by Jenny Hale
“I’m working,” he said, his chest filling with a frustrated inhalation.
“So if you weren’t working, you’d go?” she asked, putting him on the spot as she backed herself toward the door with her friends.
“Why do you need to go to the Christmas tree farm anyway?” he asked across the room, changing the subject. “You already have a tree. I saw it tied to the top of your car.”
“Maybe I’m considering buying some charitable donations,” she said, looking around the space pointedly before her eyes landed on him.
Theo shook his head and turned his attention back to his book, dismissing her suggestion. The girls erupted into giggles as they burst through the door and into the winter cold. Flakes of snow fluttered down around them, settling on Lila’s shoulders and in her hair.
“You’re so funny,” Piper said, squeezing her eyes shut with her laughter. “You’re gonna drive that man crazy. You’d better be nice to him. We’ve got a whole week here and I’d like to be able to get coffee,” she teased.
Lila laughed and got into the car. But as she pulled away, she looked through the glass door at Theo and found he was looking right back at her.
Five
“Wow, look at this place,” Charlotte said with raised eyebrows, as Lila pulled the car to a stop in the main lot of the tree farm and got out.
Christmas music played loudly over speakers. A brightly lit neon sign creating a festive archway into the farm flashed Merry Christmas in red cursive script. On either side of the sign were the biggest Christmas trees Lila had ever seen, dressed in white lights and towering above the backdrop of the snow-dotted expanses in the distance. The lot was lined with rows upon rows of perfect holiday trees.
Off to the side, separated by rail fencing, was the horses’ pasture. A white horse leaned over the fence, the bells around its neck jingling with its movement as it took carrots from a couple of kids, who were all bundled up and laughing with the attendant. The woman with them held a basket full of vegetables with a sign that said, Feed the horses. $2.
Opposite the horses was a wide stone patio, full of rocking chairs dressed in ribbon, and in the center a fire pit roared with life, people standing around it, some warming their hands while others held iron skewers dotted with marshmallows over the flames.
“I see our first stop,” Edie said, pointing to a barn-like structure, its greenery-draped doors open wide to reveal walls covered in wine bottles, with a small bar inside. The sign read, Winetasting! Kick back and sip a little Christmas. They walked over and entered the barn, the space heaters working overtime to keep them all warm. Written on an A-frame chalkboard was the message, Local Pinewood Hills Christmas wine available by the bottle.
“We should get some,” Lila suggested.
“Oh, fine. You’ve twisted my arm,” Charlotte kidded.
They all took a seat at the bar and the woman working came over to greet them. She smiled from under her rancher’s cowgirl hat.
“Welcome to the Pinewood Christmas Tree Farm. Would you like to sample or buy by the glass?”
“Why don’t we sample,” Lila suggested, consulting the others.
“That sounds like a great idea,” Piper told her, rubbing her thin stripey-mittened hands together.
The others agreed, so the woman behind the bar handed them a list of wines. “We do six different wines in our tasting box, so take your pick. They start with the lightest and sweetest at the top and get darker and bolder as the list goes on. I’ll give y’all a second to look over the list. My name’s Tori if you need me.”
As they perused the options, Lila took in the festive decorations around her. The wine bottles on the walls had tiny sparkling red ribbons tied around them with bells at the ends. The tops of all the cases were draped in a fresh pine garland, the scent of spruce meandering through the floral and citrus aroma of the wine. This place just felt like Christmas.
“You know what we ought to do,” she suggested, causing the others to stop their wine-selection chatter. “We should get Eleanor a Christmas tree for her house.”
“Oh, I love that idea,” Piper said, leaning on her hand heavily, her elbow perched on the bar.
Charlotte set her menu down. “Did you see her almost tear up, talking about her husband?”
Lila nodded. The whole idea of decorating a tree for their new friend felt so right. Christmas could be a lonely time for people who were on their own. Lila certainly understood that. With her husband gone, Eleanor must feel so isolated.
“The problem is that the house needs a lot more than just a tree,” Edie cut in.
“Well, we can’t fix everything, but we can at least do something to lift her spirits,” Lila said.
“We could get her a couple of gifts too,” Piper suggested. “I can make her some soaps. I have all my essential oils with me.”
“That’s so kind of you,” Lila said, the Christmas spirit filling her.
“Let’s decide on our wines and while we try them out, we can brainstorm ideas for what to do for Eleanor,” Edie said. “I vote the Honeypot Vine as our first one. Can’t go wrong with a dessert wine.”
Lila grinned. “I second that!”
They ordered a bottle to share, and Lila sat back with her glass, feeling content. There was something about helping Eleanor that made her feel like there was a bigger reason they hadn’t demanded their money back and left. The only other time she felt this way was when she was helping children, because helping people was what made her come alive. Every day around her shifts at work, she met with disadvantaged kids through a program in Nashville. Sometimes she took them shopping for things they needed; other times, she helped with their homework.
Her favorite memory was from last year, when she took a little girl Christmas shopping for her mother. The child had met Lila for math tutoring, but she’d broken down into tears, unable to focus, telling Lila that it was just her and her mother, and there were three gifts under the tree—her mother’s entire savings—all of the presents with the little girl’s name on them.
“My mom works so hard and she isn’t going to get anything,” the girl, Amber, had said through her sobs.
They stopped what they were doing, went down the street to a gift shop in town, and Lila told Amber to choose any three presents she wanted to give to her mother. The store wrapped them up for her and Lila had charged them on her credit card, and even though the prices were more than she would’ve spent herself, she never wavered from her excited smile for Amber.
Later, Amber’s mom sent Lila a thank-you letter through the volunteer program, telling her how it had been the best Christmas she’d ever had, the first time in fifteen years she’d gotten a gift.
Lila had felt whole, like she was doing what she was put on earth to do. Helping Eleanor felt like that too.
She sat back and took a long sip of her wine, the sweet nectar with notes of orange blossom and wildflower honey coating her tongue and making her feel really festive. Christmas was bittersweet for her, but like the wine, the sweetness outshone the rest today.
“My name’s Rex, and I’m here to be your personal rodeo cowboy tour guide,” a four-foot-nothing young boy about five years old said in a thick southern accent, as he stood in front of the women with his hands on his Wrangler jeans-clad hips, his miniature cowboy boots covered in dust.
They all looked at each other, biting back their smiles. Lila had to, otherwise she’d gush all over this freckle-cheeked creature of pure cuteness.
“The first thing ya gotta do is grab ’em by the reins,” Rex said. “They know it’s comin’, so it ain’t a big surprise and they’ll be happy about it.” He took the reins of a copper-colored horse and clicked his tongue to get the horse to step over toward him, which it did, only causing the women to grin more over the little boy. “Now, I’ve already gotten this here girl saddled up. I need to fix a few things on my saddle somethin’ bad, but I don’t have the tools. Y’all got a good one, so don’t worry.”
&nb
sp; Rex dragged an overturned wooden crate to the side of the horse. “The next thing ya gotta do to make sure you have a good ride is mount the right way. I’ma show you how, just as soon as I get each one of y’all your horses.”
He headed over to a snow-white horse saddled up and ready to go. Rex clicked his tongue again and walked it over to them. “Who wants to ride Phantom? Before ya answer, I’ll tell ya a secret about her.”
“Oh my gosh, he’s the cutest thing I’ve ever seen,” Piper whispered to Lila.
“All right,” he carried on, “here’s the thing about Phantom. She’s a little older and she’s decided she’s gonna take her sweet time, so if you want to go slow, she’s your girl. Who wants her?”
All four of their hands shot in the air.
“Well, nah, I reckon you’re gonna have to take turns if y’all want her.” He turned to the horse. “Hear that, Phantom girl? They all like you the best.” He patted her nose and she pawed the ground with her hoof, making a snorting sound. “She’s glad y’all like her too,” Rex told them.
“I think the brunette over there should have Phantom, Rex,” a husky voice said from behind them. “I’ve heard she gets a little nervous about outdoorsy activities.”
Before she even turned around, Lila knew exactly who’d uttered that comment. She pursed her lips in disapproval as Theo walked into the horse ring, carrying a saddle and a blanket. He seemed taller and more substantial than he had behind the bar, his biceps showing through his flannel shirt when he slipped off his coat and set it on the bench.
“Theo!” Rex said, breaking his horse-guide character and suddenly turning back into a five-year-old, wrapping his arms around the man excitedly. Theo set down the saddle and lifted him up, wrinkling his nose playfully at Rex.
Lila was frozen in place, trying to snap her gaping mouth shut. Rex actually liked this guy? How? He was as cold as ice with seemingly everyone he came in contact with, except this little boy… She’d never seen Theo smile until now, and when he did, he was incredibly handsome. His blue eyes sparkled as the edges of them creased with happiness. His smile was like coming home after a long trip—despite all the other warning signs, suddenly she wouldn’t have minded if it were directed at her.
“I’m on my lunch break, so I thought I’d stop by,” Theo told Rex. “Where’s your daddy?”
“He’s tendin’ to the folks in the tree lot ’cause he’s down a worker, and when he’s finished he can’t come over ’cause he has to do the plumbin’ tonight.”
“He’s working tonight?”
“Yes, sir. He’s fixin’ the crop sprinkler for Bud Simmons. At five o’clock.”
“So he’s got you on horse duty,” Theo said, chuckling at him affectionately.
“Yup, and I made him pay me more than my chore money.”
“A businessman. I like it.”
Theo set Rex down and approached another horse that was white with gray spots, picking up the saddle and a pad and placing them over the horse’s back, securing the straps. “Phantom’s good for beginners. This one—Maisy Jane—on the other hand is the fastest at Pinewood Farm. She’s won twenty blue ribbons in her young life.”
“Then I’ll ride her,” Lila said, defiant, something in her wanting to prove to Theo that she wasn’t entirely made of Christmas sparkle.
“This is the horse I ride,” he stated, meeting her eyes.
“Well, today I’ll be riding her.”
“Suit yourself.” He pulled one of the crates over to Maisy Jane and gestured for Lila to come over. Ignoring the ogling eyes of her friends, she complied, stepping up onto the box, gritting her teeth to hide the jolt of nerves that coursed through her. “Grab the reins above my hand,” Theo said. “Then put your foot in the stirrup there.”
“You leadin’?” Rex asked him.
“Just for this,” Theo replied. “Let’s double up. You get the others and I’ll take care of this one, since she needs a little extra help.”
Lila shook her head in disapproval, but she couldn’t deny the zinging excitement she had at being in such close quarters with Theo. She placed her foot in the stirrup, trying to make her movements as fluid as possible to give him less to say, and swung her leg over the horse’s back, mounting and then realizing it had a double saddle. Had he planned to ride with her all along?
“Take your foot out of the stirrup a minute,” he said.
When she did, he inserted his own boot, and before she could say anything, he’d mounted the horse behind her, his arms around her to hold the reins, making it difficult to breathe properly, her heart beating a mile a Christmas minute. “Have fun,” he said to the others before calling something to the horse.
At his command, Maisy Jane took off, running and causing Lila to squeal, blowing her hair back, the scenery rushing past her in a blur as they bolted through the open gate at the back and out into the hills. She snapped her eyes shut as panic swelled within her, her body lifting slightly in Theo’s grip. She’d never been on a horse in her life. They were going too fast. How should she hold on? What if she fell? She clenched the saddle with all her might.
But then Theo’s chin was on her tense shoulder, his arms holding her securely, his calm voice at her ear. “I’ve got you. Just relax, breathe in the fresh air, and open your eyes. They’ll adjust.”
Her heart slamming around in her chest, she did what he said. He was right. Suddenly, she was acutely aware of the smell of pine, the purple hills in the distance, and the snow-covered ground that stretched out in front of her as far as she could see. It felt like she was flying, floating on air. There wasn’t a single sound except for the wind in her ears, as the horse galloped through the fields in a giant circle on the outskirts of the farm. The air was so clean here, the miles of unspoiled beauty abundant and wild. A stream meandered down the hill, creating a little waterfall that gurgled at the base. It was incredible. She imagined what it would be like to grow old with someone out here, away from the hustle and bustle of the city, sitting on a porch swing, watching the sunset…
Before she knew it, they were making their way back into the horse ring. Maisy Jane slowed to a trot as she snorted, finally stopping and giving Lila a chance to get her bearings. They came to a stop by the box, and Theo dismounted, holding his hand out to help her down. Despite the calm he’d created on their ride, she was still shaking. She took his hand, his grip tender and gentle as he guided her to the ground.
The others were all on their horses, walking slowly in a circle with Rex at the front, chattering away.
As Theo let go of her hand, he called out to Rex. “I’ve gotta go,” he said, unbuckling Maisy Jane’s saddle. “I’m gonna grab a sandwich from your mama and head back. Does she have any of her famous chicken salad at the store?”
“She made a whole bunch this mornin’! I helped her fill the cold boxes in the store before we opened.”
“She pay you for that too?” he teased, giving Rex a wink.
“Nah, she told me it was good practice to help a lady.”
“She’s right,” he said, tucking the saddle under his arm. “Catch ya later.” His gaze went over to Lila and then, as quickly as it had landed on her, it skittered away.
“I’m just going to say it. What the heck was that?” Charlotte asked, as they came upon the country store on the farm’s grounds. It, too, was a barn-style building with shelves full of southern fare, and it had a cozy dining area with red-and-white checkered tablecloths and bunches of Christmas foliage in the center of every table.
“What?” Lila said, still thinking about Theo’s voice in her ear. That was not the way he’d sounded all the other times she’d heard him talk…
“The coffee guy who whisked you away into the hills of Tennessee. What was that?” Charlotte repeated as she browsed the baked assortment of cookies and bites—vanilla cream cakes, butter rum balls, double-stuffed peppermint brownies—all hand-wrapped in cellophane with sticker price tags that had $1.99 written on them in ballpoint pen.
“I have no idea.” Lila shook her head, still trying to make sense of it. She grabbed a chicken salad sandwich to see what all the fuss was about. “Did you all have fun on your rides?” she asked.
“I did,” Piper said, picking up a plastic bowl of salad and inspecting its contents before cradling it in her arms as she decided on the drinks. “But not as much fun as you had with your sexy cowboy.”
Lila laughed.
“How adorable was that little Rex?” Piper continued.
“He was the cutest,” Edie said on her way up to the register.
When they had all unwound their scarves, taken off their coats, and settled at one of the tables with their meals, Lila tried to get Theo out of her mind. “We should surprise Eleanor with the decorations,” she suggested. After the tasting session and a few full glasses of wine, they’d bought all kinds of greenery for Eleanor, and they couldn’t wait to surprise her. They’d been able to leave the items they’d bought with the family who owned the farm until the end of their visit today, and while they were riding horses, a few of the guys were tying the tree they’d picked out to the top of Lila’s car.
“Oh, that’s a great idea,” Charlotte said, squeezing a pack of mayonnaise onto her open sandwich. “Maybe two of us could bring her to our cabin while the other two decorate her living room as a surprise.”
“I’ll decorate,” Piper said.
“Me too,” Lila agreed. “Edie and Charlotte, would you two entertain her while we’re in the house?”
“Oooh! I could offer her some PR as a Christmas present and tell her I’d like to take some new photos of her, to update the Fireside Cabins website,” Edie cut in. “You said she knew she needed some more recent photos.”
“I could do her hair and makeup as my gift,” Charlotte said. “I’ll get her ready for the photo shoot and take my time.”
“Perfect,” Lila said. “Think she’ll fall for it?”
“We’ll just say we wanted to do something nice for her for Christmas,” Piper said. “And then we hope she’ll go for it.”