Page 10 of Dumped for a Christmas Tree Farmer

“Screw it, right? It can’t be any worse than getting ghosted by your boyfriend two weeks before Christmas.”

“Exactly. And it can’t be worse than turning up at your future in-laws’ house and seeing your girlfriend making out with some lumberjack.”

“He’s a Christmas tree farmer.”

“I know what he is,” I tut.

She rolls her eyes, taking a hymn sheet from a young guy—can’t be older than high school age, red-faced man wearing a Santa hat. He’s saying Happy Holidays to every single person.

“Thanks, Hunter,” she says.

“You’re welcome, Miss Winters.”

He moves along quickly, passing out the song sheets to the growing crowd. I’m taller than most, my frame broad from working such a physical job for so long. Even now, I’m pushing paper more than I am hammering nails, but the dream home renovations have kept me in good shape. I scan the crowd, spotting Holly and James with her parents to the left of the town Christmas tree, the sparkling colored lights dancing across Holly’s golden hair.

“Let’s head toward the hot chocolate stand, then the show begins,” I suggest.

Indy nods, and I put my arm around her, protectively leading her through the crowd as we nod and smile at the widening eyes of the townsfolk.

“Indy, nice to see you here. I wasn’t sure if you’d make it because of the—well, you know.” The middle-aged hot chocolate stand worker grimaces, her head nodding in the direction of Holly and James.

Indy stammers, her face turning scarlet, this time not from the cold brushing against her cheeks. Her eyes dart around, as if she’s trying to check who heard that comment. Clearly, the small-town gossip mill is working overtime, even on Christmas.

“If I may add one man’s opinion,” I interrupt, holding out my hand for the woman to shake. “Hi, I’m Mav.”

“Jennifer,” she replies cautiously, taking my hand in a limp embrace.

“Well, Indy has been working all day at The Hibernation Station. But she told me she wouldn’t miss caroling. You love it, don’t you, Ind?”

“Uh, yeah. I love a sing-song in the freezing cold.” I nudge her ribs with my elbow, and she adds, “But honestly, I wanted Mav here to experience some of the small-town hospitality that Bear Hills is so famous for.”

Jennifer eyes me up and down, and I plaster on my best customer service face. “How about two of your best hot chocolates, Jen? Fully loaded.”

“Oh, of course. Coming right up.”

She gets to work, and I pull Indy into my chest, rubbing my hands down her arms. From the corner of my eye, I spot Holly and James facing our direction, leaning into each other and muttering.

I smile down at Indy and through gritted teeth I say, “They’re looking. I give it thirty seconds, and Holly will be bounding over.”

“I’m going to throw up.”

“Well, if you do, aim it in James’s direction. Not mine.”

She barks out a laugh, and that seals the deal. Holly starts to stomp over, her own hot chocolate in hand. James trails behind her with a stern look on his face. He already knows I’m staying with Indy, but I’m guessing he didn’t tell Holly that, or he’d have to explain why he was at Indy’s cottage in the late afternoon on Christmas Day.

She ignores Indy completely. “Mav, what are you still doing here?”

“Holly, Happy Christmas. Have you had a good day?”

She rolls her eyes before she lands a piercing glare on Indy.

“Why are you here with her?” she spits as I feel Indy’s grip on the back of my jacket tighten.

“Oh, I would have thought James would have explained already.” Holly’s face shoots to James, and his nostrils flare, the tic in his jaw working overtime. “He popped over this afternoon to use the shower, but it was already occupied. Indy was gracious enough to let me stay in her cottage with her.”

“You’re staying with her?” She has the audacity to sound a little hurt.

“Two hot chocolates with the works,” Jennifer interrupts.