Page 33 of Fake Out Forever

EPILOGUE

CADE

“No one buys three Christmas trees, Cade.” Hank strokes his hand down his bushy beard, trying to tame it. However, the man will need a pair of hedge clippers to do that. “It’s just not done.”

“Is there a law that says I can’t?”

“Of course not. But you bought two last year. Wasn’t that enough for you?”

“Nope. Christmas is now officially my favorite holiday. Besides, the resort slash ranch Maya and I started is doing quite well. I’ve got money to burn.” I wiggle my brows.

“Is that so? Glad to hear it. If my memory is still workin’ right, seems to me on Halloween, you were here buyin’ what? Twenty pumpkins to carve? Then you got some new-fangled bat lights and a cauldron for your front lawn.”

“We like to decorate.” I shrug. “And the cauldron wasn’t for Halloween. It’s for my wife. She cooks up spells to get even with me when I annoy her.”

“She does not.” Hank chuckles.

“That’s what you think.” I move over to the counter. “Do you have any more of those pine wreaths?” I point at the display. Maya would love them.

“Maya was here yesterday. She bought six.”

“Good.” My chest puffs out, knowing I have a good handle on what my woman likes. I chuck boxes of candy canes into my cart. “I’ll take six more wreaths.”

“Where on earth are you gonna hang ‘em?” Hank starts to ring up my purchases.

“Anywhere there’s space. We’ve got plenty of windows, the garage, the porch, and trees in the yard.”

“Trees in your yard? Now I know you’ve gone and lost your dang mind.”

“What can I say? I’m infected with the Christmas spirit.” I pick up ten packages of garland. “I’ll take these, too.”

“You’re infected with love.”

I think about that for a minute. “You know what? You’re right.”

“It’s not a bad thing, you know. Me and the Mrs. will be celebrating our fiftieth next month. Don’t know where I’d be without that woman.”

“I hope I’m as lucky as you to get fifty years with Maya.” I take out my wallet to hand him my card. “Are you donating half of the proceeds from the sale of trees to support the senior prom again this year?”

“Sure am.”

“Alright. Tack on an extra thousand.”

“What?” Hank’s eyes get big and round. “That’s too much.”

“Nah. It’s not too much at all. I want to contribute.” I put my hand on Hank’s shoulder. “Buying trees and Christmas decorations is the reason I have my wife. If I hadn’t been here shopping to support the seniors of Thunder Ridge last year, I would’ve gone home, and I missed finding her in that ditch. So, allow me to pay it forward, Hank, will you?”

“Damn it.” Hank sniffles. “Now you’ve gone and made me cry. That’s the sweetest damn story I’ve heard all year.”

“You’re an old softy.” I shoot him a wink. “Merry Christmas, Hank.”

“Merry Christmas, Cade.”

I push my overflowing wagon with Christmas goodies to the Rover. Snow starts to fall when I finish packing it all in and close the hatch.

With a big, fat smile, I climb inside, start the engine, and hurry home.

“Honey, I’m home!” I call out as I nudge the kitchen door open with my elbow.

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