Page 16 of Fire in My Heart

“You have an elf costume?” Teddy loosened his grip on my wrist, and I lowered it to my side.

I nodded eagerly, flitting around as if he could see it on me. “It’s red and green and comes with these tights. The kids are going to love it.”

His eyes flashed with heat. “I have to see that.”

I grinned. “The only way you’ll see me in an elf costume is if you wear Santa’s.”

Teddy grumbled as I turned to unlock the door. “Have a good night. Thanks for taking me to see the sunset.”

“I didn’t take you to see the sunset?—”

“It was about the trees. Got it,” I said softly as I flashed him one more smile before I closed the door and locked it.

I hoped I hadn’t pushed Teddy too hard. But I couldn’t help it. I felt immense satisfaction when I pushed him off his axis. I wondered whether he’d be controlled in bed. A part of me wanted to see if he’d let go.

I’d take the bath I’d wanted to take earlier. I wouldn’t think about Teddy and how warm his body felt under my palm or the way his heart raced out of control. He wasn’t attracted to me. If anything, I drove him crazy. I was too positive for him.

I’d gotten adept at reading his moods over the last year, andI’d never gotten an interested vibe from him. This was a one-sided attraction.

It was going to be fun pushing his buttons though. I’d thought telling him about the elf costume would make him feel more at ease wearing the Santa one, but it seemed to ignite a fire in him. And that made me think he was interested in what I looked like in the tights, which was crazy.

I’d obviously misread him. The whole evening—his admission about his family, the sunset—was making me see things that weren’t there. If I was going to get through this holiday season and provide the results Al wanted to see for the farm, I needed to get my feelings in check.

At the end of the day, Teddy was my boss. As much as Al was trying to take back control, Teddy still called the shots. I’d have to remember that.

The next morning, I whipped up breakfast before venturing to the cut lot where the hub of the action was on a Saturday. Parents chased kids through the rows of trees, and groups wandered the fields hunting for the perfect tree.

I thrived on coming up with marketing plans for businesses, and I knew the importance of getting to know the operations. But there was something different about the farm. It drew me in in a way that nothing else ever had.

This place had a way of seeping into your bones. I’d enjoy my time here and not think about what would happen when I inevitably needed to move on.

I sipped my to-go cup of coffee, wondering where I should head next, when Teddy appeared at my side. “You’re up early.”

“I wanted to get the full farm experience.”

Teddy raised a brow. “You’ll get it today. Saturdays are ourbusiest days. You want to direct cars in the lot, hang around the cut lot, or go with families into the fields?”

“I think the cut lot for now. It feels like the busiest area.”

“It’s where people go who don’t want the trouble of cutting down their own tree. They can pick the one they want, take the tag to the counter, and pay for it. One of our guys will wrap it and secure it to the car.” He pointed in the direction of where cars lined up to get their trees.

“Where do you want me?” I asked eagerly, excited to get started.

“You can start at the counter. Then we’ll rotate you somewhere else.”

I wasn’t sure I’d be much help securing trees to the roofs of cars, but I was willing to try anything.

Teddy led the way over to the counter, explaining the payment process and the tags. There was a handy laminated cheat sheet that listed prices based on the color of the tags.

The counter itself was worn with hundreds of nicks and dents. It made me think that the Calloways’ farm had withstood the test of time. Their reputation in the community was solid. Residents knew they could come here to get a tree, but would they want to come here versus the Monroe farm?

It was my job to close that gap, and since I was starting a new marketing firm, it was a test for me. Elevating a store like Violet’s Sweet Scoops was easier than the farm. Any changes took more time and effort. It wasn’t as simple as overhauling a website.

I didn’t want to make the farm commercial. Instead, I wanted to make it a place that customers felt good about visiting, and immersing myself in the operations of the business and the customer experience was key for me figuring out a marketing plan.

I stood next to a high-school girl who was working on the farm for volunteer hours required for her graduation. She gotme up to speed, and I learned on the fly as the morning passed quickly.

There was a constant line, and I couldn’t help but think it would be good if they sold something to drink. I was parched. I could imagine the people who’d come here to hike the fields were too. I was craving a spiced apple cider or hot chocolate.

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