Big Man For Christmas

I have an idea that might let Carley let go exactly the way I think she wants to. Now I just have to see if she will go for it.

I have a little time. I’m not going to show up too early. Somehow I don’t think that would go over well with Mrs. Farrell. So I finish the repair I’m working on and then head back to the house to change my clothes and pick up something to bring. My mother instilled the idea in me that I should never go to someone’s home without emptyhanded

Though it would be easy enough to walk, I have deliveries after lunch. So I take the truck and walk up to the Farrell’s door at exactly one o’clock with a jug of sweet tea and a box of rolls a neighbor gave me. I can hear the commotion even outside, and it makes me smile. I miss the sounds of a full house.

Mr. Farrell opens the door. “Come on in, Casey.”

I don’t have a chance because two speed demons crash into my legs while shouting. “Hey, guys.”

Jack Jr. and John Michael come over to my farm whenever they beg hard enough during Christmas, and Jack lets them come over when they spend the night—though I’m not sure how Mrs. Farrell feels about that. They love the animals and helping with little chores. Jessica may not like me, but her kids sure do.

I hold up my offerings. “Know where I should put these?”

He laughs. “You didn’t have to bring anything, but right on the table should be fine.”

I do, setting out my stuff and ducking my head into the kitchen. “Hi, Mrs. Farrell.”

She gives me a tight smile. “Casey.”

“I brought some rolls and sweet tea. Hope you don’t mind.”

“Not at all. That was nice of you.” Her tone says that it wasn’t nice of me at all, but I’ll take what I can get.

She comes out of the kitchen with a big bowl of salad. “You can sit there.”

I take the seat she’s offered, and my hopes that it might be next to Carley fall to pieces when she comes into the room and sits across the table from me diagonally. It’s about as far from me as she can get, but she still smiles at me.

Hi. I mouth the word at her, and she blushes immediately. That’s a good sign, even if she’s embarrassed.

Everyone comes in and sits down, conversation buzzing about the chili. Rhett claps me on the shoulder and sits down next to me. “Good to see you, Bowman.”

“You too.”

Jack sits at the head of the table to my right, and we dig in. I don’t know exactly what Carley told them about her life and work, but I still want to talk to her even across the table.

“I hear you work as a florist up in Chicago, Carley. How’s that going for you? They like flowers up there?”

She laughs softly. “They do actually. We’re doing a lot of events lately. Can’t tell you the number of poinsettias I arranged before I flew down.”

“Did you hear, Casey?” Mrs. Farrell interrupts. “We’re shipping the mums out of state now. At the rate we’re selling them, at we might actually have to expand.”

“That’s good news,” I say, watching out of the corner of my eye as Carley retreats back into herself. But I’m determined.

The conversation revolves around the new sales for a bit. It’s good that they’re doing so well. The Farrell’s flowers really are beautiful, and they deserve all the success for that.

And then it shifts to the fireworks and carnival taking place in their fields. It happens the day before Christmas, so we’re only two days away now. “It’s been a while since you were here for the fireworks.” I direct my words toward Carley. “Are you excited to be here for them?”

“It’s going to be amazing this year,” Jessica says, not giving Carley a chance to speak. “There are brand new vendors coming in from all over the state.”

“I agree,” says Mrs. Farrell. “Should be the best fireworks yet.”

I frown. They were trying to keep her out of the conversation. Actively. What the fuck?

At the very least, Jack was right, and the chili is very good. A couple times more I try to bring Carley into the conversation, but I’m shut down at every turn. Jack notices it too—I see it on his face—but he doesn’t step in to do anything. Maybe he doesn’t want to cause her any embarrassment during the family meal.

The food is delicious, but by the time the meal is over, I’m ready to leave. And I want Carley to come with me.

“Thank you all very much for the food. I’ve got to make a few deliveries around town before I feed the cattle tonight.” I look over at her. “You want to come with? See a few familiar faces?”