Landon looked around the room. They were the last two people around. “And then there were two,” he said to Bailey, taking her hand and pulling her closer. “Come here,” he said, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her in.
“I’m glad we can have some alone time before we head back to the lab,” Bailey said. “I need some Landon time.”
Just the way she said his name took him to the stratosphere. Landon placed a kiss on Bailey’s lips, energized by their successful meeting. It was a joyful kiss of celebration. They had worked so hard on this project, and now that it was approved for production, they could truly kick up their heels and celebrate.
“Mmm. Kissing at work feels so naughty,” Landon told her. He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.
Bailey giggled. “I consider myself a consummate professional, but this is a moment of celebration. We did it! Woo-hoo, we totally rocked it, which means we can move forward with the campaign.”
“That’s a success, no matter how you slice it.” He reached out and wrapped one of her curls around his finger, then ran his palm over her cheek.
“I say this calls for some champagne later on,” Bailey said, reaching up and pressing a kiss on his lips. He leaned in to the kiss, savoring every second of their embrace. All too soon it was over, causing Landon to anticipate their next kiss.
“Champagne it is,” Landon agreed. He put his finger to his lips. “Just don’t tell Hattie we’re not celebrating with the company’s best cider.”
“It’ll be our little secret,” Bailey said, leaning against his chest and looking up at him with something resembling adoration. It gave his heart a little hitch to see his own feelings mirrored back at him.
“You’re beautiful, Bailey. I know you’ve probably heard that dozens of times, but you are.” He would never get sick of looking at this face—her radiant brown skin and striking features.
“It means so much more coming from you,” Bailey said. She ducked her head down, and he reached out and tipped her chin up.
“Don’t go shy on me now,” he teased. “You deserve all the compliments.” He stepped back and reached for her hand, twirling her around.
“So I did something last night on impulse.”
“Really?” Landon asked. “I can’t wait to hear what it was. Did you and your sisters do an ice plunge in the bay?”
She vigorously shook her head. “Absolutely not. Those waters are ice cold, and I’m not trying to freeze my buns off. Don’t laugh, but on impulse I decided to get a small Christmas tree.”
Landon let out a surprised sound. “Now that really surprises me. I thought you didn’t want to have anything to do with anything Christmasy.”
“I didn’t, but for some reason or other, I keep thinking about my father. What he would’ve wanted for me. What he loved about the season. Which was everything,” she told him.
“I think Charlie and I would have gotten along really well,” Landon said. Charlie Daniels, in his estimation, had been a source of light in the world. Much as it was with Hattie, it was always tragic seeing that light being snuffed out.
“You would have. And I think you’re rubbing off on me, Landon. There’s been a little shift in me lately regarding Christmas. I’m still taking baby steps, but I figured getting the tree and putting a few ornaments on would be a great start.”
“I think it’s amazing,” Landon said, “and pretty brave too. Just remember, if it doesn’t feel right, there’s no harm in getting rid of the tree. You’re not stuck with it.” He knew the holidays were triggering for a lot of people, particularly those who had suffered loss or dealt with depression. He didn’t want Bailey to sink while trying to be brave.
“Well, I was thinking you could come over and help mefinish trimming the tree. At this point, you’re probably an expert, right?”
“Oh, I definitely know a little something-something about decorating Christmas trees.”
“Okay then, you’re invited,” she said. “We can make a night of it. Decorating. Listening to a little holiday music. Dinner.”
Hearing her talk about Christmas in a positive light was a bit mind-blowing. He was a big believer that hearts and minds could change. Bailey was living proof. “Careful there. You’re becoming Little Miss Christmas. Before you know it, you’ll be asking me to go door to door singing Christmas carols.”
“Ha!” Bailey said. “That’s a bridge I won’t ever be crossing. I was kicked out of choir as a kid because I couldn’t hold a tune.”
“Ouch,” Landon said, pressing his palm over his heart.
As Landon and Bailey walked back to the cider lab, his mind began to swirl. So much was going on. With Christmas only a week away, Landon found himself getting caught up in the holiday crush of activities.
He glanced at his phone. There was a message for him from Red in a text group that included his brothers:Urgent family discussion. Tonight. My house. 7 o’clock. Feel free to bring your families.
Uh-oh. Landon’s heart sank into his stomach. Red wasn’t one to exaggerate. If he said something was urgent, he meant it. Instinct told Landon that it involved Hattie. She hadn’t looked well earlier, and the visit to Yukon Cider had clearly strained her last reserves. He didn’t want to think negatively, but this didn’t bode well. They had all known fora while that Hattie was slipping away, however, this message still took his breath away.
I’ll be there, he typed back.
