Geez, Becky. I’m literally doing all the work here. At least give him a charming anecdote from your family to share in the moment.
“Um…” Becky broke the silence, and I perked up, certain she was about to reveal a gem. “What kind of tree is this one?”
“It’s a Fraser fir.”
“Ah, yes. That’s a good one. Excellent needle retention.”
I dropped my head into my hands and rubbed my temples. Their conversation was headache-inducing.Less words, more physical contact.
Pushing my palms forward, I sent a gust of wind into Becky’s back. She stumbled into Jack with a nervous yelp, and he caught her around the shoulders, keeping her on her feet. Her head tilted back, and their eyes met. The air settled, and it was like I was watching time stand still as the tension thickened.
I could barely breathe, and my chest hurt. Pricks of tears stung the corners of my eyes as the urge to separate them with another blast of icy air moved through me, tempting my fingers until I closed my hands into fists. This was what I wanted! I chanted another name in my head, hoping it would dim the buzzing.
Simon…Simon…Simon—
Jack released Becky and gave her a friendly pat on the shoulder. “Watch your step. It’s icy out here.”
Relief poured through me, and I ducked behind one of the trees to squeeze my eyes shut. What was wrong with me? I needed to get my head on straight or I’d be stuck as an underappreciated office drone for the rest of my life. Closing my hands around a tree branch, I let the prickly needles bite my palm. The sting was soothing in the face of my jealousy. And that’s what it was, and I hated it.
It was going to ruin everything!
“Are you okay? Or do you want to be alone with the tree?”
Jack’s voice punctured my thoughts, and my eyes popped open. Heat scorched the back of my neck. Releasing the branch, I wobbled on unsteady feet, knocking his shoulder as I brushed past him.
“Uh, yeah. I’m fine. I was just testing the tree’s firmness.” The heat must have moved from my neck to boil my brain. I sounded just like Becky.
Jack laughed, falling into step beside me. “The two of you are very particular in your tree qualifications.”
“Well, it’s important,” I mumbled, feeling the warmth from Jack’s body as he blocked the wind.
“The perfect tree won’t change anyone’s mind,” Jack said under his breath.
I swallowed around the lump in my throat and scanned the rows of trees. The snow kept falling, fluttering gently around our feet. Becky hiked a few rows parallel to us, but I still felt like Jack and I were in a world of our own.
“I couldn’t help but notice there seems to be a bit of tension between you and the villagers,” I said with a cautious tone.
“Was it because they were all carrying pitchforks? I’m surprised you didn’t grab one and march with them.”
“I don’t hate you, Jack.”
His steps slowed. “You don’t?”
I shrugged and side-stepped some overgrown branches. “It’s amazing how you can see things differently when you’re not being chased out of your accommodations.”
“Yeah, well, I needed a break. Being a small-town villain is exhausting.”
Walking backward, I skimmed my fingers over a pine branch and wiggled my eyebrows. “I wouldn’t know. I only spread cheer and joy wherever I go.”
Jack’s gaze glinted with humor. “You’re pure evil dressed up in tinsel and you know it.”
“Tinsel is for amateurs. I prefer long garlands of popcorn and cranberries. It’s vintage. Like my boots.”
My cheeks ached from trying to suppress a grin, and I had to pull myself back together. Flirting with Jack while strolling the tree farm was not part of my plan! Where was Becky? I searched between the trees for her, and that’s when I saw it.
There it is…
The tree stood like a beacon among its neighbors. It was beautifully shaped with even branches, reaching at least eighteen feet tall. A bloody miracle considering most of the trees we’d seen were mediocre at best and much shorter. But this was what we were searching for. Anticipation thrummed through my veins as I imagined it strung with colorful lights in the center of town.
