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Standing on the street in the cold December air, Amber started to sweat as all the questions she’d managed to keep at bay started demanding answers. She’d done a decent job ignoring her growing uncertainty. In fact, up until the moment she’d walked into the Grizzly Paw the day before, she’d put her feelings up to nerves at meeting Ian and Mitch. But now that the initial meeting had gone well, maybe there was more to her unsettled feelings than she’d thought.
“This is the store.” Chelsea yanked on her hand, completely oblivious to the distress Amber found herself in, and pulled her into the shop. “Live, Love, Lake,” Chelsea told her as the bells tinkled overhead, announcing their arrival. “It’s Evie’s store.”
“Evie…”
“Declan’s fiancée.”
“Oh, right.” Amber forced herself to focus on the moment. She’d met Evie the night before at the Grizzly Paw and instantly liked the sweet, soft-spoken woman. Her brother clearly adored her, and it was easy to see why. She really was lovely and Amber remembered Chelsea mentioning her store. “There was so much going on last night, it was hard to keep up.”
“I get that.” Chelsea lifted an arm in a wave as Evie called out to them. “You’re going to love this place, though. And remember what I said about shopping being fun? Let’s find you an amazing new dress for this new, I’m still not so sure about it, version of you.”
After that onemoment in the truck when Cole wasn’t sure whether Cal was getting ready to throw down and make it a full-on challenge, or whether it was just a warning of some kind, the rest of the tree hunting excursion was largely uneventful. At least in terms of any of Amber’s brothers questioning his intentions with Amber.
By early afternoon, most of the men had found suitable trees for their various households and the search was on fortheMcCormick family Christmas tree.
“It has to be at least nine feet,” Declan announced as they slogged their way through almost knee-deep snow.
“Are you kidding?” Cal countered. “That room can handle at least twelve feet. Besides, it’s got to be impressive.”
“Like, really impressive,” Mitch agreed.
Next to Cole, Lucas chuckled under his breath and shook his head. “Do you guys have a tree stand big enough for a tree that size?”
Everyone stopped in their tracks, and it was Ian who finally turned around to stare at Lucas, and then each of his brothers in turn. “Anyone have a stand?”
Cole tried his best to hide his chuckle, but when Lucas burst out in laughter, he gave in and joined him.
“Don’t worry,” Lucas said after a moment. “I can whip up something simple that will hold it.”
Ian’s face split into a smile. “All right then, let’s find it.” He clapped his gloved hands together and once again, they all set off. “It has to be perfect.”
“Why does this remind me of the Griswolds inNational Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation? At least we brought an ax.”
Declan, overhearing his comment, dropped back to Cole’s side. “Did you have big family Christmases as a kid?”
Cole shook his head. “Not like this. Your family—it’s…”
“Don’t I know it.” Declan slapped him on the back. “I hope you’re not too overwhelmed by it all?”
“Not at all,” he answered honestly.
“Good to hear, because Amber really seems to like you. I can’t remember her ever bringing a guyhomebefore.”
“Not even that Randy guy?”
Declan laughed. “Definitely not that Randy guy. Which is a good thing, from what I’ve heard of him.” His laughter died down and he added more seriously, “But I don’t think she felt about him the way she feels about you.” His words struck something deep in Cole’s gut, and he liked it. “But I have to tell you, Cole…”
After hischatwith Cal, Cole was instantly on edge. He sucked in a deep breath and his entire body tensed. “What’s that?”
“Amber’s different with you.”
Cole released a little of the breath he was holding, but not all of it.
“Like,reallydifferent.”
“I’ve heard that.” He nodded. “But I don’t think I can take all the credit for that. She did say she was trying to make a change.”
“She’s happy,” Declan said. “And as far as I’m concerned, that’s all that matters. I think that goes for all of us.”
