“Nice.” She took a step back, looking at the tree from various angles. “A couple of minor adjustments.” After moving the string of lights to different branches, she stepped back again.
“What’s the verdict?” Daniel said, joining her.
“I think we got it.”
He smiled. “What’s next?”
“Tinsel.” At the hardware store, they’d purchased two kinds of tinsel garlands —silver and red. She handed him the box of silver. “Start circling the tree and draping the tinsel over the branches, just like we did with the lights.”
He nodded and got to work. “Like this?” he asked when he was about halfway done, turning to her for confirmation.
“Looks good.” When he finished, she started with the red tinsel.
“This is going really fast,” he said.
“The next step takes the longest,” she replied as she adjusted the last of the red tinsel.
“The ornaments?”
“It’s best to go box by box.” She picked up a box with six festive reindeer ornaments. “Generally, if we space them out on the tree, we’ll be fine.”
Holly joined them with more boxes of ornaments. “Here are the extras I brought from home,” she said. “Use as you see fit.”
“Thanks,” Daniel replied.
“Can I ask a favor?” she said to Penny. “Would it be okay if you close up for me? Mom and Dad are at the orchard with Joshua, and I want them to head home before the snow hits.”
“Of course,” Penny said.
“You have your key?”
“In my handbag.”
“Thank you.I appreciate it.” She turned to Eva and Daniel. “You guys are doing great. I’m sure the tree is going to be fantastic.”
“Thanks for letting us add a second tree, Holly,” Daniel said.
Holly smiled. “The more Christmas we have in here, the better.”
Eva piped up. “Thanks, Mrs. North — I mean,Holly.”
“Remember,” Holly said to Daniel, “slow down after turning off the county road.”
“Got it.”
A moment later, all bundled up, Holly said her goodbyes and headed out.
At the front door, Penny flipped the “Open” sign to “Closed,” then locked the door. “Okay, the place is ours.”
“How are we doing?” Daniel asked as she returned to the tree.
“Good,” she said, eyeing it carefully. “I’m pretty sure we’ll end up needing all of the ornaments we have.”
“It’s handy that you have a key to this place.”
“She has one for the bookstore, too. You know, just in case. I also have keys for the chocolate shop and the hardware store.”
“It’s great that you all know and trust each other enough to do that.”
