Page 16 of Evergreen Christmas

“Yeah.” Jordyn licked her lips as she drew in another lungful of clean air. “I went to town yesterday evening to get some lawn chairs and a few supplies, and when I came back, Nate Reed was driving off in his truck. He left a stack of firewood with a big, red bow on it and a Christmas card.”

“You . . . you say Nate brought the firewood over himself?” Holly asked, her expression brightening with pleased surprise.

Jordyn nodded. “It was so nice of him—it’s a shame we didn’t have a chance to enjoy the firewood.”

“Mm-hm.” What sounded like a low growl escaped Carol Belle’s lips. “May I see the card in question?”

Jordyn waved away an errant puff of smoke that drifted toward her nose. “O-of course. It’s in the kitchen.” She walked into the kitchen, waving away more smoke as she went, grabbed the small card off the counter, then returned to the living room and handed it to Carol Belle. “It’s a beautiful Christmas card, and he wrote a nice message.”

She hid her grin. Nate’s gift had been unexpected, as had the cute smiley face he’d drawn on the back of the card. Perhaps her hunky new neighbor had a flirtatious—and possibly sensitive—streak after all. Had he felt the same electric chemistry between them that had taken hold of her yesterday?

Carol Belle studied the colorful Christmas tree on the front of the card, then flipped it over. For a moment, Jordyn could’ve sworn Carol Belle’s mouth twitched with humor, but the amused look vanished in a flash and Carol Belle’s eyes grew round and angry.

“This wasn’t a considerate gift and Christmas card, Jordyn,” Carol Belle said. “This was a warning!” Her hand shot out, jerking the small card toward the three women who stood nearby waving their arms to dispel the last vestiges of smoke. “Have a look, ladies, and tell me what you think.”

Eve plucked the card from Carol Belle’s hand and peered at it through her glasses.

“Notice what’s on the front?” Carol Belle prompted.

“What’s on it?” Kandy asked, hurrying over to Eve’s side, the bells on a silver bracelet she wore jangling.

“A Christmas tree,” Eve said softly as she exchanged a knowing look with Carol Belle.

“A Fraser fir just like our Fabio,” Carol Belle grumbled.

“And on the back?” Holly asked as she pressed close to the other women for a look. She still waved a hand in front of her perfectly made-up face, warding away the tendrils of smoke lingering in the living room.

Eve flipped the card over. “He wrote one word.Enjoy.” Her brows rose. “And he drew a smiley face.” She looked up, her surprised gaze roving over each of the women standing around her. “A smiley face that’s winking.”

The Nanas exchanged meaningful glances; then, moments later, Kandy gasped, Holly tutted her tongue, and Carol Belle stomped one high-heeled foot.

“That mean-spirited, nasty, grinch of a man!” Carol Belle huffed. “I knew he meant it when he said he wasn’t going to bow out of the Christmas competition, but I never dreamed he’d try to sabotage an innocent woman he didn’t even know just to get his hands on a tree!”

“Sabotage?” Jordyn frowned, bewildered by the overly righteous indignation in Carol Belle’s voice and mixed signals coming from all of the Nanas. “Wait . . . what exactly is it you think he did?”

Carol Belle scowled. “He tried to smoke you out to send a message.” She stabbed her hand at the still smoking fireplace. “That right there’s a warning!”

Jordyn laughed. “You think Nate did this on purpose? You think he knew my chimney was damaged and gave me firewood so I’d burn it and smoke up my cabin?” A low laugh escaped her lips. “Please forgive me, but I think that’s a bit of a stretch—”

“Really?” Carol Belle scowled. “He lived next to Beau Manning, the former owner of this place, for almost a decade. Beau was a frugal man and would use up every last bit of good in something before he replaced it. I, myself, know Beau had to call the fire department twice before he moved out because of the cracks in that chimney. And if I knew about it, I bet Nate did, seeing as how he lives right next door.” She shook her head. “I wouldn’t put a thing past Nate when it comes to the Christmas competition. And by the way . . .” She leaned closer to Jordyn and tilted her head. “Did he happen to approach you about Fabio yesterday?”

Jordyn hesitated. “Well, yes, but—”

“See!” Carol Belle stomped her foot again. “He wanted to buy the tree, didn’t he?”

“Yes, b—”

“But nothing!” Carol Belle said. “You can’t let him get away with this or he’ll stomp all over you during the competition. You need to go over there and give him a piece of your mind!”

Oh, boy. What was she getting herself into here?

“Let’s slow down a bit, please?” Jordyn gestured for the Christmas card and when Eve handed it to her, she turned it over, studying the cheery Christmas tree illustration. “I really think this was just a kind, neighborly act that backfired. And I do want to participate in Noel’s Christmas competition, but I did just move in. I have to agree with Nate that I’ll be spending a lot of time sprucing this place up and may not have time to fully partici—”

“He said that?” Eve peered at her over the rim of her glasses. “Nate said you’d be too busy to participate in our Christmas competition?”

Jordyn nodded slowly.

“Oh, my.” Holly clamped a hand to her chest.

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