by Hebby Roman
“I can manage.”
“Since we’re leaving at the same time, why don’t I follow you home and help you bring them inside? Where do you live?”
“Brandy Creek Road.”
“It’s right on my way.”
“Where do you live?”
“On the ranch.”
“You live with your mother?” She tried to hide the disappointment in her voice.
His eyes widened. “No, no. I mean I have my own cabin on the ranch.”
“Well, let’s blow this pop stand!” The phrase shot out of her mouth while her brain apparently was on a break. That was a phrase her mother always shouted when it was time to leave. It had been years since she thought of it. She gave him a sheepish smile to hide her embarrassment.
Leland quirked an eyebrow and then went off to his task, chuckling to himself as he walked down the row of trees.
* * *
The headlights swept across the front of her modest home, illuminating the green shutters on the white clapboard siding. In the rearview mirror, she could see Leland’s car turning into the driveway with his tree tied to the roof.
An attack of nervous giggles threatened to erupt. She pressed her fingertips to her lips, which were frozen into goofy grin—the very same grin she’d been wearing since leaving the tree lot. As he pulled his car next to hers and cut the engine, her heart fluttered. Her whole body felt heated inside, though the air in the car was chilly, leaving her feeling feverish.
Here we are. My house. Home again, home again. She studied it with the fresh eye of a stranger, how it must appear to him. It had such a small footprint when seen from the outside. A simple, one story box of a house with a peaked roof. She hadn’t done much to the outside, which appeared plain and unremarkable to her now. And, yet, to her this house represented so much. She’d managed to do what her mother never did: she bought a home. A place to set down roots.
They sat unmoving for a moment, and she pictured the scene from how it would appear if viewed from above. Two cars parked side by side with Christmas trees bundled on the roofs. Should she offer him refreshments? Coffee? Or something stronger? She hoped he wasn’t a beer drinker because she only had wine...and rum for hot buttered rum. Would he think hot buttered rum odd?
At last, his car door swung open. A sharp jab of anticipation hit her in the solar plexus. She closed her eyes tight, unable to look at him. When did her interest in him go from a dead stop to 100 miles per hour?
A tapping on the passenger side window startled her. She turned toward him, and he opened the door. His Stetson shaded the upper half of his face, the lower portion covered in five o’clock shadow. The scent of pine mingled with the scent of male filled the car.
“If you untie the trees your side, I’ll get this side.” He tugged at the twine and unknotted the loop fed through the handle on the inside of the car.
When he’d undid the twine on his side, he stood up, out of the car again, and threw the loose twine back. When he looked back at her to check her progress, she snapped into action and untied her side and got out of the car.
The tree on her side was the shorter of the two. She reached up and slotted her hands between the branches and around the trunk, and with a grunt pulled the tree off the roof.
“Oh, hey, why don’t you let me get that?”
The tree landed with a soft thunk on the snow-dusted ground near her feet. “It’s all right. It’s not heavy at all.”
He pulled the second tree to the ground and stood it beside him. “So, this is your house.”
“I certainly hope so. What do you think?”
“I am surprised.” He hoisted one tree up and headed toward her side of the car, to stand in front of her.
“What’s so surprising?”
“I’m surprised it isn’t lit up like Santa’s workshop.... judging by your enthusiasm for the holiday.”
“I’m afraid putting up lights is not in my skill set.” She laughed. “Otherwise, you know this little acre of land would be dripping with lights. Tastefully done, of course.”
Tree in hand, he headed for the house. “It is a procedure, putting those lights up. You know, I could….” There followed a pregnant pause. Melody looked away and held her breath. “I should... put up some for Ma at the ranch,” he continued, awkwardly.
“I bet she’d like that.”
“Dad always used to put up the lights. It was pretty driving up the drive with the place all lit up.”
She caught up to him and led him to her front porch, their boots squelching in the snow. It occurred to her since neither one of them had eaten yet, he might ask her out to dinner once the trees were up. Or maybe she should feed him. Order a pizza or something. Perhaps he’d even help her decorate the trees—but that seemed too intimate.
Their footsteps clomped loud on the wooden steps, disembodied in the darkness. Somebody down the road had their fireplace going and the scent of wood smoke filled the air.
“You live alone?” he asked.
Heat rose to her cheeks. “Why, yes, I do.”
He caught the hesitation in her voice. “I’m only asking because I see your lights on inside,” he added in a rush.
“I don’t like coming home to a dark house. I left a light on this morning.”
Under the porch lamp, she stole a glance at him while she fished out her house keys. He looked out over the yard, his face in profile. With keys in hand, she reached for the knob. In turning toward the house a gap in the curtains showed a sight that made her stomach clench. She forgot that this morning, in a frenzy to find her thick tights, she’s upended the laundry basket on the couch. There in full display was her favorite black lace bra...on top of a pile of underwear and other assorted clothes. Visions of her house as she left it flashed through her mind. It had been a rare evening when she’d given into self-pity.
Missing her mother had led to looking up her ex on Facebook and gazing at the woman he chose over her and the family they had together. There was a pile of crumpled tissues on the coffee table by her laptop, and last night’s dishes left to soak in the kitchen sink. She would rather die than have Leland see her house in this condition!
She spun around just as he was lifting both trees ready to haul them inside. “Oh, we have to leave the trees outside tonight.”
“Do we? Why?” He had one eye narrowed in suspicion.
“You have to harden them off before you bring them in the warm house.”
“Funny, I thought hardening off is what you do to tomato plants you started from seed inside before you move them outside.”
“That’s true too, and with trees it works the same. But in reverse. It’s so cold outside and if you bring them in right away, they go into shock and drop their needles. I’ll move them in tomorrow during the day when it’s warmer. Less of a shock, you see.”
“I never heard that one before.” He fixed her with a long, searching look. “Well, all right then. I’ll leave them on the porch. Do you think you can handle them on your own?”
She blew a loud puff out of her lips. “Of course, I can! Besides, I have to find the tree stands. I think they’re in the basement somewhere...But, thank you for helping me tonight. And, you’ll be glad you got a tree, you’ll see.”
They stood in an air of such expectation, it was hard to fathom how the night around them could be so still and silent. Was this the beginning of something? She batted her eyelashes at him. This is where you ask me if I’d like to go out sometime. She sent a silent invitation to him with her eyes. His face remained blank, other than the blinking of his eyes.
Finally, he shrugged. “If there’s nothing else you need me to do, I guess I’ll be on my way. Good night, Melody. It was nice working with you today.”
He was already off the porch when she called out to him. “You too! Thanks again for your help. Good night...and drive safely!”
At his car he looked back at her and paused.
&
nbsp; She bit her lower lip and looked up at him. Yes, please, ask me for my phone number.
He pushed his hat back. “So, I need to harden this tree off?”
“Yes, sir. You should do that.”
He shook his head. “Well, I never heard that one before. You are the Christmas expert.”
He tipped his hat to her, got in his car and backed out of her driveway. When he turned his car onto the road and drove away into the night, he left her standing in darkness in the little patch of earth she called her own, feeling very small and alone.
Chapter Ten
December 5
There was something pleasing about gliding his hands over the curves. The color sprang back to life in the old sleigh under the soft brush dipped in gentle cleanser. So absorbed in the task and lost in thought was he that he didn’t hear the door being pushed open. It was the shift in light that caught his attention.
Leland looked up to Faith outlined in the doorway. “Hey, I didn’t hear you come in.”
“Look at you! Ma said you were out here getting the sleigh back in shape. Is it serviceable?”
The sleigh had been under a tarp in one corner of the barn for years. So many years, he couldn’t remember the last time it had seen the light of day.
“I think so. The leather seats are cracking and it looks like they’ve suffered rodent damage.” He pointed out the holes in the corner of the seat with horsehair stuffing coming out. Something poking out from a split in the leather caught his attention. “Hey, what’s this?” The rent in the upholstery was more of a flap than a straight tear. When he pulled the object out he had to laugh.
“What is that? A toy Santa?”
He rolled the plastic figurine in his fingers. “It was a decoration I swiped from the top of the cake at a school party. Santa. I took him with us on the sleigh ride one year and hid him for myself to find the next year. A surprise for myself. I guess I forgot about him.”
“Or, I guess you really did surprise yourself. Eventually. That’s cute. What about the rest of the sleigh? Is it going to hold up?”
“The body looks to be in good condition. After Christmas when there’s more time I’ll look into replacing the seats, ready for next year.”
“Next year? This is going to be a tradition, huh?”
“Well, you can’t do this just once!” He pocketed the Santa in his jacket. “After this year the kids are going to want to go for sleigh rides every Christmas. Maybe want to do it until they have kids of their own. I don’t know why we stopped.”
“We grew up. Life got complicated. And then Dad died.” Faith stepped forward and ran her gaze over the sleigh. “I’m glad I couldn’t talk you into selling it that one time. It’s pretty, isn’t it? I’ve never seen another one like it.”
He stood up straight and nodded. The sleigh was painted a light green and though it was mainly constructed of wood, it had a beautiful ornate piece of metal scrollwork of twisted vines.
“I’ll take it out for a test run before Christmas to make sure it holds up.”
She went silent and watched him until he had to notice her. She’s got something to say. Warily he put down his brush and gave her his full attention.
She walked around the sleigh. “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas again around here! The sleigh’s out, you put lights up around the house again, baking cookies and all, and now Ma’s got her tree! That was a good call, by the way, thanks to Melody. She’s so sweet, isn’t she?”
Leland mumbled something and went back to polishing the runners.
Faith snorted. “You went as red as Rudolph’s nose! I saw the two of you looking at each other at the tree sale and thought you make a cute couple. What’s going on?”
“Nothing.”
“Nothing! I mention that girl’s name and you act like a schoolgirl. Are you dating?”
“No, we’re not dating. We worked together last weekend. That’s all.”
“And, you like her!”
“I do not.” He let out a sigh. “Oh, what the hell. I’m interested in her.”
“So ask her out.”
“It’s not as simple as that. I just seem to put my worst foot forward every time I see her. I thought we’d reached a turning point, but I think I misinterpreted the situation.”
“What happened?”
“We had a nice exchange. Flirty even, so I thought. I offered to help her get her trees home at the end of the day. I was even going to ask her out for dinner.”
“Well, that’s good, and did you?”
“I got as far as her front porch, ready to bring the trees inside and she tightened up. Made it clear she didn’t want to invite me into her house.”
“Oh, well, there can be any number of reasons for that. Frankly, I think she’s being sensible. I know you’re a nice guy, but she doesn’t. I think it speaks well of her that, living alone, she’s cautious about inviting a stranger into her house.”
“You weren’t there. The atmosphere changed. I haven’t talked to her since. I don’t even have her number.”
“Get it from Ma. Do you want me to talk to her to see if she likes you?”
“The last time I had to have a third party intervene in my love life I was on my way from PE class to math and Teddy Dolan told Stacey Mack I thought she was cute.”
“And then you dated her for the next six years, so I guess that worked out for you. I’ll be more discreet than Teddy Dolan.”
“No, thank you very much. I don’t need help managing my affairs.”
Faith made a point of sweeping her gaze around the empty barn. “Yeah, I can see all the evidence of your success in that department.”
“I have successes. I don’t tell you everything.”
“All right, don’t get defensive. Hey, you know what? She offered to help Ma take down her tree if she needed help after Christmas. I bet she’d love to help us decorate the tree. She’s the one suggested we make a big deal out of it and have dinner together.”
Leland rubbed his upper lip. “Oh, yeah, I forgot about that. I don’t think I can make it.”
“Don’t say that! Why not?”
“To tell you the truth it’s really not the kind of thing I enjoy.”
Faith coiled back like an animal ready to strike. “It’s not about you. It’s for your mother. And your niece and nephew are looking forward to seeing you. I’ll never forgive you—”
He held up his hands in surrender. “All right. I’ll be there.”
“I’ll invite Melody!”
“Please don’t do that.”
“Why ever not?”
“Because, you know what’s more awkward than a first date? A first date which includes your mother and sister.”
“You’re being silly. She already fits right in.”
Leland faced her square on. “Faith, listen to me. I’m begging you not to invite Melody.” He dropped his head. “At least give me the chance to ask her out before you do.”
Chapter Eleven
December 6
The little girl, Hannah, rubbed her eyes, clearly trying to keep herself awake. Her brother, Caleb, snatched the toy horse out of her hand and put it in the quilted bag in his lap. That outrage was the last straw. Her lips quivered, proceeding a wail. Caleb shot a look at his mother to see if she’d seen.
Faith sighed. “Caleb, that was mean-spirited. Let her have the horse.”
“But, Ma, it’s mine! She has her own toys.”
“You can let her have one of your horses. Here baby girl, here’s your blanket.” Faith pulled out a large polar fleece square decorated with teddy bears from the voluminous bag at her feet. The bag seemed to be a magic bag from which she’d pulled item after item including a Tupperware cube full of carrot sticks, a travel pack of wipes, and pairs of slippers among other things. “Caleb give her one of your horses.”
He reluctantly handed over a horse after sifting through his bag, giving her one h
e had the least interest in. The little girl with the head full of soft yellow curls took the horse and then curled up with her blanket.
Faith turned to Melody. “She didn’t get a good nap today. She’s usually not so fussy.”
“When can we decorate the tree?” asked Caleb.
“We’re waiting for Uncle Leland. He has to put on the lights first.”
Caleb looked up from his horse. “Where is he anyway?”
“I texted him. He’s on his way.”
Melody’s stomach flipped at the mention of his name. “Are you sure he doesn’t mind I’m here?”
Faith suddenly averted her eyes and began tucking items back in her bag. “Of course not! He’s looking forward to it!” she said into the depths of her bag.
The sound of a car pulling up in the drive got everyone’s attention. Melody smoothed her dress out. She’d decided to wear her vintage Christmas patterned dress. With its full skirt and fitted bodice it showed her figure to advantage. Now, her confidence waned. Did she look too dressy?
Melody listened to the sound of his boots on the porch, her blood pounding in her ears. She heard the heavy front door open. Faith jumped up to meet him in the hall, where Melody heard their half-muffled conversation.
“You took your time!” Faith said with a hiss in her voice.
“I’m here under duress,” came Leland’s ill-tempered reply.
Melody’s heart sank. It seemed he wasn’t excited about seeing her after all.
She heard Alma’s voice joining in. “What did you say, Leland?”
“Nothing, Ma, I said, that’s a nice dress.”
Caleb turned to his baby sister. “Uncle Leland!”
He jumped up and ran to the front hall. Hannah got up and staggered after him. There followed squeals of delight from the children and what sounded like a good-natured tussle.
“Come on, the tree is waiting for its lights,” said Faith, leading the way back into the room, letting out a strange high-pitched twitter.
When Leland walked into the room a child under each arm, Melody’s heart went into overload at the cuteness of the scene.