”
Daniel pulled out his phone. “One that fits this space.” He showed her a photo, taken inside the cafe, of a spot between two tables next to the big front windows.
“An excellent spot,” Penny said. “The tree will look great.”
“I’m wondering about the tables and chairs on either side. If the tree we get is too wide….”
“Then folks sitting at the tables might feel crowded.”
He nodded. “So I’m thinking we need a tree that’s tall but not too wide.”
Penny pointed to the barn. “Abner — he’s the owner — is probably in there.”
They crossed the parking lot to the barn and found Abner, a thin, older man in heavy winter gear, wrestling a large, bushy Christmas tree into what looked like a giant metal planter.
Fascinated, Penny watched Abner flip a switch, causing the metal planter to shake the tree vigorously, sending snow, ice, and loose needles flying.
“Wow,” Daniel said, fascinated.
“Have you been to a tree farm before?” Penny asked.
“Nope.”
Abner removed the tree from the shaking machine and set it on its side next to a machine that looked like a jet engine. After turning the machine on, he fed the tree into the engine. When the tree emerged on the other side, it was wrapped in twine.
“Whoa,” Daniel said.
Abner glanced over at them and squinted. “That you, Penny?”
Penny smiled. “Abner, good to see you. I’d like to introduce you to Daniel Bedford. And I’m pretty sure you know Eva?”
“With you in a sec.” Abner carried the wrapped-up tree to the barn entrance. “Eva, how’s your sister?”
“Doing great, Mr. Grantham. Just started a nursing job at the hospital in Eagle Cove.”
After leaning the wrapped-up tree against the barn door, Abner walked over to Daniel, hand extended. “So you’re the fellow everybody’s talking about.”
“I suppose I am,” Daniel said, shaking Abner’s hand. “Pleased to meet you.”
“My wife read one of your books, the one about your divorce.”
“Glad to hear, though to be clear, the book wasn’t really about my —”
“She liked it.” Abner said. “‘No villains,’ she said. ‘Just two people who shouldn’t have gotten married.’”
“Um, well, I’m glad she liked it.”
“She said you wrote a Western.”
“A historical novel set in the American West, yes.”
“I like a good Western. Can I get it at the library? Maybe I’ll give it a shot.”
“You probably can. If you do, I hope you enjoy it.”
“Heard you need a tree. That New York fellow who called told me to get you the best one we have.”
Penny said, “Daniel, why don’t you show Abner the photo of the space?”
Daniel pulled out his phone. Abner squinted at the photo.
“You need a Balsam. They’re the skinniest.” He walked to the barn door and pointed up the slope. “See the two rows on the left? That’s what you want.”
Curiosity piqued, Penny asked, “What kind of trees do you have?”
“Balsam, Douglas, Fraser, and Scotch Pine.” Abner pointed to a cart with big wheels. “Take that with you.” From a nearby bench, he picked up a handsaw. “And this.”
Daniel seemed surprised. “We get to do it ourselves?”
“You sure do.” Abner squinted at him. “Got a problem with that?”
“Not at all,” Daniel said. “I want to do it. I just didn’t realize that’s how it works.”
Abner handed him the saw. “Now you know.”
Daniel set the saw on the cart and grabbed the cart’s handle. “Let’s get ourselves a tree.” He rolled the cart out of the barn into the bright afternoon sunshine.
“We lucked out with the weather today,” Penny said as she caught up to him, Eva right behind.
“Gabe says the weather can turn on a dime up here.”
“Definitely.” The cart seemed to be an easy pull, even as the hill grew steeper. “How’s the cart?”
“It handles pretty well.” He pointed to a well-trodden path through the trees. “As long as we stick to where the snow is packed down, I don’t see it getting stuck.”
They climbed steadily past rows of trees, the air fresh and crisp, a hint of evergreen in the breeze.
As they neared the top row, Penny saw it: a large, tall, slim tree a few feet from the path that looked perfect for the cafe.
“How about that one?” she said, pointing.
Daniel nodded. “Looks good.” He gestured to the saw. “Do you want to do the honors, or…?”
“Oh, no. You’re the one who’s here to immerse yourself in Christmas.”
He smiled. “I was hoping you’d say that.” He grabbed the handsaw, stepped off the path, and knelt at the base of the tree. “Last chance to change your mind. You sure this is the one?”
“I’m sure.”
He started sawing, his movements smooth and confident. Within seconds, she heard a sharp crack.
“Stand back,” he said. Reaching through the branches, he gave the tree a push, and —
Down it came!