Page 107 of The Christmas Tree Farm

He’d come back.

For her.

She opened the door and walked onto the porch with trembling legs.

‘Bennett?’ Her voice was nearly a whisper. She felt crazy calling out his name. But his dogs were here, he had to be here somewhere.

Benny was still cowering next to her. ‘Come on, bud. It’s okay. Let’s go investigate.’

They walked down the driveway toward the tree farm entrance. Elizabeth barreled out of the trees, heading straight for them. Benny growled low in his throat. The dogs circled each other, sniffing and growling.

‘It’s all right, Benny. Don’t be scared.’ A few more circles and the dogs seemed to come to some sort of truce, growling turned into happy yipping and the two ran off together.

She kept walking and somewhere along the way Pudgy found her and waddled along beside her. It only took her a minute to realize the tree next to the cabin was decorated.

‘What is this?’ she asked the little dog at her feet, but Pudgy just wheezed in response. The tree was covered in envelopes, tied on with red bows. One toward the middle had writing on the outside.

Open first.

Kira plucked it off the tree, her breath stuck in her throat and tears burned behind her eyes.

She tore open the envelope and pulled out the letter inside. Unlike the old ones she’d been reading lately, this one was crisp and white and written in Bennett’s precise handwriting.

Peaches,

I got your letter.

She barely got through the first sentence before the tears clouded her vision. She swiped them hastily away.

I’m not much of a letter writer myself, but you said it made you sad that our grandkids would never find our old letters. I thought this would be enough to get them started.

I’m really glad you said the word.

I missed you, too.

Love,

Ben

She looked up, expecting to see him but he still wasn’t showing himself so she grabbed another letter.

Peaches,

I think you are the most beautiful in the morning when your hair is a mess and you’re all soft and warm from sleep. I could look at you like that forever.

Love,

Ben

And another.

Peaches,

You are incredibly stubborn, but I like that, too. You’re fierce and determined. That’s what will make you a great partner.

Love,

Ben