Page 68 of Merry Christmas, Cowboy

“Of course, I’d love to see them.” She followed him inside the barn finding a row of twelve snowmen against the wall. Her hands went to her face, thiswasa surprise. “Oh my goodness, you painted them white! I didn’t think we’d have time. When did you find time to do this?”

“With the three of us, it didn’t take all that long to spray-paint them. I’m only glad they dried in time.”

“You and me, both. They look so much better now, Garrett. Like true, fake snowmen. Thank you.”

“Welcome.”

She couldn’t help gushing. “I mean it, these came out great. Did you put them together yourself?”

“Coop came out a little earlier this morning to help. Thanks for your suggestion to use zip ties to keep their bodies connected.”

Her cell phone beeped. It had been like a jumping bean this morning, with volunteers texting questions since six a.m.

“Sorry, I’d better get this,” she said.

But the second she looked at the screen, she frowned.

“What is it?” Garrett asked. “A problem?”

It was her ex again. The guy wasn’t giving up texting her. She’d already told him she didn’t want to talk to him. She didn’t want to see him.

He was the last person on earth she wanted to deal with now. “It’s Johnny, wishing me luck on the fundraiser today. He says he knows it’ll be a success. And…”He missed her.“Never mind,” she told Garrett. She didn’t want to involve him any further in her situation with her ex. “It’s not important.”

“Nicole?” His voice held concern.

“I’m fine, Garrett. I’d better get back out there. We’re opening the gates in ten minutes.”

She held her head up high and walked out of the barn, so Garrett wouldn’t see her distress. It wasn’t Johnny so much anymore; she was over him. But it was the whole fiasco that upset her. He was a reminder of a sorrowful time in her life, when all she wanted now was to move on. She supposed she’d have to tell him to his face how she felt to straighten him out. But today wasn’t about her love life, it was about running this event and making sure nothing went awry.

*

By eleven o’clock,the grounds were full of visitors. Last Stand families, parents, students of all ages were having a great time, drinking hot cocoa, eating brisket sandwiches or having sweet treats from the bake sale. The wagon sleigh rides were a big hit, if the long lines at the barn were any indicator. Santa drove the sleigh on the bench seat up front and two others won the chance to sit with him. The rest of the guests sat in the back and halfway through the ride, Santa’s elves would jump out from behind a storage shed to sing a jolly tune and hand out cellophane-wrapped candy canes. Judging from the faces on the children when the sleigh returned, the surprise was well worth the effort.

Nicole walked over to where Julie and Miguel were hosting the pine cone painting booth. “Hi, guys. How’s it going?”

They had six little ones working at the table, using washable paint, thank goodness, to decorate the pine cones and, afterward, Julie or Miguel would help them dust their creation with silver or gold glitter. The end result made for a great table decoration. “We’re all having fun,” Julie said. She was used to a classroom of twenty, so having six munchkins to guide through a craft was easily a piece of cake for her.

“It looks like you are. And the pine cones look fantastic, kids.”

A few of them looked up to smile, but the others were too intent on their creation to answer.

“So far so good?” Miguel asked, looking up from the glitter jars.

“I think so.” She scanned the grounds. “Everyone’s doing a great job. The volunteers haven’t let me down.”

“Have you seen Coop and Taylor?” Julie asked.

“I think they’re helping at the wishing tree. I’m headed that way now.”

“Okay, say hello to my cousins for me. Tell them I’ll see them later.”

Nicole walked toward the very center of the arena, where the Christmas tree stood. It was especially busy there, Taylor handing out paper ornaments and Sharpies. At least a dozen people were making their wishes and putting them onto the tree. Coop stood on a ladder to place some of the wishes higher up, so it wouldn’t be bottom heavy.

“Hey, guys. Julie and Miguel say hi. They’ll see you later, once your shift is over.”

“Sounds good,” Coop said, from the ladder.

“Looks like we’ll be here awhile, the wishing tree is popular,” Taylor said. “Great idea, Nic.”

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