Page 21 of If You Give a Grump a Christmas Tree Farm
She talks up how we’ll bring them a gorgeous fresh tree and how much their customers will love it. She really has a way with people.
Everyone she meets seems to love her.
When we arrive at Kringle’s Market, I grab a shopping cart and follow her around while she fills it up from her list. When we roll past the butcher section, I throw a pack of six steaks in, remembering seeing Gramp’s big grill at the side of the cabin. When Rebecca eyes them, she lifts a brow, and I cock my head.
“You eat meat, right?”
“Yes, but those are huge. And why do we need six?”
“Just stocking up.” I don’t tell her I’ve got some of my brothers rolling into town this weekend.
When we get to the dairy section, I cut off down the pet aisle and heft a bag of dog food under the cart. Returning to find Rebecca studying the selection of yogurts, I lean on the cart. She gives me the side-eye but doesn’t acknowledge my addition.
It’s not until we’re checking out that she sees me grab the gun and drop to a squat to scan the big bag under the cart.
Her hand lands on her hip. “What’s that?”
“What’s it look like?”
“It looks like you have a new pet.”
“He’s not mine. I just don’t want to see him hungry.”
“Mmm hmm.” She nods, but her face screams that I’m in denial. She starts pushing the cart toward the door.
We load the groceries into the truck and head to the farm.
The dog is waiting on the porch when we pull up.
While Rebecca is inside unloading the groceries, I go outside and fill a bowl. “Here you go, buddy.”
A car pulls into the lot and two teenagers step out, approaching the porch.
I straighten. “Can I help you?”
“We heard in town you were opening for the season. I’m Noah. This is Miles. We’re looking for work. Thought you might need some help.”
“Nah, man. We’re not hiring.”
He seems confused. “Oh. Did you already hire a crew?”
“We don’t need a crew. Thanks for asking, but you wasted the trip up here.”
The two of them return to their car, and Rebecca comes out on the porch.
“Who was that?” she asks, watching them pull out.
“Just a couple of kids looking for work.”
“Did you hire them?”
“Why would I hire them?”
“Because we could use the help. There’s a ton of work to do.”
“Rebecca, we can’t afford to pay employees right now.”
“We can’t run this place without help. We’ll need someone to run those machines you showed me to bundle the trees, andsomeone to run the gift shop and someone to be cashier at the cash and carry pre-cut tree lot. And who’s going to pour the hot cocoa? The two of us can’t be in twenty places at once.”
