Page 32 of My Greatest Joy

Levi and I quickly eat. After checking the forecast, I decide to add more layers. I make sure my boots are tied securely around my ankles because the last thing I need is to bust my ass on the ice and snow.

After I slide on my gloves, we head toward the Christmas tree farm with Dasher in tow. The roads are cleared now, and I notice how much snow is piled on the sides. Proof I made the right decision to leave the airport.

I stare at the large pines that line the hillside and the fog that hovers above the ponds we pass. Once we arrive at the farm, I plan to take some photos for the article. I capture a few pictures with my phone and quickly review them, knowing it would make a beautiful postcard. It’d probably have some Christmas phrase underneath it like—Dashing through the Snowor’Tis the Season to be Merry. I laugh at the thought.

“What’s funny?” Levi asks as Dasher lies on me.

“Just thinking how cliché everything is here. It almost doesn’t seem real.”

“Is that a good or a bad thing?” he asks hesitantly.

“That’s still to be determined,” I admit. “When my first flight was delayed, I looked up Maplewood Falls. I remember thinking about how the pictures looked like a classic movie green screen. Now that I’m here and viewing it with my own eyes, it’s surprisingly…breathtaking.”

“It is, but I think sometimes I take it all for granted. Though I couldn’t imagine being stuck in a city when places like this exist in the world.”

I contemplate his words, but I’m too stubborn to admit he’s right. “But there’s delivery,” I say, “evenif there’s snow.”

Levi laughs. “I guess that’s true, but Seattle’s measly six-inch average is nothing in comparison. So tell me what you like most about living there and don’t say delivery.”

“Why? Thinking about moving to the city, country boy?”

“Countryman.Trust me when I say there is noboyhere.” He puffs out his chest and his gruff voice has me swallowing hard. I know more than anything he’sall man. My gaze trails from the scruff on his chin to his plump lips until I eventually meet his blue eyes.

“You were saying?” The cocky smirk on his face makes me forget what we were even talking about.

I stutter, trying to find my words as I notice the bulge in his jeans. Maybe his cock likes my attitude after all. Getting under his skin has been some of the hottest foreplay I’ve experienced in a long time. I nervously laugh as I remember how hung he is. And he wasn’t even hard.

“I don’t remember what we were talking about,” I mutter and then feel my phone vibrate. I thank my lucky stars that my sister has come to my rescue.

“Hey!” I answer, my voice an octave higher than usual.

“Did I interrupt something?” she suspiciously asks.

“What? No.”

“You’re not having sex with the hot lumberjack?” she whispers like he might hear her. And hell, maybe he can, considering he’s sitting two feet from me.

“No. Absolutely not,” I say, quickly glancing at him.

“And why not? Sounds like a spicy Hallmark movie in the making. Go jump on that.”

“Jesus Christ, Taryn. What do you want?” I ask, trying to keep my voice level as Levi glances over at me.

“Nothing. I was thinking about you and checking in to see how things were going with your roommate and work.”

“We’re going to his family’s Christmas tree farm. I’ve started on my article, but I’m still thinking about the story aspect.”

“Maybe the grinch whose heart grew ten sizes?” she muses. “Nah, that’s already been done. My vote is you should write about the girl who fell in love with a burly lumberjack during a blizzard. Think of the sales boom!”

“Okay, sis. Gotta go. Love you.”

She bellows out a loud laugh. “Love you too!”

I hang up, hoping Levi doesn’t see the embarrassment that’s flushed my cheeks. Regardless, I’ll have to thank her for that save.

We turn onto the main road that leads to the Christmas tree farm. A big hand-painted sign with a giant red arrow points toward the farm a mile away. Eventually, we pass an overflow lot and continue farther until we park in front of the shop. It looks like it came straight from Hogwarts with its dark rustic wood, high beams, and large windows that neatly frame the front porch. The smell of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies wafts through the air as smoke from a fireplace inside puffs from the chimney.

My mouth falls open with amazement as I take it in. Not wanting to forget a single detail, I snap several photos. Levi stands to the side with Dasher and watches me, allowing metime to capture everything I need. When I’m done, he leads me forward and opens the door for me.

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