Page 10 of Levi

“It smells amazing just standing here.”

“This row is Balsam. They always smell great.”

“I don’t know which is which.”

“Those are Douglas firs. See the signs? The trees are in sections. Douglas firs, Balsams, White pine, Frasier fir, and blue spruce. I’m sure he has others but those are the ones I can see.”

“What size do you think I can get? I’d like one close to the ceiling. I usually get a six foot but even in the stand and tree topper, it didn’t touch the ceiling.”

“You could get a seven foot. The stand, plus the topper, will make it almost touch the ceiling.”

“Do you have a spot picked out in your place?”

“No. I don’t put one up.”

“Why not?”

Levi shrugged. “I live alone—”

“So do I.”

“True. But I don’t want one. Let’s find you a tree.” He started down a row, then turned to lookat her. “Where do you usually put your tree?”

“I put it in the corner, close to the fireplace.”

A while later, Levi sighed. He was sure Kinley had looked at every tree in this section and his balls were about to get frost bit.

She finally stopped in front of a tall Balsam and nodded at the man following them, carrying a saw.

“This one.” She pointed at it.

“Yes, ma’am.” He glanced at Levi, then back at Kinley. “You’re sure this is the one? I just want to make sure before I start cutting.”

“Definitely.” She nodded, looked at Levi. “Do you like this one?”

“Yes. I think it was just planted when we got here, but since it took you so long to find it, it’s already seven feet tall.”

Kinley gasped and slapped her hand at him. “Smartass.”

Levi chuckled. “Are you sure this is the one?”

Kinley nodded, then after it was cut, they waited for the tree to be wrapped. Once that was done, the worker who cut it carried it to the truck, placed it in the bed, then they all climbed into the truck and were taken back to the tent.

After paying for her tree, the worker placed the tree in the bed of Levi’s truck, then they got into his truck, and he drove to Kinley’s townhouse, and backed into the driveway.

“Will you help me decorate it?” Kinley asked.

“Uh, I suppose I could.”

“You don’t have to,” she said and he could hear the disappointment in her voice.

“Sure, I’ll help.” It was the last fucking thing he wanted to do, but he’d do it for her. “Let mecarry it in for you.”

After he carried the tree inside, Kinley removed her coat and beanie, hung them up, then placed the stand in the corner beside the fireplace, and Levi set the tree in it, then lay on the floor to tighten the screws around the trunk. Kinley filled a pitcher with water, handed it to him, and he poured the water into the stand. He stood, walked to where Kinley stood, and looked at the tree.

“It looks good there.” She smiled.

“Yeah.” He removed his coat and hat, then hung them up on the hall tree.

---