Page 26 of A Tinsel Tale

“Peter Pan,” I say.

“You’ve got room to talk. I don’t see you settling down.”

“I don’t have time. My job consumes me.” His knowing warm eyes stare into mine so long I begin to squirm. “What?” I grumble.

“It’s a choice. I never took you for the big city type,” he says. “I saw you coming back home and setting up shop here. We miss you.”

“That was the original plan. Things change.” I can’t seem to stop the tinge of bitterness that creeps into my tone.

I look down when I see compassion in his eyes. He says, “I know its ancient history, but you do know my brother was crushed when you left, don’t you?”

I shrug and keep my gaze locked on my boots. “Could have fooled me. He’s the one that broke up with me. Not the other way around. Everyone around here seems to forget that minor detail. I feel like I’m the bad guy.” I kick at the gravel with the toe of my boot.

“Nobody is the bad guy. That’s my point.”

I mumble under my breath, “Right.”

“You freezing him out bout killed him. After everything, I thought you’d at least stay friends.”

“It was complicated, and I probably didn’t handle things the best back then,” I admit.

“Jamie said you’re talking now. That’s a start.”

Start of what?I keep that thought to myself.

When I hear Jamie’s voice, shivers go down my spine and I turn. “What line is my brother feeding you? Don’t listen to a word he says.” He is so bright and full of life, my breath catches.

He looks like a cover model on the winter edition of GQ magazine. Cheeks ruddy from the cold, copper curls escaping from his orange knit beanie hat, warm brown eyes smiling down at me. I’m utterly tongue-tied.

He looks at Cameron and says, “I’ll take over from here. How tall ya talkin’, Coach?”

“I’d say a seven-footer. We’re interested in a balsam fir.”

As Cam turns to go, he says, “Great to see you, Evie. Don’t be a stranger while you’re here.”

I hug him. “I won’t be.”

“Later, Coach.”

“Follow me,” Jamie says. I fall in line behind him and admire his butt in the Carhart coveralls. That combined with his work boots are projecting the sexy lumberjack vibe. He turns and catches me staring and flashes a full-on gleaming white smile that dispels any chill I might be feeling from the elements.Had I actually believed I was going to be able to avoid this man? Okay, who am I fooling, am I really trying that hard?

He points out several trees which my dad dismisses then stops beside a nicely shaped tree that looks about the right height. Dad circles it, stoops down to look at the trunk then nods his approval. “Looks nice and straight at the bottom. What do you think Evie?”

I squint, picturing balls, colored lights and tinsel. “It’s the one,” I agree.

Dad picks up his ax, but Jamie holds up a hand. “Let me. I didn’t get any workouts in this week. It’s my exercise.”

“I can’t argue with that,” Dad says. I smile at Jamie gratefully. Dad has a hard time admitting how much his knee is limiting him. I can’t wait until it’s all behind him. Jamie makes short work with the ax then finishes felling the tree with a saw.

“There you are,” a sultry voice says. “I’ve been looking all over for you.” Jamie looks up and smiles. I look around and it’s the bartender from the party. She’s all glammed up in a fashionable oversized white fleece shearling jacket with a matching plush beret perched appealingly on her gorgeous head. Her black winter leggings and thigh high black suede boots are on another level. What’s wrong with this picture?I’msupposed to be the city girl and it looks like we’ve switched roles. Next to her I feel like Hannah Montana before she grew up and became Miley the pop princess.

“Hey, Casey. Here to buy a tree?”

“Yep. With your help. A tiny one for the bar,” she says.

“I’m finishing up here. I’ve got to load them up then I can help.”

Why do I feel like growling and pushing her into the accumulating snow? She sticks out her hand and says, “Hi, I’m Casey. We almost met yesterday.”

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