Page 127 of Her Billionaire Bargain (Kensington Square)

“Sounds good.” I meandered over to where Shelby and Berry were squabbling over which wreath to get. Berry wanted the ultra-traditional one with green bulbs and a large satin red bow, while Shelby liked the more trendy style in golds and silvers and a shimmery light blue bow. Even light blue icicles.

“I have an idea.” I wrapped an arm around each of them.

Shelby shot me a look. “We have no room for both.”

“No room? I beg to differ. I’d be willing to bet we could fit even more of them. Not that we will,” I added hurriedly as she narrowed her eyes.

As usual, Berry sided with me. “We can put red and green on the front door and that blue one on the back door.”

I nodded at Berry. “Sounds like a plan. Or we can put the silver splendor on the garage, so we can see it every time we pull in,” I suggested to Shelby while her lips twitched into a smile.

“Yet again, lawyer wins.”

“Weallwin. But if you’d rather, we can hang yours somewhere else.” I kissed her hair while Berry rolled her eyes and moved on to start looking at a tree covered in unique handmade ornaments.

No puking sounds though, so there was definite progress.

“Somewhere else like by the garbage cans?”

“I was going to say over the bed, but you’re the designer in the family.”

Shelby poked me in the gut, and I laughed, catching her hand to lift to my mouth. I brushed a kiss over her knuckles to Berry’s retching sounds, making me laugh harder. “Hey, Berrster, thought you were off your game.”

“Just mixing it up. Hey, look at this ornament!” She held up a shiny, large, bright green metal pickle.

The pickle also came home with us. It was covered with tiny colorful lights. And our new tree would require many, many ornaments.

Clay informed me before we left that he’d make sure the tree was all set light-wise before it was delivered. He even had lights that you could switch from colorful to white at will. Technology was a marvel.

Then again, I hadn’t even bothered with a tree myself for years. What was the point?

I’d spent most Christmases in recent years on my own. Pre-Bob last fall, I hadn’t even had a pet. My usual idea of holiday spirit was stopping in at Lonegan’s to make sure Cal was doing okay and trading barbs with him while I had a few too many Harps.

Which reminded me. I needed to check in with him too. Maybe he could join that night’s friend brigade for decorating. Unless he laughed in my face.

Also possible.

“So, did you change your mind about a tree?” Shelby asked as we headed back to the car without a tree in hand.

“Um, no.”

“Where is it?” Berry asked plaintively. “I always get to put on the star.”

I hadn’t even thought about a star. Hopefully, Preston had a suitable extra one. Or something that could pass for one. Or…

“Hey, did you see any stars you liked in there?” I questioned, glancing back at the crowded store we’d literally just left.

“Not really.”

“None?”

“Well, I guess there were one or two I kinda liked…”

“Good. Go get one you like.” I nudged Berry toward the store and tried to pretend I didn’t notice Shelby staring at me.

“Tree is handled,” I mouthed to her.

“Handled how? Where is it? Not that a convertible is the best transport for a Christmas tree.”

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