11. Charlie
11
CHARLIE
By the time we start the trek to find the tree on Harry's land, light snow has started falling. It's made the woods and everything around us look even more magical, the snowflakes kissing the leaves, the branches, and even my eyelashes. I stop for a moment and hold out my hand, palm up, just long enough to catch a few on my glove.
“I swear, if I wasn't deliriously in love with Austin, I'd hope I was stuck in the middle of a small-town romance novel where the sexy lumberjack swept me off my feet,” I say, earning a giggle from Lee, a snort from Colt, chuckles from Harry and Larry and a growl from my One.
He's so disgruntled by my out-loud musings, that he stops walking, spins around on his boot heel and stalks back to where I am.
“Not sure Austin appreciates your imagination right now,” Lee stage whispers.
“Darling,” I say, hooking my arms around Austin's shoulders and melting into him. “You know the only trope I want is a friends-to-lovers, second chance, small-town rancher romance. And lucky for me, I'm already livin' it.” His lips twitch and his hands come to my hips. Because he's still holding his body tense, I push on. “So, you see, I don't need a book boyfriend because I have my own real-life one right here.”
“Sweet talker,” he murmurs, his eyes glued to my lips as I tilt my face up to his and bat my lashes at him.
“What are you goin' to do about it?” I say, tilting my head. I don't have to wonder longer because suddenly he's kissing me, and that says it all.
“How 'bout we get back to findin' this tree and gettin' it back to town in one piece?” Colt suggests with a laugh. “Plenty of time for that later.”
“Like we don't catch you and Lee neckin' all the time back home,” Austin shoots back. I look over at Lee who just laughs and shrugs, showing no shame.
“We're newlyweds,” she replies.
“Don't need any excuse to show my One some appreciation,” Colt adds.
“I think I've found it,” Larry hollers from up ahead where he and Harry have kept walking.
We rush to join him, Austin lacing his gloved fingers with mine as he leads the way.
When we reach them, I'm lost for words. That might be because the tree is a lot bigger than the twelve feet Harry said it might be. It's so full and bushy, it's like the most perfect Christmas tree in the world was put right there just for us to find it.
“George will love it,” I say, craning my neck to try and see the top. Newsflash - I can't.
“Oh, he sure will,” Harry agrees, beaming with pride. “This tree is a showstopper, ain't it?”
“It's magnificent,” Lee chimes in. “I can't wait to see George's eyes light up when he sees this.”
Austin squeezes my hand and grins down at me. “It's going to look amazin' in the town square. Just what Rainbow Springs needs to get into the spirit of Christmas.”
“You know what?” Larry replies. “I think you're right 'bout that. This beauty is just what the doctor ordered.”
“Or what the gas station, hardware, convenience, gnomery store ownin' fire chief slash mayor wished for,” I muse.
“That too,” he replies with a toothy grin. “Though I'm glad we bought all of y'all along with us because there's no way we'd be able to get this beauty back without y'all,” Larry points out, eyeing the massive tree thoughtfully. “But how 'bout we give the others back in town some warnin' about how big this girl is. Then the guys can make sure they've got enough timber to steady her up. We want her standin' strong and tall for all to see.”
Austin looks around the group. “Best we get choppin' then. Time's a wastin'.”
Then, while Lee calls the others to let them know that the tree is going to be a big one, I stand back and watch my sexy husband play lumberjack. And let me tell you, if ever there was a romance trope that ticked any more of my boxes, it would be that one.
After what feels like a lot of hard work, we finally manage to secure the tree onto the trailer Larry rushed back to Harry's shed to get. Dusting off our hands and exchanging satisfied smiles, we pile into our vehicles and make our way back to town.
The snow is falling heavier by the time we get the tree off the trailer and loosen all the ropes holding it together. The men all work together to get the much larger than expected Rainbow Springs town Christmas tree standing tall and steady, ready to be decorated right next to where Santa's grotto will go inside the bandstand.
“I've got to say, as much as I wanted to get started on decoratin' today. Mother nature had other plans with this snow,” Larry says. “So how bout we all head back to the bar for some stomach-stickin' supper then all have us an early night so that we can dive into it bright-eyed and bushy-tailed in the mornin'.”
“Sounds good,” Red says, looking around at the group and finding no objections.
“That'll give me time to finish up my special tree topper I'm workin' on,” George says.
“Can we see it?” Miss Dottie asks.
“What is it?” Miss Aggie presses.
“Is it a rainbow angel?” Miss Frankie suggests.
All eyes turn to Ruthie as we wait for her input, but she just shrugs. “He won't tell me anythin'. But I love the idea of George bein' in charge of this one thing for Christmas. It's his contribution and it'll complete his wish.” Her gaze falls on the man of the hour. “Whatever you're makin', whatever you choose, it'll be perfect George.”
The blush that colors the man's cheeks would rival the red of Toby's Santa suit. Which makes me like George Rainbow just that little bit more–and I liked him a whole lot already.
Later on, while our supper is settling and we're sitting back at the mushroom bar, I stand up and offer up a toast with my glass of hot cider. “To family and friends, to the gift of giving, to lumberjacks–” The women snicker as I slide my eyes to my now smirking husband who knows he's goin' to be enjoying the fruits of his labor tonight, “and to the Sallys for givin’ us all the chance to come with them on this trip to give George and this beautiful, deservin' town the best, most memorable Christmas ever. Cheers!”
For the record, once we were back at our cabin, I made Austin read me one of Aster Hollingsworth's books that has a lumberjack hero in it, while my sexy husband wore nothing but a red plaid shirt and a smile. Best. Idea. Ever.