Page 13 of The Clause in Christmas
“Must be impossible to keep a secret in this town,” Cassie teased.
The blonde’s friendly expression faltered, and she dropped her gaze, leading Cassie to second-guess her choice of humor. But before she could apologize, the woman’s dazzling smile returned.
“So, tell me,” she said brightly. “What’s on the Christmas Calendar for today? I’m Eliza Carter, by the way.” She held out her hand, which was covered in flour.
“Nice to meet you.” Cassie returned the handshake, wondering whether or not it would be rude to wipe her palm down the front of her sweater. Considering she’d already offended her new acquaintance with the crack about her hometown, she decided it was best to let the dust settle. “Today I have to cut down my own Christmas tree.” Cassie couldn’t help a grimace.
“How fun! My son, Ben, is obsessed with Sander’s Christmas Tree Farm. He’d live there if I’d let him. And considering we live with my parents, there are days I’m tempted.” Her infectious laugh was loud and boisterous for someone with such a petite frame, and Cassie found herself joining in.
“I wish you could go in my place. I’m dreading it,” Cassie admitted. “I have no idea what I’m doing. Or how I’ll get the tree from the farm to the cottage in my tiny Prius.”
“Don’t you worry about a thing! Ben and I would love to go with you! I get off work around five.”
“Oh, you don’t have to do that!” Cassie said hastily, not wanting to develop more connections in town than necessary. “I was only kidding.”
“Nonsense.” Eliza flicked her wrist, flinging flour into the air. “Wewantto. Besides, you can’t tie a tree to a Prius. As much as I’d love to see someone try.”
“Well…” Cassie chewed her bottom lip, ready to make an exception to her no-fraternizing-with-the-townsfolk rule for the sake of convenience. “Do you have a truck?”
Eliza leaned across the counter, her dark eyes twinkling. “No. But I know someone who does.”
* * *
Luke’s pulse lurched at the look of surprise that flickered across Cassie’s face when she opened the front door. Hadn’t Eliza told her he’d be coming to pick her up?
“Hi.” Her surprise softened into an irresistible smile. “So,you’rethe friend Eliza was talking about?”
“Guilty.”
“Speaking of Eliza…” Cassie peered over his shoulder. “She’s not with you?”
“They’re running late. She said they’d meet us there.”
A shadow of hesitation clouded Cassie’s green eyes as she looked from Luke to his pickup idling in the driveway. His heart flip-flopped. Did she think this was a date? Not that it wasn’t possible—or even probable—for Eliza to attempt a setup, but if Cassie thoughthehad something to do with it…
He tugged on the collar of his jacket, feeling the heat of embarrassment creep up his neck.
“Sounds great.” Her hesitation seemed to evaporate as she tossed one end of her plaid scarf over her shoulder before bounding down the front steps, leaving a faint trail of spicy bergamot behind her.
Luke quickly followed, almost breaking into a trot to beat her to the truck.
Cassie raised one eyebrow as he sprang for the passenger door, jiggling the finicky handle a few times before jerking it open.
“Sorry.” He flashed a lopsided grin. “Blame my dad. There wasn’t a day in his life when he didn’t open the car door for my mom.” Luke could have kicked himself as he realized how his words might be misconstrued. “Or for any woman,” he rushed to add.
The corners of Cassie’s lips quirked ever so slightly and Luke suppressed a groan. Was he that obvious? Eager to change the subject, he said, “You’re going to love Sander’s place.”
As Luke’s pickup rolled to a stop in the dirt parking lot of Sander’s Christmas Tree Farm, they were greeted by endless rows of pine and fir trees jutting into the moonlit sky. Luke stole a glance in Cassie’s direction, watching her face brighten with awe at the sight of the roaring bonfire and canopy of twinkle lights stretched overhead, illuminating their path.
“Pretty, huh?” Luke asked, helping her down from the truck.
Cassie nodded as she took in the idyllic scene of families roasting marshmallows around the crackling fire, serenaded by two harmonizing cowboys plucking “Silent Night” on their guitars.
“Uncle Luke!” Ben tore across the parking lot before Eliza even closed the driver’s door of her run-down Honda Accord.
Luke chuckled as Ben tackled him with a bear hug. “A little excited, are we?”
Ben grinned and whispered loudly in Luke’s ear, “They let you have as much hot chocolate and s’mores as you want.”
