The Christmas Rental

by Hendricks, Savannah

  He stared at her, and she felt the heat rising in her cheeks from it. They started to laugh. She covered her mouth. He’s even cute when he laughs.

  “There is something about per pound with the bird,” Tyler added.

  “That’s for how many people it feeds.”

  “How have neither of us ever cooked a turkey before?” Tyler reached for his pizza crust scraps and tore off a piece.

  “My parents always had a chef prepare our holiday dinners, or we’d have a reservation at a restaurant. Big city life and all.” She shrugged her shoulders. “But you and your family?”

  “I always had other things to do when my mom was in the kitchen. My goal in life was not to become Mr. Crocker.”

  Lorelei, about to take a sip of cider, thankfully paused the glass to her lips because she burst into laughter.

  “It wasn’t that funny.” He tore off another piece of crust.

  “Speak for yourself.” Lorelei gathered herself.

  He raised an eyebrow. “We should probably finish up supper and start decorating. This place will take hours, and we both have work tomorrow.” He looked around. “And you don’t have a tree.” Tyler tossed the remaining crust onto the plate.

  “Trees. I want to do two trees. This place is too grand for only one tree.”

  “Two?” Tyler asked.

  “Two.” Lorelei held up two fingers and grinned.

  Chapter 15

  “Yes, two trees. It’s a must!” Lorelei glanced back at the clock on the stove. “Are there any corner tree places still open tonight?”

  “Corner tree places?” Tyler perched his lips and raised an eyebrow. “You mean tree farms?”

  “No, like a small little corner tree lot. All cut up and ready to haul off?”

  “Nope,” Tyler stated, trying not to laugh. “We don’t have those.”

  Lorelei rolled her eyes. “How am I supposed to know that?” She picked up her wine glass, stuck out her pinkie, and batted her eyelashes. “I’m only a city girl trying to fit in.”

  Tyler tugged at his earlobe, a nervous tick he developed as a child when he needed to keep his thoughts, good or bad, to himself. She’s so cute! “I’m giving you a hard time. But regardless, the tree farm closest to Oakvale closes at dusk.”

  Lorelei’s shoulders slumped. “What can we do? Oh”—she leaned over the box of decorations—“artificial trees.”

  He raised both hands high in the air. “No, no, no. That’s a Christmas sin. Second, no store in town carries plastic trees. You would need to go to—”

  “Booth.”

  “You’re catching on quickly.” Tyler went over, poked at the fire, and laid another log on top. Then he gave Cider a few pets while she was curled up on the edge of the living room rug with her chin resting on Mary Ann’s stuffed dog.

  Lorelei dug through the decoration box, removing lights and a ceramic Santa. “I’m sure no one will notice.” She glanced up at Tyler.

  He didn’t say a word, and he continued to stare at her as she removed several small wire Christmas trees in gold and silver. The way her short hair fell over the side of her face and how she tucked it back behind her ear, only for it to fall out of place again, made his dimple crease.

  “I can feel you staring at me. What did I do?” Lorelei glanced out of the corner of her eye at him.

  His heartbeat double hopped as he caught his breath. Clearing his throat, he pressed his lips together. “No, you didn’t do anything.” You’re beautiful and spending time together is like reading a favorite book.

  “Artificial trees are not as bad as people make them out to be. They’re my recommendation for patients with allergies.” A smile warmed her face as she set the wire trees in a cluster on the coffee table. “I can run to the store and pick up two tomorrow.”

  “If you are heading into Booth for trees, you might as well stop at the tree farm and get the real ones.”

  She rubbed her chin. “Wait, I have work tomorrow and still need to make this feast. I don’t have time to pick up trees.” Lorelei squeezed her fists together and punched the air. “Maybe I can’t do small-town life.”

  Tyler went to her and placed his hand on her shoulder as she sank into the sofa. Being close to Lorelei, he caught the scent of something floral with a hint of peach. He wished he could change Lorelei’s current state of mind.

  “Hold on now. I can help watch Mary Ann anytime you need. I can run to the tree farm for you and help you cook the feast.”

  “Thanks for offering, Tyler. But you have your own life and things to do.” She rested her head on the back of the couch and glared up at the ceiling.

  “I’ll close my office tomorrow. Come to think of it, why not close your office tomorrow, too?”

  “I can’t close down the doctor’s office.” Lorelei slapped her leg. “I’ve only been working one day.”

  “That’s what’s great about running your own business. Your uncle’s practice is not the emergency department. You can close for one day, especially when you’re hosting the Christmas feast. Do you have any standing appointments tomorrow?”

  Lorelei glanced over at him, then back at the ceiling. “No, actually. I checked the calendar, and I’m completely free tomorrow unless there are walk-ins. I’ll go stir-crazy. Today I cleaned the entire kitchen at the office, even though it didn’t need it. Then I dusted every book my uncle has on his shelves. But what if someone needs medical attention?”

  “They can call you. Plus, we all know it’s a slim-to-none chance someone is putting a house up for sale tomorrow, and no one will be in for bowling since they'll all be heading over here for the feast.”

  She didn’t respond. Her eyes scanned the living room before she stared off out the window.

  “What are you thinking?” he asked. He picked up the ball of multicolored lights and began unraveling them.

  “I’m thinking . . . I’m thinking of how too good to be true it all sounds.”

  “I understand you’re used to Minneapolis and all the hustle and bustle of the hospital. But let Oakvale prove to you that when things start to crumble, we all step in to help each other. Even miracles happen.”

  When she grabbed the other end of the lights, their fingers touched, and Tyler’s eyes shut before slowly opening again, as though he was capturing the moment for later. Maybe he jumped the gun with Lorelei, thinking something could come from her being here. She had a point. As of right now, he didn’t know what the end of December would bring for either of them. It would be best to push his feelings aside. Yet, every time he tried, his mind reminded him of something else, another reason not to give up. For her dream. Lorelei and Mary Ann belonged here. He could feel it like hot cider keeping him warm on a cold day.

  “Let’s focus on getting through this feast first.” Her fingers lifted off his. “Wait, you have Christmas trees up at the bowling alley.”

  “I have two.” Tyler continued unraveling the lights.

  “You have two.” She smiled. “Can I borrow them just for the feast?”

  “What about afterward? Don’t cha want a tree for you and Mary Ann?”

  “Of course I do. It’ll be her first Christmas.” Lorelei shook her head. “Wait, what about …?” She glanced toward the backyard.

  Tyler shook his head. “No, you can’t cut any of those down.”

  “Would they really miss two of them? Don’t cha know, I’m only trying to problem solve.”

  “Let’s take off work tomorrow. I would love to go tree shopping with you and Mary Ann.” The thought of a tree-hunting adventure filled his mind, and he smiled.

  “Fine, I’ll take off work.” She shook her head and crossed her arms. “But no, you’re helping me too much, I can’t ask you to do all of this. I can’t be frivolous.”

  “You’re not frivolous. You’re celebrating the holidays. Plus, I’d love a day off from sitting in a desk chair and staring at the world across the street.”

  Lorelei sighed, undoubtedly in defeat. “Alright,
in that case, I can’t think of a better helper to . . . help me.” She grinned. “I’ve never been to a tree . . . forest before.”

  He covered his mouth and laughed. “You’ve never been to a Christmas tree farm? Ever? Even as a child?”

  As she shook her head no, Lorelei bit her lower lip, stifling a giggle. “It’s funny, right? That I’ve never been before.” She placed a hand on her hip. “No, maybe it’s sad.”

  He crossed his arms and leaned on the edge of the couch. “No, it’s different. I mean, I’ve never bought a tree from the grocery store parking lot. It’s the opposite for us both.”

  “Do you want to experience a grocery store tree lot?” Lorelei tilted.

  “No, I don’t. But you and Mary Ann can experience a Christmas . . . What did you call it?”

  “Christmas forest.” She raised her head high. “That’s what it’s called, right?”

  He didn’t want to admit it out loud, but a Christmas forest sounded a lot more fun than a Christmas tree farm. “Not exactly.”

  Everything sounded more fun with Lorelei. Even eating frozen pizza. The taste was nowhere near Uncle Steve’s, but it worked in a pinch.

  “Let’s decorate the house for tonight. Then I’ll be back bright and early to pick you and Mary Ann up. By the time we pick out two trees, get them back here and decorated, we can start on the feast prep.”

  “Are you always this kind to the renters of my aunt and uncle’s place?”

  No, yes, no. No. “I’m kind to everyone, but you’re the first single person ever to stay here.” That doesn’t sound right. “For as long as I can remember, couples have been renting this place in December.” That doesn’t sound any better.

  Lorelei pouted. “You must feel sorry for me.”

  “Not at all. I just know I couldn’t do it all by myself in twenty-four hours, let alone with a baby. I couldn’t be a single parent, way too much of a challenge.”

  “Being a parent is easy.” She threw her hands up and chuckled. “No, it’s not, but it’s rewarding. At times it’s easy but also scary . . . and joyful, too.”

  “This is not my place to ask, but did your parents give you a hard time with your decision to adopt?”

  “Surprisingly, their desire for a grandchild overruled their judgment of an atypical family structure. Once I said the word grandkid, I’m pretty sure they blacked out on the rest until I brought her home. Yet, my parents are still standoffish; they treat her as though she’s an heirloom. They really wanted me to be married and not parenting alone. It’s a bit sad, but I’m hoping they’ll come around once she is walking and talking and they see that I’m doing fine raising her.” Lorelei weaved white lights around the garland she’d draped over the fireplace mantel.

  “I’m sorry to hear about that. I’m sure they will come around.”

  “Do you want a family?”

  “I do. And if I didn’t, my parents remind me every chance they get how much they want grandkids. But, first, I need a solid relationship. I’m not as strong as you.”

  “Oh, I’ve cried myself to sleep some nights.” She took a deep breath. “I naively assumed, as a doctor, that anything that happened with Mary Ann I’d be ahead of the game on. I wouldn’t have to worry about a cough or a rash or the things I see a lot of parents worry about when I’m at work.”

  “What happened?”

  “Reality hit me. Mary Ann didn’t sleep through the night for months. She hated the formulas, hated it when I cut her nails, even if I tried to do it while she slept. Not to mention when she did sleep, if I so much as breathed loud, she would wake. When I put her on her stomach for tummy time, you would have thought the world was about to end.”

  “I find this hard to believe. Mary Ann is the most perfect baby ever.” He pointed upstairs, where she was fast asleep.

  “I think we needed to grow on each other. We didn’t share a bond like a birth mother and baby can, and we needed more time together. That was my biggest fear and, ultimately, my biggest hurdle to overcome.”

  “When did you become a family, officially?”

  “Three days after she was born.” Lorelei’s eyes watered at the edges.

  He immediately wished he hadn’t asked her such an emotional question. It doesn’t matter when she adopted her daughter. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to dig deep.”

  She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. “No, I’m remembering the moment and all of its beauty.”

  “Do you want to have a bigger family someday?”

  “Yes, I would love to. I don’t want Mary Ann being an only child. What about you? Do you want a big or small family someday?”

  “I most definitely want a big family. Especially now that I can take them to the Christmas forest.” He chuckled.

  “See, it’s a much better name.” Lorelei poked at the fireplace logs. “Christmas tree farm sounds like they’re herding trees and milking them for sap.”

  The image popped in his head of Cider rounding up a herd of Christmas trees, and he started to laugh. “Oh, goodness,” he said through the laughter. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d laughed or smiled so much, let alone the last time he stayed up this late. Not that real estate agents and bowling alley managers needed to be up early, but for some reason, he’d always been an early to bed, early to rise type. And he knew he would sleep little tonight with the excitement of taking Lorelei and her daughter to their first ever tree-cutting adventure.

  “We should finish up decorating for the night. I need to head home and get some sleep. We have a big day tomorrow.” But he didn’t want the night to end.

  “There’s one piece of pizza left. Do you want it to go?” She pointed at the kitchen island.

  “Traveling pizza?”

  “Yes, the best part about frozen pizza is that it’s solid as a brick when it’s cold. It’s essentially a transportable meal.”

  “Not gonna lie, I’m worried about our feast tomorrow.”

  Lorelei shook her head, and all he could do was smile. And that smile remained plastered on his face the entire drive home.

  Chapter 16

  When they entered the town of Booth (as the crimson-and-gold sign proclaimed on the side of the road), the thought of the resume Lorelei had submitted to a local doctor’s office pinged in her mind as though an email alert had gone off. But she quickly disregarded it and sent it into the imaginary trash folder. She’d never heard back, so no reason to ponder it a second longer. By the time Tyler parked his truck, the coffee in her hand had finally warmed her to the bone. A red-and-green Paul’s Christmas Farm sign stood before them and supported a layer of snow across the top.

  “See, this looks like a forest and not a farm.” She leaned forward in her seat. “I don’t see any John Deere tractors.”

  “I should hope not. There’s two feet of snow on the ground.”

  Lorelei unloaded Mary Ann from the back seat and attempted to put her daughter’s fleece hat back on. Mary Ann had disagreed with wearing it this morning by showcasing the range and volume of her vocal cords and grabbing at it with freakishly strong fingers for an infant.

  “Can you help me put her hat on? Maybe she’ll allow it if you do it.” Lorelei carried her bundled-up daughter around the front of Tyler’s truck.

  “Let’s put this super-duper cute hat on to keep your super-duper cute ears and head warm,” Tyler singsonged. He beamed as he slid on Mary Ann’s hat, and she replied with a shriek of joy.

  “Thank you.” Lorelei pivoted toward the entrance. Another reminder of how amazing he is, thanks.

  A forest of Christmas trees flocked in nature’s white powder surrounded the tiny parking lot. Off to the left sat a small evergreen-colored shed with a single-windowed door in the front.

  “Do we have to check in with anyone?” Lorelei glanced around.

  “Paul is here someplace, if not in the office, then out there.” He pointed at the maze of trees beyond the sign.

  Tyler held a saw in his hand as he led t
he way past the sign and into the forest.

  Their boots crunched over the icy snow packed on the ground. “Shouldn’t there be other people here?” Lorelei glanced back at the parking lot.

  “We’re here early. It just opened at 9 a.m. Most will probably show up later—it’s supposed to be sunny this afternoon. But we have a long list for today.”

  She didn’t need a reminder of all they had left to do for the Christmas feast tonight. Of course, she was grateful for Tyler’s help and excited to be experiencing her first Christmas tree hunt adventure with him and Mary Ann.

  “If you see a tree you like, let me know. I know with all the snow, it’s not the best.”

  “I think it’s beautiful, this place. With or without snow. And we’re the only ones here, so it’s almost as though it’s all ours.” The scent of balsam fir and crisp morning snow filled her nostrils.

  “Like an empty movie theater.” Tyler paused, peering down a row of trees. “Have you ever had an entire theater to yourself?”

  “Never. Does Oakvale have a movie theater?”

  “No, but they do here.” Tyler winked and continued down the snow-covered path. “So it looks like, one of us has enjoyed a solo movie theater and one has not.”

  “Maybe I could join you sometime.” Why did you say that? Lorelei thought. She didn’t know if there will be a sometime since I’m leaving after Christmas.

  “I would enjoy your company for a movie. And my mom would love to watch Mary Ann.”

  “Sounds lovely.” The wind picked up, she shivered, and then walked on. “Did I mention I put a resume in with a doctor’s office here? It was back in the summer.”

  “No.” Tyler glanced over at her.

  “They had an opening, but I never heard back from them. It would have been a great step in the right direction, career-wise. It’s for the best because I would have had the same issue of my parents not agreeing with a move to a small town and leaving the ER.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that.” Although Lorelei didn’t perceive his voice as sounding sincere, it did sound almost grateful. “Maybe there’s a reason you never heard. We never would’ve met or formulated a tag-team parent intervention.”