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“I didn’t mention it to her, but I should have. Mom knows everything that goes on around here. Let me close the gate so we’re not interrupted, and then I can take you to the field.”
“Can I help?” Addy asked.
“Sure, hop in the golf cart, and we’ll stop at the gate first.”
“Hat and gloves,” Sarah prompted as she handed her the items.
Addy bit her lower lip as she worked her fingers into each hole, then pulled the fuzzy hat over her head.
Sarah fussed over her hair while I got into the golf cart. Most people hiked to the fields, but we kept the golf carts for those who needed the lift. I didn’t want to waste time hiking when we could spend it picking out the perfect tree.
Sarah sat next to me, and Addy got into the back.
Addy was practically bouncing in her seat. “This is so fun.”
I looked back at her. “We haven’t done anything yet.”
“We’re at a Christmas tree farm. There are trees everywhere,” Addy said, with her hands spread wide.
“I get to live here. How cool is that?” I asked her, feeling happier than I had in a long time.
Addy’s eyes widened. “You live here?”
“My mom lives at the main house, and that’s where I grew up. I have a cabin closer to the road, but it’s hidden by the trees. Most of my brothers have houses here, too. Talon’s is behind mine, and Emmett’s and Heath’s are on the opposite side of the mountain from ours. Sebastian was the only one who didn’t build one. He lives in town with Ember. You probably know him from school.” I wondered if Sarah was interested in him. They had a lot more in common than we did.
“He’s a nice man. Quiet, though.”
I stopped the cart to get out and close the gate. When I climbed back in, I said, “If we don’t close it, people will drive to the barn and start walking around, whether we’re officially open or not. It got to be a problem in the evening, too, when we couldn’t get people to leave.”
“Sounds like the gate’s necessary. I hope we’re not making your day longer.”
“Mom said I could take off early tonight to help you with your tree.”
“That’s nice of her. She sounded surprised yet happy to hear that I was coming this morning.”
I shook my head as I drove up the lane toward one of the prime fields. “She’s probably matchmaking.” As soon as the words were out of my mouth, I wanted to take them back. Why had I mentioned it? So far, I could play this off as me helping someone out. But now, I’d opened the door for it to mean something more, and I wasn’t sure if I was ready for that.
I felt Sarah’s gaze on my face before she finally asked, “Is there something going on?”
I glanced over at her, her red hair loose around her shoulders, her blue eyes more vibrant with the jacket she wore of the same color. She was gorgeous, and if circumstances were different, if I were free to have a relationship, I’d be interested. “We’re really busy on the farm this time of year. I don’t really have time for anything.”
“I can imagine,” Sarah murmured, and I wondered if I’d hurt her feelings. It was the last thing I wanted to do.
I parked the cart near the field of Fraser firs, and Addy took off through the rows of trees. Her squeal of delight trailed behind her.
I touched Sarah’s arm to stop her from following Addy. “I’m not available for anything more, but it doesn’t mean I don’t find you attractive and wish things were different.”
A pink flush appeared on her cheeks. “I’m not sure whether to be flattered or not.” Before I could respond, she continued. “I’m not looking for anything, either. I’m wrapped up in Addy. I don’t have much of a life outside of her.”
“Same here. It’s the farm and my family.”
“Maybe we can be friends? I’ve never been to a Christmas tree farm. Tell me everything.”
“We stagger the planting of the fields, making sure we have enough to cut for each season. This field has one of our more popular trees—the Fraser firs. I thought you’d like to look here first.”
“I don’t know anything about trees. So, I’ll defer to your expertise.”
“You can’t go wrong with any of these. It comes down to how tall and full you like your trees. Anything you pick should be fuller than a fake one.”
