Page 14 of All I Want for Christmas

Rose shook her head, making it obvious she wasn’t buying it. “I’m still gonna go anyway. Before we get banned from Ned’s tree lot.”

I waved my hand. “They’d likely forget and let you back next year. You’ve been banned from the Piggly Wiggly multiple times and they always let you back.”

She didn’t argue, because she knew I was right.

Jed patted Rose’s arm. “How about I go see if Joe’s still dealing with the trees?”

Relief washed over her face. “Thank Jed.”

I watched him walk toward the front of the lot, and I tried to figure out a way to keep Rose from leaving. “You still need a photo,” I said, “so let’s go see Santa.”

Rose made a face. “Hope saw Santa in Little Rock last weekend with Ashley and Mikey,” she said, then paused. “It didnotgo well.”

She’d said their Santa trip had been a disaster, but hadn’t elaborated. “Did she cry?” I asked.

She hesitated. “Something like that.”

“Well, don’t you think it would be cute to get photos of the two baby cousins together? Who cares if she cries. We can laugh about it years from now.”

“So, you’re encouraging me to let my baby cry?” she said with a grin.

“Well, of course not. I’m hoping she’ll be distracted by Daisy andwon’tcry. Then you’ll get an even better picture.”

Rose took a deep breath and glanced to the front of the lot where Joe had gone to take care of the trees. There was still no sign of him. “I really wish Mike’s parents would have let the kids come,” she said. “Joe asked them yesterday, but Mike’s dad hung up on him.”

I bounced Daisy on my hip. “I can’t believe they’re being so spiteful. They’re only hurtin’ the kids.” Then I realized what she wasn’t saying. “You want them in the Santa photo too.”

Her eyes turned glassy. “I don’t want them to feel left out.”

“I understand,” I said, and I did. I knew what it had been like on the outside of the Rivers family, wishing I was in the center. “But we can tell them that we had the babies take a photo together. Mikey won’t care and Ashley will think they’re cute.”

“True,” she said, but the frown on her face proved she wasn’t convinced.

“I understand if you don’t want to do it,” I said, realizing I was being selfish. “I didn’t mean to push.”

She turned to me and studied my face. “What’s goin’ on with you today? I mean, I know you want this Christmas season to be perfect since it’s your first with Daisy, but you seem a little manic about it. You said you’d tell me what was bothering you later. Can you tell me now?”

Tears sprung to my eyes. I wanted to tell her—I needed to tell her, but it felt like a betrayal to tell Rose before I told Jed. Still, this was too big to deal with on my own.

Rose put a hand on my arm. “You can tell meanything, Neely Kate. Lord knows I’ve told you a million things that have bothered me in the past.” A warm grin tipped up the corners of her mouth.

I glanced toward the parking lot, looking to see if Jed was within earshot. I definitely didn’t want him walking up and overhearing. “You can’t tell anyone—especially Joe,” I said. “I haven’t even told Jed yet.”

Her eyes widened slightly. “Okay. I promise.”

I glanced at the crowd around us and pulled her over next to an inflatable snowflake. When I was sure no one would overhear us, I lowered my voice and leaned in close. “I saw Carter Hale at Nicholson’s Farm Supply last night.”

“Okay…” she said hesitantly.

“I think he followed me there so he could tell me something important.”

Her forehead furrowed with confusion. “Why wouldn’t he just call or drop by the office?”

“I suspect he didn’t want to tell me on a phone call in case it was being tapped, and I also suspect he wanted to tell me on my own and let me decide what to do with the information.”

“You mean, he was worried I’d be there.” Her face paled. “Was it about James?”

I was surprised at the niggle of irritation that burned in my chest. “Not everything is about Skeeter Malcolm,” I snapped more forcefully than I’d meant.

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