“What, to watch you and G argue over a tree? Oh, I’m missing so much.” She laughed, dripping in sarcasm.
“First, it’s tradition, and second, where’s the fun in missing G tossing his arms up when I point to the first tree we looked at?”
“Tape it for me?” She laughed again, and I moved around to see another rack of trees in the back corner of the lot. “I’m stuck in a line at the market because apparently everyone and their mother needs milk two days before Christmas.”
“Got to love the holiday rush.” My words trickled away when I spied Kim in the parking lot.
“Look, honey, I have to go, but I’ll try to make the tree lot as soon as I can. If not, I’ll see you later.”
“Okay.” I hung up, and two seconds later, the phone rang again.
“Seriously?” Jaci hissed, “You hung up on me?”
“Sorry.” I felt like I was about to miss something good. “It was Lisa, and she was just checking in.”
“Spence?” G held up his hand as I approached as if asking which tree I wanted. I pointed to the one I had seen at the start of our search and watched his face pink up. “See? Every year!”
I chuckled and went back to my call. “Okay, girlfriend, be at my place at five. Bring whatever or don’t. Just remember, if you skip out on your cheesecake, the invite will be revoked next year.”
“I’m making my list of ingredients now.”
“And that’s why I love you.” She was a wonderful cook, and I took a moment to savor the idea of biting into her delicious cheesecake.
“Love you, too. Thanks, girl. I’ll see you soon.”
“I don’t know why Shannan doesn’t get it.” Kim threw her arms in the air as she approached us. She entered the tree lot at full speed, her little legs working a mile a minute to gain ground on us. “Look at all these options, big, tall, skinny, fat, but no, my wife insists on heading into the wilderness like a lumberjack to go get a shrub.” Her voice dripped with heavy sarcasm.
“Did you, by any chance, see her earlier?” I ventured, trying to keep my voice even.
“No, I refused to allow her to draw me into any part of trudging about the snowy woods in the freezing cold to hunt for a tree. I left after coffee.” She fudged her frustration, but I knew they loved the banter just like the rest of us did. “So, I’m here to get a backup.”
“Ah, yes.” I smirked at Blake, who was listening from a safe distance.
“This one will do. See how easy that was?” She turned to the kid wearing work gloves. “This one.”
“Do you have a truck you’d like me to put it in?”
“Nope.” She nodded to her Volkswagen. “We’re gonna strap it on that little baby, and I’m going to drive it home.”
“Ah?”
“What, you scared of a challenge?”
“No, ma’am. But I’m nervous you won’t be able to see out of the front windshield.”
“I can barely see over the steering wheel as it is, young pup. I’ll manage.” Kim winked at me and hurried the boy along.
Blake had to turn around to hide his smile when G marched the tree I had chosen over to the checkout, grumbling the whole way. We both smiled as we watched him hand the guy the money and wait to have the trunk trimmed and the tree netted up tight.
“Such a great time of year.” He wrapped his arm around me, and we joined G, who huffed at me but slapped a smile on when the fellow handed him the change.
CHAPTER 2
Shannan
“Oh, the weather outside sure sucks, but the fire is so delightful, and since my wife is so stubborn, let it snow, let me sweat, let me drink!” I sang and jammed the last metal pin into its trunk then waited a beat to see if it would stand up on its own.
“Yes!” I heaved and used my arm to dry my forehead. I sniffed when something strange passed by my nose. Odd.
