Page 11 of How The Mountain Man Stole Christmas
“I don’t want you to do anything for me because you for sorry for me. I don’t need anyone’s pity.” She turned awayfrom him, the anger making her face a bright crimson. He’d also picked up that she had a nervous habit of wringing her fingers together which she was doing now, even with her digits encased in gloves.
“I don’t’ feel sorry for you Harper, okay well maybe a little but…” He held his hands up in defense when she tried to lash out. “No wait, just hear me out, okay?” Fin twisted in the metal tractor seat to face her more directly. “What I mean is, I do feel bad a little but just because you haven’t ever had anyone that could show you how magical Christmas really is. I never really got it either until I met my sister-in-law. I swear, you would have loved her, everyone did. She literally breathed Christmas, so much so that she could have been one of Santa’s elves.” He always got a little nostalgic when he talked about his brother’s wife Maddie. She was just a genuinely good person.
There she went touching his leg again.
“I’m sure I would have loved her. Even Elsie has talked about her from time to time.”
“I see so much of her in the girls. It’s got to be tough on Kaleb, but he seems to handle it okay.
Harper and Fin sat atop the tractor staring at each other for several moments.
“I love your eyes Harper, they’re such an unusual color and so mesmerizing they put me in a trance.” He touched her cheek with his padded glove, and she giggled.
“I’m trying to be sincere here and you’re laughing at me?”
“I’m sorry Fin, I can’t help it. I feel like we’re a couple of Eskimos sitting here. I can’t seem to get any bit romantical in Carharts two feet thick. Hey, maybe a polar bear, do they come in pink? That’s definitely me.”
No way could he be mad and he couldn’t help but join in as she laughed at herself.
“Alright, if you’re not gonna let me get all mushy, then let’s head back inside and eat. I don’t know about you, but I’m starved and it’s starting to sleet again. We’ll be frozen hungry pink Eskimo polar bears soon.”
During supper that night, Fin, with the help of Kaleb, explained to Harper all the different things they were going to do for Christmas including the town Christmas Tree lighting downtown on Christmas Eve if they ever got out on the roads again.
“Do I have to go to the lighting ceremony?” Harper shook her head and could feel her face heating from embarrassment.
“Why wouldn’t you want to go? I just assumed you’d gone to the others in previous years. I’m sure you’ve met a lot of the people through the post office already and the rest will be thrilled to meet you. They clean up the Holly Tack ‘n Feed and cater a big dinner, Ham and all the trimmings. I also think Santa will be making an appearance.” Of course, the girls squealed at that.
Kaleb rose from the table. “Alright you two munchkins, time for bed. Don’t forget Santa’s watching you. You want him to stop and visit our tree, right?” The girls shouted and jumped from their chairs like bolts of lightning. Much to Harper’s surprised expression, the girls hugged her first then their Uncle Fin and left the room. Fin turned to her expectantly, she assumed he was waiting on an answer about the events downtown.
“How sweet was that, I got hugs?” She smiled shyly.
“They’ve really taken a liking to you but you’re avoiding the topic.”
“Okay, no, I never went to any of the others. I just spent the night by myself. I kind of do want to go to the festivities because you’re making it all sound so fun but I’m having some doubts. I guess I’m just not used to all the hubbub and excitement over Christmas.That’s why I avoided it the last couple years. Maybe it’ll just have to grow on me?” Harper pleaded with eyebrows raised.
She watched Fin’s face turn up with a soft smile and it warmed her heart. She knew this man was good for her. Maybe she’d just have to try and keep him around for good.
Chapter Six
Over the course of the next few days, Harper and Fin shared more of their personal lives and history with each other. Harper had been curious about Fin’s family and how they had gotten into the business of trees and where he’d been when not living at the farm with his brother. She’d also spent more time with Kaleb and the girls. The ice storm that hit Holly during the week before Christmas crippled the whole town and stranded everyone right where they were when it hit so it wasn’t too hard to get up close and personal. The cold and blowing weather had finally stopped throughout the whole day before and come Christmas Eve morning, the sun was shining bright.
“Morning beautiful.” Fin planted a quick kiss on Harper’s cheek as she stood at the stove. “Have to say it’s kind of nice waking up to your cooking.” The electricity was back, not only in the house but between Fin and Harper. With the time they’d been spending together, Harper had come to the conclusion she couldn’t avoid him, and she wasn’t sure she wanted to. It was better just not to fight her feelings. What did she have to lose?
“Have a seat, breakfast will be done in a few minutes.” She set the table for five, poured Fin a cup of coffee and filled the girls’ bowls first. “So, do you think we’ll be able to get out on theroads today? The sun is out in full force, and I thought I heard a scraper go past a little bit ago.”
“Oh, no doubt about it. After I eat, I’ll get the tractor out and blade the drive. All our trucks have good snow tires so there should be no problem getting into town later.”
The rest of the morning flew by. After breakfast and many dirty dishes were out of the way, Harper sat bundled up out on the front porch watching Fin make the driveway passable. It almost didn’t seem real, she’d gotten so used to their simple routine the last few days but it was a reality they’d finally be able to get into town again. She’d tried to call Elsie after supper the night before but there was no answer. She hoped the older woman was okay and safe during the storm.
Harper looked up when she heard the screen door shut behind her.
“Hi Kaleb, are the girls napping?” He sat down beside her.
“Yep, should have a couple hours of quiet now.”
“They really are the cutest things I’ve ever seen Kaleb. You’re doing a great job raising them.”
“Thanks Harper, it’s been tough. I couldn’t have done it without Fin’s help.” He sat staring at where his brother was trekking up and down the drive. Then he motioned his head toward the tractor. “You know he’s falling for you.”
