“You good there, Sugarplum?” Liam sounded a bit more concerned now as he called from the back of the truck, where he was still holding up his end of the tree.
“No,” Cassidy confessed as her eyes started watering. “I’m allergic to Norway spruces, and this—ACHOO!—tree is holding me hostage.”
Through her stinging eyes Cassidy saw Zach and Madison arriving from the inn across the street.
“You okay?” Zach called up to Cassidy.
“No, she’s allergic to Christmas,” Liam answered for her.
“Not Christmas, just some Christmas trees—ACHOO!—just Norway—ACHOO!—spruces.”
“Here, take this,” Liam said to Zach.
Zach stepped in and lifted up the back of the tree while Liam climbed into the truck bed beside Cassidy.
He quickly assessed the situation. “You’re tangled up pretty good, but don’t worry. I got you.”
Liam reached for something under his flannel. Cassidy’s eyes might have been itchy and watery, but she still appreciated the waistband of his jeans and the sliver of skin above. Liam unclipped the utility knife from his jeans and flipped it open with the flick of his wrist.
Cassidy never knew she had a thing for a man with a knife, but now she knew.
“Hold still,” he commanded, using the knife to cut the offending branches to free her.
The needles were still woven into her sweater, but at least she was now free from the tree.
“Let’s get you out of here,” he added, jumping out of the back of his truck and lifting his arms up to help her down.
Cassidy was going to protest, say she didn’t need the help, but a larger part of her wanted to feel his hands on her waist.
She sat on the edge of the truck bed, swung her legs over, and allowed Liam to lift her down.
It was better than she’d imagined. His hands felt warm and strong. She leaned into him, feeling the heat of his body. It would be all too easy to wrap herself around him like tinsel, but she restrained herself.
Because she was off men. Yep, completely, one hundred percent off them until January 1st. And anyway, Liam clearly wasn’t into her. How could he be? She radiated Christmas joy and he hated the holiday.
“You okay?” Liam asked, picking the needles off her sweater.
“I will be now that I’m away from the tree.” Cassidy rolled up her sleeve to reveal a trail of hives already forming up her forearm. “Or maybe not.”
“You guys go,” Zach offered. “Madison and I have got the tree. You should take care of that arm.”
“I’m fine,” Cassidy said quickly. “I just need to rinse it.”
Still, Liam frowned. “I’d feel better if I went with you. Allergic reactions are no joke. My dad’s allergic to nuts,” he added.
Cassidy sighed. “Fine. But only because you have that protective, bossy eyebrow thing going on.”
He raised a brow in response. “This one?”
“Exactly,” she replied. “That one is especially persuasive.”
She hurried toward her shop with Liam trailing right behind her, his hand lightly hovering at her back, not touching, but definitely close enough to feel.
“You sure you’re okay?” he asked again as she fumbled with her keys, trying to unlock the door.
“Just dandy,” she replied, still unable to open the lock.
“Let me,” Liam said behind her, his voice low and firm as he reached around her to take the keys.
