For the first time since Mark, I feel like I belong somewhere. Not because I’m useful but because I’m loved.
Because I’m where I belong.
eight
. . .
Cole
After Holly parksher car outside Wilde’s General Store, we stand on the sidewalk. Her hand is warm in mine. People wave and smile at us. We wave back.
“What do you need to get at Eli’s?” she asks.
I haven’t told her what we’re doing yet. “Trust me.”
Nodding, Holly squeezes my hand. Doesn’t let go.
Through the window, Eli’s store appears empty. I keep holding Holly’s hand as we step inside. The bell chimes overhead.
Eli glances over from restocking shelves, sees our joined hands, and grins. “Good to see you two together.”
The store smells like coffee grounds, cedar chips from the potbelly stove in the corner, and the faint must of wool coats. Somewhere, a radio plays low, classic Christmas carols that are older than both of us combined.
“Yeah.” My voice is gruff but in a good way.
Eli wipes his hands on his apron. “What can I get you?”
“You still have Christmas trees out back?”
His eyebrows rise. “I do. Was starting to think I wouldn’t sell them all. Most folks got theirs before the storm.”
“I need one. Six feet, maybe seven. Full. Sturdy.”
Holly stares at me. “Cole?—”
“Trust me?”
She nods.
Eli leads us out back to where a dozen trees lean against the building. The cold air bites. My breath fogs. As I pick through them, testing branches and checking for bare spots, pine sap sticks to my gloves.
I find one six and a half feet tall. It’s a Douglas fir, symmetrical. “This one.”
“Good choice.” Eli eyes Holly’s small sedan. “That gonna fit?”
“We’ll make it work.”
He helps me load it onto the roof rack and secure it. The rope burns through my gloves. I pull it tighter.
“Need anything else?” Eli asks. “Lights? Ornaments?”
“Got those covered.”
“All right then,” Eli says. “Twenty dollars.”
I hand him the cash.
He pockets it and claps me on the shoulder. “Good to see you doing this, Cole. Emma would be happy.”
