Page 6 of Deck the Hauls

“Yeah. I’m not so into Christmas.”

Emily frowned. “Why not?”

I shrugged again, trying to give the impression of nonchalance as a lump formed in my throat. What could I say that wouldn’t require me to talk about Kelsey, Jake, and Bowie?

“It’s so commercial.” Not the best answer, but that would do.

I only had to get through the next seven and a half weeks, and then Christmas would be over for another year and I could get back to enjoying my life.

I strode ahead before Emily could ask any follow-up questions and focused my attention on scanning the trees for damage. A flash of pale yellow caught my eye. What the…?

I stepped over to a mature fir and crouched beside it. At the bottom of the trunk, a patch of bark was missing.

“What caused that?” Emily asked from behind me.

“I don’t know.” I ran my hand over the exposed wood and then traced the rough bark around it. “Maybe meadow voles or white-footed mice? If it was a squirrel it would be higher up the tree.” I leaned closer. “See these scratches here? They’re toothmarks. Too big for voles or mice.”

Emily peered over my shoulder, her soft, slightly floral scent mingling with the resinous smell of the bark.

“It almost looks like someone attacked it with a fork.”

I frowned. Could this have been done by a human? No. That was ridiculous.

I scanned the ground for animal droppings. Nothing.

“Will the tree be okay?” Emily asked.

I pulled my phone out of my back pocket. “Whatever it was didn’t remove the bark all the way around the trunk, so it shouldn’t die. The tree may grow new bark. If not, it might affect how much we can get for it when it’s ready to be sold.” I snapped a few photos of the trunk and then rose to my feet.

“I’ll keep an eye out for any other damage,” Emily said.

“Glad to hear Detective Hayes is on the case.” Heat rushed to my cheeks. Goddamnit. I hadn’t intended to let Emily know that I recognized her.

Emily’s eyebrows shot up. “You’ve seen Harrowgate?”

“Yeah.” Play it cool.

“Huh. Well, you’re among a select few.”

Did I detect a slightly bitter tone?

“It’s a shame they didn’t renew it. I thought it was good.”

Emily smiled. “Thanks.”

I continued down the row of firs, paying particular attention to the lower trunk of each tree and for a moment forgot I had company.

“Deck the halls with boughs of holly, fa la la…”

Was that… ? Was Emily singing Christmas carols?

I glanced over. Emily was practically skipping, oblivious to both my attention and the fact that she was singing under her breath.

“Don we now our gay apparel, fa la la…”

Seriously?

I cleared my throat. “Do you mind?”