Wrapped Up In Christmas

“You could hang it from your truck mirror.”

His brow lifted. “You want me to decorate my truck with Christmas ornaments? I know you love Christmas, but that’s taking things too far.”

“Have you seen some of the vehicles around town? They’re decked out with lights and wreaths. I don’t think one little ornament is going to de-masculinize your truck.”

“I’ve seen some of them. That’s why I’m leery. I give you an inch and you’re going to have my truck wrapped in garlands, lights, and a giant red bow before you’re through.”

At his description, Sarah laughed.

“You have a point, but we do have some lovely snowflakes.” She did a game show hostess move, using her hands to point to the ornaments on the tree and on the peg board behind her. “It would be a shame not to have one as a keepsake of your time in Pine Hill.”

“I need a keepsake?”

“Of course.” No way could he look at a snowflake bought here and not think of her. Selfish, perhaps, but she didn’t want Bodie to drive away and never think of her and Pine Hill again.

The thought of him forgetting…hurt.

His mouth twisted a little, then he surprised her by asking, “Any particular ornament I need?”

Surprised he was actually considering it, she glanced behind her, then over at the tree. She took in each ornament, contemplating it, then moving on. When her gaze fell on the snowflake they’d been adjusting when he’d held her hand earlier, she walked over and took it off the tree.

Recognizing the ornament, his surprised gaze met hers. “That one?”

He knew why she’d picked the snowflake, why it was special. Perhaps she should be embarrassed she’d made such a telling choice, but now that she’d chosen it, no other would do.

“Absolutely this ornament. Check out the fancy white sequins and the glistening faux pearl beads and how the lights reflect off them.” She did another showy saleswoman hand gesture, trying to make light of how much she wanted him to have it. “This snowflake is a work of art.”

He chuckled. “For the low price of?”

She told him, reminded him it was a fundraiser for a good cause, and waited to see what he’d do.

He met her gaze, and something softened in his blue eyes. “Be hard to pass up a once-in-a-lifetime deal like that.”

“Exactly.” Wanting to fall into his gorgeous eyes and soak in whatever was shining there, she smiled. “Shall I wrap your snowflake in tissue paper?”

“On one condition.”

Her hand halfway to the tissue paper, she paused. “What’s that?”

“It doesn’t hang in my truck.”

Sarah laughed. “Deal, but where are you going to hang it?”

“On your tree.” He shrugged. “If that’s okay.”

Her cheeks heated to the point where she loosened the top button of her jacket. “Yes, of course.”

“Consider it an early Christmas present.”

Sarah’s knees wobbled. “From someone who doesn’t believe in Christmas?”

“I never said I didn’t believe in Christmas,” he corrected. “Just that it’s only another day in my world.”

“Not this year,” she pointed out, wrapping the ornament in the piece of white tissue paper, then placing it inside a small paper bag.

He snorted. “Christmas couldn’t be just another day to a complete Scrooge with you around, Sarah.”

Pleased he thought so, she handed him the bag. “Thank you for your purchase, sir. We appreciate your business and hope you’ll be back next year.”