Page 17 of Fire in My Heart

Would a local baker be willing to wrap up cutout cookies to sell at the counter? In between customers, I jotted down my ideas in the notes section of my phone to revisit later. I wasn’t sure how they’d manage to sell more items, but it would be a nice touch.

My stomach rumbled more than a few times before Al stopped by to check on me. “I can take over for a bit if you want to grab lunch at the main house.”

“I could run back to the cottage.”

He waved a hand dismissing the suggestion. “I have premade sandwiches stocked in the fridge. Grab a water or a soda while you’re at it. The door’s unlocked.” Then he smiled at the next customer, taking the offered tag. “A Frasier fir. Good choice. Can’t go wrong.”

A family farm where everyone worked and was proud of their wares. My heart warmed, and my brain simmered with more marketing angles as I walked toward the house.

This place was magical. I could see how you could easily fall in love with the landscape, not to mention the business itself. People came here to buy a Christmas tree. It was an important event in the holiday season, one that the entire family could partake in. It was an experience.

I was so deep in thought I didn’t notice that Teddy sat on the top step.

“Oh!” I placed a hand over my racing heart. “I didn’t see you there.”

“You just walked across an open field, and I’ve been sitting here the whole time watching you.”

My cheeks heated at the idea. “I was thinking of marketing angles. Boring for you, but I can get trapped in this brainstorming cycle.” Then I dropped next to him and pulled out my phone to write down everything I’d been thinking of.

When I was quiet for a few seconds, Teddy asked, “Working the front counter was helpful?”

“It was so good. I have so many ideas.” My chest burst with eagerness to share my ideas with someone, but I wasn’t ready for him to burst my bubble. I loved this creative energy.

“What kind of ideas could you have from working the counter? If it’s installing stools for the workers, we tried that, and it didn’t make sense. You’re just constantly moving,” Teddy handed me a wrapped sub sandwich.

“Thank you. I’m starved.” I set my phone aside, unwrapping the sandwich, then taking a huge bite. It was an Italian piled high with various meats and oils. “This is amazing.”

“Dad stocks up on sandwiches for the employees.” He pushed a bottled water toward me.

I set the sandwich in my lap, twisted off the cap, and drank deeply. “I was so thirsty. I’m not used to talking for hours like that.”

Teddy raised a disbelieving brow.

I laughed. “What? I don’t talk all the time.”

“If you say so,” he grumbled.

I bumped his upper arm with my shoulder. “You’re joking now?”

Teddy shook his head. “Definitely not.”

We sat in silence for a few minutes.

The line of cars checking in at the gatehouse snaked onto the main road. The worker handed out a field map and a saw. The fields were dotted with winter coats and hats, and the cut lot was filled with people. It was busy for a Saturday, but clearly it wasn’t enough to float the farm or its residents. I needed toreview my ideas and decide on the few that could bring in the most interest and customers.

Teddy stood. “I should get back out there. Come find me by the bailer. I’ll show you the ropes.”

I swallowed hard. I was confident at the counter, but bailing trees or securing them to cars had me nervous. But I wanted to try everything on the farm, to get a feel for the entire operation, and I was grateful Teddy was giving me this chance instead of shutting me out.

“I’ll be there in a minute.”

Teddy waved a hand at me. “Take your time.”

He was grumpy, but he’d shown me around the last couple of days, and I was grateful. The question was, would he treat me with respect when I implemented the changes, or would he fight me at every step?

CHAPTER 6

TEDDY

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