Noel came by, bringing me a travel cup full of coffee. “Gotta keep my man warm.”
I accepted it with a grateful smile. “Your festival idea is a huge success.”
“Eh, it was Griff’s idea. He runs the huge Christmas Falls town festival, so he knows what’s what.”
“I guess he does.”
“Just remember that when it’s cleanup time, too,” he said with a laugh. “Big event means big mess.”
I kissed the tip of his nose. “It’ll be worth it to have my evenings free to spend with you.”
His smile turned awkward.
I sighed. “You booked another event, didn’t you?”
“Just a tiny little wedding rehearsal dinner next weekend.”
“You don’t know when to quit,” I said. “I thought you were going to take December off.”
Ever since Noel had decided to stay in Nebraska, he’d been booking birthday, anniversary, and bridal and baby showers like nobody’s business.
We were still operating with limited space, though we brought in a pavilion tent for a wedding reception over the summer.
Laurie had invested in the farm, but we’d had a lot of planning and logistics to figure out before the new reception hall—modeled to look like a barn on the outside, and a gorgeous, modern space on the inside—could open. We were aiming for the new year, which meant Noel really needed to take a breather while he could.
“It’s the last one,” Noel said. “I promise! Their venue fell through, and how could I say no?”
“Well, it starts with anNand ends with?—”
Noel kissed me quiet, and I chuckled and gave him a squeeze. “Just don’t overdo it, babe.”
“When do I ever?”
All the time, I thought but didn’t say. Noel was in his element when he was working hard. He was driven toward excellence. It was part of what made him Noel, so I loved it, even if I did feel the need to rein him in now and again.
My wagon began to fill up with people eager to take a ride through the trees. We’d strung more lights to make it a more scenic ride, but it was also an opportunity to point out the best Christmas trees. I’d let them get out and mark a tree they wanted to buy, then come out and cut them tomorrow and deliver them to their homes. It was a win-win for all of us.
“I’ll see you later tonight,” Noel said. “Don’t forget we’ve got big plans.”
“I wouldn’t miss it,” I said.
We’d had a little house built on the property so we could have more privacy. We loved Noel’s parents, of course, but we wanted to start our own lives.
Noel’s parents weren’t offended. In fact, they’d insisted on moving to the smaller house and leaving us theirs.
“You’re starting your lives together,” Maggie had said. “Maybe you’ll give me some cute grandbabies, huh? You need the space.”
“Mom, I don’t know if you understand how the birds and the bees work,” Noel said teasingly. “We’re not making babies.”
“Then go find some!” she’d insisted. “I want to be a grandma!”
We’d laughed it off, but the thought had stuck in my mind. I wanted a family with Noel. I wanted to put a ring on his finger and make him my husband, then adopt some cute kids—or maybe get a surrogate mother to carry a child—and settle in to our happily ever after.
“We have to christen our new bedroom,” Noel said, as if he really needed to remind me ofthat.
“I’ll be there with bells on.”
“Ooh, kinky,” he whispered in my ear. “Now, I’m looking forward to it even more.”
