Page 20 of Fire in My Heart

I told Will to grab lunch, then kept a close eye on Charlotte as she fed each tree into the machine. The difference between her and the high school kids was that once she got the hang of it, she engaged each family in conversation. She asked them what made them decide on this particular tree and where they were from.

I figured she was gathering data about our customers so she could form some conclusions, but also that she was genuinely nice and interested in other people. She always said happy holidays, and it wasn’t my imagination, but the exchange was lighter than when the kids worked the bailer.

You couldn’t help but be drawn to Charlotte. She was so full of energy. It used to annoy me, but now I was starting to think I liked it.

Wes stood next to me. “Things going okay over here?”

“She’s doing a good job.”

“Does she need you to be watching every second, or do you think you could help with the cars? I sent the kids for break.”

“I can do that,” I said with one last glance in Charlotte’s direction. She was smiling at a young man who was here seemingly by himself. I couldn’t hear what they were talking about, but his gaze was on Charlotte as she talked animatedly about something.

What could they possibly be talking about? Shouldn’t she be working?

“Come on. The line’s getting long,” Wes called to me, diverting my attention to the cars.

We got to work, easily falling into a rhythm we developed as teenagers. One of us worked each side of the car, securing the cables to the car. Then we’d step off and do the next one. The line was moving in no time, and when the kids returned from their break, we reluctantly stepped aside.

It felt good to be physical. It’s why I enjoyed working on the farm, being outside in the cold, and ticking off my list of things to do.

“You think Charlotte’s big enough to secure the trees to the cars?” Wes asked.

“We’re going to find out.” We never had someone work here who was especially short. We usually hired guys, and the one girl who was interested in working here specifically asked to work at the front counter.

I moved to where she stood talking to a single mother whose kids were dancing to some tune the youngest was singing. When she looked at me, I asked, “You ready to learn the next step?”

Her gaze darted toward the line of cars where the kids were still working. “Yeah, sure.”

It was said with a lot less enthusiasm, but I was determined that she learn all aspects of the business. If she was going to give us advice, then she should understand the heart of the business. This was the experience the customers came here for.

They didn’t need Santa photos or festivals. I was positive Charlotte would see that. This was a simple operation. They came for a tree, and we gave them one.

This time, I asked Brian to step aside so I could show Charlotte how to secure the tree. I stepped into the open doorway of the van, securing my side before throwing it to the other sidewhere Will grabbed it and secured it. “Just step up here, then secure the cable here. Easy peasy.”

“You make it look easy, but I’m not sure I’ll be able to manage.”

“You can do it.” I would have showed Daphne how to do it if she’d been interested, but she preferred hanging out in the kitchen. We couldn’t argue with the baked cookies that she left for us when we were done with work. “Your turn.”

Charlotte let out a breath as the next car pulled up. “Okay.”

This one was an SUV. It would be more difficult for her to reach. But I wanted her to try.

I opened the door, and she stepped up. When Brian threw the cable in her direction, I moved it so she could reach it. When she struggled to secure the cable, I showed her again how it was done. That meant her back was pressed to my front, and I could barely breathe.

As soon as it was secured, I stepped back. “Good. Try the next one.”

Charlotte blew her hair out of her face as she stepped down and waited for the next car to pull up. This one was a sedan, and I was positive she could do it on her own.

I handed her the cables; she secured one on her own, then threw the other end to Will. They had the tree secured in seconds.

This time when she stepped back, Charlotte was grinning.

“I told you that you could do it.”

Charlotte smiled. “Thanks for believing in me.”

That made me pause. Is that why I’d insisted she take on the task, or was it to scare her away? I wasn’t sure what to say to her appreciation, so I said nothing.

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