Page 27 of OMG Christmas Tree
Her eyes widened. “It is?”
“No. Sorry, it’s just an old house.” I handed her the brochure available to tourists. “You’ll probably find this more helpful.”
“You don’t have to pretend there are ghosts here to make it sound interesting. I like learning about Crystal Cove.” She blinked, almost like she was surprised to admit this. “I like hearing your version, at least.”
Maybe I was overthinking the whole city versus country thing. I just needed to be me.
She pointed to a modern folding chair by the front door. “Can I sit for a minute?”
I nodded and she sat and opened the brochure.
“Hey, I’m going to check in with the folks.” I took out my phone. “Be right back.”
Mom’s voice mail kicked in. I left a message saying everything was in order so far. I didn’t want her worrying. I flipped through a couple of messages from my dad with an update about a print order. Another text from Austin. Knowing Megan waited in the other room made up for missing snowmobiling.
When I returned, Jill and Megan sat beside each other chatting.
“Jill, this is Megan. A...friend of mine.” I hadn’t introduced her to anyone yet. Friend didn’t quite sit right, but that was probably me with my head stuck in the clouds.
“Wonderful meeting you,” Jill said to Megan. She stood and handed me a sheet of paper. “I have more things for you to pick up.”
Megan plucked it from my hand. “I’ll take that.”
Jill raised a brow, but said nothing and walked off.
“Hey, I can handle this.”
Megan skimmed the paper and handed it back. “Do this stuff later. You have your truck?”
I was suspicious. Very suspicious. “Why?”
“Do you trust me?”
“Absolutely not.”
She scowled. So cute.
“Put on the puff ball hat and I’ll take you seriously.”
She punched my arm. “I’m telling you to trust me. Will you trust me?”
“Are you going to tell me where we’re going?” At this point, I’d made up my mind. I was going, even if I didn’t know where.
She marched ahead, out the front door and into the brisk afternoon air. “Back where it all started. The Sawyer tree lot.”
#
IHAD TO ADMIT, MEGAN’Splan to return to the tree lot made me more curious than suspicious.
“The big trees are gone,” I reminded her as we drove out of town toward the highway. “Remember, you took the last good one.”
She stuck her tongue out at me.
“Mature.” But I laughed anyway.
Only one car sat in the parking area. There were still trees left. We both jumped out of the truck.
Rob Sawyer waved, tugging an earbud free. He snapped his fingers and pointed at Megan. “Hey, I know you. How did you do with that giant tree?”
