“I find the birch trees so interesting,” he told Bailey.“The way they tap those trees in order to make syrup is fascinating.”
“It really is,” Bailey said, sounding excited. “When we were small my dad used to take us to a birch tree farm, and we were able to watch the tapping process.”
“Now that’s a fun field trip,” Landon said as an image of a pint-size Bailey popped into his mind. No doubt she had been rambunctious and fun.
“My favorite part was at the end when they gave us little jars of birch syrup to take home,” she said, smiling at the memory.
“I have a Jack Russell terrier, Foxy Brown. I just need to take her out and get her fed. We might be at the lab for the better part of the afternoon and evening.”
It wasn’t as if he had anything else going on today, and like the science nerd he was, being at the lab energized him. “If it’ll get the job done, I’m fine with that,” he said, glancing over at her. “I really like working in the cider lab. It’s pretty cool imagining that this time next year there will be a holiday line out that I helped create.”
But, he asked himself, would he still be in Moose Falls a year from now? His number one goal was still to head back to California and finish what Abbott Laboratories started with him. According to Sonali and Griff, things were spiraling at the laboratory. They’d had another three-way call earlier to fill him in on breaking news. Sometimes he felt so torn. Although a part of him wanted to be on the ground in California, examining evidence with his friends, he knew that he was right where he needed to be at the moment. With his family… and Bailey.
Bailey looked over at him and smiled, then focused hereyes back on the road. “It’s pretty exciting, to be honest. And it’s even better when customers start raving about the product. Then you really feel as if you’ve done something valuable.”
He remembered feeling that way as a scientist, knowing that he was making advances that would benefit humanity. He’d always felt that he was on the right side of history. Although the stakes weren’t as high here, it was still important work. Hattie had shed blood, sweat, and tears to raise her company from the ground floor up to its current status. Every step they took while representing Yukon Cider mattered.
“I haven’t felt that way for a long time, so it’s been rewarding working on this end of the business.”
“Just for the record, what happened to you in California is disgusting. It makes me angry on your behalf.” Bailey’s lips were puckered as if she’d tasted something bitter.
“It makes me angry onmybehalf,” Landon said in a teasing tone. He couldn’t believe that he’d reached a point where he could actually have a sense of humor about it. Landon truly felt that it was something about Bailey that brought it out in him.
“Hey, wait. Slow down,” he told her as a large pine tree came into view in the front yard of someone’s property. The owners had trimmed the tree with dozens and dozens of ornaments and tinsel. A big angel sat at the very top. “Look at that tree. It’s incredible, isn’t it?”
“It’s… something,” she said, shaking her head.
“Too much?” he asked, noticing her lack of enthusiasm.
“Not my style,” she said curtly. She then increased her speed, leaving the festive tree in her rearview mirror. Bailey’sreaction spoke volumes about her feelings about Christmas. She really was indifferent about the most joyful time of the year. He needed to find out why. As a huge fan of the holiday season, it truly perplexed him.What had Christmas ever done to her?
Light music played on the radio—slow ballads about love changing the world. Ever since coming to Moose Falls, he’d started believing it was possible.
“I know this much is true,” Bailey sang, sounding a bit off key but enjoying herself. He loved the way she seemed very unapologetic about everything she did. She was someone who seemed very comfortable in her own skin. It had taken Landon a lifetime to get to a place where he felt good about himself, and on any given day he might slide back into a negative headspace. Maybe he would finally feel whole if he resolved his issues with the laboratory. It still hung over his head like a massive dark cloud.
“Here we are,” Bailey said as she turned into a driveway on Robin Hood Road. It was a modest home, a one-story ranch style the color of eggshells. Bright-blue shutters perfectly complemented the color of her house. He quickly noticed that there wasn’t a single holiday ornament on display. It gave him a sad feeling to know that she was shut down about the holiday season. Yet she still hadn’t told him why.Note to self: Ask Bailey some questions.After all, she’d never hesitated to ask him about his backstory.
“Do you want to come in and meet Foxy Brown?” she asked. “I realize how ridiculous that sounds, but that is her name.” She chuckled. “For better or worse. She’s a rescue, and my mom named her based on one of her favorite movies. Then when I moved out, Foxy Brown came along with me.”
“I love that,” he said. “You can’t stop destiny. Clearly the two of you were meant to be.”
“Right? Foxy Brown made her choice, even though my mother accused me of dognapping.” He could tell by the way that she recounted the story that there had been no hard feelings about Foxy Brown’s relocation.
“I love dogs. I’ve been wanting to get my own for the longest time. Maybe this year,” he said.
“We’ve got some great local rescues, so keep that in mind. Anytime you need someone to help you look, I’m there. I’m wild about rescue dogs.” Bailey’s voice radiated enthusiasm. He could tell she was passionate about the subject.
Landon didn’t want to say it, but he couldn’t help but wonder if he would be back in California by the time he was ready for a dog. He almost felt guilty not mentioning it to Bailey. Would it matter to her?
Once they got out of the car, Bailey led the way to her house, quickly opening up the door and stepping inside. Landon followed after her, looking around with curiosity. The vibe of her home was cozy and artsy. Vivid paintings were hanging on the walls with a variety of different designs: blues, reds, purples, oranges. Clearly she loved being surrounded by color. He spotted a framed family photo of her and three women who had to be her sisters based on the resemblance. Judging by the photos, they were all beautiful. There was one photo of her mother with a man who looked a lot like Bailey, the same brown skin tone and freckles. Not to mention the magnetic smile. Pure joy emanated from the photo. There was no question that this couple had been deeply in love.
He nodded toward the framed photo. “Is that your dad? He looks a lot like you. You practically stole his face.”
“Thanks, it is. I love this picture of them. It was right after they got married. My mom always says they still had starlight in their eyes because they were so in love.”
“I can tell,” he said. “You can’t look at this photo and not feel it.”
Just then the pitter-patter of little feet announced the arrival of Foxy Brown. The pup was small with brown and white fur. She was wearing a bright-red collar dotted with rhinestones.
