This year, though, the birds hadn’t used the nesting box. The birds had moved on, perhaps finding a new place to call home. As he stood there, taking in the change, he realized that maybe it was time for him to move on too. Instead of feeling sad at the thought, a sense of peace washed over him. It was as if he had finally found the missing piece that he’d been searching for. He was healed, and it was time to start living again.
With renewed determination, Ethan continued to apply the serum to the trees, feeling a kinship with the balsams. Just as they needed this chance to become healthy and strong once more, he, too, needed to embrace the opportunity to grow and find happiness again. He only wished he’d stayed at the cabin long enough to find out what was in that picnic basket his mother had sent over.
Chapter19
The next morning, Kristen and Mason knocked on the door of the cabin, ready to take Ginger to her doctor’s appointment. Ginger hobbled to the car on her crutches. Her broken leg was still mending, but the pain was becoming more manageable each day.
“Hopefully things have healed enough so you can spend more time on the crutches,” Kristen said cheerfully as Mason helped Ginger into the passenger seat of their truck. “Winter makes it hard to get around with just the wheelchair.”
“You can say that again,” Ginger said. “I’m getting cabin fever being stuck inside. And I want to check on those balsam firs as soon as possible.”
Kristen waved her hand. “Don’t you worry about that now. Mason and I thought we’d take you on a fun outing after your appointment.”
“An…outing?” Ginger asked hesitantly. She didn’t want to be an inconvenience in her condition.
“You’ll see,” Mason said with a grin as he put the truck in gear.
A few hours later, Ginger had her marching orders from the doctor as she sat snugly under a heavy wool blanket in a large sleigh gliding over the snowy woods. Kristen and Mason had brought her to the family farm of Mason’s friend Nolan. They offered scenic sleigh rides along wooded trails. The horses’ hooves and jingling sleigh bells were the only sounds as sunlight filtered through snow-dusted pines.
“This is magical,” Ginger breathed, feeling her stress melt away. “Thank you both. And thanks for taking me to the doctors.”
Kristen squeezed Ginger’s arm affectionately. “You needed a break from reality for a while. And it’s the least we could do after you came to save Woodward Farm’s Christmas tree crop!”
“Well, let’s hope I can save it. In the meantime, only a few more days in the chair, and I can start getting on my feet more and more. I’ll be out of everyone’s hair in no time.”
The sleigh glided along a winding forest path, pulled by two chestnut horses with bells on their harnesses. Kristen and Mason sat close together on one side of the sleigh, holding hands inside their thick mittens. Ginger noticed Julie and Nolan, the couple in front steering the sleigh, were also holding hands and gazing affectionately at each other. Would she ever find that kind of easy affection and partnership these couples had?
Ginger felt a pang in her chest as she thought of Ethan. Even after their almost kiss while decorating the tree, he had pulled away and distanced himself again.
Kristen sighed contentedly, leaning against Mason’s shoulder. “Isn’t this romantic?” she asked Ginger. “Just like a Hallmark Christmas movie!”
Ginger smiled. “It certainly is picturesque. And you two seem perfectly happy together.”
“We are,” Mason said, lifting Kristen’s mittened hand to kiss it.
Kristen blushed. “I hope we have more outings together after…” Kristen began then hesitated. “After you’ve recovered and the holidays are over.”
“I’d like that,” Ginger said. “If I stick around, that is.”
Mason glanced back at Ginger with a knowing smile. “Something tells me you will.”
Kristen elbowed him playfully. “Don’t get ahead of yourself, matchmaker!” She turned to Ginger. “But really, I do hope you’ll stay. We’d love to have you, and I have a feeling Ethan would come around too…”
Ginger’s heart leapt at the mention of Ethan’s name. “We’ll see,” she said, hoping her reddening cheeks weren’t noticeable. She gazed out at the snowy woods. She was confused by her feelings toward Ethan, but her troubled thoughts were distracted by the jingle of sleigh bells and laughter between old friends sharing a perfect Christmas moment together.
After the ride finished, a few people approached Kristen with worried looks. “We went to Woodward Farm to pick out our tree today,” one woman said, “but you didn’t have any balsam firs left. Are you getting more in stock?”
Kristen glanced at Ginger, who suddenly felt ill with nerves. The serum. If it didn’t work…
Kristen forced a bright smile. “Not to worry, we have more balsams coming soon! There was just a, er, delay in getting them on the lot. Check back tomorrow.”
Ginger cast a worried glance at Kristen.
“Don’t worry,” Kristen said, noticing Ginger’s frown. “I’m sure the serum is working and the balsams will be good as new.”
“But what if it’s not?” Ginger asked. “So much depends on those trees for your family’s farm and tradition. If I’ve failed—”
Just then, Mayor Thompson strode up, tipping his hat. “Why, Dr. Sanders! Lovely to see you up and about. I trust you’re finding our little town accommodating during your recovery?”
