Page 11 of The Christmas Keepsake
“You’re making sure they get the right amount of water?” Pop had trained Hollis about the business the same way that Matt had trained Hollis in construction.
“Measuring it to the drop, exactly as you taught me. The crew is nearly finished up working on the Maynard Barn, so I’m switching gears and prepping to open the tree farm for holiday hours. The season is upon us.”
“Good. That’s good,” Pop said with the slight nod. “That was always my favorite time of the year. Preparing for the customers.” He rubbed his old, leathery hands together.
“No more talking in past tense, Pop. You’re still here,” Hollis reminded him.
Pop shook his head. “No. I’mhere.” He pointed at the bed he was lying in. “And I don’t see that changing.”
“You say the word. I’ll get a day pass, and we’ll work the farm together anytime you want.”
Pop’s eyes seemed to glow. “Yeah?”
“Of course.”
“I’ll slow you down,” Pop argued.
“Life at the tree farm isn’t fast-paced, you know that.” The only issue would be making sure Pop was supervised at all times. When Pop became confused, he’d taken to wandering. Add hundreds of Christmas trees and customers searching for the perfect one for their living room, and he could easily get lost.
“I’d like that.” He waved a hand. “This place is nice. The food is good. And we played bingo on Friday. Next Friday, there’s going to be a holiday dance.”
“Yeah, I know. Francis mentioned it.” Hollis waggled his brows. “You going to sit against the wall or make a move on one of the ladies?”
Pop offered a sly grin and broke into a soft chuckle. “I stopped looking for love a long time ago.” Pop had become a widower in his early fifties. He held up a finger. “But there’s nothing wrong with a little flirting. There’s some advice for you, boy.”
“I think I missed the lesson on flirting,” Hollis admitted. “When I flirt, women think I’m either weird or rude.”
Pop looked at him with interest, narrowing his pale eyes. “Oh, if you can care for trees, you can flirt, son. It’s easy.”
Hollis disagreed. “I somehow say the wrong thing. Every time.”
“Doesn’t matter what you say. You could be talking about dog poop on the sidewalk. The key to flirting is the way you say something.”
As Hollis listened, he wondered if he was getting the clearheaded version of the man he considered to be a grandfather or the foggy version of Pop. “Can you explain exactly how one would discuss dog poop in a flirty way?” Hollis glanced around to make sure no one was overhearing this ridiculous-sounding conversation.
“It’s in the eyes. First, you look at your lady friend for a long moment. You lock eyes just long enough to think in your mind,You are beautiful. Then you break eye contact. Flirting is in the pacing. It’s in the tone. You may be discussing a pile of dog poop, but your tone needs to be the same as if you were telling her with your words that she is the prettiest woman you’ve laid eyes on.’”
Hollis had to admit, this was compelling advice. “You always said math was easy too, and you and I both know I got all Cs.” Honestly, he was more of a D+ student, but grades didn’t matter after getting his GED. Hollis hadn’t gone to college because he’d had employment with Matt.
“Watch and listen…” Pop cleared his throat.
As Hollis watched, the older man’s expression changed.
“Watch your step. There’s dog poop on the floor.” Pop’s voicedipped low and turned gravelly. He looked at Hollis and counted off his next words on his fingers. “You. Are. Beautiful.” Then his gaze swept toward the window to watch the birdfeeder momentarily. “Any respectable pet owner would clean up after their pet.”
Hollis wasn’t sure what was going on right now.
Returning his attention to Hollis, Pop pointed a finger in his direction. “I bet you’re a respectable pet owner.”
Hollis’s jaw hung slack, and he honestly didn’t know what to say until Pop started laughing, slapping a hand against his own thigh. “Pop, were you just flirting with me?”
The older man with light blue eyes and sun-speckled, weathered skin seemed to work hard to catch his breath from laughing. “My first lesson in flirting. I should have taught you a long time ago, Matt.”
Hollis’s heart dropped into his stomach.
Pop seemed to realize his mistake as well. The look on his face, fear and shame, broke Hollis’s heart.
“Come to the dance, and I’ll give you another lesson.”
