‘Bennett! Hi!’ Her greeting was sweet and friendly and completely unexpected. Who was this woman?
He didn’t realize he was just staring at her in silence until Logan clapped him hard on the back. ‘Good luck, Ben,’ he said with a chuckle as he and Jeanie continued on their quest for hot cocoa. His sister looked back at him over her shoulder, giving him an enthusiastic thumbs-up and knowing smile, but Logan tugged her along.
‘Uh … hi,’ he managed to finally choke out.
‘Hi,’ she said again, her smile downshifting into something slightly less spectacular but better because this one was just for him.
‘How are things going?’
‘Amazing,’ she breathed like she almost couldn’t believe it. ‘We’ve had customers from all over! One family drove an hour to get here because they wanted a real “New England Christmas experience”. Can you believe that?’
Bennett was grinning now, too. ‘Sure. This place is quintessential Christmas.’ And it really was. All her social-media scrolling had apparently given Kira a real eye for how to sell people an experience: a total ‘Christmas vibe’. Folksy Christmas music played over the speakers as families and couples strolled through the rows of trees. Between the twinkle lights and rustic signs there was no shortage of photo ops, and Kira had even filled the back of a rusted-out pickup truck with holly branches, pine boughs, and ivy. She’d hung a giant red bow on the front, turning trash into something beautiful.
Who was this woman?
He wanted to know everything. Bennett crossed snow off his mental Christmas list. There was only one thing on it now and that was more time with Kira.
‘So, are you here for your free tree?’ she asked.
‘Oh, I’ll pay for it.’
‘No way. I owe you for your heating services.’
Ben laughed. ‘I didn’t really do anything.’
‘You did.’ Kira laughed, a real laugh and the sound nearly brought Bennett to his knees. ‘Well, you tried anyway.’
‘You already bought me some of those funny little waffles.’
‘That wasn’t enough! You’re getting a free tree, now stop arguing.’ Kira’s mouth was set in a stubborn line and Bennett smiled. ‘But just you. Not your whole family or whoever you brought with you.’ Kira gestured to where Jeanie and Logan had been joined by Noah and Hazel.
Bennett laughed. ‘Okay, got it. Just one free tree.’
Kira nodded, that private smile still playing around her lips and Bennett suddenly didn’t want to pick out a tree. He wanted to drag Kira back to the house and personally warm her up with his lips and his hands and his body.
He cleared his throat.
‘Uh, come on. I’ll introduce you.’ He led the way to his sister before his thoughts could take any more distracting turns.
‘Kira, this is my sister Jeanie and her fiancé, Logan, and their friends, Noah and Hazel. Everyone, this is Kira, owner of The Christmas Tree Farm.’
‘Hi, everyone,’ Kira said with a little wave. ‘Thanks for coming out.’
‘Of course!’ Jeanie looked like she was itching to hug the woman, but Bennett sent her a warning look and she stayed put. ‘It’s so beautiful! You did a great job.’
‘It really is,’ said Hazel. ‘I used to come here with my parents, but it had gotten pretty run down at that time. You really revived it.’
‘Thanks.’ Kira’s cheeks flushed a deeper pink and Bennett had to look away. He’d known she was beautiful before, but today it was blinding, like he’d been wearing sunglasses and without them he was about to drive off the damn road.
‘So, where should we start?’ Noah asked, rubbing his hands together. ‘I’m ready to chop down a tree.’
‘You don’t chop it, you saw it,’ Logan corrected.
‘Right. Saw. Either way, I’m ready.’ The fisherman grinned and Hazel leaned into him, her head resting on his shoulder. There was no way Bennett could spend too much time with this foursome without feeling like a lonely and pathetic fifth wheel. Who was he kidding that he was swearing off women? During the holidays? That was the worst time to be alone. People wrote songs about it.
‘The Douglas firs are down this row,’ Kira said, pointing straight ahead. ‘Blue spruces are to the left. But if you prefer a Fraser fir, those are a bit of a further walk. You need to head up the hill.’
‘A Fraser for sure,’ Logan said.
‘You just want to make us walk farther,’ Hazel argued. ‘These close ones look fine.’
‘I just want one that smells good,’ Jeanie added.
‘They all smell the same,’ Hazel said.
Noah shook his head and laughed. ‘Just let me cut something down!’
Bennett tuned out the rest of the tree argument and turned back to Kira. ‘I’m really happy it’s working out.’
‘Thanks. Me, too.’
‘Hey, Kira,’ Iris peeked her head out of the cabin window, ‘we’re out of cocoa again.’
‘Okay, be right there.’ She looked apologetic when she faced him. ‘Sorry that I can’t help you pick out your perfect tree.’
‘That’s all right. You’re busy. Which is a good thing.’
She nodded, but maybe she was hesitant to go? Maybe she wanted more time with him, too? ‘A very good thing.’ She traced an arc in the dirt with the toe of her boot.
