I head back downstairs and feed a confused Max, who gobbles down the food in his bowl as I lace up my snow boots. He comes and leans on my leg, and I scratch behind his soft ears. There’s a hammering at the door and I grab my coat and keys, whistling for Max.
Rhys looks jubilant.
“I’ve done it, bud.”
“Done what?” I get in the driver’s seat of my truck, open the back for Max to hop in, and turn on the heater as Rhys gets in on the other side.
“We closed the Carford deal. The one I’ve been talking about for the last four months? Have you been listening?”
“Well done.”
“Who pissed in your cereal? You’re even more of a Grinch than usual.” He snaps on the radio, tuning it into the local station. A chirpy DJ babbles on about more snowfall headed into town on Christmas Day beforeRockin’ Around the Christmas Treestarts up.
“I have something to tell you.” I turn the radio down.
He smiles. “Me too. I don’t think I can hold it in much longer.”
I glance over at him as I take the turn for the farm. “Excuse me?”
“Sienna. I’ve been head over heels for her for a long time. Didn’t want to say anything to anyone because she’s my employee. You know, boss-employee relationships are kinda taboo. But I think I’m going to have to tell her how I feel. I think this is love, dude.” Rhys has a huge grin on his face.
“That’s the same Sienna who’s one of Melody’s best friends?”
He nods. “Yeah, my sis might be a bit weird about it. But I think she’ll come around once she realizes how we feel about each other.”
I park and let Max off the truck, taking the axe from the back and walking into the field filled with Christmas trees.
“Keat? Are you in a hurry to get this over with? Not that I care, I want to see Sienna again as soon as possible.”
I turn around. “I’m going to keep hold of this axe until I’ve told you what I need to.”
His eyes widen. “Must be bad.”
“I’ve fallen in love with Melody. I’ve been in love with her since high school, but I never did anything because you warned me off her. But I can’t stay away now. And I think she may like me too…if I haven’t ruined everything.” I clutch the handle of the axe.
Rhys stares at me. I wait for him to start shouting and brace in case he decides to throw a punch my way. Instead, he throws back his head and laughs. He’s chuckling so hard that he has to lean over and catch his breath.
“What’s so funny?” I ask.
“The two of us. Both in love. At the same time. I’m in love with my sister’s best friend. And my best friend is in love with my goddamnsister.”
My lips twitch. “I didn’t think you’d find it amusing. I thought you might punch me. You were pretty serious about me not dating Melody seven years ago.”
Rhys shakes his head. “I didn’t know my ass from my elbow back then, dude. Things change. I’ve changed. My sister deserves some happiness and so do you. I’d be a hypocrite if I objected, not that I want to.”
I hand him the axe. “Thanks. And I’m happy you’ve found someone. I thought you were married to your job.”
He shrugs. “Something was missing in my life and I filled it with work. Now I see I was wrong.”
He walks around a huge tree and I lose sight of him for a moment. A huge weight has been lifted from my body and I’m light-headed. Max runs up to me, his tail wagging.
“Shall we go see Melody once we’re done here, Max? Make things right?” I ask.
He looks back at me and barks twice.
I know what I need to do.
* * *
