“Isn’t this one perfect?” I ask, infusing my voice with as much awe as possible. “It’s so large and green.”
She draws in a gasp of wonder.
“Not as large or green as that one,” Gavin says, pointing to the monstrous thing behind it. We’d have to cut at least four feet off the bottom to fit it through the door. Griswold family Christmas, anyone?
Violet hasn’t seenNational Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, though. She gasps in wonder.
“I think it’s a little large,” Ruby says, tilting her head. Her long ponytail falls over her shoulder.
“Way too big,” I agree.
“But I want it.” Violet tugs on her mom’s hand and jumps up and down in the snow. “Please, Mummy? Please! It’s the best tree. Rhys can carry it home.”
Rhys coughs in surprise. “I’m flattered you think I’m that strong, Vi, but it might be a bit much.”
She frowns.
“This one is so beautiful.” I Vanna White the heck out of the tree I chose, trying to make it look appealing to a kid who thought she was getting the moon and now has to settle for a block of cheese.
“I want that one.” She points at Gavin’s tree again.
He stands beside it and grins, thumbs hooked loosely in his coat pockets. “I don’t blame you.”
Luna looks from me to Gavin. “There’s no way you think this thing would fit in your house.”
“Irrelevant at present,” he says simply.
“Hm.”
She’s on to us.
Ruby tries to soothe her daughter. “Since that one won’t fit, you’ll have to choose a different one.”
“I don’t want to,” Violet whines.
Gavin steps around the group and comes to stand at my shoulder. He leans down so only I can hear him. “I win.”
Shivers run down my neck that have nothing to do with the frigid temps.
“I suppose Aunt Luna will have to choose a tree then, if you can’t.”
Violet’s tantrum comes to a quick stop and she swivels toward the trees. “I want to choose.”
“Keep looking, I guess?” Luna says, taking Rhys’s hand. They head off through the trees, so I start in the other direction.
Gavin comes with me. “Full bucket list, Callie. That’s what I want to know.”
“You’re sure? You have one question where I have to be entirely honest and you want to immediately waste it on that?”
He glances at me sideways. “I’m not certain if you’re trying to help me or throw me off.”
“We’re friends. Mates. Why would I do anything but help you?”
“Because you don’t want me to know the last thing on your bucket list.”
“First thing.”
“What?”
