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“Your father built this place, and you’re ensuring it will be a viable business for future generations. You’re holding a bachelorette auction when I know you hate the idea.”
I chuckled. “I wouldn’t say I hate it.”
She gave me a shrewd look. “You’re not a fan.”
I couldn’t lie to her. “You could say that.”
“But you’re willing to do whatever it takes for the farm to be successful,” she said, as if she were working something out in her head.
“And for my mom to be supported. Mom always said the farm was her retirement. It meant safety and security. The bottom dropped out when my dad died. We didn’t expect it. We thought we’d have more time before we needed to step up.” I lifted my hand, gesturing at the blanket of snow and the trees. “But this is our family’s legacy. We’d do anything to protect and nurture it.”
“It’s commendable that you’re concerned about your mother enough to all live on the land, raise your families, and make the business work.”
“I’m more the numbers guy. I don’t have anything to do with the trees, other than ensuring they’re profitable. That’s why I’ve taken a step back on Marley’s ideas. If it brings in more money, then it’s worth it. Besides, Mom’s excited about it. She’s hoping it pulls Talon out of his funk and forces him to talk to Holly and fix whatever the issue is between them so he can move on and find someone.
“They were hot and heavy in high school. It’s almost as if something happened. Like someone cheated. I don’t have any proof, but it was a quick cooling-off period. And there was no information about what happened. There was speculation, but nothing that rang true.
“Talon wouldn’t have cheated on her. At least I don’t think so.” I sighed. “I guess he could have. Teenagers don’t always make the best decisions. I hope they’re able to clear their history so both can move on.”
“You don’t think that they’d get back together, do you?”
“They refuse to talk to each other, so probably not. I think they could forgive each other and let go of whatever it was. But I don’t see them getting back together.”
Ember burst through the door, forgetting, then going back to shut it. “I got everything we need.”
She threw everything on the ground between us. “A scarf and a hat.”
“That’s one of Hanna’s scarves. You can’t take things without asking.”
“Can I use your scarf? I only have one.” Ember pleaded, with her hands clasped in front of her face.
“I don’t mind. Our snowman has to be dressed properly.”
“Right?” Ember said, taking a knit hat and trying to fit it around the head. She finally discarded it, picking up the plastic fireman’s hat that must have been a dress-up toy. Then Ember put the small carrot in the center of his face.
Hanna helped her wrap the scarf around the neck. Then we hunted for rocks for the eyes, mouth, and buttons.
When we were done placing the items, Hanna said, “It’s perfect. Can we take a picture?”
Ember posed in front of the snowman, and we took a few of her in different positions.
“Get in there with her.” Hanna gestured toward me.
I wrapped an arm around Ember, and Hanna smiled as she snapped a few pictures.
Was it too much to ask if Hanna could be ours this Christmas?
I snatched the phone from Hanna’s hand and hauled her to my side. “We have to take a selfie.”
I held up the phone and snapped several pictures of all three of us snuggling close. Hanna looked happy, her cheeks red from the cold and her eyes bright.
“Thanks for a great morning. If I was snowed in at my apartment, I would have spent the day watching TV and maybe baking cookies. But I would have been alone. This was so much better,” Hanna said as we scrolled through the images.
“You’re always welcome here with us,” was all I could manage because my throat was tight. I cleared my throat, then asked, “What do you say? Is it time for sledding?”
“Yes!” Ember cried, running toward the garage.
“I’ll lock up, grab the sleds, and then we can walk to the main house. You’re coming with us?”
