Page 7 of Evergreen Christmas
He laughed. “Watch what?”
“That cunning mischief-making of yours!” Carol Belle propped her hands on her hips. “We’re stopping by Chestnut Ridge first thing tomorrow morning, givin’ that gal a rundown on the competition and talking her into competing. She’ll know better than to let you bribe that tree out from under her.”
The hint of uncertainty in Carol Belle’s voice made Nate smile wider.
“Oh, my,” Holly whispered to the other women. “You see that passionate fire in his eyes?”
Kandy beamed. “I sure do. It’s been ages since he’s had that spark in his eyes. It sure is nice to see our Nate finally excited over something again.”
Eve nodded, smiling. “I agree.”
“Well, he better watch it,” Carol Belle said, thumping his chest. “Don’t even try pulling a fast one, Nate. We’ve got our eyes on you. And don’t even think about going over there and bribing that woman with your big bucks, gift shop coupons, or free firewood!” She glared at the other women. “And don’t go soft on me now, ladies—too much is at stake this year. Nate’s not our innocent little boy anymore. He’s a wily thirty-year-old man bent on stealing our Christmas Crown!”
The bell over the gift shop door jangled and Tucker emerged, carrying a bundle of wood in each muscular arm. He strode across the gravel parking lot, carefully averting his gaze as he passed the four women, then headed toward the trunk of their red convertible. “Afternoon, ladies.”
The frowns on each of the four women’s faces disappeared, bright smiles replaced them, and a collective giggle emerged. The four women huddled around Tucker as he opened their trunk and began loading the firewood into the Cadillac.
“We so appreciate your help, Tucker,” Kandy crooned.
“It’s so cold at night now,” Eve said. “It’s nice to have extra firewood on hand to keep our toes warm. We’re quite delicate, you know.”
Carol Belle nodded. “At our age, it’s important we stay warm.”
“I’ll say.” Holly leaned on the car’s bumper and ran one manicured finger over Tucker’s biceps, which strained the long-sleeved flannel shirt he wore. “But I can think of a lot of other ways to stay warm besides lighting firewood.”
Tucker tossed the last log into the trunk, shut it, then backed away slowly. “Glad I could help, ladies.” He gestured over his shoulder. “But Nate’s available, too, you know? He can load firewood in your trunk anytime just as well as I can.”
“Yes, but we enjoy talking to you,” Holly said as Tucker turned and started walking away. “And seeing you, too.”
Her gaze was fixed on his rear as he made a hasty retreat.
Nate choked back a laugh as Tucker made sure to position his backside in the opposite direction from the women.
“You’re all loaded up and ready to go.” Tucker’s face flushed as he added under his breath, “Thank God.”
The women smiled and waved, blew kisses at Roxie, then climbed back into their Cadillac, cranked the engine and drove away.
Tucker groaned. “Man, you gotta watch out for those four.”
Nate chuckled. “The last time I turned down a date, wasn’t it you that told me attention from a woman was a blessing from God that I shouldn’t decline?”
Tucker snorted. “That’s different.” He jerked his thumb toward the road. “Those four are trouble.”
Nate nodded as he watched the cherry-red Cadillac ascend a mountain curve. “Yep. They’re definitely up to something.”
The four women were probably sitting in those leather seats, plotting against him right now, discussing ways to convince the new owner of Chestnut Ridge to give them that perfect tree so they could steal a win right out from under him, ending a nine-years-long tradition that had been dear to Macy and was now just as precious to Roxie.
As distasteful as it might be to play dirty, he’d have to find a way to beat them at their own game.
“What are the Nanas up to, Daddy?”
Nate looked down and smiled. Roxie had joined them and stared up at him, her blue eyes innocent, her expression worry-free . . . as he believed every child’s should be. “The Nanas are determined to keep us from winning the Christmas Crown this year.” He bent, scooped her up in his arms and kissed her warm cheek. “But we’re not giving it up without a fight, are we, darling? We’re gonna win that crown again this year and put it in the display case beside all the others, for your mama.”
Roxie beamed. “Yes, sir. No one can beat us at the Christmas competition. You, me, and Uncle Tucker are the best team on earth and we’re gonna keep the”—her brow furrowed—“ta-dish-un going!”
Laughing, Tucker nodded. “That’s right, baby girl. Keep that same fire in your belly when you’re building your gingerbread house for the competition.”
Roxie high-fived him. “I will, Uncle Tucker!”
