Page 15 of The Mountain that Saved Christmas

George opens his mouth to speak, but no sound comes out at first. His eyes dart between each of us, a mixture of shock and something akin to hope flickering within them.

“You've made the man speechless, Ruthie,” Miss Aggie stage whispers, making us all chuckle.

“Tell him why we're here,” Miss Frankie adds.

All eyes turn to Ruthie who is grinning at George. Proving how invested we are in this, I swear we all hold our breath as we wait for his reaction. “We're here to give you your own Holly Jolly Rainbow Springs Christmas, George.”

“You are?” he says, tears shining in his eyes.

“Sure, we are. But first, we need keys to all the cabins you've got 'cause we're here for the week,” Red announces.

“Done!” Anythin' you need, whatever you want. Free of charge!” George rushes out excitedly.

Rhett chuckles. “Just the cabins, and we'll be payin' our way. You're runnin' a business just like we do back home.”

He nods, looking so grateful my heart swells. “I don't know what to say,” he replies, his voice thick. “Thank you. Thank you so much.”

“Don't thank us yet. You haven't seen howfestivewe can all get. By the time we're all finished, the main street will be full of people, there'll be Christmas trees on every corner, people buzzin' with the holiday spirit, and tinsel and bells as far asthe eye can see. Come Christmas Eve, we'll have rolled out the welcome mat for Santa to deliver presents to all of the town.”

“I can't believe this. I never thought I'd–” George finishes, his voice heavy with emotion as he wipes away a stray tear. His gaze sweeps over every one of us, his eyes filled with gratitude and wonder.

“We're all in this together, George,” Ruthie says, her hand resting on his arm. “Bull Mountain is here to save Christmas.”

“Where do we start?” he asks, bouncing on his feet in a way I never thought a gnome—I mean man—could.

“Is there a place in town we could go to meet, eat, and come up with a plan?” Toby asks just as his stomach grumbles loudly.

George's eyes brighten. “I know just the place!”

9

DEE

I've been to many places and experienced many things in my life—I am a wanderer after all–but I've never been to a bar that looks like a giant mushroom, one thatalsomoonlights as an axe-throwing joint.

“You think you've seen everythin',” I whisper in awe as Tobes and I walk through the heavy wooden doors leading inside.

“Bet you've never beeninsidea mushroom, Skippy?” My husband asks, his bearded lips twitching.

Since the day Ruthie promised him he could be Santa, Toby decided to go full-method. This means he's not only jolly–he'shairy. As much as I love the scruffier look on my man, I'm thankful he has promised me he'll trim it on December 26. His unruly unkemptnessisslowly growing on me. Then again, I don't think there's a thing that man could do that would evernotdo it for me.The joy of the mountain's Call.

“Can't say I have. I've been in an underground house in the Outback. That was cool. Never a mushroom when it's below zero outside though.”

George offers to put in a dinner order for everyone and with help from a few of the locals hanging out at the bar, he soon returns with trays and trays of drinks—ranging from pitchers of what looks like beer, to a bottle of gin for the Sallys and soft drinks and juices for the rest of us.

“This here is Harry, Larry, Cary, and Barry,” he says, introducing us to his friends. I look across the table at the women from the ranch with wide eyes as I try not to giggle out loud. Imagine if their wives all have matching names too.

“Is there a Gary too?” My helpful husband asks.

“He's behind the bar,” George answers, jerking his head in Gary's direction. I drop my gaze at the table, my shoulders shaking with silent laughter. I don't dare look up though because that's when I know I'll truly lose it.

“We're all on board to help y'all with whatever you need. Especially if it involves fellin' a tree. Already got the perfect one in mind right at the back of my land,” Harry tells us.

Thatgets Austin's attention. “How big?” He's the carpenter of the family and the most experienced when it comes to anything wood-related. If there's a tree to be cut down and transported, he's going to be the first to put his hand up, I bet.

“I'd say at least twelve feet, maybe more. It's been a while since we've had a town Christmas tree, so there are a few trees that've had alongtime to grow,” Harry explains.

“Well, that's one thing we can tick off our list. Try as we might, we couldn't find a way to bring a tree all the way from Bull,” Red says with a grin.

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