“Hang on.” She turned to Logan. “Are we okay?”
“Yep,” Logan said, avoiding her gaze.
She hesitated, then turned. “I’ll see you at the wedding.”
“See you.” He’d shoved his hands back into his front pockets and stared out into the brush.
Hannah hated leaving him like this. He was upset about something. But she wasn’t sure what. They’d talked about personal stuff. That had to appease him.
She pulled open the car door and slipped onto the seat. When she shut her door, Bert drove away.
“Who was that?” he asked from the front seat.
Hannah steeled her nerves and glanced back at Logan. He was watching the cab pull away. There was a pained expression on his face. She’d hurt him, but she didn’t know how.
“That was Logan.”
“Logan? Is he the long-lost love?”
Hannah’s cheeks heated. “He was the past love.”
Bert nodded. “I’ve still got it,” he mumbled to himself as he flipped on his blinker and merged onto the freeway. “You guys seemed to be having a moment.”
Hannah let out a breath as she watched the trees whip past her. “Yeah. I was saying things that needed to be said.”
Bert nodded again. “All good. How’d he take it?”
Logan’s pained gaze entered Hannah’s mind. “I’m not sure. He got really quiet and then pulled away.”
“What’d you tell him?” Bert turned to look over his shoulder.
“That I was engaged.”
“Ooh, no wonder he was hurt.”
Hannah pulled back. “What? I was being honest.”
“You broke the guy’s heart.”
“What? I did not. He married someone else. Obviously, he’s moved on.”
Bert snorted as he pulled off the freeway. “Um, okay.”
Hannah huffed and folded her arms. What did Bert know, anyway? He wasn’t a love genie. No matter what he said about himself. He didn’t know their history. Logan was just fine. They’d both moved on. He just needed time like she always did. Yeah, Logan would be fine.
Hannah stared out the window as the shops passed by. But why didn’t that thought make her feel any better? Her gaze landed on a boy standing in the middle of a fenced in area. He was surrounded by Christmas trees.
Her mom’s bare living room entered Hannah’s mind. Sitting up, she leaned forward. “Pull over.”
11
HANNAH
Bert slowed. “Here?” He nodded toward the trees.
“Yes.”
Bert pulled into an empty spot and turned off the car.
“I’ll be just a minute.” Hannah opened the car door and got out. She waited until a truck passed by her, then ran across the road. The boy that stood next to the table eyed her. She smiled at him. “Hi.”
He nodded. “Here for a tree?”
She glanced around. “What’s the biggest one you have?”
His grin grew wider. “The Big Mama,” he said as he started walking toward the back with his eyes as wide as saucers.
“The Big Mama?” she asked as she followed after him.
He weaved in and out of the trees. “It’s an eight-footer. The biggest one I got.” Suddenly, he stopped, and Hannah almost ran right into him. She followed his tilted face upwards to see the largest Christmas tree she’d ever seen. It was everything she’d been missing in her life. It was perfect.
“Sold,” she whispered.
“Three hundred dollars,” he said, extending his hand.
Hannah grabbed her purse and rifled around until she found her credit card. She tried to ignore the thought that this one tree was half her apartment’s rent as he swiped it and handed it back. She squared her shoulders. The tree was worth it. She was going to have an amazing Christmas this year. She’d be sure of it.
“I’ll net it up for you. Is that your car?” He nodded toward Bert.
“Yep.”
“Give me five.”
Hannah nodded as he made his way back to the tree. Once he disappeared, she walked across the road and met up with Bert.
“Get what you needed?” Bert asked as he leaned against the outside of the car.
“The Big Mama!” Hannah smiled at him.
A worried look flashed over Bert’s face. “How big?”
The boy from the tree lot appeared, carrying the top of the tree with what looked like his dad following behind, carrying the trunk. The tree looked even larger horizontal.
Hannah smiled sheepishly over to Bert, whose eyes were wide.
“Seriously?” he asked.
Hannah nodded. “Please?”
Bert grumbled “You owe me,” he said.
“Of course.”
It took a good ten minutes of both men grunting and shoving to the get the tree on top of the car and tied down. Hannah grabbed a five from her purse and tipped the boy, who took it, then gleefully returned to the lot.
“Sure, you tip the boy.” Bert gave her a semi-serious look.
“Hey, I’ll tip you.” Hannah started rifling around in her purse again.
Bert shook his head. “I’m teasing.”
They both got into the car and headed back to Hannah’s house. The tip of the tree ran the length of the windshield and ended on the middle of the hood. Bert drove slowly, which allowed Hannah to see all the quizzical looks people were casting their direction. All she could do was smile. Getting ready for Christmas did help with all her knotted up feelings.
Once they got to her mom’s house, Bert pulled into the driveway. When he turned off the engine, they both got out. Circling around the car, they glanced at each other.
“We can do this,” Hannah said, but it came out more like a question.
Bert raised an eyebrow. “You and me?” A deep rumbling laugh erupted from his lips. “Um, I don’t think so. And I’m not killing my back for some Christmas cheer.”
Hannah headed in his direction. “Come on. We can do this!” This time, it came out more confident.
Bert’s gaze ran up and down Hannah. “Um, I think this tree weighs about the same as you do.”
Hannah growled. “I’m stronger than I look.”
“Is that your tree?” Piper’s excited voice piped up from behind Hannah.
“Piper!” Hannah said as she turned around. “Yes. Isn’t it exciting?”
Piper got off her bike and took off her helmet. Her eyes were wide as she scanned the tree. “It’s ginormous!”
“Mr. Bert over here doesn’t think that I can help him carry it. He’s talking crazy, right?” She flexed her arms toward Piper.
Piper eyed her. “Um, no.”
Hannah shot her a hurt look. “What? I can’t believe neither of you believe in me.”
“Honey, it’s a matter of reality, not belief,” Bert said.
“Piper!” Mrs. Blake called from the front stoop of her house.
“Grandma, come look at the tree Miss Hannah bought.” Piper waved her over.
A few seconds ticked by before Mrs. Blake came into view. “What did I tell you about bothering the neighbors?” she said as she approached Piper.
“It’s awesome, huh,” Piper said, nodding toward the tree. It was obvious she was good at ignoring her grandma.
Mrs. Blake glanced at the car. “Well, that has to be the biggest tree I’ve ever seen.”
“It’s called The Big Mama,” Hannah said, leaning over.
“Ah. Appropriate name. How are you going to get it down?” Mrs. Blake turned to look at Hannah.
“Me,” Hannah said.
Mrs. Blake raised her eyebrows.
Agh, another person who doubted her strength. It was starting to feel personal.
A beeping sound filled the air. Bert reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone. “Hello?”
Hannah watched him as his expression fell.
“I’ll be there,” he said, then pulled the phone from his face and shoved it back into his pocket. “Gotta go, girlie. I’
ll get it down, but you’ll have to get it in the house.”
“Bert—”
“Emergency. I gotta go.” Bert waved his hand in Hannah’s direction as he headed toward the ropes that tied the tree to the car. As he loosened each knot, the tip of the tree snapped up. Then the back of the tree was freed. After a few shoves, it was rolled from the roof and flopped onto the grass.
“Sorry to leave you like this, but I gotta go,” Bert said as he sidestepped the tree and got into the driver’s seat. After he started the car, he pulled down the driveway.
Hannah stood there with her lips open. Now what was she supposed to do? Turning to Mrs. Blake and Piper, she smiled.
“Oh, no. I just had my hip replaced. I can’t lift that.” Mrs. Blake backed away from it as if it had radioactive material.
Hannah’s gaze fell to Piper, who grinned up at her.
“I can help,” she said.
Hannah smiled. She liked her enthusiasm. “All right. Let’s do this.”
Mrs. Blake turned. “Let me know when you get it into the house. I think I have some extra decorations in the attic.”
They both nodded as Piper grabbed the tip of the tree, and Hannah grabbed the trunk. They lifted it, but it didn’t budge. The middle of the tree stayed fixed on the ground.
Hannah set her side down. “This is harder than I thought.”
LOGAN
Logan sat at the kitchen table, reading the magazine that was in front of him. Well, reading might be a stretch. He was more staring at the pictures and words, but the only thing floating through his mind was Hannah. She was engaged. Apparently, Samson and Hannah were more involved than he thought.
Reaching out, he grabbed a nearby roll and took a bite. It didn’t matter anymore. She’d moved on, which meant he needed to as well.
The back door opened, and his mom came in. She glanced over to him.
“How’s it going, honey?” she asked as she peered out the kitchen window.
Logan just grunted, but his mom didn’t take notice. Instead, she was staring at something outside.
“What are you looking at, Mom?” Logan asked.
“Piper’s helping Hannah lift a tree.”
He stood, shaking his head. What did she just say? He made his way over to his mom and followed her gaze. Sure enough, Hannah and Piper were circling a giant tied up Christmas tree.
“They’re going to lift that?”
“Apparently.”
He studied them. Part of him wanted to go out and help. It was almost painful to watch them attempt to lift it. The other part of him wanted to stay in his house forever. Here, Hannah couldn’t hurt him. She had a fiancé—she should call him for help.
Turning, he caught sight of his mom, who was watching him.
“What?” he shrugged.
“You know what, Logan Blake. I didn’t raise you to watch people struggle and not help.”
“But, Mom…” Man, he sounded like a whiny teenager.
“No buts. Go help Hannah.”
He flexed his jaw. “But—”
She stuck her finger out. “Now.”
Grumbling, Logan obeyed. He rolled his shoulders once he got outside. He needed to protect himself from Hannah.
“Need help?” he asked as he approached.
Hannah turned. “I think we have this. Right, Piper?”
Piper scrunched up her nose. “No. We don’t. We need help.”
Hannah shot Piper a defeated look. “What? We were doing so well.”
“We haven’t even moved it an inch.”
Hannah laughed, but it slowly petered off when she turned her gaze to Logan.
Not waiting for her to come up with another excuse as to why he shouldn’t help her, he grabbed the tree around the middle and lifted it.
Hannah opened her lips, but he shot her a glance. He could help her. It didn’t hurt anyone.
“Thanks,” she said, her voice barely a whisper.
He nodded as he passed by her and walked up the front stoop. He waited as she pulled out her key and opened the door. It took a little finagling, but he got past the wreath and the door frame with very few branch casualties.
Setting the tree down on its trunk, he glanced around.
“Where do you want this?” he asked as Hannah stepped inside.
Her eyes widened as they scanned the room. “I…um, didn’t realize just how big it was.”
Logan smiled. Such a Hannah thing to do. “Maybe over there?” He nodded toward a corner of the longest wall where the front window drapes were pulled open.
Hannah nodded. “Yeah, that’d be good.”
Logan picked up the tree and brought it over. He propped it up on the trunk and glanced over to Hannah. “Stand?” he asked.
Her face paled. “I don’t have one.”
“Really?” Who buys a tree without a stand?
“Relax, I’ve got one,” his mom called from the front door as she stepped into the room with her arms full of decorations.
Hannah’s shoulders relaxed. “Thanks, Mrs. Blake.” She ran to grab the boxes that were piled high in front of Logan’s mom.
Logan could now see his mom’s face. She smiled at Hannah and walked over to the tree where she set the rest of the boxes down. “You’re lucky Mr. Blake doesn’t let me throw anything away. These are the decorations from his mom.”
Hannah grabbed the tree stand and brought it over to Logan. “I will definitely thank him.”
Logan heaved the tree up, and Hannah slid the stand underneath. Once it was secured, he stepped back and tried not to laugh. The tip of the tree was bent a good five inches.
“This is massive, Hanny B.” He turned to smile at her.
There was a look in her eyes as she met his gaze. It was familiarity and happiness all wrapped up into one.
Suddenly, she burst out laughing. “What was I thinking?” she said, clutching her sides. The sound of her happiness caused Logan to laugh.
Piper walked in and glanced at the two of them, then over to her grandma. “What are they laughing about?”
His mom turned to the tree. “Maybe the tree is too big?” She shrugged. “I’m not really sure. I think they’ve gone crazy.”
Hannah reached up and dabbed her eyes. “Sorry. It’s been a long day, and I bought a tree that doesn’t fit.”
Piper glanced at each of them again. “I don’t get it.”
Hannah shot Logan a look, then shook her head. “It’s okay. I’m just a little loopy right now.”
Logan nodded. “It’s adult stuff, Pip.”
From the look on Piper’s face, she’d already lost interest. “Okay.” Then she walked over to the boxes and pulled one open. Reaching inside, she emerged with an ornament. “These are old,” she said with her nose wrinkled.
Hannah walked over. “Let me see.” Reaching inside, she pulled out a Bugs Bunny ornament. “These are fun!”
“What are they?” Piper asked as she pulled a few more out.
“These are cartoons from when I was younger.”
Piper fiddled with the metal hooks that dangled from one them. “Weird. Can I help decorate?”
Hannah glanced at her, then over to Logan.
Logan stepped forward. “Pip, it’s rude to ask. We don’t want to intrude on Miss Hannah.”
Hannah shook her head. “You know what? I’d love the company.” Pulling out her phone, she swiped it on. Soon soft Christmas songs filled the room.
Hannah and Piper opened all the boxes and began pulling lights and tinsel out. Logan fought it, but his heart surged. Seeing Hannah and his daughter work together was just a bit too much. He needed to be careful, or he’d lose his heart. Again.
12
HANNAH
We wish you a Merry Christmas filled the living room as Hannah started untangling the lights. Piper was next to her, wrapping the string into a circle as it became available.
“What was Christmas like at your house?” Piper asked, glancing over to Hannah.
> She smiled. She really liked Piper. There was something about her that put Hannah at ease. “Quiet. I was an only child, and my parents divorced when I was young. I had to pick where I spent Christmas.”
Piper chewed her lip. “I hope my mom comes this year.” Then she leaned in. “I even asked Santa to bring her.”
Glancing over to Logan, Hannah took in his forlorn expression as he studied Piper. Her heart went out to them. It must be hard for Piper to be away from her mom. It was nice that she had Logan and Mrs. Blake. They seemed to care a lot for her.
“I’m sure your mom wants to see you, too.” She smiled at Piper.
Piper gave her a small smile.
“At least you have family here to celebrate the holidays with.” Hannah picked at a particularly stubborn knot.
“Eh,” Piper said.
“Hey,” Logan said as he threw a bow in her direction.
Piper shrugged. “What? I see you all the time.”
“Done!” Hannah said as she freed the last knot. “Now, Piper, let me tell you the best way to decorate.” Standing, she ushered Piper over to the tree. “It goes, lights, tinsel, then ornaments.”
“Hey, now. She’s a Blake. We need to teach her the Blake way. Tinsel, ornaments, then lights.”
Hannah stared at Logan. Was he serious? “Again? We’re going to have this fight again?” She shook her head. “That way needs to die with the Blakes’. Piper, my way is the best way.”
Logan walked over and fluffed one side of the tree. “Want to make it interesting?”
“Like a bet?”
“More like a wager.”
Hannah’s lips turned up. This was the Logan she remembered. Always trying to make things interesting. “Okay. What do you have in mind?”
“I’ll take this half of the tree, and you take that half. We’ll both have Piper help us, and she can decide who’s right.”
Piper’s eyes lit up.
“Okay. If I win, what do I get?” Hannah asked.
Logan drummed his chin as he glanced around. “If you win, I’ll make dinner.”
Hannah’s eyes widened. Logan made a mean lobster tail. “Okay. And if you win, I’ll make dinner.”
A snort filled the air. “Nah, that would be a punishment for me.”
Forgiving the Billionaire (A Clean Billionaire Romance Book 2) Page 8
