Page 27 of No Time for Traditions

“Cool. You need a huge tree right there.” Greg made a frame with his hands and winked as if focusing in on the corner by the fireplace.

Brittany laughed. “I’m going to bring some of Mama’s stuff over after I clean up the place. Lord knows she’s got decorations to spare.”

“Well, if you need any help later tonight . . .” Greg’s voice trailed off as he tapped the toe of his boot on the hard floor.

Brittany pointed at him and raised her eyebrows. He nodded, making her laugh.

“You? Decorate?”

“I don’t, but I thought you might need some muscle to move everything.” Greg winked.

Brittany’s chest tightened, and she smiled.

“And I know how much this place means to you.” Greg waggled his eyebrows and took a long drink of her hot chocolate.

“That would be nice.” Brittany could feel her face blushing, and it had nothing to do with the house getting warmer.

Chapter 10

After a long day of work, Greg usually looked forward to getting supper and lying on the couch with Buttercup. Except for today. Hot wings and an even hotter shower could wait, because he had a decorating date with a hot girl.

No so much a date. But hey, a guy could dream. Of course, if it were really a date, he’d make time for that shower first.

After loading everything from the day into the truck, Greg drove to the edge of the Barnes’s property. The land that bordered it was owned by an older man who lived out of town. Earlier in the day, Greg had called and asked if he could cut down one of the small cedars growing on his land. When Greg explained he wanted a Christmas tree to put in Edmund Barnes’s house to surprise the Barnes family, the man was more than happy to donate one. Now, Greg just needed to cut it down.

It didn’t take long, thanks to having a chainsaw handy. Perks of carrying around an array of equipment all the time. He secured the tree to the top of his truck’s bedcover with bungee cords and headed toward the farmhouse. Marty’s truck was parked out front when he drove up. Greg pulled on the old brass door knocker a few times before Brittany answered.

Marty stood in the center of the living room with a mess of tangled lights.

“Wow.” Greg was reminded why he hated decorating.

Brittany smiled and then peered over her shoulder. “Yeah. Mama had plenty of extra lights.” She nodded toward the mess. “And now I know why.”

Greg laughed. “Well, I’ve gotten something else we can use.” He motioned for Brittany to follow him outside.

She followed him out onto the porch in her sock feet. Greg ran down the steps to his truck and unloaded the tree. He brought it around to where she could get a full view.

Brittany covered her mouth with her hands and gasped. “A real, live tree.”

“Yeah. Now if we can just untangle those lights.”

Brittany giggled as Greg made his way back up the porch. She held the door open for him to carry the tree inside.

“Wow.” Marty stared at the tree a moment before walking over to where Greg had stopped with it. “Let me help.” They propped it against the wall. “We kept Dad’s gardening things on the back porch. Let me get something so we can prop it up and add water.”

Greg stepped back and admired his pick. It truly was a beautiful tree. He wasn’t one for decorations, but he always appreciated a good tree. Unlike the pathetic piece of plastic his mom had left in his living room.

Marty walked back inside with a cast-iron urn and a five-gallon bucket. “This should hold it and leave room for water. I got some gravel to hold it in place.” Marty held up the bucket. He brought everything to the corner of the room and helped Greg lift the tree into the urn. Then, Marty added enough gravel to keep it steady but still leave ample room for water.

Greg’s eyes trailed up the tree. “It’s perfect for this space.”

Marty wiped his hands on his jeans and stood. “Yeah.” He sighed heavily. “This will make a great home for somebody.”

Greg glanced at Marty, then Brittany, then back to Marty. Even though both of them focused on the tree, he could tell their minds were on the house itself.

“I’ll run back home and get any other stuff your mom found for you to use.” Marty headed out the door.

“Thanks, Daddy.”

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