Page 66 of Evergreen Christmas

“But I don’t understand,” Roxie said from the back seat of the extended cab. “Why wouldn’t Ms. Jordyn take the Christmas tree award?”

Nate, sitting in the driver’s seat, guided his truck around a sharp mountain curve. “She had her reasons, sweetheart.”

“But what were they?” Roxie insisted.

Nate focused on the road and clenched his jaw, trying to hold back the warring emotions within him.

After Jordyn had driven off into the cold, dark night over an hour ago, he’d stood in the parking lot beside the town square, his mind and heart reeling over the idea of having Jordyn in his life solely as a neighbor and friend.

It was a nice thought, he supposed. After all, a neighborly friendship was all he had wanted with Jordyn initially, but now, he felt very differently. As a matter of fact, he wanted . . .

Wanted what?

The intensity of emotions that had taken hold of him as he’d stood in the parking lot had overwhelmed him at first, but after a moment, everything was all too clear.

He didn’t want to be just Jordyn’s neighbor and friend. He wanted to be more than that. He wanted Jordyn to be in his life on a daily basis and he wanted to be in hers. He wanted Jordyn’s face to be the first he saw every morning and he wanted to know that every day, she would be a part of his and Roxie’s life and home. He wanted Jordyn by his side, tucking Roxie into bed at night, kissing his daughter’s cheek with him, wishing her sweet dreams and knowing, in their hearts, that they would do everything possible to make Roxie’s life a safe, fulfilling, and happy one.

And every night, he wanted to end the day with Jordyn in his arms, grateful that he’d been blessed to spend another day with her. He wanted Jordyn in his heart, in his home, and in his life. He wanted . . .

He wanted everything!

“Her tree was so beautiful,” Roxie said softly from the back seat. “It would’ve looked so great in the town square, and on Christmas Eve, we could’ve all stood around it drinking hot chocolate and having a good time.” Her voice broke. “And she didn’t even tell me goodbye before she left.”

“She was upset,” Nate said softly. “Otherwise, she would have.”

After he had followed her into the parking lot, he’d noticed right away that she was struggling with her decision. The tears in her eyes and slight tremor in her voice were clear indications that she didn’t want to walk away from Roxie or from him. And that perhaps she still wanted to explore the intense emotions between them despite what she was saying.

In his heart, he knew that she did, in fact, want more. But given the reservations he’d voiced, she had gracefully bowed out and chosen to walk away rather than take a chance on his fickle heart and risk breaking Roxie’s.

She’d chosen to sacrifice her own interests because she loved his daughter . . . as much as she loved him, he hoped.

“Jordyn would’ve said goodbye,” Nate whispered, staring straight ahead as the road curved before them. “But she didn’t because she didn’t want to leave you to begin with.”

Roxie was quiet for a moment, then sniffed and said, her voice trembling, “I don’t understand, Daddy.”

Nate turned onto the driveway leading to Frosted Firs Ranch, drove slowly along the paved path to the first Christmas tree lot and parked the truck in front of Macy’s tree. He stared at the Fraser fir in front of him, studied the white silk ribbon that curved around the thick branches and the bright white lights that sparkled among the lush limbs of the evergreen.

Tucker, who had been uncharacteristically quiet as he sat in the passenger seat during the drive home, sighed heavily. He swiveled in his seat, reached into the back seat, unbuckled Roxie’s seat belt, and lifted her into the front seat of the truck, placing her on his knee and hugging her briefly.

“It’s all right, baby girl,” Tucker said, kissing Roxie’s forehead. “What happened tonight wasn’t exactly a bad thing. Actually, it was good in a way.”

Roxie, tears rolling down her cheeks, frowned up at Tucker. “Why?”

Tucker smiled gently, his eyes meeting Nate’s briefly before he returned his attention to Roxie. “Well, because there’s a reason people do the kinds of things that Jordyn has done.”

Roxie frowned. “What things? You mean, not taking the Christmas tree award?”

Tucker nodded. “That . . . and other things.” He tilted his head and made a face, thinking hard, then said, “You know, there’s something else she did, too. At the gingerbread contest, maybe? Do you remember what she did?”

Nate cleared his throat in warning. Tonight had been rough enough without telling Roxie that she hadn’t won the gingerbread contest on her own. “Tucker, it’s not a good idea for you to—”

“It’s okay.” Tucker held up a hand, sending Nate a pointed look, then smiled down gently at Roxie. “Roxie knows what’s up, don’t you, baby girl?”

Nate glanced down at Roxie, who shifted into a more comfortable position on Tucker’s knee and avoided his eyes. “Roxie?” he prompted.

She looked up then, her big blue eyes meeting Nate’s. “I know Ms. Jordyn helped me win the gingerbread contest, Daddy. And that I didn’t win first place all on my own. But Uncle Tucker told me—”

“Did you tell her what Jordyn did?” Nate asked, narrowing his eyes at Tucker.

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