Page 53 of Bragg's Christmas

“You know,” I say once we’re on our way to a Christmas tree farm in White Bridge. “Winter Falls used to have a Christmas tree farm.”

“What was it like, Nanny Love?”

“It was magnificent. There was a Winter Wonderland with a treasure hunt.”

“What’s a treasure hunt?”

As I explain the concept to her, Damon smiles over at me. He also lays his hand on my thigh and squeezes. Heat courses through my body at his simple touch. Before I have a chance to figure out how to respond, he returns his hand to the steering wheel.

Thirty minutes later we arrive at the Christmas tree farm but when I notice the clients are carrying trees with no roots, I refuse to get out of the car.

“We can’t buy a tree here.”

“Why not?”

I point to the tree a man’s carrying toward his car. “They chopped it down.”

Damon chuckles. “I think they have to chop it down. We can’t exactly take a tree home while it’s still planted in the ground.”

“Don’t be a smart alec. I mean the roots are gone. The tree is going to die.”

Killing a tree is worse than murder in Winter Falls. I may not believe or even understand most of the rules in Winter Falls, but this one is clear. I won’t be participating in a tree ending up in a landfill.

“Die? I don’t want our tree to die, Daddy.”

Damon scowls at me. “What now?”

I dig my phone out of my purse. “I’m sure there’s another Christmas tree farm in the city.”

“Aha!” I shout when I find one. “Let me put the address into your GPS.”

“I hope this place is acceptable,” Damon grumbles as he parks his car along the side of the road.

“Do you want the people of Winter Falls to run you out of town with pitchforks?”

“Peace would never allow me to be run out of town.”

I chuckle as I open my door. “You’re naïve.”

“What’s naïve?” Skye asks.

“It means your daddy is being silly.”

She giggles. “Daddy’s silly.”

I wait for Damon to help his daughter out of the car. Skye skips to me and grasps my hand. “Come on, Nanny Love.”

When we reach the entrance, her eyes widen to the size of saucers while her mouth gapes open. “It’s magical.”

I grin down at her. “And you get to pick out a tree.”

“I can pick any tree?”

I raise my eyebrows at Damon who merely shrugs. I have a feeling he’s going to regret not giving her any boundaries.

“Any tree.”

Skye squeals and yanks away from me before running toward the trees. I start to chase after her but Damon throws an arm around my shoulders to slow me down.

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