I peered into the storefront window where tiny crocheted items—that did indeed look like they could slip onto a man’s dick—were decorating a Christmas tree. The whole tree was festooned with them. And at the very tippy-top where a star or an angel would normally be, was a dildo wearing one of the crocheted pieces, as if to illustrate how it should be worn.
My gaze wandered from the bizarre cock tree and landed on skeins of colorful yarn and cheerful finished pieces.
It appeared to be a knitting store.
The whole place looked alive for the holidays.
I saw at least three more full-size trees deeper in the store. One had crocheted ornaments on it. Another had winter hats and scarves decorating it. And I couldn’t quite make out the last one. It almost looked like knit reindeer dolls.
That’s when I spotted a scarf near the front window. I hadn’t noticed it at first because of all the distracting cock-warmers. The scarf was hanging down with a light beaming right on it, and the colors in it caught my eye.
It was a patchwork of patterns. Colors that shouldn’t have gone well together somehow peacefully coexisted on the scarf. Blues, greens, purples, reds, oranges, yellows. And over the whole thing were gold and silver threads sewn in no patternthat I could discern, but somehow the entire effect was still delightfully pleasing.
More than pleasing.
It was actuallyperfect.
Then I furrowed my brow and took a step back.
What was I thinking?
First off. Ah-hem. The price tag?
Who the hell can afford to pay a hundred and twenty-nine dollars for a scarf? I don’t care if it was knitted out ofdiamonds, I couldn’t pay that price.
Second, were thosecolors. Even though I loved the scarf and everything about it, when would I possibly wear something like that?
It was artistic where I was bland.
It stood out where I tried to fit in.
It made a spectacle out of itself.
A woman like Kat, the goat farmer slash soap maker slash mountain woman I’d just met, would wear a scarf like that.
But me?
I’d onlylookat a scarf like this. I’d end up buying a beige one on some clearance rack for under ten dollars because it would be warm enough and it would go with everything.
I took another step back, pulling my eyes off the scarf, as a tiny pinch went through my heart.
Iwantedthat scarf. But it was just like all the other things I wanted in life that I couldn’t have.
The cost of that scarf would probably cover the water bill this month. What would I rather have, that scarf or a hot shower?
I scoffed and turned to go, people streaming all around me.
That’s when I slipped on a patch of ice.
A shriek slipped out of my mouth as my foot slid out from under me and I started to go topsy-turvy.
Bracing myself for the hard surface of the icy sidewalk, I waited for an impact that never came.
Instead, strong, rugged arms caught me and pulled me up.
All I felt was the sudden warmth of a big man. As I looked up at him, all thoughts of the scarf disappeared from my mind. I’d found something Ireallywanted for Christmas.
I was staring straight up at a giant, sexy mountain man.
