Page 87 of On the Way to Christmas
Mom sat up as Kacey and Drew walked in. “How was dessert?”
“Very good,” Kacey said. “I was wondering if you were planning to help Dani at the bakery tomorrow.”
“I can. Why?”
Kacey placed her hand on Drew’s arm. “Drew asked if I’d help him pick out a Christmas tree and decorate it.”
“That sounds like fun. I’ll cover for you at the bakery.”
“I appreciate it, Mom.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Williams,” Drew said before Kacey walked outside.
“Call me Monica!” Mom called after him.
Kacey turned to Drew when they reached the porch. “I’ll see you tomorrow then.”
“I can’t wait.” He jogged down the porch steps toward his car.
As he started his car, Kacey hugged her arms to her chest. She couldn’t wait either.
Chapter9
Kacey pointed to a full pine tree a few inches taller than her. “This is the perfect tree.”
They had been perusing the Christmas tree lot located just outside of downtown Splendid Lake for nearly thirty minutes. Kacey looked adorable clad in jeans, hiking boots, her teal jacket, and a matching teal hat.
“You’re positive?” he teased her.
She jammed her hands on her hips and frowned. “You said you invited me because I’m an expert, and now you have the nerve to doubt me?”
He loved when she teased him. “You’re right, Kace. I’m out of line. If you say this is the tree, then it is.”
She laughed.
After he paid for the tree, Kacey helped him secure it on the roof of his car before they climbed in and started toward his house.
“Could we make a stop?” Kacey asked.
“Sure. Where am I taking you?”
“It’s a surprise.” She pointed toward Main Street. “Head into town and find a parking spot anywhere.”
He parked in front of the Coffee Bean. “Are you buying me a snack?”
“Nope!” Her smile was coy as she gathered her purse from the floorboard and pushed open the door. “Let’s go.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Drew met her on the sidewalk, and she grabbed his hand before steering him through the crowd of Black Friday shoppers. “Where are you taking me?”
“You’ll see,” she sang.
She stopped in front of the Christmas Shop and smiled up at him. “I want to get you a special ornament so you’ll remember this Christmas. Okay?”
“That’s a great idea.” Although he was certain he’d never forget this Christmas.
Drew followed her inside the store, where several customers milled around more than a dozen Christmas trees, all covered with lights and decorations. Each one seemed to have a theme. One had white lights and all-white ornaments, including snowflakes, snowmen, and stars. Another tree was adorned with red lights and red decorations, and a third had multicolored lights and matching glass balls.
