Page 14 of Pining for You

“Wait, if you’re here, that means…,” I sputter.

It means that he isn’t at home with Naomi, which means Naomi is on the farm. And that means it’s time to move, now.

“Yeah, she’s here.” Cash nods. “She got waylaid by Bazaar setup, but we gotta shake it, sister! I got the ATV from Seichi. It’s faster than the tractor. Where’s Marley?”

“Um, I haven’t gotten him yet…?” I wince. Marley’s file is still rolled up and in my back pocket.

“B. You cannot be serious.”

My stomach twists. So many people are involved in helping me get this gift, and here I am getting distracted, as usual. But at least this time I have a good excuse instead of just daydreaming! No one wants me to find love more than Cash, Izaac, and Diya (which I know because they tell me at least twice a day). They will totally understand when I explain the hand of Fate literally delivered my soulmate to the farm, like a scene straight out of a Hallmark holiday movie.

Not that I can get into any of that in front of her.

I whip out the stained map and search for the coordinates, now streaky and faint but still legible. “He’s close,” I say. “Just around the corner up here.”

Cash rattles off a fab-to-meet-you-enjoy-your-stay to Eve and Hugo, then dashes toward Marley.

But I look back at Eve again. How can I possibly move in a direction that will take me away from her when it feels like the scene isn’t even close to over?

“I, uh…” is all I can choke out, when what I really want to say is, Can I keep you, please?

I shake my head and try to pull myself together. I need to make sure she and Hugo can at least get back, since I can’t keep playing tour guide.

“So, right. I have to run, but you can pick up the tractor where we got dropped off,” I say. “I’m so sorry I can’t take you there myself…”

“You’ve got a mission to accomplish,” she says, waving me off. “Gotta keep that gifting rep strong.”

“It was really great meeting you. Truly,” I manage to get out and when she says, “Same,” she somehow looks the tiniest bit shy, like she might not want to say goodbye either.

I take one last breath, then turn to run before I ruin it.

“Wait! Strudel!” Eve calls, when I’ve made it halfway to Cash.

My heart skips as I turn to see that she is actually chasing after me, jogging a little. She pulls a small white paper bag from her backpack and extends it to me. “Here. Cookies from the bakery where I work. My gift for your gifting help. And maybe some inspiration for that baking competition.”

The sparkles are multiplying at an unstoppable rate, and I can barely manage to keep them inside.

“Thank you,” I say, clutching the bag like it’s buried treasure. “Thank you so much.”

Eve nods, and I think she’s blushing too. “Merry Christmas,” she says, turning to head back to the tractor. “And don’t forget to look for our moon!”

“Our moon…,” I repeat in a whisper, really only to myself.

Cash is there now, pulling my hand, and I start to follow but then tell him to wait just a second, because the crucial words are still on the tip of my tongue: How can I find you?

When I turn back to say them to Eve, though, she’s gone.

4

“I honestly can’t believe we pulled it off.”

This is what I say as Izaac and I survey our handiwork now that we have Marley indoors, unwrapped, and situated—albeit a little lopsided—in the tree stand.

But what I want to say is, I’m in love, I’m in love, and I don’t care who knows it! à la Buddy the Elf.

On the drive over, I considered telling Izaac about Eve, but didn’t, for two reasons:

One, I imagined his reaction to me not getting her number, or any way to reach her. He would literally never.