“We’re not having a fake tree,” Tara corrected. “This year we’re going to get a real one.”
Austin finally looked up at that, a fleeting expression of hope on his face before he shut down again. “We can’t afford a real tree. They’re a waste of money.”
Hearing what she knew were their father’s words falling out of his mouth, Tara felt a fresh wave of rage whip through her. He hadn’t done right by these kids. Not ever. When she was sure she could speak without swearing, she said, “Well, whether they’re a waste or not is a matter of opinion. But as it happens we’re doing okay this Christmas, and we’re going to have a real tree.”
“Won’t all the lots be picked over? It’s only two weeks to Christmas.”
“Probably. That’s why we’re going out to Applewhite Farms to cut a fresh one ourselves.” It was so much more expensive, but by damn, she was going to give them some good Christmas memories.
“Really?” Ginny’s eyes got even rounder. “I’ve heard stories about that place. Becca says they have hot chocolate and horses and lights and everything!”
“Well, I don’t know if they’ll have lights and stuff during the day, but I’m sure they’ll have something. And it’ll be fun to walk the fields and pick our very own tree. What do you say?”
“Yay!”
She patted Ginny on the rump. “Go get dressed. Both of you. If we get the tree this morning, we can spend the afternoon making more ornaments.”
Her sister bolted down the hall to her bedroom.
Tara looked back at her brother. “Austin? You up for the whole cutting a live tree experience?”
“That could be cool.”
An almost positive statement. Tara would take it.
~*~
Jace loved quiet mornings on the farm. Other times of year, when it was the apple or pecan groves that were their bread and butter, mornings meant work. But when it came time for Christmas, the Fraser Firs and Scotch Pines were far less demanding. After four, they’d have steady traffic the rest of the night as the last minute folks came in search of a tree. But for now, it was just him and the trees. Livia had already gone in to work at the library where she ran the children’s program. Dad had headed to the Co-op to pick up a part for the tractor, and Mom was puttering around in the kitchen, baking up cookies for the legion of people she gifted them to for the holidays.
He was working on his second cup of coffee when the little SUV came up the drive. They weren’t officially open until this afternoon, but not everybody knew that. The driver slowed near the house, then pulled to a stop over near the main barn. The driver’s side door opened and one long leg stretched out, followed by the rest of a tall blonde. She opened the rear passenger door and a little girl tumbled out, vibrating with excitement. The blonde took her hand as an older boy climbed out of the front seat. It was just one little family. He could deal with that. Jace stepped down from the porch and headed over.
“Mornin’,” he called.
The blonde turned and he was delighted to meet the gorgeous hazel eyes of his coffeeshop crush. “Jace.”
“Hey Tara.” In the week he’d been home, he’d gone in to The Grind for coffee almost every day. Enough that she recognized him now, even if he hadn’t gotten any further than giving her his name.
“I didn’t know you worked out here.”
Translation: I didn’t come looking for you, so don’t start up with that flirting again.
He repressed a smile. “Comes with the last name.”
“Which is?”
“Applewhite. This is my family’s farm.”
“You’re related to Livia. Or Jessie?”
Small town. Of course she knew them. “Both. Liv’s my sister. Jessie’s my cousin.”
“Oh.” She seemed to cast around for something else to say. “We came for a tree.”
Jace looked up at the clear blue sky. “It’s a fine morning for it. And you’ll have the place to yourselves since it’s not Saturday.”
Tara startled. “It’s not?”
“Nope. Friday.”