Valerie eyed the box. “Do you deliver?”
“You bet. Let’s get an order together for you, and I’ll have one of my employees to your place within the hour.” She went to the front desk, where she picked up a clipboard. “Listen, I can get pretty crazy with this stuff, so don’t feel bad about pulling the plug on me. If you have a budget in mind, Imightbe able to stick to it.” She laughed lightly at her own joke.
Valerie shook her head. “No budget. I want a beautiful Christmas–whatever that takes.”
Charlotte hugged her. “You’re making my Christmas wishes come true. I have this idea…” she flipped sheets on the clipboard and then turned it to reveal a Norman Rockwell-worthy picture. “What do you think?”
The tree was near the fireplace, all decked out with red, white, and gold ornaments, ribbons, lights, and an angel on the top. The fireplace dripped with pine boughs, aspen branches poking out, and sprigs of holly adding a bit of color. Three red and gold stockings hung with care. There was a portrait of Santa on the wall and nutcrackers in strategic locations as well as a nativity set and a manger with hay under the window where a single star shone brightly.
“This is a work of art.” Valerie reached for the picture, her whole heart wanting to live inside the dream world.
“It’s just a sketch,” Charlotte brushed off her awe. “It’s the real-life thing that will take your breath away.”
“I’m all in. I want that more than anything.” Not only did the image scream Christmas, but it also spoke of happy memories to come and the new start she’d been hoping for in Moose Hollow.
Her emotions must have come through because Charlotte looked at her like she’d just figured something out. She paused a moment before taking the sketch off the clipboard and handing it over. “Here. For reference.”
Valerie slowly reached out to take it, feeling like she’d stepped into a dream. “You sure? It’s worthy of a Christmas card or book. Or frame. You’re an artist.”
Charlotte nodded, her cheeks blushing lightly. “I want you to have it.” She began making notes on the order form.
The bell on the door chimed, and a man stepped inside and called, “Collin?”
Valerie and Charlotte turned at the same time. “Holy hot plates,” Valerie muttered as she stared at the most handsome man she’d ever laid eyes on. He had black hair and warm brown eyes. His frame was solid and sturdy, lithe and quick. He wore a pair of jeans that looked like they were one wash away from a hole in the knee, a white tee shirt under a blue flannel shirt, and a camel work coat with stains.
Collin ran out of the office and threw himself into the man’s open arms. The brown eyes were the same, but Collin’s hair was much lighter.
Valerie forced herself to look away. She shouldn’t be ogling Charlotte’s husband like that. As she turned, she caught Charlotte looking at her, her eyebrows practically climbing into her hairline.
Great. Now she’d offended the first person she’d talked to in Moose Hollow. She cleared her throat and reached for a headband with antlers. “I’ll take this too.” She smiled.
“Those are for dogs,” Charlotte clarified.
“I hope so. I wasn’t planning on wearing them. Make it two?” Valerie tucked the antlers into her purse. “The housesitting gig comes with a dog-sitting gig.”
Charlotte nodded. “Okay, let me get you a total and get this started. I’ll be right with you.”
“She’s over here,” Collin spoke. His little voice carried even with the half-dozen other people in the store. “That’s her!” He pointed at Valerie.
Valerie’s heart quickened as they drew near. Well, as the gorgeous man drew near. His eyes locked on her, and she felt his approach with every cell in her body.
“This is my dad!” Collin announced as they stopped in front of her. “He likes to lay under trees too.”
The man shuffled his steel-toed work boots. “It’s pretty much my only hobby,” he joked.
Valerie’s heart fell. He was handsome to a fault, a hard worker if his clothes were any indication,andhad a sense of humor. Life was cruel indeed. “At least you have one. I’m between hobbies at the moment,” she quipped. Perhaps they could all be friends and get past her initial attraction to her new friend’s husband.
His eyes twinkled.
Okay, she’d have to leave town tomorrow. There was no getting over this man. He was so yummy she’d swear off macaroons for a lifetime if she could have him.
“I’m Ethan Hall.” He held out his hand. “Electrician.”
She noted the square fingers and veins crisscrossing the back of his hand. Dang! Even his hands were good-looking. She took it in the firm grip her father had taught her to use. “Valerie Remmington, housesitter.” She mentally rolled her eyes at herself for taking that title. Not that she had any other job to claim at the moment, but still, it sounded so flippant–especially compared to an electrician. Didn’t they have to apprentice for years?
Which meant he wasn’t a commitment-phobe either.
Gha! If Charlotte weren’t so friendly, Valerie would have to hate her for taking the best man on the planet.
