Setting the rest of the mail aside, I sat down at the kitchen table and opened the envelope with careful fingers. A single sheet of thick, cream-colored paper was tucked inside, embossed with the state emblem and a green pine bough border at the top.
Dear Mr. Allen,
We are pleased to inform you that Silver Creek Farm has been selected as a finalist for this year’s Tennessee Governor’s Mansion Christmas Tree.
Each year, the Tennessee Christmas Tree Growers Association, in partnership with the Governor’s Office and the Department of Agriculture, selects one tree from a Tennessee-grown farm to be displayed in the main hall of the Governor’s Residence in Nashville. The chosen tree is part of the state’s longstanding tradition of showcasing the hard work and dedication of local farmers while celebrating the season with a symbol of unity, heritage, and natural beauty.
Your Fraser fir, submitted during the spring evaluations, received exceptional marks for height, shape, health, and overall quality. The final selection will be made following a private visit from representatives of the Governor’s staff, scheduled to takeplace next month. Please find below the expected day and time. If you find this time does not work, please contact my office at the number below. Final selections will be made in the early fall.
We appreciate your commitment to sustainable farming and your ongoing contributions to Tennessee’s agricultural excellence.
Warm regards,
Connie Leigh,
Chair, TCTGA Selection Committee
I stared at the letter for a long moment, rereading it twice before I let myself grin.
I submitted the application with all the documentation required last spring. Uncle James had applied a few times, but more often, the trees came from farms that focused solely on Christmas trees.
Blossom. I knew it was special. And now it was a finalist.
I slid the letter back into the envelope and stepped out onto the porch. The summer air still held a little chill up here in the mountains, but it wouldn’t last long once the sun was fully up.
The screen door creaked behind me. I didn’t have to turn around to know it was Anna.
She stepped out barefoot, wearing nothing but my button-down shirt I’d worn last night. Her hair was still tousled from sleep, and her eyes were still a little half-lidded and dreamy. But to me, she looked so good I nearly forgot to swallow my mouthful of coffee.
“You didn’t wake me,” she murmuredas she slid her arms around my waist from behind, resting her head between my shoulder blades.
I covered her arms with my free hand. “Thought I’d let you sleep. After all, you’re going to be a very busy lady.”
She giggled, the sound vibrating against my back and warming my heart. “I can’t believe I volunteered for a whole town event.”
“You’ll be amazing. I haven’t seen the town this excited about something in a while. At least, not since Sterling Mill was nominated for Best Christmas Town byDestinationmagazine.” I left out how that nearly became a disaster. This wouldn’t. No use putting doubts in her head.
“Speaking of surprises, there’s something I want to show you.”
“What?”
“Inside. Before the guys get here and see you half-naked.” I gave her a playful smack on the ass and held the door open for her.
Inside, I grabbed the envelope from the table and handed it to her. “Read this.”
Her brows drew together, and her lips moved silently as her eyes grew wider as she scanned the paper. She looked at me wide-eyed. “Chase. This ishuge!Congratulations!”
“Yeah.”
“Don’t downplay it. One of your trees might be in the Governor’s mansion.”
“Not just any tree.Yourtree.Blossom. That’s the one I submitted.”
“Oh, Chase. I…I’m just beyond words. I’m so excited for you. You’re gonna get it. I know you will.”
She chewed on her lower lip as she read over the letter again. “Next month?” She looked at the paper again, then at me with panicked eyes. “Chase, that date is just days afterthe barn dance. That’s a lot to get done around here. We need to make sure everything is ready.” She began counting on her fingers as she started naming things. “We need a menu. Something light, nothing messy, but next-level hospitality. I have a lot of experience with that. Maybe we should paint the road sign? Plant more flowers?” She jumped up and started rummaging through a drawer. “I need to make a list. What else do we need to do?”
I stood there watching her, my heart damn near full to bursting. It meant everything to hear her use the wordwe.
