Page 57 of If You Give a Grump a Christmas Tree Farm
We did it; we actually pulled it off. And with no catastrophes like we had at the pumpkin sale. JJ and I are now truly working well together, and everything is falling into place. For the first time, I feel like this dream I had is possible, that this business will be the success I knew it could be.
Everything inside me settles, and the anxiety leaves.
I’m exhausted by the time 8pm rolls around and we close up the place.
JJ rides down to the highway and shuts our gate.
Amanda, Eric and their kids come inside, and we sit at the dining table, having hot cocoa and talking about the night.
“Everything seemed to go off without a hitch,” Eric says.
“Yes, and we couldn’t have done it without all your help,” I say.
“So, we were able to help you today, but who’s going to help you the rest of the time?” Amanda asks.
I look to JJ.
“Um, I guess your sister was right weeks ago when she told me we needed more than just the two of us to run this place,” he replies.
“We’ll get by,” I say, but JJ shakes his head.
“No. I’ll put out the word and see if I can hire some people tomorrow.”
“Better late than never,” Amanda says, standing. “We’ve got to get these kids home. Good luck tomorrow.”
We walk them out and wave goodbye. Then JJ shoves his hands in his pockets and looks at me. “I’ll get us some help. I promise.”
I nod, and we head inside. “Let’s see what we made,” I say.
We go over the register receipts from the gift shop and tree lot. It was a good night; better than I expected.
I yawn.
“You must be exhausted,” JJ says. He stands and moves behind my chair, his hands closing over my shoulders to massage them with a strong, steady grip.
My head rolls to the side. “Mmm. That feels so good.”
“Then I’ll keep doing it.” His massaging continues, and I let him keep going, enjoying every second of it.
“You must be tired, too,” I whisper.
“I’m good. And I meant what I said earlier. Tomorrow morning, I’ll go in and see if I can find us some help. Maybe the lady at the church will know some kids looking for work. Ormaybe I’ll stop by the high school and ask if they know anyone. I’ll find someone. I promise.”
I lay my hand over his. “I know you will.”
“I should have hired those two who came looking that day.”
“If you’re waiting for me to say I told you so, I’m not going to say it.”
“But I deserve it.”
“You had no clue what this would entail.”
“No, but you did. You knew from the start we’d need help,” he murmurs.
“In fairness, JJ, I think you knew we needed help as well; you just didn’t want to pay for it.”
“There wasn’t much money in that business account.”
