“Especially young parents, with so many kids.”
“Right.”
“Maybe I can help you with some fundraising ideas,” Sheila said. “We’ve participated in so many. There are lots of creative things we could do online to pull money from other areas. It’s not likely that it would be easy to get that kind of money donations in this small town.”
“I know.”
“There are alternatives. Even if they couldn’t afford to rebuild, they could sell the land and then reinvest in the purchase of a home.” Sheila could probably help them sort through the options.
“Their house was on family land. They’ve put a lot of time into renovating that place. It’s really sad.”
“I know it wouldn’t be ideal, but there may not be many options. Let me know if they’d like me to brainstorm with them. It’s what I do.”
“Thanks. Hey, so, I, uh, have to do the preliminary inspection for the Christmas Tree Stroll later today, but if y’all are getting started on your tree tonight, I’d like to buy you a hot chocolate.”
Natalie stepped up behind him. “Are you trying to get a peek at our tree plans?”
“No. I was just asking your friend here if I could buy her a hot chocolate tonight.”
“Mm-hmm. While we’re decorating?” She wagged her finger at him. “I happen to know the hot chocolate is free.”
Sheila gasped. “Oh, I see how you are. You’re awfully sneaky. I didn’t even consider an honorable man like the fire chief might try to steal our winning ideas.” She gave him an exaggerated stink eye, trying to hold back a laugh.
“And using the free hot chocolate as bait.” Natalie shook her head with a tsk-tsk.
“Well, ‘buying’ was a loose interpretation of it. I’ll tip the guy.” Tucker looked at Sheila. “Really. They work for tips.”
“I’d take a hot chocolate, but I’ll meet you at the hot chocolate stand.” Sheila tried to give him a stern look, but she couldn’t keep a straight face. “I can’t take a chance of you peeking at our top-secret Christmas tree.”
“No problem. I’ll text you.”
“Perfect.”
He started to walk away, and then turned. “Umm, seriously, you know we can all see each other’s progress every day just by walking around, right?”
“I’ve heard it can be a fatal flaw, however,” Sheila explained. “Orene said folks get in a panic and overdecorate when they think others are better. A sure way to l-o-s-e.”
“It happens,” Tucker said, seeming to agree. “She’s wise, that one.”
“We have an excellent plan that we intend to stick to, and I believe we will be a contender for the big win.”
“I like confidence in a woman,” he said.
“Well, then you’re going to fall in love with Sheila,” Natalie jumped in. “She has more confidence than anyone I’ve ever known.”
Sheila nudged Natalie and said, grumbling the words through a mortified smile, “Stop. You’re embarrassing me.”
“You look cute with red cheeks,” Tucker said as he walked out.
She felt like jumping into the air the way Rudolph did in the old animated TV special when the pretty doe, Clarice, said he was cute. Waiting until Tucker was clear out of earshot, she turned to Natalie and grabbed her hands. “He thinks I’m cute.”
Chapter Sixteen
Sheila’s mind was all over the place the rest of the day. When Tucker spoke to her, the way he held her gaze was intoxicating. She yearned for it, and she found herself searching for ways to bump into him. She couldn’t remember the last time she was so excited at just the thought of seeing someone again.
Natalie had texted her a list of things to pick up for the tree decorating tonight. She might have been able to find some of the things at the hardware store in town, but while searching online she saw there was a Hobby Lobby in Christiansburg, Virginia, less than an hour away. Chances were better she’d find cute stuff there, plus she might be able to pick up a couple of Christmas presents while she was at it.
And hopefully, some retail therapy would take her mind off of Tucker.
