Page 69 of Fire in My Heart

I drew in a deep breath, determined to alleviate his concerns. “I can stand in that area and direct people inside. We could make signs. I think people would appreciate taking a second to slip inside.”

I wanted to hang the lights, but I didn’t want to ask now. Not when Teddy was clearly in a mood. I hadn’t seen him like this in a while. I wondered what prompted it.

“Let’s start with the vendor tables and the snack table. Then we’ll see how it goes,” Al conceded.

“For now, people can pay at the snack checkout counter. Then eventually we’ll add a second checkout counter for the trees.”

“If it goes well,” Teddy said.

“Of course,” I said, even though I knew it was the best setup. It would encourage people to stay a little longer and linger over snacks while they browsed. The proof would be in the results, and I was confident the customers would love the change. “I’ll clean out the barn and get it ready.”

“Teddy, why don’t you ask Wes or Jameson if they can swing by and set up the tables.” Al checked his phone. “I have a dinner date. So I need to get going.”

There was a stunned silence as he walked out.

“A dinner date?” I asked, and Teddy turned away. “Is that why you’re upset? Is your Dad dating someone?”

“That’s what he said.” His voice was tight.

I wanted to touch him, but he was giving off all the signs that he didn’t want that connection. “Has he dated before?”

“Not that I’m aware of.”

“Well, I think it’s good. He needs to get out and socialize.”

His expression was strained. “I know I should be happy for him, but I don’t like it.”

This time, I rested a hand on his arm. “It’s hard when a parent moves on.”

“I’ve never thought of him with anyone other than mom. If he likes this woman, will she move into the house? Will she be part of this?”

I winced. “I wouldn’t think that far ahead. You don’t know what’s going to happen. But you might like her. She might be good for your dad. We just don’t know.”

“He asked me not to tell the others because it’s just a first date. He’s not sure it will go anywhere.”

“Then I wouldn’t worry about it too much.”

Teddy let out a breath. “It’s just a shock, you know?”

“Yeah.” I never experienced anything similar with my parents, but I could imagine what it would be like to see your parent move on with someone who wasn’t your mother. “I was going to hang lights from the rafters. Want to help?” I asked, hoping it would keep his mind off his dad and his date.

Teddy set up a ladder, and I fed the lights to him. He grumbled about it the whole time.

“Why do we need lights again?” Teddy asked as I fed him the string.

“It gives the place ambiance,” I said patiently.

“It’s a barn.”

I chuckled. “We can make it warm and cozy, and it’s even better with holiday cheer.”

“If you say so.”

Teddy the grump was back in full force, and it was kind of amusing. He was acting like a petulant teenager who didn’t want his dad to date again. I could understand the feelings it brought up, but Al deserved to be happy.

Once we had two beams done, Wes and Jameson showed up, and we were able to move more quickly. They found more ladders. I fed the strings of lights to them as we moved down each rafter. We were done in no time.

Then we flipped on the lights. “It looks magical.”

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