Before I can blink, Sadie greets them like she’s been working here her entire life, not just for twenty-four hours. “Good morning, welcome to Lawless Christmas Tree Farm!” I haven’t heard that friendly trill to her voice before, maybe she saves it for the paying customers, but nevertheless, they beam back at her.
“You must be Sadie!” The woman in a huge puffer jacket says, rubbing her hands together. “We spoke on the phone, I’m Deidre, and this is my husband, Jack.”
“Oh, right!” Sadie claps her hands together excitedly. “I’m so glad you decided to stop by. Here at Lawless Farms, we have the very best Christmas trees in all of Wyoming. We’re the only farm in the Mountain West subregion that’s open year round, and not only that, you can come along for the ride and choose which one you’d like, and have it delivered.”
Well, it’s all part of the service, at a price, of course.
Isabelle shoots me a glance, waggling her eyebrows.
“Well, isn’t that just the cutest thing ever, Jack?” Deidre coos to her husband. The couple have to be in their seventies. “We’re so grateful for your help. We only arrived yesterday, and we’re having our whole family here for the holidays. The Airbnb over by Alpine Lake is housing us all, and it is just the most gorgeous little cabin!”
That would be Betty Lovemeiser’s place, a two-story, magnificent views, and can house up to fifteen people, so not exactly little, but if they’re here for a month, they have money.
“Well, you’d better head on over to Mr. Mackie’s store — Trinkets and Treasures — on Main Street, they sell the cutest Christmas ornaments and more tinsel than you can poke a stick at,” Sadie goes on as I stare at her. “Then, I highly recommend the tasty treats at Butterfingers Bakery, the sugar cookies are out of this world, and the lemon shortbread? Don’t even get me started!”
My sister lets out a little squeak, and I just continue to stare. Holy hell. This woman is good.
“You’re just a doll!” Deidre isn’t just flushed from the cold outside, she’s genuinely excited about this whole expedition.
“I think she’s got it under control,” my sister whispers, and I agree. She has.
Before I can answer, Sadie’s face finds mine. “This strapping man is the resident lumberjack — and one of the Lawless family members — he’s the one in charge of locating and rehoming your future tree,” Sadie goes on, wafting a hand at me with a great big smile.
Locating and rehoming?It’s like she’s been practicing this spiel and knows exactly how this farm runs, when really, she doesn’t know jack shit. She’s selling it, and I like that a lot.
I tip my head slightly. “I’ll fire up the ATV, do you have a four-wheel drive?”
They nod. “We picked it up at the airport,” the husband says.
“Well,” I say, looking back at Sadie. “I guess it’s time to come with me andlocateandrehomethe next Douglas fir for these fine people.”
The couple beam as Sadie’s eyes go slightly round. It’s the only time in the last few years that I’ve smiled and genuinely meant it.
CHAPTER 16
Sadie
I watch as Zane handles the tree with a gentle grace that I’d never expect from a giant mountain man. He treats the tree with love and tenderness, talking to it under his breath as he digs. I’m not even sure if he realizes he’s doing it.
Deidre and Jack are adorable, and they’ve opted for regeneration, in fact, they were so ecstatic about the idea, they wanted to donate a tree to a family in need through the Lawless’ ‘Make a Wish’ fund they run every year.
“How did you do that?” Zane asked me on the UTV a few moments ago.
I glanced at him sideways. “How did I do what?”
“Know all that stuff?”
I shrugged. “I know bits and pieces, and I just mash them together. It’s about finding what makes people tick, and then delivering. I’m a good salesperson. In fact, I’m starting to believe I was in the wrong job in New York City.” I’d pondered my own genius for a fraction of a second, not even realizing what a greattime I was having. I can’t say I’ve had a brilliant day at work for the last few years.
“Well, keep up the mashin’, because that was pretty impressive.”
Woah, was that actually a compliment from Mr. Grump himself?Wonders will never cease.
Then I think about what the girls were saying last night and my cheeks flush.
Zane doesn’t have a thing for me. Even if some small part of me wished he did, it could never work between us. He’s my boss for one. Plus, he hates New Yorkers, and I’m fairly certain he has an aversion to my bobble hats. But then my brain reminds me he put snow tires and chains on the vehicle he’s loaning me so I can get around, strangely thoughtful. But I can’t read too much into it. The one good thing is he hasn’t been hanging around ready to boss me into oblivion like most chiefs, so I guess that’s a plus. The Lawless family lets you get on with things. I mean, the job isn’t that hard. It’s just giving the customers prices and taking payments. There’s some light office work like filing, following up on the residents who have accounts, invoicing the larger businesses, and some light cleaning around the office. The phone has been pretty steady for most of the morning, but like I said to Zane, it’s all about finding out what makes people tick, and selling it to them. It’s not that hard. It’s also fun. Wow, I know. I never thought coming to work could be this much fun, but when I saw the look on the couple’s faces when they entered the farm gates, my heart kinda gave way. Now they’re holding hands as they watch Zane manhandle their tree. I swear I see a knowing look in Deidre’s eyes as I smile at her reassuringly. She just nods like she’s in good hands.
Zane doesn’t say much, but he isn’t rude.
