“Same,” I add.
Earl looks like he’s regretting every life choice that led him to this moment. “Folks, I can’t have you fighting over a tree in the middle of my lot. It’s bad for business.”
“Then tell her to let go,” I say.
“Tellhimto let go,” she counters.
We glare at each other. Her cheeks are even pinker now, and there’s a stubborn set to her jaw that I shouldn’t find attractive but absolutely do.
This is insane.I’mbeing insane and acting like a toddler. It’s just a tree, right? There are dozens of other trees on this lot that would look just as good in my cabin. But my gut tells me this isn’t about the tree anymore. Still, I can’t make a scene here. It’s ridiculous.
“Fine. I’ll let go,” I finally say, releasing my grip.
“Really?” the woman asks.
“Thank the Lord,” Earl says with a sigh and hurries away to help the more sane customers find what they want.
“Where are you staying?” I ask the woman.
Her eyes narrow. “Why?”
“Because if you’re taking my tree, I’m going to need to know where to find it.”
“Find it? What are you going to do, show up and demand it back?”
“Maybe.”
“That’s—” She stops and studies my face. “You’re being serious.”
“About my tree? Yeah.”
She puts her hands on her curvy hips. “If you show up and harass me, I’m calling the cops.”
“I’m not going to harass you.”
“Then what are you going to do?”
Good question. I don’t actually know. All I know is that I’m not ready to let this go. Both the tree and her.
“Nothing. I’ll help you load this tree into your car. Not that it’ll fit,” I say.
“It’ll fit,” she says with a roll of the eyes.
Ten minutes later, though, she has to admit defeat. “Fine, it doesn’t fit.”
She marches away, and I reluctantly follow her to look at the other available trees. I can’t help but overhear her ask Earl if the tree can be delivered to cabin seven at Pine Falls Cabins.
I smile. This woman is infuriating and gorgeous and completely impossible, and I have no idea what I’m doing laying a claim on this exact tree. But I do know exactly where I’ll be in a few hours. Cabin seven.
To claim what’s mine.
Chapter Two
Naomi
I can’t concentrate. Not that I have to. This week is supposed to be a relaxing one, with me doing absolutely nothing but enjoying myself, yet I can’t even bring myself to make a cup of hot cocoa. All I can think about is Thorne, the huge, scowling man who claims I stole his tree.
So yeah, maybe I did. The tree did have a red ribbon tied around it after all. I didn’t want to admit he was right. No, I had to be stubborn, and now I’ll never see him again, which is truly a shame because… well, he was a feast for the eyes. And his voice. Shit, it made me feel all hot despite the cold biting at my cheeks. The way it rumbled through me when he staked his claim made me dizzy in the best possible way.
