I give him a halfhearted smile. “And after tomorrow?”
“Then we’ll go ice skating. Sledding. Paint ornaments. There’s plenty we can do to celebrate the holiday,” Charlie tells me. There’s a determination in his voice.
“You’d really do all of that with me?”
A warmth blooms in my chest. One that feels sneakily like hope. That maybe there’s a light at the end of this tunnel.
“Of course I would. You’re my best friend.”
I give Charlie an awkward pat on the top of his head. “Okay. Let’s do it.”
“Good.” Charlie brushes his hair back into place. “I’m going to make it so you get sick of Christmas.”
“Doubt it, but don’t let me stop you.”
Because for the first time in a long time, I don’t feel like I need to be sitting on the couch wasting away my days.
Bring it on, Christmas.
Bring it on.
Chapter Four
CHARLIE
LISTEN TO THE TREES
“I’m surprised you’re letting me in on this sacred tradition,” Brooks tells me as he hops out of the truck.
“You’re about the only person I would. And I still have my concerns.”
“Oh yeah? Like what?” Brooks crosses his arms as he leans against the front of the old green pickup truck I use for getting my tree.
I eye him up and down.
The difference between yesterday and today is night and day. Since he moved in, I’ve barely seen him smile. But today? Today there is one sitting on his face.
Bright and happy. A real smile.
Thank God.
I hate seeing Brooks so down. If I have to let him in on my sacred tradition, so be it.
“If you interrupt me while I’m listening to my trees, I’m sending you home.”
Brooks laughs. “Okay. No talking while you’re listening to the trees.”
“And no rolling your eyes at me if it’s taking too long or asking when we’re leaving.”
“Check and check.” Brooks makes two check marks in the air. “I’ll follow you around like a little puppy and tell Hunter when we’re ready.”
“Ready for what?” a familiar voice calls out.
The man in question greets us at the main gate. A small wooden shack serves as the entrance to rows and rows of trees as far as the eye can see. A welcome sign, painted like a candy cane and lit up with Christmas lights, greets visitors. A little ways down the path is a small train to take kids and their parents on rides throughout the farm.
The Naughty Pine Tree Farm in all her glory.
Hunter’s pride and joy. People from all over southwestern Maine come to get their Christmas trees from Hunter. I don’t know how he grows them, but they are a cut above the rest.
