Page 16 of Mishaps and Mistletoe

“The hills! I feel like they might be alive.”

As improbable as it seemed when they’d pulled into the parking lot, Josie burst with a laughter so loud, if the hills hadn’t been alive, she would have woken them with the sound.

“There it is.” Kevin walked toward her, his hulking size catching her in his shadow. “I haven’t seen that smile since Linus named you his official belly-rubber. I was thinking it disappointed you I was the one picking you up today and not him.”

“As delighted as I would have been to see a dog driving a Jeep—and honestly, a little frightened—I’m happy to be here with you today.” Kevin’s lips parted as he walked toward her, and she hated that she even noticed. She would not lean into this man. Not again. No matter how ruggedly handsome he looked out here in the woods.

The sound of an object hitting the ground pulled her attention. When she stepped back, her boot stepped on something other than the ground, and in a flash, Kevin caught her arm, keeping her from falling. Again.

They stood in position, frozen in time like a tableau. From a distance, it probably looked like they’d been dancing, and he’d dipped her. So romantic. The only dipping that was happening was in Josie’s stomach. From embarrassment, of course. Nothing else.

“You always carry a tape measure with you, Bob Vila?”

“Only when I want to fall down hillsides,” she joked. “It’s a long story. I just have a habit of bringing home trees larger than I need.” How much larger? Well, he didn’t need to know that.

“Gotcha.”

His brown eyes peeked out just below the ski cap he wore. Calling them brown didn’t do them justice. They were the color of her favorite way to drink coffee—with more than a little splash of milk.

“You’ve gotten a lot of practice catching me in the short time you’ve known me. I wish I could say it was something you wouldn’t have to get used to—”

He tucked her arm around his, and the simple action pushed out any words she was going to say like a snowplow barreling through her brain. Now her vocabulary comprised words likefirm, rock-solid, brawny, hard—all adjectives to describe the biceps she was clinging to for dear life. And for no reason. This part of the path was about as flat as it got on the farm. Too bad. Safety first, after all.

As they reached the next section of trees, she hesitated.

“Everything okay?” Kevin asked, his eyebrows drawn together.

“Just thinking about my sister. Sorry.” She sighed, her voice almost as flat as the ground on which they now stood.

Kevin gestured to a log a couple of feet away, inviting her to sit down. “So, last night, Johnny told me about what happened with the drunk driver and everything. I hope you don’t mind. I didn’t ask, but you know how he is.”

“Wait. You guys hang out now?” It shouldn’t have surprised her. Johnny made friends with literally everyone.

“Yeah. We’ve been working out together for the past couple of weeks. He says he can ‘remake’ me.” He rolled his eyes with his laugh.

“Into what? You’re clearly more ripped than he is.” Her eyes bugged the second the words spilled out of her mouth. She hadn’t meant to say them out loud. Especially not in the middle of an emotional crisis on a tree farm. Was word vomit a side effect of grief?

“Good to know.” Kevin chuckled. “Johnny mentioned it was important that I brought you here. But right now, I feel like I’m pressing a bruise I didn’t know you had. I shouldn’t have made you come.” He tucked a stray hair behind her ear, and she had half a mind to undo her messy bun just so he could run his fingers through the rest of it.

“You didn’t make me. Johnny did. I know it doesn’t look like it, but this is good for me. I really want to help you create some Christmas memories.” She smiled, but her heart wasn’t in it. “I’m up for this promotion at work, and I could use a little holiday inspiration. I’m sure Johnny told you that tidbit, as well.”

“He did.” He rubbed his chin, and the sound of his gloves catching on the scruff made her bite her lip. “Is this promotion important to you?”

She blew out a long breath. “More than I’m willing to admit—to myself or anyone.”

“Then let’s get you inspired.” He stood and held out his hand to her. “Tell me how I can help.”

Josie tilted her head as she placed her hand in his and tried to pretend she didn’t feel a little zing as she did so. Must have been static electricity from the wool gloves. “Why do you want to? You hardly know me.”

He nodded. “Good point. But a little elf told me you were once the Queen of Christmas. And who better to show this Christmas newbie how to celebrate the holidays than the queen of the season, herself? Plus, it might help you get some ideas for this presentation. We’d be helping each other out.”

She twisted her lips. “Johnny needs to learn how to keep his mouth shut.”

“I won’t disagree with that. But what do you say? Think you can find inspiration out here? Maybe in the holiday aisle at Target? I don’t really have anything to put on a tree. What do you think?”

The man was new in town and had no family around. Her heart told her that sharing a few Christmas traditions of hers with him was the least she could do. And he’d invited her on a Target run. Was it even physically possible to turn down a Target run? “Okay. I’m in. Now, let’s find you a tree.”

They turned a corner where they saw a tree laying on its side.

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