Ginger grabbed the crutches that were leaning against the wall nearby and positioned them under her arms. She rose slowly, balancing herself with the crutches as she took a few cautious steps. Ethan watched in admiration, impressed by her determination.
However, just as Ginger was starting to gain confidence, the three kittens darted underfoot, causing her to lose her balance. Ethan instinctively reached out and caught her just before she hit the floor, their faces suddenly inches apart.
For a moment, their eyes locked, and Ethan felt a surge of emotion that made him want to lean in and kiss her. But before he could act on the impulse, the kittens playfully leaped onto his legs, meowing and vying for his attention.
Ethan chuckled and let out a breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding. “I guess we have our own little feline security detail, huh?” He helped Ginger back onto her feet and steadied her with the crutches.
Ginger laughed, her cheeks flushed from the near fall and the momentary tension between them. “Seems like it. They certainly know how to keep things interesting.”
As they returned their attention to the kittens, Ethan felt a sense of relief that the moment had passed, unsure of what the consequences might have been. Still, there was a lingering curiosity about what could have happened if the kittens hadn’t interrupted them.
Ethan, rattled from the almost kiss, picked up the kittens and began to coo and pet them, his face softening as they curled up in his arms.
“Aha!” Ginger exclaimed with a knowing smile. “I knew you were really an animal lover.”
Ethan shrugged it off, trying to act nonchalant. “Who can’t love kittens?” He gently set them down, and they immediately started to play at his feet.
Ginger’s smile turned wistful. “I’m going to miss them when Myrtle comes to get them in a few days.”
Ethan paused, realizing that not only would the kittens be leaving, but Ginger would be too. The cabin would feel empty and lifeless without their presence. He shook off the feeling and focused on their dinner.
As they ate, the twinkling lights on the tree cast a warm glow over the room, snow fell gently outside, and the purring kittens snuggled close. The atmosphere was perfect, and the conversation turned to Ginger’s plan for the trees.
“So, I’ve been mulling this over,” Ginger began, her voice charged with enthusiasm. “The trees need to be healthy again in just a few days. I’ve got a plan, but there are three different ways to approach it, and I’m not sure which is faster. If we work together, we can speed things up, and I’m pretty sure we’ll have good trees to sell in the lot and the tree the mayor wants for the lighting in no time.”
Ethan raised an eyebrow, intrigued by her confidence. “You’ve really thought this through, haven’t you?”
Ginger flashed him a mischievous grin. “Well, I do have a PhD in tree-saving, you know.” She chuckled at her own joke then continued. “The first approach involves treating each tree individually, which is time-consuming. The second is a more general treatment for the whole area, but it might not be as effective. And the third is a combination of the two.”
Ethan considered the options, his expression thoughtful. “Sounds like we’ve got our work cut out for us. But I’m game. We can tackle this together.”
As they discussed the pros and cons of each approach, the camaraderie between them grew stronger. Their passion for the trees fueled their determination, and as they brainstormed together, Ethan felt optimistic about the trees.
But another transformation was taking shape, one that both excited him and filled him with trepidation. As they talked, he felt a strong tug, a connection blossoming between them. For the first time since Sarah’s death, he wondered if maybe he could find love again.
Chapter23
The morning sun filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow on the wooden floor of the farmhouse. Ethan awoke feeling a renewed sense of purpose, eager to start the day and execute the plan he and Ginger had devised the night before. He got up, stretched, and headed to the kitchen, where his mother and his sister were already enjoying their morning coffee.
George sauntered into the room, rubbing against Ethan’s legs as he poured himself a cup of coffee. The rich aroma filled the air, and Ethan took a sip, feeling the warmth spread through him.
“So, how are things going with the trees?” Kristen asked, concern etched into her face.
Ethan reassured them with a confident smile. “Ginger and I have come up with a plan. We’re going to work together to make sure we get balsam firs on the lot as soon as possible and we have one for the mayor to look at.”
Dorothy raised an eyebrow, a mischievous glint in her eye. “You two have been spending quite a bit of time together lately, haven’t you?”
Ethan felt a blush creeping up his cheeks but tried to brush off her insinuation. “Well, we’re just working on the trees. She’s a real expert, you know.”
Kristen smirked, giving Ethan a knowing look. “Whatever you say, Ethan. But it’s nice to see you working with someone who shares your passion for the farm.”
Ethan agreed. As he finished his coffee, he thought about the tasks ahead and how much he was looking forward to working alongside Ginger. Speaking of which, he’d better get going on gathering the supplies they needed.
He checked the list they’d made the night before. There were several ingredients Ginger needed for the new serum she was working on, which would help fight the fungus on the trees. One of the crucial ingredients was a natural antifungal agent called neem oil.
“Hey, do either of you know where I can find neem oil? Ginger needs it for the serum she’s working on.”
Kristen raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Neem oil? I think we might have some in the shed near the farmhouse. I remember using it a couple of years ago for a gardening project.”
