“So you’re saying if I opt to get a pre-cut tree—and totally break Stone family tradition—you’ll have a better attitude about the entire process?”
Melanie nodded. “Work with me, Josiah,” she said sweetly. “I’m already in this for decorations and a damn parade. Don’t get greedy.”
Her words could have been firm, but her lips were tilted in a sassy smirk and Josiah knew when to quit pushing his luck. He hated the thought of not cutting down his own tree, but if it meant Melanie wouldn’t be quite so hostile about it, then maybe it was a fair compromise. After all, maybe next year he could ease her into going out into the woods to cut down their tree.
Whoa…wait a minute. He needed to stop that right now. It was hard enough just getting her through this Christmas. There was no guarantee what was going to happen next year.
But a man could hope.
“Okay, fine,” he said casually. “We’ll hit the tree lots and see what we can find.”
“Good.”
“But,” he added quickly, “I want you to actively help me choose.”
“What? Why?” she asked nervously, nibbling her bottom lip.
Josiah stepped in close. “Because I didn’t suggest us doing this so it could be torture for you. It’s something fun for us to do together. We’ll find a tree and come back here and trim it and decorate it.” He grinned. “And it’s much better when you go into it with a good attitude and not snarl at the tree.”
“I haven’t snarled at anything,” she grumbled. “Yet.”
“My point exactly.” He kissed the top of her head. “If I can’t go hunting to cut down my own tree, you can’t snarl. Deal?”
She eyed him suspiciously, but agreed. “Deal.”
****
City sidewalks, busy sidewalks, dressed in holiday style…
If it wasn’t for the blaring sounds of “Silver Bells” playing in the Christmas tree lot, Melanie would have to admit she was having a good time. She and Josiah were slowly walking up and down the rows of trees critiquing each one—too tall, too skinny, too fat, bald spots—she had no idea there was so much consideration that went into finding a Christmas tree. Back when they did celebrate, Melanie and her father had an artificial tree they put out every year. This live tree thing was a completely new experience.
“Okay,” Josiah said, interrupting her thoughts. “What do you think?”
In the air there’s a feeling of Christmas.
Melanie slowly walked around the tree, as Josiah taught her to do. She inspected it from every angle—touching it, searching for any gaps and bald spots—before answering. “I think it could be a contender. No obvious gaps. It has a good size and color.” She looked at him hopefully. “What do you think?”
Children laughing, people passing…
“I do like it…”
‘But…”
“But,” he said, “I just don’t…love it.”
Melanie rolled her eyes. It wasn’t the first time he’d said that phrase. Seriously? He had to love the tree? What in the world?
“I can hear you mocking me from here,” he said.
“I didn’t say a word!” she laughed.
“You didn’t have to. Your face said it all.” Josiah placed the tree back in its spot and faced her. “Well?”
She sighed. “Okay, fine. I don’t understand what all the fuss is! It’s a perfectly good tree! It’s the fourth perfectly good tree we’ve found. I just don’t get what the big deal is!”
Afraid she had hurt his feelings or perhaps made him angry, she was surprised when he gave her a lopsided grin. “You’ll understand when we get it home and decorate it. Trust me. When it’s the perfect tree—one that you love—it makes all the difference.” Looking over his shoulder, Josiah glanced around the tree lot. “Maybe we need to go to another lot. I’m just not feeling it at this one.”
“Are you sure? Or are you just not feeling it because it’s a lot and not the woods?”
He looked at her, his smile dropping slightly. “I’m not going to lie to you, Melanie, this is the first time in my entire life I’m doing this so you have to give me a break.”
“It’s my first time too,” she countered, “and you’re not giving me much of a break.”
They were at a bit of a standoff and she wasn’t sure who was going to cave first.
Ring-a-ling…hear them ring…soon it will be Christmas day.
Josiah seemed to relax a bit and he sighed. “You’re right. I’m being a bit overly critical about the entire thing. Although I do have to say that I’m just not impressed with this lot. Do you mind if we go to another one?”
Knowing this was a big deal for him, she agreed. Together they walked back to his car and made their way to the next tree lot which was just two blocks away. As soon as Melanie stepped out of the car, she groaned.
Silver Bells…Silver Bells…It’s Christmas time in the city…
“You okay?” Josiah asked as he walked around the car to her.
“This song is…” she stopped and took a deep breath, then let it out. “It’s just everywhere.”
He chuckled and took one of her hands in his and led her toward the rows of trees. “It’s the town’s claim to fame. You get used to it.”
For a minute she wanted to argue and say it would never happen, but she didn’t want to ruin the moment.
They walked up and down the first two rows without much luck when suddenly she saw it.
The tree.
For the life of her, Melanie didn’t know how she knew, but she just did. Josiah was busy looking at one tree and she walked ahead of him to “the one.” Without alerting him, she did all the things he had done with the previous trees.
This is Santa’s big scene…
She moved it out and away from the other trees and then inspected it. Touching the branches, she inhaled the scent of pine and smiled. It was a good height, a good width and from what she was able to see, there were no visible gaps. “How about this one?” she called out to him without really looking in his direction. It wasn’t until she turned and looked at him that she saw he was only a few feet away and smiling at her. “What? What’s the matter?”
Rather than answer, Josiah walked around the tree making his own observations. Melanie kept waiting for him to say whether he liked it or not—although she couldn’t imagine him not liking it because it was perfect. When he stood next to her and crossed his arms over his chest and frowned, she wanted to stamp her foot in frustration.
“Well?” she finally asked. “If I’m not allowed to frown at the trees, neither are you.”
“I’m not frowning,” he said quietly.
“It sure looks like a frown. Or maybe a pout. What’s wrong? I thought I did a good job,” she said and suddenly felt a little self-conscious about the whole thing.
After what seemed like an eternity, Josiah turned to her with a slow grin. “You actually did a great job. I love it. This is the one.”
She almost sagged to the ground with relief. “Really?”
He nodded. “Yeah, really.” Taking the tree from her hands, he motioned for one of the employees to come and get it for them.
“So if you liked it, why were you frowning?”
Josiah waited until the employee had taken the tree from them before turning and wrapping Melanie in his arms. “I guess I’ve gotten used to being the one to find the perfect tree. And you went and found it first.”
Unable to help herself, she laughed out loud. “I can’t believe we’re having this conversation over a tree!”
“Not just any tree—a Christmas tree!” he countered.
“Still a tree,” she said. “But I’m glad you approved. I was walking toward it and…I just knew.”
His smile turned knowing.
“What? What’s that look about?”
“I’m just happy that we found a tree.”
Melanie snuggled closer to him. “Me too.”
Pulling back, Josiah looked down at her. ‘
Really?”
She nodded. “It’s freezing out here. I’m ready to go home.”
It wasn’t the only reason she was glad they had found a tree, but she couldn’t quite figure out why. The whole experience had been more fun than she would have imagined and the smell of pine was actually quite nice. And the thought of taking the tree home and decorating it with Josiah had her feeling a little bit giddy.
Maybe she’d bake a batch of sugar cookies for them for dessert…
Together they walked toward the exit to pay for the tree and get it tied to the car as the first snowflakes started to fall.
Soon it will be Christmas Day.
****
With a fire roaring in the fireplace and Melanie naked and wrapped in his arms on the living room floor in front of the newly-decorated Christmas tree, Josiah felt like life was just about perfect. He placed a kiss on the top of her head and gave a contented sigh.
“It’s so pretty, don’t you think?” she asked softly.
He nodded. “I certainly do. You picked a stellar tree.”
She chuckled and reached for the blanket that had fallen behind them.
“Cold?”
“A little,” she said. “Although with the fire in front of me and you behind me I shouldn’t be.”
Josiah helped her drape the blanket over them. “So you really like it? The tree?”
She nodded. “I really do. It’s just so…sparkly.” He could actually feel her smile even though she wasn’t facing him. “And it smells so wonderful in here.” Rolling over, she looked at him. “There were a lot of decorations in those boxes. Are they all yours or were some of them from your family?”
“My mom gave each of us kids a box of ornaments when we moved out—some were brand new but some were ones she knew were personal favorites from our childhood. Every year I add to the collection.”
Melanie looked over her shoulder toward the tree. “Which ones did you add this year?”
“I haven’t yet,” he said softly, cupping her chin and gently forcing her to look at him. “It would mean a lot to me if you would pick one out for me.”
Her blue eyes went wide. “Me?”
He nodded.
“But…but…”
“Melanie,” he began, tilting his head forward so their heads were touching, “There are so many ornaments on the tree that have sentimental value to me; they remind me of things that are important. Things that I…love.”
Josiah knew the moment he said it that Melanie knew what he meant because she gasped softly in his arms. Rather than saying it again and hearing her possibly come up with reasons why he couldn’t feel the way he did or why she didn’t return those feelings, he captured her lips and kissed her softly. He poured everything he felt but was suddenly too afraid to say into it, and when she wrapped her arms around him and pulled him close, he felt both lost and found at the same time.
****
Melanie stood with her back against the brick exterior wall of the chamber of commerce building and let out a breath. It was thirty degrees outside and all she wanted was a hot cup of cocoa and to be back at the cabin, curled up on the couch with a blanket and a good book.
And what was left of the sugar cookies.
Unfortunately, none of that wasn’t on today’s agenda.
All around her people were scurrying around with excitement. The annual Silver Bell Christmas Parade was due to start in less than an hour and she had gone over the schedule of events and had even smiled and done her best to show a little enthusiasm, but now that it was edging closer to go-time, nerves were kicking in.
A parade. Seriously, this is what her life had come to. When she had spoken to her father the night before and told him what she was doing, he was over the moon with excitement. For a minute she wondered if she had the wrong number because for as long as she could remember, her dad felt the same way she did about the holidays. Why was he now—all of a sudden—feeling festive? Which is what she asked him and he told her how going back to Silver Bell for just those two days had reminded him of how much he used to love Christmas.
Damn town.
Damn town and its stupid…
City sidewalks, busy sidewalks, dressed in holiday style…
“You have got to be kidding me!” she cried out and was instantly embarrassed when several people stopped and stared at her. Without saying a word, Melanie turned and walked around to the back of the building, away from prying eyes. It was like the damn song was mocking her. There were thousands of Christmas songs out there, so why couldn’t they play another one? Where were Alvin and the Chipmunks when you really needed them?
Children laughing, People passing, Meeting smile after smile…
Taking a few steadying breaths, she did her best to calm down. It was just a song and it was just a parade—a ride in a car, really. So what was the big deal?
And on every street corner you’ll hear…Silver Bells…Silver Bells…
Looking around, Melanie had to wonder how hard it would be to dismantle the town’s sound system.
“There you are.”
Melanie turned and saw Josiah walking toward her with his slow and easy gait and a smile on his handsome face. Just one look at him and she felt some of the tension easing from her body.
“You hiding out back here?”
“I needed a minute,” she admitted.
“It’s a lot of activity, I know. But in a few minutes, you’ll be in the back of a really sporty convertible with a heated blanket and a cup of cocoa.”
That made her feel a little bit better. Fishing into her coat pocket, she pulled out her iPod and showed it to him. “And I can block out some of the holiday music.”
He shook his head and chuckled. “It’s not so bad.”
Reaching out, she clutched the front of his coat and shook him. “I would gladly get up and sing ‘Jingle Bells’ or ‘Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer’ if I never had to hear ‘Silver Bells’ again! Seriously, it’s killing me!”
Rather than telling her she was crazy, Josiah hugged her close and then took the earbuds from her fingers and draped the cord around her and camouflaged it within her scarf so no one would see it. “What’s on the playlist?” he asked.
“A little classic Motown, a little eighties rock…all of my faves.”
He smiled at her and led her back toward all the activity. “So you’ll get through the parade and at the end of the route, Erika Jacobs will meet you and bring you to the party tent where they have a table set up with a bunch of your books to sign.”
Melanie nodded. “Got it.”
“Then I’ll meet you down there and we’ll grab some lunch with everyone—they’re serving a full-on turkey dinner with all the fixings.”
“Sounds good.”
“And afterwards, we’re going to walk around and check out all the craft tables and I want you to pick out an ornament for the tree.”
Looking up at him, she smiled. “Are you sure?”
“Have I lied about anything yet?”
She couldn’t help but smile. “No.”
“Then why would I start now? I want you to pick something for the tree. You’ve been good enough to let me put my tree up in your house and I think it would be nice for you to have something on there that you picked out.”
Melanie didn’t want to argue with him about it. She hadn’t told him how much she was enjoying having the tree in the cabin or how much it meant to her that he wanted her to pick out ornaments for it. To be honest, she hadn’t said a whole lot of anything since the day they’d put the tree up.
After Josiah’s roundabout admission of love, Melanie had been a little shell-shocked. He might not have said it again, but the way he had made love to her afterwards spoke volumes. In the days that followed, he had worked extra hours and she had buckled down and was on a hot-streak with her writing. The only time they seemed to see one another was late at night before they went to bed, and when Josiah got up to leave for work in the morning. It wa
sn’t an ideal schedule, but for each of them, their jobs were top priority.
Today was the first time they were spending quality time together in more than a week.
She just wished it were someplace other than a damn Christmas parade.
He must have sensed the direction of her thoughts because he stopped walking and turned her to face him. “It’s a parade, not an execution. If you just pretend it’s a parade for something else, will that put a smile on your face?”
With a small shrug she looked up at him. “Kind of hard to pretend it’s not a Christmas parade when I have dancing reindeer circling the car.”
“Mel, please try to relax. After we finish up here, how about we go home, get dressed up and go someplace nice for dinner?”
It was on the tip of her tongue to say something about them finding a place to go that didn’t play Christmas music, but she knew she would be asking for the impossible. “That sounds wonderful.” For a moment she paused. “Then I have one request for after dinner.”
Josiah’s eyes widened for a brief moment before he broke out in a sexy grin. “Oh yeah?”
Playfully smacking his arm she said, “I’m serious.”
He tried to look properly chastised but it just made Melanie giggle.
“After dinner, I’d like us to spend the night at your place.”
Brows furrowed, he looked at her as if she were crazy. “My place? The tiny house?”
Melanie nodded.
“Why?”
“We’re always in the cabin…”
“Because it’s bigger.”
She smiled patiently at him. “Yes, it’s bigger, but I’d like to spend some time in your space. And besides, I think I’d really like to sleep up in the loft. I bet on a starry night it’s magnificent to see out the skylight.”
Nodding in agreement, Josiah looked about ready to say something when Erika Jacobs—who owned the local bookstore—walked over and interrupted them. She was decked out in red and white with a big furry hat and Melanie thought she looked a lot like Mrs. Claus.
Christmas In Silver Bell Falls Page 10
