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“Maybe. We’re hoping to talk to the board and get them to strike the rule,” I responded, tamping down the hope that surged. I had to remember that this was a long shot, not a given that we’d succeed.
“Do you think they will?” Grayson asked.
“It’s our best shot,” Beckett answered. He smirked at Grayson. “With your recent success with changing a board's mind, maybe we should put you on this.”
Ruby and I groaned.
“What? Too soon?” Beckett looked pleased with his burn.
I pinched my pointer and thumb together. “Just a tad.”
We walked along for a few minutes in silence. I always felt at peace here and looked forward to getting my tree every December. The farm had a magical quality about it.
Grayson cleared his throat. “I hate to ask and be a downer, but with everything going on with Marjorie and Glen, do you think they could use your relationship against you in court?”
Ruby whacked his arm and whispered, “Seriously? You don’t need to give them anything else to worry about.”
I froze and caught the surprised look that crossed Beckett’s face.
“No, of course not.” He winced. I think even he heard the lack of confidence in his tone.
What if Grayson was right? There was even more at stake than we’d realized.
Beckett rubbed the back of neck, his brow furrowed.
“Daddy! Over here. I found the perfect tree!” Zoey cupped her hands around her mouth and yelled, providing us with the perfect distraction.
As we made our way to Zo, Ruby linked her arm through mine. “I’m sorry about that. Grayson needs to mind his own business.”
“It’s okay. It sucks, but he’s not wrong. We’d just never thought about it that way.”
Ruby frowned.
My best friend did not need to worry about this. Not when she had an amazing vacation planned. I needed to distract her. “Have you talked to Gram lately?”
A soft smile played on her face. “I just talked to her a few days ago. She’s planning on being here for Christmas. I can’t wait to see her.”
Gram was a hot ticket. She raised Ruby after her parents died and taught her everything she needed to know about running Red’s Sweet Salvation. Their relationship was one to be cherished, and I was grateful Gram treated me like part of the family.
“How’s the planning for the Winter Festival going?” Ruby asked.
“A few ideas didn’t pan out, but so far, we’ve gotten almost enough sponsors to cover the remaining amount, and we have vendors who have committed to being there that weekend.”
“The festival is in twelve days. Is there anything you need from me?”
“I think we’re good.” I wouldn’t have asked for her help anyway. She and Grayson were returning home from Paris the day before the start of the event.
We made our way to the row Zoey had directed us to.
“Isn’t it beautiful?” She beamed and started singing ‘O’ Christmas Tree.’
“Zoey, I think this is the absolute perfect tree. I don’t know how you did it,” I exclaimed.
She grinned at me, pride shining in her eyes.
We tagged the tree, and Zoey took my hand as we ambled toward the attendant to tell them where to find it and pay. On the way, we pointed to other trees we liked and talked about whether we might get a white Christmas this year.
Beckett walked on the other side of me, his hand settling on my lower back. I glanced at him, and the wink he gave me made my insides spark with joy. Extreme happiness swept through me. I wanted this beautiful life with Beckett and his daughter. The day he and I could share our status with the world couldn’t come soon enough.