Page 21 of The Mountain that Saved Christmas

“That too,” he replies with a toothy grin. “Though I'm glad we bought all of y'all along with us because there's no way we'd be able to get this beauty back without y'all,” Larry points out, eyeing the massive tree thoughtfully. “But how 'bout we give the others back in town some warnin' about how big this girl is. Then the guys can make sure they've got enough timber to steady her up. We want her standin' strong and tall for all to see.”

Austin looks around the group. “Best we get choppin' then. Time's a wastin'.”

Then, while Lee calls the others to let them know that the tree is going to be a big one, I stand back and watch my sexy husband play lumberjack. And let me tell you, if ever there was a romance trope that ticked any more of my boxes, it would bethatone.

After what feels like a lot of hard work, we finally manage to secure the tree onto the trailer Larry rushed back to Harry's shedto get. Dusting off our hands and exchanging satisfied smiles, we pile into our vehicles and make our way back to town.

The snow is falling heavier by the time we get the tree off the trailer and loosen all the ropes holding it together. The men all work together to get the much larger than expected Rainbow Springs town Christmas tree standing tall and steady, ready to be decorated right next to where Santa's grotto will go inside the bandstand.

“I've got to say, as much as I wanted to get started on decoratin' today. Mother nature had other plans with this snow,” Larry says. “So how bout we all head back to the bar for some stomach-stickin' supper then all have us an early night so that we can dive into it bright-eyed and bushy-tailed in the mornin'.”

“Sounds good,” Red says, looking around at the group and finding no objections.

“That'll give me time to finish up my special tree topper I'm workin' on,” George says.

“Can we see it?” Miss Dottie asks.

“What is it?” Miss Aggie presses.

“Is it a rainbow angel?” Miss Frankie suggests.

All eyes turn to Ruthie as we wait forherinput, but she just shrugs. “He won't tell me anythin'. But I love the idea of George bein' in charge of thisonething for Christmas. It's his contribution and it'll complete his wish.” Her gaze falls on the man of the hour. “Whatever you're makin', whatever you choose, it'll be perfect George.”

The blush that colors the man's cheeks would rival the red of Toby's Santa suit. Which makes me like George Rainbow just that little bit more–and I liked him a whole lot already.

Later on, while our supper is settling and we're sitting back at the mushroom bar, I stand up and offer up a toast with my glass of hot cider. “To family and friends, to the gift of giving, to lumberjacks–” The women snicker as I slide my eyes to my now smirking husband whoknowshe's goin' to be enjoying the fruits of his labor tonight, “and to the Sallys for givin’ us all the chance to come with them on this trip to give George and this beautiful, deservin' town the best, most memorable Christmas ever. Cheers!”

For the record, once we were back at our cabin, I made Austin read me one of Aster Hollingsworth's books that has a lumberjack hero in it, while my sexy husband wore nothing but a red plaid shirt and a smile. Best. Idea. Ever.

12

RED

December 21st

“I swear, if I have to see another ribbon or bow or damn silver bell again in the next twelve months, I'll hike up Bull Mountain and stay there till the holidays are over,” I grumble as I stand at the top of a rickety ladder and hang yetanotherstreetlight decoration.

“They look so pretty though,” Mags says, smiling up at me. “And don't forget about the giant snowflakes you already hung. They lookamazin'.

I scoff. “Mmmm hmmm.”

“Aww. C'mon, Red. This is our first Christmas together as husband and wife. Surely you can findsomeholiday spirit inside of you for me.” She bats her lashes and gives me a look that sheknowswill work on me every. single. time.

I climb down the ladder and dust off my hands before stepping back to admire our handiwork.

Mags and I have been working down one side of the main street while Austin and Tobes do the same on the other side, slowly making our way down toward the town square. Rhett, Colt, and Landry are also here hanging wreaths on the shop doors and putting out whatever other festive displays we found in the shed.

Tomorrow, we'll all focus on setting up the town square for the big festival on December 23rd, giving us enough time to stay one last night and head back home on Christmas Eve.

Stepping back and taking in the whole street now, I can see how much of a difference it has made. The streetlights are twinkling with fairy lights, silver bells, and the posts wrapped in silver and red tinsel as high as the ladder would take us. It's transformed the sleepy road into a Christmas trail of sorts.Just what the doctor ordered, I'd say.

Even I can admit that it feels a hell of a lot more like the holidays. There's a festive cheer about the place now.

My darling wife sidles up next to me. “See? Isn't itsoworth it?” she asks, her eyes sparkling with delight.

I wrap an arm around her shoulders and pull her in close. “Yeah, you were right,” I admit.

Her returning gaze is full of amusement. “Wait… can you say that again, I want to record it for future use.”

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