“The sniff test is key to a good tree.”
“Let’s go smell trees, Isla.” She tugs my hand, and as we head down a row of trees, my heart skips a beat.
I look down at her white-mittened hand in mine, and it does funny things to my chest—makes it all soft and warm and full of a fond feeling I’ve never experienced before.
I swallow, a little uncomfortably, but only because there’s a knot of emotions in my throat. This girl is smart and clever and big-hearted, and she knows what she wants. How could anyone walk away from her?
But is this okay? Holding hands? Will Rowan think I’m trying to take, well, his place?
I steal a glance at him, and he nods as if to say keep going.I wonder if anyone saw us when we arrived. If they think we’re a real little trio now.
I shouldn’t care. But part of me does.
I try to shed that worry and others, let them drop behind me. But as we walk through the trees, I’m hardly thinking about anything else.
Well…that’s not true.
Lately, Christmas tree farms make me think of kisses outside in the snow, breathless moments, Rowan catching up to me, wrapping his arms around me, and tugging me close.
But I shelve all those lusty thoughts as Mia and I sniff trees. Eventually, until we find one she says smells just right. It’s a little spindly and missing a few branches, but the existing ones can be fluffed up.
“I like this tree,” she says.
“Let’s get it then,” Rowan says.
It’s not a transformation. He’s not suddenly Mister Jolly. But he’s not kicking and screaming either.
I count that as another success.
“Do you mind holding my jacket?” Rowan asks as he takes off his navy peacoat.
Do I mind?I insist.
“Not at all.” I smile, cat-like, and I offer my hand for the proffered item.
I enjoy the show as Rowan cuts the tree, carries it, and ties it on top of my car for the second time this season. When he’s done, I can’t look at Mia. I’m having wildly inappropriate thoughts about her father in his T-shirt. But hey, I do have a lumberjack kink.
We leave and drive back to the main road, the lights around my windshield twinkling all the way. I’ve never been to his house, but I know the way. I drive up a few hills just outside Evergreen Falls, where the homes are more widely spaced with each turn. The evergreens are taller here too. Denser. The air smells clean, like the forest that surrounds us.
On the final road, Rowan directs me to their home at the top of the street. “That’s us.”
“The two Bishops,” Mia says from the back.
I drink in the view as I pull into the driveway and cut the engine next to his car. He told me that they got a ride into town from Tyler earlier today so Mia could enjoy herChristmas carride with me.
His cabin is warm and welcoming with weathered cedar logs and a wide wraparound porch, atop a stone foundation. A metal bowl sits by the door for Wanda. It’s lovely—charming but with a touch of classy luxury since there’s nothing too rustic about it.
Mia rushes inside first, shouting that Wanda probably has to pee. “I’ll take her.”
As she bounds out of sight, Rowan pats the tree on the roof.
“Sorry this isn’t much of a date for us tonight. But my parents will be here tomorrow. That should help,” he says with a shrug. “The life of a single dad.”
He sounds a little apologetic. I wonder if other women have made him feel that way. “Have others made you feel like you need to be available at all times?”
“Let’s just say it’s not easy making it work. But I don’t blame my schedule or my responsibilities for not dating much.”
It’s a reminder of how he’s been hurt. That while hecouldblame his lifestyle, he’s been patently honest that his heart is the problem. It’s closed off. After learning about that fateful Christmas five years ago, it’s hard to argue with the way he’s shut down to love. But I can’t let myself forget over the next week, as we pretend we’re together.
