Page 89 of If You Give a Grump a Christmas Tree Farm
It’s late when we get where we’re going. Since we’re planning to be in the area for a couple days, we get rooms in some run-down motel. I don’t care as long as there’s a bed and hot water in the shower. After I clean up, I lie on the bed and shoot a text off to Rebecca. By now, it’s almost midnight, and I hate to wake her with a call.
ME: Finally layin’ my head down for the night. Wanted to check in with you and make sure everything is okay. I suppose you’re asleep, so I won’t call. Wish I was there with you, babe.
It’s not thirty seconds before my phone rings.
“Hey, Becca. I hope I didn’t wake you.”
“It’s okay. I wanted to hear your voice.”
I grin. “It’s good to hear yours, too. How’s everything there? You okay?”
“I’m fine. Just miss you already. The cabin seems so empty without you here with me.”
“I wish I could be there. I’d much rather be in that bed with you than in this rat-trap motel we’re stayin’ in.”
“Motel? You’re not at the clubhouse?”
“No, darlin’. We had to ride out and take care of some club business. I can’t talk about it. I hope you understand that.”
“Not really, but I get you can’t tell me stuff.”
“How were sales today?”
“Good. Mrs. Benson came by with her son and daughter-in-law. They’ve got two cute kids.”
“Mrs. Benson?” I ask, not placing the name with a face.
“She was the director of the living nativity.”
“Oh, right. Yeah, she was a sweet lady.”
“They bought two trees, and she picked up four wreaths for the church.”
“That’s awesome.”
“And Shirley from the diner came with her two sisters. They were a hoot, and all three of them have that same beehive hairdo. They all got trees, and when they saw the stuffed Buddies, they each had to get one.”
“That’s great.” I love hearing the happiness in her voice as she talks about her day, but talking about the townspeople isn’t what I want to hear about. “You tired?”
“Exhausted. But it’s a good tired, you know?”
I grin. “Yeah. I do. Especially with all the fresh air.”
“Working outside is my favorite part. Well, that and the fact that everyone is so happy when they come here.”
“Well, you’re a big part of that, Becca. You created a fun atmosphere with the s’mores station and the music playing and all the rest.”
“Thanks, JJ.”
“How’d our crew do? Bobby and Ed pull their weight?”
“Yes, they were great, and Amanda, Eric, and the kids were a huge help.”
“I owe them big time.”
“We. We owe them.”
“They’re pulling my slack, Becca. That’s on me.”
