Once I started working, I was too busy to get awayfor a week or two at a time like that. But maybe I’ll call Grammy tomorrow and see how she’s doing.
“That sounds really nice,” I tell him.
“My brother is going to watch the lot so I can help you,” he says, indicating the other giant man with dirty blond hair who is already in the lot and talking to a potential customer. “So, what’s this about a surprise?”
“Okay,” I say. “I hope you don’t mind, and I can definitely take them down if you don’t like them...”
I scurry over and plug in the cord before I babble enough to talk myself out of it.
When I look up, the first thing I see is Roan’s handsome face. And right then I know every moment I took not working on my shop today was worth it.
His sharp jaw is slightly softened with wonder as the lights reflect in his bright blue eyes.
“Wow, Taylor,”he breathes.
I go to his side without thinking and turn back to look at my handiwork.
I bought about a million lights, and Marion and I joined them into one giant strand that winds back and forth between the hooks on her second-floor window frames and mine, forming a sort of sparkly ceiling over the tree lot.
You can just see the flurries dancing in front of the lights, and the trees are illuminated from above, making them look even softer and greener than before.
“You like it?” I ask softly.
“I love it,” he says, his voice deeper than usual. “I can’t believe you did this for me.”
“It was fun,” I tell him truthfully. “I got all the stuff at the hardware store, and then Marion helped me set it up.”
“She did, huh?” he asks, looking over at me.
“What?” I ask. “She’s super nice.”
“She’s lovely,” he tells me. “But I know she’s busy over there at this time of year.”
“Well, there weren’t any customers when I stopped by,” I tell him. “I guess I got lucky.”
“She doesn’t just sell jewelry,” he tells me. “She makes a lot of it. Normally, when the shop is quiet she’s working on projects behind that counter. It’s a big deal that she stopped to help you with this.”
“She said you’re a good man,” I say automatically. “I think she liked the idea of doing something nice for you.”
“A good man,” he echoes, looking surprised.
“What?” I tease him. “You think acting like a grump sometimes means people can’t see the real you?”
“A lot of people think the grumpisthe real me,” he says, chuckling with a dark look in his eyes.
“Is it?” I ask him.
His blue eyes meet mine.
“I hope not,” he says after a moment.
I hope not too. Honestly, the whole grump act makes me think of a growling dog making himself look fierce, but really only trying to protect himself.
But what is Roan protecting himself from? As far as I can tell, he’s got a fairytale life out here with his Christmas trees, and his perfect daughter, and his parents nearby…
“Hungry?” he asks me.
“Always,” I tell him truthfully.
