Chapter Thirteen
“MMM, PERHAPS A BITmore to the left.” Catherine placed her hands on her hips as she watched Jonathan steady himself on the wooden ladder and then slide the cheerful evergreen bough just slightly to the left over top of the door that led from the dining room to the kitchen.
“How about this?” he asked, twisting his head to look at her over his shoulder.
Catherine glanced at Mrs. Bell, who was threading a shiny length of red ribbon through a spray of smaller pine boughs that she’d tied together.
“Too far,” was all Mrs. Bell said.
Catherine pressed her lips together to keep from laughing as Jonathan sighed and nudged the evergreen branch just slightly to the right.
“That’s perfect,” she said, beaming at him.
“Thank goodness,” he grumbled as he climbed down the ladder.
Catherine moved forward to meet him. “Thank you. It looks lovely.”
His expression softened, and she knew that if she asked, he’d hang evergreen boughs over every doorway in the boarding house.
It was such a strange feeling, knowing she had someone she could depend upon entirely. She wasn’t used to it yet, and she often had to remind herself that it was perfectly fine, and expected, for her to confide her fears and worries in him.
“I suppose you’ll want me to hang that too.” Jonathan eyed the spray of greenery Mrs. Bell worked on.
“I think I can handle this one,” Mrs. Bell replied. “It’ll go on the front door.”
Jonathan nodded, obviously relieved, and Catherine hid her smile with her hand. “Will you tell me more about the tree?” she asked.
He laughed as he folded the ladder and set it to the side. “What else is there to tell?”
“Just tell me all about it again.” She clasped her hands under her chin, trying so hard to picture it in her mind—a tree, all lit up with candlelight and strung with baubles. “What do you put on the top again?”
He grinned at her, and she loved that he indulged her request. “A star looks nice, although I’ve heard of folks placing an angel at the top.” He paused and glanced out the window at the chilly but sunny day. “What would you say to going out in search of a tree today?”
“Could we?” Catherine felt like a little girl, looking forward to a long-awaited excursion to town or a picnic.
“I don’t see why not, so long as it’s all right by Mrs. Bell.” Jonathan looked to the older woman, who nodded as she examined her handiwork.
