Page 32 of Follow My Heart

“I have one.” I pointed at the tree he’d dropped onto the path.

“That’s for your shop. You need one for home.”

I shook my head. “I don’t think that’s necessary.”

“You have to have one at home. How else will Santa bring you presents?” Faith asked.

I wasn’t sure if Faith still believed in Santa, or she was just being facetious. “I suppose it would be nice to have a tree at home.”

“Do you think George would want one?” Ryder asked me.

“I wouldn’t presume to get him one without talking to him.” He was quick to remind everyone how capable he was.

Ryder nodded. “Good thinking.”

Faith insisted on searching for the tallest tree for Ryder’s house, and he didn’t do anything to dissuade her. I had a feeling this was the first year they’d been involved in the decorating process. That Stacy might have taken over all these tasks and not asked for anyone else’s input.

The two of them seemed giddy with excitement as they hunted for the perfect one. Faith finally settled on the tallest tree with sturdy branches. It took a bit longer to cut down because the trunk was thicker than mine.

When Ryder pulled it to rest next to mine on the path, I said, “I hope it fits.”

Ryder studied it. “It should. And if not, I can trim more off the bottom.”

“Is this the first year you’ve picked out a tree?” I asked him, wanting to know more about his life before he’d moved here.

Ryder looked over at me. “Decorating for the holidays was more Stacy’s thing.”

I wondered how much he’d allowed her to take over. Was he happy to do that, or had he not even realized it was happening? Was he happier now, or did he miss his family?

He rubbed his hands together. “Now you need a tree. How high’s your ceiling?”

“More than eight or nine. Twelve?” I couldn’t reach the lights when I got out the ladder.

“Your house is newer, so that’s probably right. How big a tree are you thinking?”

“Well, it’s just me. I don’t need anything too big.” Besides, how was I going to lug that thing to the curb when it was time to throw it out?

Ryder’s eyes flashed with a challenge. “This is your first tree. It has to be perfect.”

“Perfect. Perfect. Perfect,” Faith agreed as she skipped up and down the path.

“Do you have one in mind?” I asked Faith.

“There was one, not as big as ours, over there. The branches are nice and full.” She led us over to the one she was talking about and reached out to touch a branch. “The branches are sturdy. Right, Dad?”

Ryder walked slowly around it, closely examining the needles and the branches. “And the color is good. What do you think?”

I loved that Faith had picked it for me. “It’s perfect.”

Ryder held out the saw. “It’s your tree. You should do the honors.”

Nervous about handling a sharp tool, I took it from him, my fingers trembling. “Are you sure this is a good idea?”

“I’ll help. Faith, grab the trunk.” Faith rushed to comply, and I dropped to my knees onto the damp earth.

Ryder lay sideways on the ground, easing under the branches. He lifted them to show me. “You want to cut right about here.”

I licked my suddenly dry lips. “Okay.”

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