Page 20 of Decked Out with Ivy

“Employee discount.” He poked his head from under the tree. “I guess I’ll be making another trip to the store.”

“I’ll pull a few things for you. So you don’t waste too much time there. I know you have obligations on set.”

“I would say that’s kind of you, but I imagine you’ll be pulling the most expensive things you have.”

“It’s not like it’ll be as much as a pair of Tom Ford jeans.”

“Touche.” He quieted as the saw slicing through the wood echoed through the late morning. A pile of sawdust collected atop the fluffy snow, and Ivy squatted to check the progress. He was more than halfway through.

“You’re doing better than I expected.”

“You had no faith in me, did you?”

“None whatsoever.”

“Thanks for the bout of confidence.”

“You showed up in fancy shoes and a peacoat. I didn’t think you’d have it in you.”

“Someone didn’t tell me we’d be cutting down trees!” His voice rose with frustration, and she laughed. “Yeah, I know. My Hollywood clothes have no use here in Red Maple Falls.”

With a few more back and forths of the saw, the tree cracked and fell over. Ivy clapped. “You did it!”

Cody rolled on his back, his navy peacoat completely covered in sawdust. Ivy smacked a mitten over her mouth, then reached down to help him. Cody took hold, and she yanked him to his feet. He towered over her five-foot-six frame, yet she managed to pluck a few pine needles from his light brown tousled hair.

“Thanks.”

She brushed his lapels, trying to rid the expensive coat of the sawdust that had accumulated. “I have a lint roller at my place. We can try that.”

“Sounds good.” His gaze lingered on her lips, and she thought about lifting on her toes and kissing him, but there were no cameras around, and that seemed to be the only time a kiss was welcome. She was a PR stunt. Nothing more.

“How about some hot chocolate?” she asked, stepping back.

“I’d love some.”

She walked toward the front of the tree and pushed her hand through the branches to the trunk. “I’ll take the top. You get the bottom.”

Cody didn’t hesitate, jogging to the trunk and taking hold. They trudged toward the wood building and placed the tree by the netting machine for Hal to get it ready to go. She led the way around the building toward the hot chocolate stand.

“Ivy!” Karen Montgomery said. She was good friends with her mom.

“Mrs. Montgomery, I didn’t know you were working here. My mom didn’t say anything to me.”

“Retirement has been boring, and Hal had said he could use some help, so I thought why the heck not? Now I get to watch allthe littles visit the reindeer and hand out hot chocolate. I feel like I should be paying Hal for helping me pass the time.”

“I’m sure you’ve been a big help for him.”

“You want a hot chocolate?”

“Two, please,” Ivy said, and Cody smiled at Karen.

Karen dropped the cup in her hand and fumbled to pick it up, knocking over the straws. “Oh my gosh. I’m so clumsy. I just wasn’t expecting to look up and see Cody Chance staring at me.” She held her hand out to him. “It’s so nice to meet you. I’m a big fan.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, ma’am.”

“Ma’am.” She giggled. Full on giggled. “I guess I am old enough to be your mother. Oh, that’s depressing. Anyway. I hope you’re enjoying our small town.”

‘So far, yes. I’m looking forward to Ivy here to show me around some more.”

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