Page 12 of Fa-La-La-La Faking It
“They apologized for the confusion, but the mayor’s assistant said they didn’t really have a choice since the Christmas tree lot was willing to pay generously for the use of the space.” Dang Jace Martin and his big fat checkbook. “She was really apologetic about dropping the ball and forgetting to let me know in advance, though. So there’s that, at least.”
Not that kindness could solve their current dilemma.
Adaline took a deep breath. “I think the only thing we can do at this point is try and come up with an alternate location for the fundraiser. As far as the bake sale goes, I could offer special items here at the bakery with all proceeds going toward Comfort Paws.”
It might make a nightmare out of her in-shop accounting system, but she could deal with it. What choice did she have?
“We could probably do Santa photos in the lobby of the pet clinic on a few afternoons.” Maple pulled a face. “Except a lot of pets are nervous about going to the vet, so that might only work for children, not cats and dogs.”
Jenna sighed. “If we weren’t so busy with rehearsals for our Christmas recital, I’d say we could use my dance school for the Santa photos. I just don’t see how it could work. The dance moms would come unglued. Sorry, girls.”
“It’s okay. We’ll think of something,” Maple said.
Tears pricked the backs of Adaline’s eyes. They’d lost an entire day of fundraising, and she was no closer to figuring things out than she’d been this morning when Jace dumped a forest at her front door.
“I can’t believe I’m going to be stuck looking at that lumberjack and his Christmas tree lot all day, every day.” She dropped her head in her hands and groaned.
“Um, Adaline.” Maple cleared her throat. “Don’t look, but here comes the lumberjack now.”
“What?” Adaline’s head snapped up. Of course she looked. She couldn’t help herself.
Her eyes immediately locked with Jace’s through the French doors. Before she could look away and pretend she hadn’t seen him, he winked at her.
Ugh.
But even as she choked down a gag reflex, a rebellious swarm of butterflies took flight in her belly. They fluttered about like a dizzying swirl of snowflakes.
Knock-knock-knock.
The rapping of his knuckles against the French doors jolted her out of her trance.
Maple, Jenna and Belle all turned to look at her. As did the four dogs.
“Are you going to let him in?” Maple arched a brow. “Or shall I do the honors?”
“We’re closed,” she said flatly.
“Something tells me he’s not here for baked goods,” Jenna countered.
He waggled the fingers on his left hand in a wave. In his right, he held onto the slender trunk of a perfectly-shaped blue spruce.
Again with the Christmas tree? This guy didn’t know how to take no for an answer. With a huff, Adaline slid off her barstool and headed for the door. Lady Bird, Ginger, Peaches and Fuzzy followed right on her heels, tails swinging in perfect unison.
“Sorry, we’re closed. This is a private party,” she said as she swung the door open. A fresh wave of woodsy aroma came flooding toward her, and the distant twinkle lights formed a soft halo around Jace. Her indignation took a serious hit, especially when all four dogs sniffed and pitter-pattered merrily around him like he was a gift sent straight from Santa.
He bent to lavish attention on each adoring canine and tipped his head toward the tree. “Where would you like me to put it? It’s already got a tree stand attached. All you have to do is tell me where you want it, and I’ll be out of your hair.”
Adaline bit her lip. It was the prettiest, most fragrant, most perfectly shaped Christmas tree she’d ever set eyes on. It would look incredible decorated with her collection of cupcake ornaments that were currently sitting in a box in the bakery’s storage room, untouched since last year.
But there was no way she was accepting it. Her fifth-grade self wouldn’t allow it. Nor would her current thirty-something-year-old self, although that version of Adaline was beginning to waver.
“I told you I don’t need a tree,” she said.
Jace stood, gaze flitting around the interior of the bakery with eyes that Adaline couldn’t help but notice were the exact same woodsy green color as the trees on his lot. “Your lack of holiday decor says otherwise.”
“I haven’t had time to put anything up yet.” Which, now that he mentioned it, was very unlike Adaline. ShelovedChristmas. “I’ve been a little busy with the bakery, training my puppy and our therapy dog visits to the retirement center.”
“Plus the Comfort Paws fundraiser,” he added with an arch of his left brow.
