Page 23 of Close to My Heart

Wes pulled back and gestured at the property with his hands. “If you decide this isn’t what you want?—”

“I know.” Wes would be there for me. I was sure of it. “Thanks again for the tree.”

“I’m always happy to save you from bad dates.”

I groaned. “I’m suspicious that you’re what made it so bad.”

Wes winked. “If Ashton can’t handle all that life has to throw at him, then he’s not the guy for you.”

“And you are?” I asked before I could stop myself. “Sorry, I didn’t mean that you should be the guy I marry.”

“Of course not. That would be crazy. There’s no way your grandmother or your parents would approve of me.”

“They like you.”

“Sure, they do,” Wes said as he turned away. “Have a good night.”

Then he was gone, walking toward his truck, turning on the engine, and backing out. As always, my heart missed him when he was gone. I tried to imagine depending on someone who wasn’t Wes, and I couldn’t picture it.

6

WES

Iwas a grumpy bastard even though I’d soured Sutton’s date with Ashton. The worst part was it hadn’t stopped Sutton from going on more dates. In fact, it seemed to have spurred her to go on more.

I hated that she felt the need to put herself through this process. The one saving grace was that she wasn’t giving me the play-by-play anymore. She must have sensed it was bothering me.

I didn’t want to see my best friend marry someone she wasn’t in love with. I wanted the best for her.

We were setting up new trees on the precut lot. The speakers were already playing holiday music I could do without.

“I think it would be nice if you added a Santa. One of you could dress up as the big guy, sit on a red velvet chair, and pose for a few pictures,” Charlotte said as she followed Teddy through the trees.

He turned abruptly, causing her to stumble slightly to a halt. “Have you lost your mind?”

Charlotte’s eyes widened. “Your father asked me to implement a few of my ideas, and this is one of them. We’re close to Christmas, so I can only do a few things. We can’t make any long-term marketing goals until this season is over. But having a Santa on site would be an easy way to bring in more customers and interest.”

“I think that sounds like a great idea,” Jameson said from the other side of the tree I was setting up.

“Why don’t you be Santa then?” Teddy grumbled.

“I was hoping you could do it. You have the right physique, and you’re already sporting the beard.” Charlotte’s voice was hopeful.

Teddy’s jaw clenched dangerously tight. “You think I have the same physique as Santa?”

Charlotte shrugged. “You’re big and burly.”

I was enjoying this little exchange. “For what it’s worth, I think you’ll make a great Santa.”

Charlotte’s smile fell. “Will you at least think about it? I’m limited in what we can do in the few weeks before the big day.”

“We don’t have to do anything,” Teddy said stubbornly.

“Remember, you agreed to a trial period. I’m implementing a few new ideas. Then if they work, I can work on a more long-term plan for next year.”

Teddy crossed his arms over his chest. “I don’t like it.”

Charlotte sighed like she was dealing with a difficult toddler. “I’m trying to make this as easy for you as possible.”

---