On Saturday morning, I tiled my bathroom, focusing on spacing and not the woman I spent a nice evening with.I only answered her one text asking if we were still getting trees later.I didn't want her to wiggle out of it, so I replied that we were on as scheduled.
I told her I'd pick her up in my truck so we could haul two trees at once, one for my house and one for hers.My house was mainly a work in progress and wasn't ready for any sort of decor, but it was an excuse to spend more time with Natasha.And I wanted her to have a tree in her apartment.It was the only available space in Mistletoe Inn that didn't have a tree.
Didn't people say that Christmas was the season of hope and giving?I wanted her to be thinking of the possibilities this holiday season, not how her life was barren and lonely.
I parked in the lot behind the inn and went to Coffee Dreams, grabbing a black coffee for me and a gingerbread latte for Natasha after asking Meg to make her favorite drink.Then I walked through the front doors of the inn, finding Natasha sitting in the great room.It was quiet at this time of the morning.There wasn't even anyone working the counter yet.
Most guests were either still in their rooms or in the dining room, eating breakfast.A fire crackled in the large fireplace, and a tree took up the corner of the room with its red velvet bows and gold and white ornaments.It was classy.A painting of the inn when there wasn't a Candy Cane Lane hung over the mantle.
The room was large yet still warm and inviting.
Natasha looked up from her phone when I walked in."You got me a drink?"
"A gingerbread latte.Meg said it's?—"
She held her hand out to accept the cup with a smile."My favorite."
I was pleased that I could give her something that she wanted.It had been a long time since I'd known her well enough to meet her needs before she asked.I sat next to her on the couch."Are you ready to get a tree?"
"As ready as I'll ever be."She stood, wearing a sweater, jeans, and boots.Her hair was down and her blue eyes bright.She fought me on doing these holiday outings, but I had a feeling she was enjoying them.
Was she hesitant to spend time with me, or was it tough to step away from work?I had a feeling it was a little bit of both.I wanted to remind her what it was like to live in a small town again.Life wasn't all about work, even when you were just starting a business.She needed to take time for herself, or she would eventually burn out.
I waited for her to don her coat, gloves, and hat.Then we walked out the back door that led to the lot.There were large trees in planters placed strategically throughout the lot giving it a festive feel.In Christmas Town, it was impossible to forget where you were.
In the cab, I turned up the heat.Holiday music played softly in the background.It was the perfect morning, sipping coffee in my truck while we headed toward a Christmas-tree farm."I haven't cut down a tree since I was a teenager."
"How was that with your large family?Was it tough to agree on one?"
I chuckled."We never agreed on anything.I think Mom and Dad ruled by majority, occasionally having to decide themselves.It wasn't a family outing if one or two kids weren't having an epic meltdown about something."
"I can't even imagine.Family events were quiet at my house."
"Mom used to complain that at least two boys were always wrestling throughout the day, and she was worried about us knocking things over.Eventually, we learned to take the roughhousing outside."
Natasha shifted in the seat so that she was facing me."Is that something you still do?"
"I'd like to think we're mature now and wouldn't start rolling on the ground, pummeling each other."I smiled at her."Although don't hold me to that."
Natasha's laughter filled the cab, and my heart swelled.I wanted to make her laugh more.
It was good to get her out of the inn.I had a feeling she never left the town itself.Everything she needed was there, and she could work twenty-four seven.It couldn't be healthy.
I told myself I was doing her a favor, and it had nothing to do with me wanting to spend more time with her.I wasn't sure what would happen once our holiday dates were over and things went back to normal.Would she be able to walk away from me?
I didn't want to think too far ahead.Right now, she was with me, and she seemed happy.That was enough.
We drove down the lane for the Christmas-tree farm where there was already a line of cars at the gate.I pulled up, gave the attendant my driver's license for the saw, and handed the map to Natasha."Tell me where we're going."
She pointed at the map."Park in this lot.There are larger Fraser firs across the lane."
"You want a big tree?"I asked when I saw the size estimates.
She shrugged."If we're going to do this, we should do it right."
I appreciated her enthusiasm after being reluctant to come.I parked in the lot she indicated and fell in step along the side of the lane where a line of cars proceeded to the red barn and the precut lot.
Natasha nodded farther up the hill to another field."Let's go to that one.There are less people, and the trees are supposed to be bigger."
