“What about this one?” he asked.
She stood in front of it, tilting her head. It was perfect, and she knew it immediately, but she walked around it once to besure, running her fingers along one of the lower branches. The needles were soft and fresh.
“This is the one,” she said.
“Consider it done,” Jason said.
He went to find someone to help them cut and wrap the tree. While she waited, stamping her feet to keep warm, she heard a voice she recognized.
“Mauve?”
She turned to the see Ollie’s family. Sarah Chambers was walking toward her, bundled in a puffy jacket, holding her four-year-old daughter Nadia’s mittened hand. A few steps behind them, Ben carried Ollie on his shoulders, both of them red-cheeked and grinning.
“Sarah, hi,” Mauve said, smiling.
“Hey there,” Sarah said. “I guess we’re not the only ones getting a tree today, huh?”
“Apparently not,” Mauve said. “‘Tis the season.”
Ollie, still perched on his father’s shoulders, spotted Mauve and his face broke into a wide smile. He gave her an enthusiastic wave.
“Hi, Ollie,” Mauve said, looking up at him. “Are you helping pick the tree?”
He nodded vigorously.
Nadia tugged on Sarah’s hand. “I’m helping too.”
“We’re all doing it together,” Ben said to his daughter.
“But we’re getting the one Ollie chose,” Nadia said, her bottom lip in a pout.
“Ollie’s got a good eye for trees,” Ben said. “He found the perfect tree for us.”
“Miss Mauve, are you getting a tree too?” Nadia asked.
“I am. My friend’s helping me.”
“What friend?” Nadia asked.
As if on cue, Jason appeared from between the rows of trees carrying a tree stand. A young farm worker followed behind, ready to wrap their tree in mesh before they took it home.
“I got a stand,” Jason said, then noticed the family. “Oh, hey.”
Mauve made the introductions. “Jason, this is Sarah and Ben Chambers, and their kids, Nadia and Ollie. Ollie is one of my students.”
“Nice to meet you all,” Jason said, shaking Ben’s hand.
The entire family was staring at Jason, clearly recognizing him.
“We love your show,” Sarah said. “We binged the last season in one weekend.”
“Thanks. That’s nice to hear,” Jason said.
Up on Ben’s shoulders, Ollie was watching Jason with quiet interest.
“Is it true you had a stutter when you were young?” Sarah asked.
Jason nodded. “That’s right.” He looked up at Ollie. “And guess who helped me?”
