Page 15 of Stuck in Christmas

I raised an eyebrow at Eli, who shrugged. “Don’t look at me. She won’t let me near the griddle in the morning.” He chuckled as he retreated into the kitchen, leaving a trail of warmth and laughter.

As I settled into my meal, Bonnie sat across from me, her demeanor shifting to something more serious. “Miss Renee, do you think you could help me out with something this morning?” Her tone made it clear this was more than a casual request.

I shrugged. “Sure. Anything.”

“I need you to pick out a Christmas tree for the inn. The Dinkins’ boy was supposed to bring one to me yesterday, but he came down with the flu,” she clucked. “Those boys are always getting sick and giving the illness to the others. Their poor mama.”

“Where is the tree now?”

“It’s out at the Dinkins’ Tree Farm, about a mile outside of town.”

My eyes widened. “That might be a problem if you remember. Every time I try to leave town, I end up right back where I started.” The statement made me chuckle. It was ridiculous when I said it out loud. “Not to mention the snowbank problem.”

Bonnie laughed with me at that. Yes. I was leading a ridiculous life, almost like the bumbling heroine of a romantic comedy movie.

I paused.

No. Not just any romantic comedy movie.

Aholidayromantic comedy movie.

“Then, I’ll get Eli to take you,” Bonnie declared, her face alight with determination.

I narrowed my eyes at her. “That sounds like an awful lot of trouble for him. And what if it doesn’t matter who drives out of town, and I end up face down in a snowbank again? I’m not a fan of that scenario.”

Bonnie chuckled. “No trouble. It’s settled. I’ll go tell Eli.” She stood to leave but shot me a glance, her eyes scanning the shoes I had hastily pulled on that morning. “You might want to put on some boots. The snow can get pretty deep around here.”

“Snow? Deep snow? This is the South. It was 60degrees yesterday. Or the day before? The day I initially came here,” I finished lamely. “Fine. Better shoes.”

I didn’t miss the gleam in Bonnie’s eye as I left the diner to trudge upstairs and find the hiking boots I had packed for the spa getaway. It probably wouldn’t hurt to add a few more layers to my outfit. Let’s hope I have something cute to wear.

Seven

Eli leaned casually against the glossy red vintage pickup truck, its paint gleaming under the late morning sun. With its vibrant color and polished chrome accents, the vehicle radiated a classic charm perfect for picking up a Christmas tree in this holiday-obsessed town.

It wasn’t the truck that captured my attention as I made my way out of the Inn, but the dark-haired chef, who resembled a sexy lumberjack in a rugged tan jacket that covered a blue flannel shirt that brought out the intensity of his eyes. He looked so relaxed, leaning against the truck, with one foot propped against the vehicle’s wheel. Eli exuded an effortless confidence that drew me in.

He looked like he could be on the cover ofHot Guy with a Truck Magazine.

I stopped dead in the middle of the street as the thought echoed. “Hot guy with a truck.”

Eli immediately stood as his attention snapped to me. “What’s that?”

I let out a nervous laugh and continued walking toward him. “I said - that’s a nice truck.”

I didn’t think Eli could get more handsome, but I forgot about his dazzling smile that I’d seen only once before. This one lit up his entire body as he met me halfway. “Thanks. I found it on the side of the road a few years ago, and the previous owner gave it to me on one condition.”

We walked together toward the truck, and he opened the passenger door for me, gallantly gesturing me inside. The movement stirred up his enticing scent: engine oil, cinnamon, and the hint of adventure. It set off butterflies in my stomach. And the heat of having him stand so close to me caused my mouth to dry up. I swallowed. “And, what was the condition?”

“That I restore her to her original glory. It took about a year of tracking down parts on the internet, working on it in my spare time, but I got her back to what she looked like when she rolled off the lot in 1949—with one exception.”

I climbed into the truck and settled against the comfortable bench seat. Curiosity got the better of me, and I turned to ask Eli. Our eyes locked, and I felt an almost electric spark between us. “What’s that?” I whispered.

“Seatbelts.” Eli grinned. He reached around me, pulling out the lap belt, his arm brushing against my shoulder. The world around us faded as he lingered just inches from my face. “Safety first.”

Time came to a standstill. Our eyes locked. My heartbeat hammered loudly in my ears. And for a fleeting second, everything else disappeared. All that mattered was the electricity that hung in the air between us. My breath caught in my throat, and I could hardly think straight.

“Are you okay?” Eli’s breath brushed across my cheeks.

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