Page 38 of Meet Me on Christmas Eve

That’s how this was going to work.

Furrowing my eyebrows, I tapped my foot as I waited for him to return with another one and moved to the part of the wall where I wanted the next one. The least I could do was tell him where to put it. I was good at directing people, at least.

When he returned, I noticed a slight sheen of sweat on his temple, and he still had his knit hat on. I shook my head, reminding myself to pay attention. “Oh, uh, no, I want that one over here.”

He stilled. He’d just squatted to begin putting the trunk in the holder. His eyes swung over to me. “What?”

I cleared my throat. Wasn’t I clear? “I said I want that tree over here. About where I’m standing.” I paused, but he didn’t move. “Can you move it over here?”

His eyes bore into mine. Finally, he stood slowly, and his jaw ticked in visible frustration. “Yes, ma’am.”

Ugh. I couldn’t make him hate me more if I tried.

I moved away slightly when he came closer.

“Right here?” he asked. “Or here?” He pointed a few inches to the left. “Or maybe over there?”

I bit my tongue slightly. “Here is good. Great, actually.” I jumped back, as he was radiating tension and resentment. “Uh, I … sorry this is such an inconvenience for you.”

He didn’t say a word as he quickly got the tree set up. But when he stood up, he looked me dead in the eye and said, “Eh, don’t worry about it. It’s not every day I get to visit the castle.” His lips twitched just slightly, and then he walked off.

My wide eyes stayed on him as he walked away. He’d sounded … almost friendly. Or joking. Maybe there was still a chance I could get him to not hate me?

But did it even matter? Even if I made a little progress, he was determined not to help me with Jane.

Still, I had to try, right? I didn’t want him to hate me, did I?

Wait, did I?

I didn’t even know anymore.

One thing was for certain. I was starting to think, maybe … just maybe … I didn’t hate him anymore.

And it scared the hell out of me.

But I found myself meeting him at the door next time, walking him over to the place where the next tree was to be placed. We didn’t need to speak much but fell into a comfortable silence as I helped with the placement and setup of the next few trees.

The tension seemed to dissipate, or at least the anger. Maybe there was a different kind of tension. But that was probably just me, my awkwardness. Whatever happened to the cool Mariana who was in control, I had no idea. I missed her. But … well, I couldn’t do anything about it.

So I followed him. I waited at the door when he went outside. When he brought the eighth tree in, he was carrying it on one shoulder, and I could see his face as I stood waiting. It was taller than the others but much thinner in its branches.

And he gave me a small smile. He probably thought I was staring at him, not the tree.

Whatever. Ihadbeen staring at the tree.

But now … That smile. It was so quick, I could’ve missed it. But it was everything.

I felt like a bit of Mariana Northam died, and the worst part was, I couldn’t even bring myself to care that much.

*****

Sneaking glances at Terry as we walked to the other side of the ballroom, I asked, “Could I set this one up?”

His eyebrows rose. “Hmm.”

I scoffed. “What, you don’t think I can?” I held up a bicep. “I work out, you know.”

His lips tugged up at the corners as his eyes darted down to my silly display of strength and then back up to my face. “I’m sure you do. But you’re also a little clumsy. At least in my presence.”

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