Her father was going to be on cloud nine.
They were in mid conversation when they came back into the house.
“I’ll be honest, Stew,” the mayor said as they passed back through the galley kitchen. “It’s getting harder and harder to cut these trees down each year. They’re such a beautiful part of the landscape that it feels almost wrong to remove them from it.”
Stewart gave a tight nod. “I can understand that. But if it’s any comfort, we planted this tree for this very purpose. We consider it the highest honor to harvest it for our community to enjoy.”
One more friendly handshake and Mayor Thornton was on his way.
Stewart paused behind the closed door, his palm still lingering on the wood.
“You okay, Dad?” Rachel called out from the kitchen. When he didn’t answer, she checked on him. “Everything good?”
He turned slowly. “That last thing the mayor said.” He shook his index finger as he recalled the words. “About it getting harder and harder to cut down the trees.”
“I can imagine it must be,” Rachel agreed. “It takes years to grow trees that large. I see what he means about them being almost permanent fixtures in the landscape.”
“I never really gave much thought to the treenotbeing right outside the window each morning when I come downstairs for my cup of coffee. Or no longer seeing the moon reflected on its branches each night when I close up the house. It’s always been there.”
Rachel touched her father’s forearm. “It’s just a tree, Dad,” she tried to console, but the words tasted false as they left her mouth.
“Is it, though?” A mist clouded his steel-gray eyes as he added, “Because there’s a little piece of each of us in that tree. And there’s a piece of your sister too. Even your grandma. We all dropped that sapling into the ground together…as a family. I don’t want to cut that out.”
“You can’t cut out the memories. Those will always be there.”
Rallying his composure, Stewart straightened his spine and bobbed his head in an agreeing nod that was only half convincing. “Thank you, Sugar Plum.” He moved to kiss the crown of her hair. “That’s exactly what I needed to hear.”
CHAPTER30
Holden loaded another heaping armful of freshly cut boughs into the bed of his truck and swiped his hands on his pant legs to brush off the stray needles. It was good to know the tree wouldn’t go entirely to waste. His sister had mentioned running into Trinity Tillman the other day on Main Street, recalling that the woman owned the local floral shop. A quick phone call confirmed Trinity would be overjoyed to receive the extra trimmings from their failed town square tree.
Zeke’s approval was really the only one that mattered. Thankfully, he was delighted about the opportunity to donate portions of his tree to become wreaths that would ultimately adorn cabin doors throughout the summit.
That impromptu snowmobile ride the other day provided more than just an opportunity to stretch their legs. It provided Holden with the real reason his father had been so passionate about winning.
When they had taken a break near one of Holden’s favorite lookouts, appreciating the sloping valleys and cresting peaks of Snowdrift over a Thermos of hot chocolate, Zeke had admitted to more than Holden could ever have pieced together on his own.
“I really wanted to give our town that tree, Holden,” Zeke had confessed. His brow was drawn tight in what Holden acknowledged as an intentional effort to keep the tears from brimming. “For so many years, it was my job to take care of those people. To help them in their darkest hours. To let them know everything was going to be okay, and that help was on the way. Having our tree selected for the annual lighting felt like one last time I could be there for our town. And this time, for something much brighter.”
Holden had never thought of it that way. What he’d coined as crazy was just his father wanting to give back. It made guilt settle in his chest, but only briefly. Knowing their tree could serve another, equal purpose was the opportunity they all needed.
The drive into town was faster than usual. Roads were clear and the holiday jingles cranked up loud on the radio perked up Holden’s spirit.
He perked up even more when he strode into the floral shop—a cheerful spring in his step and hope in his heart—and he glimpsed Rachel at Trinity’s side behind the counter.
“You’re here!” Trinity rushed over to greet him. “And not a moment too soon. We just used up the last of our trimmings.”
“Well, I’m glad we could be of service. I have the branches out in the truck. Let me grab them for you.”
Rachel skirted the counter. “I’ll join you.”
He’d hoped she would say that, but she also looked knee-deep in a project and he hadn’t wanted to interrupt.
“I’m really sorry this was the fate of your family’s tree, Holden.” She peered into the truck bed and it dawned on Holden that this was the first time Rachel hadn’t reacted with arrogance about a win. And she had every right to. The Joy’s tree won, fair and square.
“You know? I thought my dad would be more upset than he is, but it turns out having the tree made into wreaths is a close second…maybe even a tie.” He gathered several long branches and pushed the tailgate into place.
“I wouldn’t go that far.” There was that spirit he liked so much. A playful challenge swept over her lake blue eyes, and it made Holden’s heart kick up in tempo. Then, just as quickly as it appeared, her expression went slack. “Hey, there’s something I’ve been wanting to talk to you about.”
