Page 90 of If You Give a Grump a Christmas Tree Farm
“Next year we can hire more people.”
“Right,” I reply quietly, still not sure how I’m gonna make that work. I doubt Shades is going to let me have six weeks away every single year just to run the place. And even that wouldn’t be enough with the planting of the seedlings for next year that we’ll have to do in the spring and all the rest of it with pumpkin sales and whatever else Rebecca comes up with to keep the place afloat. She was talking about selling flowers in the spring and having an Easter egg hunt with pictures with the Easter bunny for the kiddos.
As it is, I don’t want to be away from her, so that means a lot of miles between Tennessee and Birmingham. As much as I love this woman and would do anything for her, I don’t know how long I’d be able to keep this pace up. Something would eventually have to give.
Leaving the club isn’t as easy as it sounds. In all my time, I’ve never seen anyone leave. The thought of cutting ties with my brothers guts me. They’re the only family that’s meant anything to me. Hell, they’ve had my back since I was barely a grown man. This life is all I’ve ever known.
“You’ve gotten quiet. Everything okay?” Rebecca asks.
“Yeah, I’m fine. Just missin’ you.”
“I like hearing that, because this bed feels empty without you in it.”
“Damn, woman. Now you’ve got all kinds of images playin’ in my head,” I tease.
“Good.”
I chuckle. “I’ll make it up to you when I get back.”
“Oh, you definitely will. I’m counting on that.”
I grin. God, I love this woman.
“JJ?”
“Yeah, babe?”
“You’ll be careful, won’t you? I mean, with whatever club stuff you’re doing. You won’t get… hurt, will you?”
“I’ll come home in one piece. I promise.”
“Don’t make promises if you can’t keep them.”
“I’m keepin’ this one, Rebecca. Got my oath on that. I should let you go. I’m sure you’ve got a busy day tomorrow.”
“You’ll call me if you get a chance?”
“Absolutely.”
“Okay. Goodnight, JJ.”
“Goodnight, baby. Dream of me.”
She giggles, and it's music to my ears. “Same.”
“That’s a given. Right now I’m imagining you in the shower with me.”
“Oh, really? Do tell.”
“I’m soapin’ your gorgeous body up good. Every inch.”
She giggles again. “Okay, goodnight, honey.”
“Goodnight, angel.”
She disconnects, and immediately, the joy leaves me. I gaze around the ratty motel room. It’s the last place I want to be. That phone call doesn’t replace being together.
I knew I’d miss her, but the feeling that engulfs me is a surprise. In the past, I could ride off from a woman and not think twice about her.
