Page 16 of If You Give a Grump a Christmas Tree Farm
“With love, Grandpa.”
Her eyes raise to mine, and she blinks away tears. “What’s yours say?”
I shove it into my breast pocket. “Basically the same thing.” I clear my throat again when my voice cracks on the words.
She nods and returns her letter into the envelope as if it’s the most precious thing she owns.
“Look,” I say, “I know I’ve been a pain in the ass.”
“You could say that.”
“But if I’m here until Christmas, I’m willing to give this a shot—a real shot. I’m not promising I won’t be a Grinch, but I’ll give it an actual try.”
“Thank you. I appreciate it.” She rubs her arms. “Is it just me, or has it gotten a little cold in here?”
“Yeah, it is a bit brisk. Let me go check the thermostat.”
I move out to the living room where it sits on the wall. “The temperature is set to seventy, but I’m not hearing any sounds. Furnace probably needs to be relit. Go grab a flashlight out of the kitchen junk drawer and meet me in the garage.”
“Be right there.”
It doesn’t take long to locate it and, sure enough, it’s not lit.
When she makes it out to me, I try several times to light it before I give up.
“I’m not sure what’s going on. I think we’re going to have to wait until the morning when I can look at it better.” I run a hand through my hair. “Is it too late to take back everything I said about giving this place a real go of it?”
“Not a chance.”
“Well, in that case, you want to come to bed with me?”
Her eyes flare wide, and I can see her pulse quicken just above her collarbone. It seems to be beating a hundred miles a minute.
My mouth turns up at the corners. “For body heat, of course.”
She rolls her eyes but can’t hide the red flush that’s tinged her cheeks. If I didn’t know better, I’d say this sweet thing just might be as attracted to me as I am to her.
“I think I can manage with a few extra blankets.” She turns her back on me and heads to her room.
“But what about me?” I call after her just to see what she’ll say. She’s fun to play with and might just make this experience enjoyable.
“You’ll live.” Then she stops just inside her doorway. “And if you freeze to death, I guess I’ll just have to throw your body in the pond.”
I can’t stop the rumble of laughter that bursts from me. I catch a small, satisfied smile cross her face, and damn, if it doesn’t make my heart stutter.
Agreeing to the farm might not be the worst of my troubles.
CHAPTER SIX
Rebecca—
Bootsteps pound down the stairs. I turn from the kitchen counter to see JJ approaching in a pair of jeans and t-shirt with a denim shirt hanging open over it.
“I found some coffee,” I say, my hands wrapped around a steaming mug.
“Great. How is it?” he asks, moving to pour his own.
“Not great. I like a darker blend; this is really weak.”
