I catch her hand in mine and press my face against our palms. “Thank you.”
“I think you should take the day off,” Winnie suggests. “We could go do something fun. Play hooky.”
“I have an appointment at Holden’s ranch later and then?—”
“Tell him you’re sick. And I’ll tell Candice the same.” Winnie’s blue eyes are sparkling. “It’s December now. We need to get a Christmas tree and decorate this place, and today is the perfect day for it.”
I can’t resist Winnie’s infectious smile, so I agree. I quickly text my mom, sending her Winnie’s details like she asked and saying how relieved I am. Then I let Holden know I can’t come by the ranch today. I’ll squeeze it in between my appointments tomorrow.
“Put on something festive!” Winnie says brightly, and then she disappears into the bedroom.
Winnie’sfestive outfit is a short red velvet dress paired with sheer black tights. She’s wearing a black coat and a plaid scarf over it, and as we walk through the Christmas tree farm, I have to remind myself that I’m here to pick a tree out with my wife. Not to ogle her.
We’re at Hunt’s Tree Farm, where my parents and I always get our trees. We were driven out here on a quad by one of the owners’ sons, and then given an axe. We’ll pick out the tree, and then cut it down, though I expect I’ll be doing all of the work.
“Oh, what about this one?” Winnie says gesturing at a tree that is easily nine feet tall.
“Not sure how it would fit into the living room, but if your heart is set on it, I could cut a hole in the roof?”
Winnie laughs, the sound buoyant and clear. “Fine, fine, we’ll get something smaller. Something cute.”
We walk down another row of trees, and Winnie slides a little on the snow. I catch her by the elbow, and tug her upright. She stumbles again and catches herself against me, hands pressed flat against my chest.
“I should have worn more practical shoes,” she says. “Which is the story of my life.”
I glance down at her black heeled boots that seem to have no traction whatsoever. “But this pair looks so good on you.”
“Thanks.” Winnie grins up at me. “I think so too.”
Her coat is unbuttoned, and my hands find the curve of her waist, caressing it through the soft velvet of her dress. I move them lower, brushing the hem of her skirt and over her smooth thighs. She wiggles closer to me and grabs my collar, pulling me flush against her.
I flip her skirt up and press my palm to her center. Winnie whimpers and her head lolls forward. “Jonah,” she breathes.
“If I pulled down your tights and panties would I find you wet and needy for me, Win?” I rub the heel of my palm against her, right where I know she wants it.
“Maybe,” she says, cheeks pink in the cold air, eyes bright with lust.
“Good. Let’s hurry the fuck up and pick a tree, because the faster we do, the faster we can get home.”
“Aye, aye Captain.”
Winnie steps away from me, closes her eyes and spins around her arm outstretched. Miraculously, she doesn’t fall. She stops, opens her eyes and says, “That’s the one!” She’s pointing at a fat, squat little tree that is a far cry from the majestic one she picked out earlier.
“It’s perfect,” I say. “The fatter the tree, the more room for ornaments. That’s what my dad always says, anyways.”
“It’s cute,” Winnie agrees. “And our house is small, so it will easily fill the living room.” The way she saysour housemakes my heart clench. For the first time, I feel like Winnie and I are in a real relationship—a real marriage—and I like it. A lot. More than I should given the circumstances of our marriage but I can’t be bothered giving a fuck anymore. Not after last night.
I step towards the tree, axe in hand, and squat down to look at the trunk. It’s pretty thin compared to the others so it won’t take nearly as long to cut down. I make quick work of it, and lift it up and onto my shoulder.
Winnie claps and lets out a whistle. “Just like a lumberjack,” she says.
This makes me roll my eyes, but I don’t miss the appreciative way she’s looking at me, or the impressed gleam in her eyes. Winnie slips her hand in the crook of my elbow and together we walk back to the quad.
34
WINNIE
When we get home,Jonah brings the tree inside and I slip off my shoes at the door. My feet are a bit sore after traipsing around in heeled boots all day at the tree farm and I wince as I slide them into my slippers.
