“My wife read one of your books, the one about your divorce.”
“Glad to hear, though to be clear, the book wasn’t really about my —”
“She liked it.” Abner said. “‘No villains,’ she said. ‘Just two people who shouldn’t have gotten married.’”
“Um, well, I’m glad she liked it.”
“She said you wrote a Western.”
“A historical novel set in the American West, yes.”
“I like a good Western. Can I get it at the library? Maybe I’ll give it a shot.”
“You probably can. If you do, I hope you enjoy it.”
“Heard you need a tree. That New York fellow who called told me to get you the best one we have.”
Penny said, “Daniel, why don’t you show Abner the photo of the space?”
Daniel pulled out his phone. Abner squinted at the photo.
“You need a Balsam. They’re the skinniest.” He walked to the barn door and pointed up the slope. “See the two rows on the left? That’s what you want.”
Curiosity piqued, Penny asked, “What kind of trees do you have?”
“Balsam, Douglas, Fraser, and Scotch Pine.” Abner pointed to a cart with big wheels. “Take that with you.” From a nearby bench, he picked up a handsaw. “And this.”
Daniel seemed surprised. “We get to do it ourselves?”
“You sure do.” Abner squinted at him. “Got a problem with that?”
“Not at all,” Daniel said. “I want to do it. I just didn’t realize that’s how it works.”
Abner handed him the saw. “Now you know.”
Daniel set the saw on the cart and grabbed the cart’s handle. “Let’s get ourselves a tree.” He rolled the cart out of the barn into the bright afternoon sunshine.
“We lucked out with the weather today,” Penny said as she caught up to him, Eva right behind.
“Gabe says the weather can turn on a dime up here.”
“Definitely.” The cart seemed to be an easy pull, even as the hill grew steeper. “How’s the cart?”
“It handles pretty well.” He pointed to a well-trodden path through the trees. “As long as we stick to where the snow is packed down, I don’t see it getting stuck.”
They climbed steadily past rows of trees, the air fresh and crisp, a hint of evergreen in the breeze.
As they neared the top row, Penny saw it: a large, tall, slim tree a few feet from the path that looked perfect for the cafe.
“How about that one?” she said, pointing.
Daniel nodded. “Looks good.” He gestured to the saw. “Do you want to do the honors, or…?”
“Oh, no. You’re the one who’s here to immerse yourself in Christmas.”
He smiled. “I was hoping you’d say that.” He grabbed the handsaw, stepped off the path, and knelt at the base of the tree. “Last chance to change your mind. You sure this is the one?”
“I’m sure.”
