Page 34 of If You Give a Grump a Christmas Tree Farm
“But they live in the next town.”
“It’s still too close. I don’t want them dropping in.” He points at something in the distance. “Look. An eagle.”
Subject change noted. I can understand why he doesn’t want to talk about his family, especially with me. I feel like he thinks I’m on his parents’ side or something. “Families can be complicated. I get that.”
“You hungry?” he asks, again changing the subject.
“Something you don’t know about me is I’m always hungry.” I grin.
His eyes sweep over my body. “Well, you’d never know it with your figure.”
My heart does a little flip, and I see the look in his eyes. He breaks our gaze first, clearing his throat. “There’s a diner in town that has great cheeseburgers. The place is a little corny, but the food is good.”
I frown. “You mean Santa’s Kitchen?”
“No, though they’re good, too. I mean Dasher’s Diner.”
I huff a laugh. “The places in town really go all out with the Christmas theme, don’t they?”
“Yeah. I’m surprised David never took you there. He used to love that place as a kid.”
“We never went into town much, just visited your grandfather’s farm.”
“That’s weird. You never wanted to check the town out?”
“I did, but he always made some excuse why we didn’t have time.”
“Everything with David revolved around what he wanted. He never cared too much about other people’s feelings. Sorry if that makes you mad, but that’s my opinion.”
I stare off at the horizon. “Can I tell you something, JJ?”
“What’s that?”
“I think he was seeing someone on the side, and I think she was from there. I think that’s why he never brought me. He didn’t want us to run into her.”
“You sure? I mean, I’m the last person to defend my asshole brother, but why the hell would he need another woman when he’s got someone like you?”
I blush. “Thanks for that, but I always felt he wasn’t satisfied with his life.”
JJ folds his arms. “That’s my brother for you. Never fucking satisfied. Never grateful for a damn thing.” He turns and catchesmy eye. “I’m sorry, Rebecca. He was an asshole, and you deserved better.”
“It wasn’t all bad. I’m not saying it was. I was happy for the most part.”
“That’s not exactly a glowing recommendation.”
“I suppose not.”
“Come on. Let’s get some food.”
CHAPTER ELEVEN
JJ—
Dasher’s Diner is on the corner of Main and Chestnut. I back the bike to the curb in an open spot, and we climb off.
“Wow. They didn’t waste any time,” Rebecca says, studying the bucket truck and crew stringing lights and garland across Main Street.
“They never do.” I hold the door for her, and we walk inside. The aroma of freshly baked apple pie hits me the minute we cross the threshold. Brenda Lee is singingRockin’ Around the Christmas Treeon the jukebox. The place is fairly quiet, with only a few tables taken. We get a booth by the window, and two plastic coated menus are slid before us.
