Page 6

Chapter Six

I vy

I can still feel the press of Cole’s hands on my skin from last night as I step into the hardware store the following afternoon. It smells like sawdust and old wood polish, mixed with the faint hint of pine from the wreaths I helped hang over the entrance. I scan the aisles, basket in hand, already filled with nails, a hammer, and way too many Command strips. I’m on a mission—no, more like a crusade—to decorate my classroom until the kids walk in and feel like they’re in the North Pole.

“Looking for something specific?” a deep voice drawls from behind me.

I turn and see two men watching me with open amusement. One has a mischievous glint in his eye that immediately reminds me of Cole, while the other has an easy, quiet confidence about him. I know instantly who they are; I’ve heard Cole talk about his best friend Knox and his brother Pope enough times that I’d recognize them anywhere. The Steele brothers are notorious bachelors around here, but according to Betty, Knox and Pope have recently gone off the market.

“Oh, no, just… Christmasifying everything,” I say, grinning. “Although if I could get the owner of this place on board, it would make my life a lot easier.”

They both laugh, a deep sound that echoes through the empty aisles.

“Good luck with that,” the mischievous one says, shaking his head. “Jim’s been on the Naughty List since I was in grade school.”

“Well, I’ll just have to try harder.” I shoot him a challenging look, planting my hands on my hips. “Nothing’s impossible when it comes to Christmas spirit.”

The quieter one, who I’m guessing is Pope, chuckles. “You might actually be the only person in this town who believes that.” His eyes hover long moments on mine before he says, “You’re Ivy, right? Cole mentioned you.”

“He did?” I say, a thrill running through me.

“Sure did.” Pope grins. “You’ve got him all in a twist. He’s not used to a pretty girl shoving Christmas spirit down his throat.”

A blush climbs up my cheeks. “It’s about time someone made a believer out of him.”

“Hey, some of us are believers,” Knox says, nudging Pope with his elbow. “Took my Petal coming into my life to knock me into some holiday cheer, but it happened.”

I brighten at the mention of Petal. “Oh, Perry at the flower shop! She’s been so helpful with my arrangements for the classroom and the food pantry. I didn’t know you two were… together.”

Knox’s face softens, and I can see in his eyes a warmth that’s undeniable. “Yep, she’s my girl. Smartest thing I ever did was hold on to her. She’s got a way of reminding me what’s important, keeping me grounded.”

Pope smirks. “We all thought Knox was a lost cause until Petal came around.”

Knox rolls his eyes but shrugs, unbothered. “Probably was. A man needs someone to mirror back what he’s missing, show him how to love in ways he forgot.”

My smile fades slightly as his words sink in. My mind drifts, unbidden, to Cole, to the glimpses of loneliness I’ve seen in his eyes, even when he’s too proud to admit it. “You think maybe… your friend Cole could use that?”

Knox and Pope exchange a glance, and there’s a silent understanding there that tells me they’ve had this conversation before.

“Oh, Cole’s needed it for a while,” Pope says, shaking his head. “He’s lived up there on that mountain, keeping to himself, not letting anyone in. He’s stubborn, but… I think you’re getting through to him, Ivy. Might not admit it, but he’s changed since you showed up.”

“Yeah?” I say, feeling a warmth settle in my chest. “Because he seems pretty determined not to let me in.”

Knox grins, folding his arms. “He’ll break. Just needs a bit of help finding his way. He’s been keeping himself locked up since his dad passed, even more since…”

He trails off, glancing at Pope as if he’s said too much, but I lean forward, wanting to know more. “Since?”

Pope sighs, glancing at Knox. “Let’s just say he’s had a rough go. His dad was everything to him, and when he lost him… well, he’s been keeping people at arm’s length ever since. As for relationships? There was someone once, but it didn’t end well. Now he’s convinced he’s better off alone.”

I feel a pang in my chest, imagining the hurt he must carry, buried under that rough, unbreakable exterior. He may act tough, but I’ve seen hints of the man underneath, the part of him that softens when he’s not busy being Copper Mountain’s resident Grinch.

Knox gives me a sympathetic look. “If anyone’s gonna crack that shell, Ivy, it sounds like it’s you.”

My cheeks heat, and I laugh, trying to deflect. “Really? Sometimes I feel like I’m just annoying him.”

They both chuckle, Knox giving me a knowing look. “Nah, it’s more than that. Don’t worry, he’ll come around. Just don’t let him scare you off first.”

I grin. “Not a chance. I’ve got a lot more Christmas spirit up my sleeve.”

Pope crosses his arms, his smile widening. “Then maybe you should join us on a triple date. You and Cole, me and Ruby, and Knox and Petal. Could be a good way to get him out of his cave for once.”

My heart leaps at the thought. “I’d love that. Though convincing him might be a challenge.”

Knox shrugs. “You’d be surprised what a woman like you can do when she puts her mind to it. Just… give him time. He’s got a lot of ghosts he’s wrestling with.”

The gravity in his voice reminds me that while my mission to “Christmasify” Cole has felt lighthearted, it’s clear there’s much more to him than I first thought. And for some reason, that only makes me more determined to show him that he doesn’t have to keep hiding.

“Thanks, guys,” I say softly. “I think I needed to hear that.”

Knox winks, giving my shoulder a light squeeze. “You’re good for him, Ivy. Don’t let him convince you otherwise.”

With one last smile, I leave the hardware store, feeling more resolved than ever. If Cole’s going to be stubborn, well, he hasn’t met anyone as determined as I am. He may not be ready to believe in the magic of Christmas, but maybe, just maybe, he’ll believe in me.

Later that evening, I find myself outside Cole’s workshop, a bag of supplies in hand and a fresh dose of determination. As I push open the door, he looks up, his brow furrowing as he takes me in.

“You again,” he smirks. “Addicted to my dick already, Mrs. Claus?”

“Me again,” I giggle cheerfully, walking in and setting my bag on the counter.

He watches me, his arms folded over his chest, eyebrows raised. “What’s with that shit-eating grin on your face?”

“Dropping off some supplies. Thought you could use a little extra Christmas cheer,” I say, pulling out a string of lights and some ornaments.

He rolls his eyes but doesn’t stop me as I start stringing the lights around the doorframe. “You really don’t give up, do you?”

“Nope. I’m relentless,” I say, shooting him a grin over my shoulder. “So, what’re you doing tonight? I heard there’s a Christmas movie marathon happening at the festival.”

He smirks. “Not my thing.”

“Shocker,” I say dryly, finishing the lights and stepping back to admire my work. “You know, if you just tried to enjoy it, you might surprise yourself.”

He gives me a look that’s a mix of challenge and amusement. “And if I don’t?”

I shrug, meeting his gaze. “Then maybe you’ll learn that you can still have a little fun.”

He snorts, shaking his head. “Fun. Sure. That’s what I need.”

I step closer, meeting his gaze head-on, feeling a spark of mischief. “Maybe I’m exactly what you need, Cole.”

His eyes darken, his expression unreadable. For a second, we just stare at each other, the air between us thick with unspoken tension. Then, with a slow smile, he reaches out, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear.

“You really think so?” he murmurs, his voice low, his hand lingering just a little too long.

“I know so,” I whisper, my heart racing as he leans in, his gaze flicking to my mouth, his breath warm against my cheek.

“Ivy…” he says, his voice rough, almost hesitant.

“Yes?” I whisper, barely able to breathe.

He pauses, his gaze locked on mine, and I can see the struggle in his eyes, the part of him that wants to give in, to let go of whatever’s holding him back. But then he pulls away, his expression hardening.

“You stayin’ tonight?” he asks.

I swallow, shaking me head. “I can’t. But I’m not giving up on you, Cole.”

He doesn’t respond, his shoulders tense, and I know I’ve struck a nerve. But as I turn to leave, I can’t shake the feeling that there’s more to him than he’s letting on, that somewhere beneath that hard exterior, there’s a man who wants to believe in something, even if he doesn’t know how.

Outside, the snow is falling softly, covering Copper Mountain in a blanket of white. And as I walk away, I make a silent promise to myself: I’m going to show Cole that he doesn’t have to spend Christmas alone, that he can still find joy, still find love, even if he’s too stubborn to see it.