Page 91 of Theirs for the Holidays

“Should we start with the tree?” I ask, looking out the window as we pass one of the many Christmas tree farms around Sweetwater Lake. It’s sort of the best place to spend Christmas, with the snow and the trees and the picturesque views.

“Let’s do it.” Sawyer pulls into the lot, and we spend time walking between the rows of trees.

“Too bad we don’t have to cut it down ourselves,” I say, looking over at Rhett.

He smiles back at me and nods over to a section that is designated as cut your own. “Is that what you want?” he asks.

“If you think you can handle it,” I tease.

Without another word he strides over, leaving the rest of us to follow.

“Show off,” Sawyer murmurs, but there’s no heat behind it, and he’s smirking with amusement.

“Well, when you’re a one trick pony, it makes sense to keep showing off that trick,” Lennox replies.

Rhett turns his head to look back at us, and even though he probably couldn’t make out what exactly his brothers were saying, it’s pretty clear that he can tell they saidsomething. But he doesn’t look upset about it. He just rolls his eyes and then faces forward again.

He exchanges a few words with the lady running the area, and then hefts the axe she provides in her hand. “Pick a tree, Tink,” he says.

I walk along the offerings, touching the fragrant branches and trying to picture which one would look best in my living room. Most of them are too tall for my medium height ceilings, and some are much too broad for the small space. Eventually I find the one I want.

It’s shorter than the others, but it’s full and thick. With a pretty tree skirt and presents under it, lights making it sparkle and ornaments to add to the look, it should be perfect.

“This one,” I say, pointing it out.

Rhett does a little bow that makes me laugh, and then we all watch as he wields the axe with precision, cutting it down with only a few swings.

I clap, along with the lady running the place and a family who comes up behind us, and Rhett smiles, looking a little embarrassed at his audience. The tree gets wrapped up for the drive home, and Rhett and Sawyer carry it back to the truck.

“That was amazing,” I say, sighing happily. “I’ve always wanted to do that.”

“Your wish is our command today,” Lennox says. “So what’s next?”

“We need lights!” I declare. “And tinsel. And pretty ornaments.”

There’s a department store in town, but there’s also a specialty shop that only opens right after Thanksgiving. It sells all sorts of decorations, from mass produced ornaments and lights, to delicate hand blown glass pieces that are one of a kind. I’ve shopped there a few times for things to decorate the little fake Christmas tree I put up in the bakery, and for gifts, mostly for my mom who loves that sort of thing.

But I’ve never gone in just to get something for myself.

Without me even saying anything about it, Sawyer drives us over.

When I look at him in surprise, he winks at me. “I know you,” he says simply and gets out of the truck.

The shop is much bigger than it looks from the outside, and we all grab baskets and start making our way down the aisles.

“Colorful lights or white lights?” I ask, holding up two boxes.

“Colorful,” Sawyer and Rhett say in unison.

“White,” Lennox says. “White is more classic.”

“More boring you mean,” Sawyer retorts. “It’s very upper middle class, trying too hard.”

“You’re a millionaire,” I feel the need to point out to him.

He grins at me. “Yeah, but I haven’t lost mysoul. I still like colorful lights and stuff with personality. I’m not a tool of the corporate overlords or some shit.”

“What are you even talking about?” Lennox asks.