Following on the canine’s heels, Deacon crossed the house to the front door where Rascal twirled impatiently in a spinning motion that made him look like he was chasing his tail.
“Settle down,” Deacon instructed again. “What do you think is out there, boy? A squirrel? Santa’s reindeer?” He pulled on the door handle to investigate the root of all the commotion.
“Not a reindeer.” Kate lifted her hand in a timid wave. “Sorry if that’s a disappointment. I can see if I can round some up real quick, if you like.”
Deacon’s jaw unhinged. “Kate. I… I wasn’t expecting you.”
She shivered, then ran her palms along her arms and shifted side to side, both her gaze and her body.
“Come in.” He waved her inside. “Come on in out of that snow.”
She hesitated, then accepted the invitation but the tension was there. He felt it and he knew she could, too. It hung between them like a breath in the cold.
“Can I take your coat?” He already had his hands out for it.
She slipped it off and passed her navy wool jacket to him. “Thank you, Deacon.”
He examined her face a moment but he couldn’t read it, no matter how hard he tried.
“I’m sorry to just show up like this.”
“It’s okay. Really.” He chanced a look into the interior of his home, wondering if Kate would be more comfortable by the radiating warmth of the fire or if she would rather say what she came to say right here in the foyer. Just get it over with.
“Can we talk?”
“Of course.” His hope rose at the promise of her words. “Is the family room okay?”
“Yes. That would be great.” She followed behind with her hands clasped in front of her. He knew the exact moment she caught sight of the tree. The little breath that escaped her lips gave it away. “Deacon. You put up a tree.”
“Not just any tree.” He rushed over and gestured from top to bottom in his best game show host impression. “This is a Kate Carmichael special.”
Her hand flew to her mouth to squelch a small laugh. “Oh gosh. Please tell me it’s not.”
“It really is. You know, I think you might be onto something with this particular pruning job. It really showcases the individual ornaments so effectively. I think this could totally catch on.”
Kate’s gaze softened as she smiled wistfully, but Deacon picked up the hesitation in her reaction.
“Can I get you anything? You hungry? Thirsty?”
“No. Thank you, though.” She slowly lowered to the couch, then bound up her hands in her lap again. Her gaze roamed about the room before coming back to Deacon and remaining there. “Deacon, I owe you an apology.”
He took a seat directly beside her, wanting to be close but unsure if that was okay. “Kate—”
“I’ve been thinking about how to say all of this, so I’m just going to say it.” Her eyes shut, then popped back open. “I’m sorry I left you for something more exciting.”
He hadn’t thought of their situation in those precise words, but he supposed that’s exactly what had occurred. That stung just a bit. “It’s really okay, Kate—”
“No.” She shook her head tightly. “It’s not. I never should have taken that job with Jenny and Bryce. I should’ve pushed to finish out this job. I should’ve been committed to what I promised your mother when we arranged everything back at the beginning.”
“You don’t have to worry about us, Kate. We’re fine.”
“But I do. I do worry because I know I’ve hurt you, and I hate that it’s in the same way you’ve been hurt before.”
He didn’t quite follow. “What do you mean?”
“I left because I thought maybe there was a bigger story for me. I got caught up in the excitement of that. I had no idea that’s exactly what Jenny did to you.”
“You and Jenny are not the same at all, Kate. Don’t for one minute compare this situation to what happened between me and her.”
“But there are comparisons. Painful ones. I had no clue she wanted to clear cut the farm and turn it into a resort, Deacon. I honestly didn’t even know that you knew her.”
He reached out to still her hands. They were wringing together incessantly. “Because I didn’t tell you. I didn’t want to stand in the way of this opportunity for you, Kate.”
“I wish you would have.” A sheen filled her gaze as her eyes slid down to her lap, regarding Deacon’s hands that encased and steadied her own. “I’ve already put in my two weeks.”
“On the job?” He was surprised to hear that things had wrapped up so quickly, but couldn’t say he wasn’t relieved.
“No. I put in my two weeks at the station.”
“Kate.” Deacon’s expression fell blank. “Why would—?”
“That’s where I’ve been this whole time. Back in Sacramento sorting things out and buttoning everything up. I didn’t want to come back here until all of that was put to bed and finished,” she explained. “I didn’t even last a day at Bryce and Jenny’s. When he told me his ultimate goal was to convince you to sell, I realized I couldn’t be a part of something like that. Not even if it made for good T.V.” She leaned closer to punctuate the words. “And then when I found out that was why things had ended with Jenny—that she pushed and pushed for you to give up your dream for hers—I packed up my car and didn’t stop driving until I was at Courtney’s front door with my resignation letter.”
“You didn’t have to do any of that, Kate. You didn’t have to quit. We could’ve figured something out.”
“But I did have to,” she insisted. “I’ve always said that On the Job has been like holding a hundred different job interviews, but that I’m the one conducting them. Well, I’ve finally made my decision.” She took a fortifying breath and stared straight into Deacon’s eyes, her gaze the most intense shade of blue he’d ever seen. “Deacon Winters, I’d officially like to be a part of your permanent staff here at Yuletide Tree Farm. If you’re hiring.”
“You want to be a Christmas tree farmer?” A sound of disbelief left his mouth. “Out of all the jobs you are qualified for?”
“I want to be a wreath maker and a tree hauler and a pie burner and a terrible snowmobile driver. Whatever you need me for, I’ll be it. I’m in. One-hundred-percent. I can rent out the loft and I promise to work harder than I ever have on any job. I’ll be your best employee.”
“What if I just want you to be Kate.”
Her eyes clouded and her head twitched slightly in confusion.
“I just want you, Kate,” he said again. “No expectations. No titles. Honestly, these last two weeks have been rough; I’m not going to lie. Not knowing where we stood or what the future held kept me up at night. More than usual, which is saying a lot. I just want you in my life, Kate. This Christmas and as many Christmases as you’re willing to stick around.”
Moving closer, Kate slipped under Deacon’s arm and lowered her head to his shoulder, cocooning into his side like she was made to be there. Deacon prayed she felt at home there, like the way his heart felt now that it fully belonged to hers. Together they gazed past the laughable little tree and out toward the vast array of evergreens that brought them together in the best twist of fate Deacon could ever hope for.
“I plan to stick around for a long time, Deacon Winters,” Kate said. She snuggled closer and added, “A very long time. That’s one job I can definitely tackle.”
Two Years Later
Deacon and Kate
“Looks like getting hitched went off without a hitch.” Cody clanked the neck of his bottle to Deacon’s in an informal toast and then tossed back a swallow. “Can you believe it? Husband and wife. Didn’t think I’d live to see the day.”
“After two years of waiting to marry the woman of my dreams, you know, I actually can believe it.” Deacon’s eyes tracked Kate across the church fellowship hall. She’d had the same entourage of eager little girls following her all evening, as though she were their favorite princess and the
y wanted nothing more than to bask in her magical presence. Deacon could understand why. Kate was nothing short of enchanting. In her off-the-shoulder, lace gown with beaded bodice that fishtailed into a swirl of pristine, white fabric at her feet, she looked every bit a royal.
When the church doors spread that afternoon, silhouetting his bride in the most ethereal winter sun they’d been blessed with all season, Deacon had to tug his bottom lip between his teeth to harness its tremble as thankful tears sloped over his cheeks. He was torn between wanting Kate to run down the aisle to get to him and wishing he could slow it all to fully savor each beautiful step she took toward their awaiting future.
With Toby by Kate’s side and Cody by Deacon’s, they pledged their lives, their love, and their hope to one another in a ceremony that had the whole town on their feet in cheers of heartfelt applause and ovation. It was the best day of Deacon’s life, and yet, he knew this was only the beginning of many more just like it.
“Excuse me while I attempt to steal my bride away from that gaggle of girls over there.” Deacon squeezed his brother’s shoulder. “I’m not sure I’ll be successful, though. I’m a bit outnumbered.”
“Good luck. You’ll need it,” Cody said on a laugh. “I’ll circle back with you in a bit.”
“Sounds good, brother.”
Deacon negotiated his way through the guests, stopping momentarily to accept well wishes and words of congratulation. He locked eyes with Kate just as Dottie Mason hauled him into a bear hug and a conversation about Pastor Tomlin’s rambling Sunday sermon on extending grace to your fellow neighbor.
“I just think he should’ve included something about justice don’t you? It can’t be all grace and no justice. Maybe he’s got that planned for next week,” she babbled, unfazed by Deacon’s determined beeline toward his new bride. “I just don’t want the folks around here thinking we can go out giving away grace, willy-nilly. Mark Huxley accidentally cut down two trees that were technically on our property and did I give him grace for that? Sure, I did. But the justice side of things says he owes me two trees. I think he needs to pay up.”
“You know, I think I could easily arrange for a couple of trees for you, Dottie.” Deacon smiled. “Why don’t you track Cody down and he can work out the details.”
“Really? That would be incredible, Deacon. Now, I don’t want to take up any more of your time, but there’s an elder board meeting—”
“Mind if I steal this handsome fella for a moment?” Kate tapped Dottie on the shoulder and gave Deacon a wink.
“Oh, certainly,” Dottie said. She stepped out from between the newly married couple. “I’ll leave you two lovebirds alone. Enjoy your special day, sweeties. It was a beautiful ceremony. Just beautiful.”
Deacon moved close to Kate. He dipped his hand to the curve of her waist and pulled her body flush to his. “I was just on my way to rescue you,” he whispered into her hair that hung in loose curls at her shoulders.
“Then you would actually be the prince charming my little friends keep calling you.” Kate placed her hands on Deacon’s shoulders, then slid them to the back of his neck to draw him into a kiss. “I have to say…” She pulled back and met his gaze. “Everything about today has been nothing short of perfection, Deacon.”
“That’s all you.” He looked around the room at the crowd, the decorations, the atmosphere in general that had every element of holiday splendor.
“To my credit, I’ve had some experience as a wedding planner. And a florist. And a baker, too, but I think it was a wise decision to hire out for the cake.”
“I’m sure you could have done it,” Deacon countered.
“Probably, but how awful would I feel if I gave all of our guests food poisoning? Some things are better left to the professionals.”
“Maybe.” Deacon shrugged. “But everything else was wedding perfection.”
It had been Kate’s idea to decorate the reception hall with cut trees and fresh wreaths from Deacon’s farm, transforming the otherwise plain space into what she labeled the Winters Wonderland. And rather than requesting gifts from a registry, the couple had asked their family and friends to purchase and wrap a present to donate to the town’s toy drive. Gratitude overtook him when Deacon noticed the mounds of gifts, all piled beneath their Yuletide trees. Even on a day Kate had every right to claim as her own, she thought of others. It looked like Christmas morning twenty times over and when he envisioned the faces of the children on the receiving end of that generosity, a ball of emotion tightened Deacon’s throat. Kindness had a ripple effect and their wedding day was the start of that. To Deacon, that was the richest blessing of all.
The night was a joy-filled blur of toasts and dancing, fellowship and laughter. Just after nine, Cody summoned Deacon with a whistle, two fingers pressed between his lips to create the shrill sound. “Brother.” He waved him near and dropped a set of keys into Deacon’s palm. “I think it’s about time we gave you and your bride a proper send off. Your truck is right out front.”
Guests lined the walkway holding glittering sparklers that popped and snapped, showering the couple in shards of light like the flash of a thousand cameras. Deacon rushed Kate toward his beloved truck parked at the bottom of the staircase and he smiled when he noticed a wreath fastened to the bumper with a Just Married sign hung in the center.
He rounded the vehicle and held open the door for Kate while she bent to gather the fabric of her skirt and hoist herself into the truck. Deacon leaned forward, hands hooked on the roof and couldn’t mask his smirk when he asked, “Ready to start our life together, Mrs. Winters?”
“I’d like to stop by the barn to check on the horses before we head to the cottage for the night. If that’s okay.”
“Sounds good to me.” Kate smiled. She couldn’t keep her eyes off her ring finger. Even now as they rode back to the farm, she stretched out her left arm and wriggled her hand, admiring the way the solitaire diamond caught and reflected light across the cab of Deacon’s truck in rainbow prisms like a twirling disco ball. The stone was a modest size, nothing too showy or ornate, which fit Kate’s tastes to a T.
“How are you liking your something new?” Deacon beamed, pride weighty in his look of shear devotion.
“I adore it, Deacon. It’s so lovely. I can’t stop staring at it.” He caught her hand and brought it to his lips to press a kiss to her skin before releasing it and taking hold of the wheel with both hands again. “Did you happen to bring your something borrowed with you?”
Kate lifted the stunning fur stole from the seat and slipped it onto her bare shoulders. The shawl had belonged to Grandma Kay, then to Marla, and was now Kate’s to pass down to future Winters women. She couldn’t believe how impeccably it complimented her wedding dress, serving its purpose to create both warmth and beauty like it was always meant to be worn by her.
“Good.” Deacon nodded again. “And your something old?”
Kate clicked her heels. The leather boots were only two years old, but she’d passed the hundred-hour break-in mark long ago and the scuff marks and scratches told the story of trail rides and tree farming as effectively as a memory. “Yep. Right here.”
“So the only thing you didn’t have is something blue, right?”
Shrugging, Kate affirmed Deacon’s question with a little nod. The tradition hadn’t been all that important to her, really, so she didn’t spend too much time worrying about completing it. Blue didn’t go with her holiday colors of deep, crimson reds and rich, earthy greens, so she opted to keep it out of the scheme altogether.
“I think I might be able to fix that.” Deacon shifted into park several paces away from the barn, and when Kate saw Bella tied to the hitching rail, she turned toward her new husband.
“What’s Bella doing out at this hour?”
“That’s our ride.”
Kate punctuated her confusion with a quirk of her brow. “Our ride?”
“Yep.” Deacon didn’t add to that and when they exited t
he truck and came up by the horse’s side, he let out a little snicker of remembrance.
“I know exactly what you’re thinking,” Kate said.
“Oh, do you?” Deacon linked his fingers together and lowered his hands to create a makeshift step to help Kate onto the bareback horse.
“When you saw me trying and failing to get into the saddle that day, did you ever think I would one day be your wife?”
“You know, there are very few instances in life where I’ll gladly admit my misgivings. That one takes the cake. I’ve never been more grateful to have been so wrong about something. So very wrong.”
Kate sat in a sidesaddle position, her gown billowing along the horse’s flank in a sweeping display of ivory satin and lace. Deacon untied Bella from the rail, collected her reins and then joined his bride. Forget a horse drawn carriage, riding in the mountain snow atop Deacon’s favorite horse was as romantic as it could get. Kate leaned up against Deacon’s firm chest, allowing the rocking of Bella’s steady, rhythmic gait to move their body’s like a dance.
“Where are we headed?” Kate angled her head which gave Deacon a chance to steal a quick kiss.
“Only a bit further.”
After a few minutes, Kate could sense the horse relax her pace, but she still couldn’t determine their destination. When they came to a halt in the empty portion of the farm where the rental trees were stored in the off season, Kate’s mounting interest turned into full-fledged curiosity.
“What are we doing out here, Deacon?” She took his hand as he helped her to the ground.
“We’re here for your something blue.”
Kate turned her eyes in every direction but still couldn’t put two and two together. “I don’t think I understand—”
Bending down, Deacon reached for a tray of saplings that rested on an old stump nearby. He held out the little, baby trees and grinned. “Blue spruce.”
“Oh goodness, Deacon. They are adorable.” She ran her hands over the prickly surface full of silver-tipped needles.
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