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“I think the tall trees are better ‘cause they’re prettier.” That voice was unmistakably, Lila’s.
“Pretty isn’t everything.” The other voice belonged to the little boy from Tara’s hospital room. Mikey. “My dad says you need a tree with a lot of body to it. Big and wide like this.” I couldn’t see them for all the trees between us, but I could just about imagine what he was doing.
“I want a big fat tree too because they hold lots of ornaments.”
“We’re buying a surprise tree for Aunt Tara since she’s having a hard time walkin’. We gotta go home soon though, so she’ll have to decorate it on her own.”
“That’s too bad. Maybe I can help her.” I could hear the mischief in Lila’s voice and I felt another one of her schemes coming on. “I like Tara.”
“She’s cool. We don’t see her often though, but maybe for Christmas this year. Mama said she’d work on it.”
I smiled, imaging how thrilled Tara would be to know she was being worked on. “Lila,” I called out and both kids gasped in surprise.
“Yeah?” Her words were hesitant, and I couldn’t help but smile at the wariness in her voice.
“Stay where you are. I’m coming to you.” If I left it up to Lila, we’d end up with a tree too big for our house.
“I found the perfect tree. Wait til you see it!” The excitement in her voice was palpable and that’s why I had such a hard time staying mad at my little girl.
“These trees are big. Really big.”
“These are the five best trees in the lot,” Mikey said with the authority of a man three times his age. “The top and bottom are the same in size and they have good body. And,” he flashed a look at Lila. “Pretty too.”
“You seem to know a lot about Christmas trees.” The little boy had the air of a smarty pants about him, but not in an annoying way. At least not so far. “Are you a tree doctor or something?”
“No,” he laughed. “My dad spends a lot of time outside, and he knows a lot about all kinds of trees. Now that we’re a family, he has someone who actually wants to hear about it all.” He smiled, and I was sure those words had come straight from the man’s mouth.
“Hey Mike, there you are. I know this is a small town, but next time don’t stray so far, yeah?”
“Sorry. Me and Lila were looking at trees together.”
“Cool. Did you guys find anything good?” Ry shoved his hands in his pockets, so casual, and waited for an answer.
“Mikey here seems to think these are the five to choose from.”
“It’s Mike,” the little boy said firmly. “Mikey is a kid’s name.”
“My bad, Mike. It’s what Tara called you, and we never had a formal introduction. I’m Chris.” I struck my hand out and he took it, giving it a firm shake. A strong shake.
“I’m Mike Ford. Nice to meet you sir.”
“You too. So, which one of these trees should we get Mike?”
He studied all five trees carefully, nodding as he took in each tree. “I think we should get the small one for Aunt Tara, so you should get this one. Lila thinks it’s the prettiest.”
“That’s cause it is,” she said with a wide smile. “I agree with Mike. Officer Tara will love this tree. It’s small enough that I can help her decorate it!”
As soon as the words were out of Lila’s mouth, I knew what we had to do. I couldn’t stop thinking about it, Tara all alone once her family left, trying to do everything on her own. Despite my efforts to put some distance between us, to keep it casually friendly, Tara could use a friend.
And that friend was me.
It could be, if Tara didn’t slam the door in my face first.
“I’ll go get Mr. Henderson, he’s in charge today,” Lila declared and tugged Mike down the aisle before they disappeared. Again.
“Damn, where do they find all that energy?” Ry laughed beside me, shaking his head in awe of the kids.
“Wherever we dropped it.” I held out my hand. “Chris.”
“Jacobs, I know. The mystery writer. Penny’s a big fan, at least until she finds out what’s going on with you and Tara.”
My brows rose. “You don’t beat around the bush, do you?”
Ry shrugged. “No time for that. If I know my wife, and I do, she’s already found out every detail of whatever it is, and I’ll be forced tot hear it all on the ride back to Tulip, so I don’t want to hear it again.” His brown gaze was serious. Not necessarily threatening, but they held the promise that a threat could be imminent if that was necessary.
“What do you want? An autograph?”
His lips twitched, and then pulled into a smile. “That would be great, actually. But what I really want to know is, if I need to worry about my cousin?”
