“Is it Tucker?” Natalie asked. “I see that look in your eye. It is, isn’t it?”
Sheila’s stomach swirled. “It is. I’ve been summoned to the hot chocolate kiosk.”
“That’s so sweet,” Amanda squealed. “Have fun. He’s such a great guy. Do you know where the kiosk is?”
“No idea.” Sheila was already on her feet, though. “Point me in the right direction.”
“Head up this aisle, then turn left. You’re going to head all the way to the end. The kiosk is on the other side of the goalpost. You can’t miss it.”
“Sure can’t, because the tall good-looking fire chief will be standing there next to it.” Natalie jumped between them and threw her hands in the air. “And then score!”
“Funny,” Sheila said. “Y’all need to stop. It’sjusthot chocolate.”
“It’s neverjusthot chocolate,” said Natalie.
Sheila took off, but she could hear Amanda and Natalie still egging her on from a distance. But as much as she denied it, she couldn’t quit grinning. She took in a big breath, trying to steady her nerves. She was more nervous than the first time she slow-danced with John Rimarski in the eighth grade, and she could feel her knees knocking that night.
Chapter Eighteen
Tucker stood next to the hot chocolate kiosk, wishing he’d never acted on his impulse to ask Sheila to meet for hot chocolate. She was a looker, no doubt about it, and her quick wit and confidence showed by the way she picked on him even though they didn’t know each other that well yet. The simple gesture seemed nice enough at the time, but now that he was standing here waiting on her, it felt pretty lame. It was also a giant waste of time, since she didn’t live around here.
The whole firehouse probably knew by now, since they’d heard him talking to Tommy about it. Was this some kind of subliminal desperate move for company over the holidays?
It wasn’t.
He liked being married to his job. Didn’t have a problem with it at all. It was rewarding keeping the people of Chestnut Ridge safe. He was never lonely. There was always something good cooking at the station house, and when he wasn’t with others, he enjoyed his own company just fine.
Why he opened this can of worms just to spend a minute witha woman who’d be gone in a couple of weeks, he couldn’t say. Just as he was regretting it and considering leaving, she stepped out from around the last aisle of trees and walked his way.
Her smile made him pause.
Her arms swung gracefully as she made her way to him in a deep forest-green top that hugged her shapely form. She was wearing her hair down, and he liked how it swept over her shoulders as she walked. She raised her arm and waved.
He acknowledged it with a lift of his chin.Stunning.
“How are you?” She walked over and gave him a quick hug. “I am having such a fun night.”
“Good. And the real festivities won’t even start for a week. This is just the pre-work.”
“I can’t wait to see the transformation as all the teams start decorating their trees. I’ve never heard of anything like this before.”
“I’m not sure why no one has stolen the idea for the Christmas Stroll. We’ve been doing it for as long as I can remember. It was one of the tree farmers who originally came up with the idea.”
“That makes sense. A way to get people excited about the trees.” She looked around. “It’s really clever.”
“Wait until all the trees are decorated, and everything is in full swing.” He pointed to the stands. “People fill the stadium. The view from up there is very different from when you’re walking among the trees.”
“I didn’t even think of that. I’ve always thought it was touching when they carol with everyone holding colored lights in the outline of a tree,” Sheila said. “Our band did that in high school. I haven’t thought of that in years.”
“From the stands the sound of the people caroling as they stroll through the trees rises like a fancy orchestral performance. Seriously, it’s like being in a holiday movie.”
She rubbed her hands up her arms. “I just got a chill. I can’t wait. It’s sort of romantic.”
“Very romantic,” he assured her. “There’ve been a few proposals during the event.”
“That’s so sweet.”
“It is. I think a Christmas proposal would be pretty special anyway, but here, oh yeah, it would be kind of magical.” All his anticipatory anxiety fell away. “What kind of hot chocolate can I tempt you with?”
