Page 42 of Chasing Cheer
“Where should we look first?” he asked, grabbing the small chain saw from the truck bed.
Holly’s watch was humming underneath her jacket and gloves, and she pointed about fifty yards away. “I have a good feeling about that stand of trees.”
Ash followed her lead, and they tramped across the frozen ground, Holly gracefully, Ash heavily. She circled the trees for a moment then paused.
“That one.” She raised a hand to point at a symmetrical pine about fourteen feet tall. It was tucked between a few other trees.
Ash whistled. “I would never have spotted that one. It looks perfect.”
He fired up the chain saw and had the tree on the ground within a few minutes. They put on gloves, and together, they carried it back to the truck and loaded it in the bed.
“Fastest Christmas tree harvest ever,” Ash said appreciatively, closing the tailgate, then brushed his hands together to clear them off. “I might need your help again next year.”
He winked, and Holly’s cheeks heated against her will. Though he was complimenting her magic, not her, she couldn’t help but feel fulfilled by the praise. Ash was the heart of Emerald Hollow, and she had been able to help him. It felt better than she could imagine, and her watch hummed, creating heat.
“Just my secret talent, I guess,” she said, aiming to diffuse the thick cloud that had suddenly filled the air around them. Ash was standing so close to her that she thought if he listened hard enough, he might be able to hear her heart beating. She took a step backward.
“You have a lot of those.” Ash smiled, called to Comet, and loaded the dog into the back seat.
“Thanks again for bringing me here, Ash,” she said as they got in the truck. “This place is really special. I appreciate your sharing it with me.”
For once, Ash didn’t say anything. He just gave an almost-bashful smile, put the truck in gear, and hit the road.
ChapterThirty-Three
“How was your date? I mean hike?” Sofia asked, a sneaky gleam in her eye, as she slid into a tall chair at the café counter that evening.
Holly nearly spit out her tea. “It wasn’t a date.” Holly raised her chin and didn’t meet Sofia’s eyes.
“Oh,sure. Two people going alone to a romantic location that means a lot to one of the two people? If that’s not a date, I don’t know what is.” Sofia slurped her hot toddy, looking triumphant.
“It wasn’t a date, Sofia. I don’t date.” Holly tried to stick to the facts, but she suddenly felt panicked. She tapped her watch nervously. It hummed steadily.If Sofia thinks it was a date, does Ash?
“You don’t date? Ever?” Sofia looked aghast then waved a hand. “Do you like him? Please say you like him.” Sofia’s face was so full of hope that Holly couldn’t help but smile. “I knew it! You like him!”
“Shh! I enjoy his company, if that’s what you mean. But I’m leaving soon.”
“Sorry.” Sofia lowered her voice. “But this is the best development this town has had ina while. Ash is like the hottest catch in town, but he’s never seemed interested in anyone here. He’s always been so focused on his business.” She took another sip of her drink then pointed at Holly. “Then you come along, and it’s likebam, he’s smitten.” She wiggled her eyebrows.
Holly’s jaw dropped, but she caught herself and closed it, taking a deep breath.
“Things like time and place can be worked out,” Sofia added more gently.
Holly shook her head. Time and place didn’t even operate in the same dimension for Holly and Ash. Still, the thought that he might be feeling something like what she was feeling sent a little thrill through her. Anyone would be lucky to have Ash, and Holly couldn’t deny that something had shifted, at least for her, on their outing in the woods.
Of course, she could sense that they’d been growing closer. It had been obvious. But that didn’t mean he was developing any significant romantic feelings toward her.How could Ash, who’s so invested in this place, be interested in someone like me, who, as far as he knows, lives in Canada and has no intentions of moving?
Holly shook her head a second time. “That can’t be right, Sof. He knows I’m going back to Canada.” Holly gripped her mug of hot tea a little too firmly. She was regretting not ordering her usual hot cocoa, her comfort drink.
“I’m just telling it like I see it.” Sofia shrugged then shifted on her barstool to let someone squeeze between the counter and the couch in the small space. “So, are you interested in a piece of jewelry for the Christmas faire? Maybe some earrings? I’m happy to make you something.”
Holly relaxed at the change in conversation. “I would love that.” She had never worn earrings before because they weren’t strictly necessary for blending in with the locals in most places.
“Great! What design do you want?” Sofia asked, pulling out her phone to open her photo album.
“Surprise me,” Holly replied.
Sofia slid the phone back into her bag and nodded as if that suited her, then she returned to her hot toddy, staring out the window of the café.
