“That’s great.”
“He said my footage of the sleigh ride was ‘Christmas gold.’ Can you believe that?”
“Sounds like he picked the right person for the job.”
Eva could barely restrain herself. “So I was just telling Mr. Bedford, I’m gonna stick to you two like glue.”
Penny glanced at Daniel and got a smile and a shrug.
Eva whipped out her phone and aimed it at Penny. “Okay, let’s do this. You guys are here to pick out a Christmas tree, right?”
“Right,” Penny said. “For the Heartsprings Valley Cafe.”
“Well, get to it,” Eva said. “Remember —I’m not here.”
Somewhat awkwardly, Penny turned to Daniel. He was dressed in a dark winter coat, jeans, blue sweater, and winter boots —and looked as handsome as ever. “Good afternoon.”
“Good afternoon,” he replied, his gaze serious and intent.
“Wait,” Eva said, her attention fixed on her phone. “Say out loud where you are and what you’re doing here.”
“Okay,” Penny said, feeling self-conscious. “We’re here at Abner’s Christmas Tree Farm on the outskirts of Heartsprings Valley, ready to pick a tree for the Heartsprings Valley Cafe. Daniel, what kind of tree are we looking for?”
Daniel pulled out his phone. “One that fits this space.” He showed her a photo, taken inside the cafe, of a spot between two tables next to the big front windows.
“An excellent spot,” Penny said. “The tree will look great.”
“I’m wondering about the tables and chairs on either side. If the tree we get is too wide….”
“Then folks sitting at the tables might feel crowded.”
He nodded. “So I’m thinking we need a tree that’s tall but not too wide.”
Penny pointed to the barn. “Abner —he’s the owner — is probably in there.”
They crossed the parking lot to the barn and found Abner, a thin, older man in heavy winter gear, wrestling a large, bushy Christmas tree into what looked like a giant metal planter. Fascinated, Penny watched Abner flip a switch, causing the metal planter to shake the tree vigorously, sending snow, ice, and loose needles flying.
“Wow,” Daniel said, fascinated.
“Have you been to a tree farm before?” Penny asked.
“Nope.”
Abner removed the tree from the shaking machine and set it on its side next to a machine that looked like a jet engine. After turning the machine on, he fed the tree into the engine. When the tree emerged on the other side, it was wrapped in twine.
“Whoa,” Daniel said.
Abner glanced over at them and squinted. “That you, Penny?”
Penny smiled. “Abner, good to see you. I’d like to introduce you to Daniel Bedford. And I’m pretty sure you know Eva?”
“With you in a sec.” Abner carried the wrapped-up tree to the barn entrance. “Eva, how’s your sister?”
“Doing great, Mr. Grantham. Just started a nursing job at the hospital in Eagle Cove.”
After leaning the wrapped-up tree against the barn door, Abner walked over to Daniel, hand extended. “So you’re the fellow everybody’s talking about.”
“I suppose I am,” Daniel said, shaking Abner’s hand. “Pleased to meet you.”
