Page 39 of The Christmas Cottage
Vanessa laughed. “I think I’ll watch. I’ve never tried to chop anything before. We’d be as likely to have to drive to the ER as bring a tree back to the bed and breakfast.”
“Well, we don’t want that.” Jackson chuckled, walking over to the tree she’d chosen. He stole another glance at her as he went, and the smile on his face spread as he took her in. He loved seeing her like this—the rosiness in her cheeks, the grin on her lips, how relaxed she was in this moment. He’d never seen her this relaxed, and it made him happy to know that he’d been a part of it.
When the tree was down, Vanessa came over to help him wrap it, grabbing one end as he took the trunk. “Those gloves are good for work,” he said with a grin. “But they’re still nice. No use getting sap all over them when I’ve got old work gloves on.”
“I see why you got me the tougher gloves and boots.” She laughed. “But this is fun. I never pictured myself doing anything like this.”
It was easy for me to picture it,he thought, but he didn’t say it. He didn’t want her to think this was all a ploy to convince her to uproot her life and come back permanently, that it was about anything but enjoying the date for what it was. And it was surprising that it had been so easy for him to picture it. Vanessa wasn’t exactly the rough and rustic type. But he could see her here, in Fir Tree Grove, easily.
“So what now?” Vanessa asked, as they loaded up the small tree in the back of his truck. Her stomach growled as Jackson closed the tailgate on the truck, and her cheeks flushed. “Sorry. It’s been a bit since lunch.”
“Well, that’s fine. I packed dinner for us, so we could eat while we decorated the tree. And I picked up ornaments for it.” He grinned at her, tossing his keys and catching them. “Ready to go?”
It might have been a long time since she’d been on an actual date, but Vanessa was sure that there couldn’t possibly have been a more magical, thoughtful date than this. She hadn’t really made time to go out with anyone in San Francisco, maybe a couple of guys over the years, but no fancy reservation at one of the expensive restaurants there, or a pair of theatre tickets, could compare to how relaxed and happy she felt in this moment.
They’d made it back to her room at the bed and breakfast, and she and Jackson had gotten the tree upstairs and out onto the balcony. She’d changed into a pair of leggings and a long, soft cashmere sweater while he got the tree settled, and Christopher had brought up a space heater for the balcony so that they could stay warm while they decorated. He’d winked at her as he left, casting a pointed glance toward Jackson, and she’d felt herself blush.
She still couldn’t quite believe he’d gone to all of this trouble to plan so much for her. Especially not when there wasn’t any longevity to this. She was leaving, either before Christmas or right after, and yet he’d put so much effort into making this night the most special one she could remember having in years—or maybe ever.
He’d brought charcuterie for them to eat while they decorated: local lamb salami with juniper berries, elk salami with blueberry, and air-dried venison, along with a variety of local cheeses. There was honey goat cheese, an herbed cheddar, and sheep’s cheese, and a bottle of dry red wine that went with all of it perfectly. He’d brought hot cocoa too, and a plate of Christmas sugar cookies, all of it spread out on the balconytable. They picked at it while they unpacked the ornaments he’d bought, and Vanessa let out a sigh as she popped another cracker with salami and cheddar into her mouth.
“This is incredible,” she said. “I’ve never tried anything like this before, but it’s so good.”
“There have got to be tons of crazy restaurants in the city with things like that,” Jackson said, motioning to the charcuterie.
Vanessa shrugged. “Probably. I just never really went to any of them. I always just made something quick at home. Although I had a tendency to just throw together olives, crackers, and cheese when I was too tired to make anything. So clearly, I gravitate toward finger foods.” She laughed.
“Perfect. I’m glad I picked that, then.” Jackson reached for a box of assorted ornaments, opening it. “I got this at Holly and Ivy Market. Let’s see what’s in there—oh, boy. What on earth is this?”
He pulled out a fuzzy cat, the face made out of hard felt-covered plastic with bright orange fur sticking out in all directions over the rest of its body, followed by a crooked tail.
“What on earth? This is the most bedraggled, chaotic excuse for an ornament I’ve ever seen in my life.” He started to laugh, turning it back and forth. “I’m scared of what’s in the rest of the box.”
“I think it’s cute.” Vanessa stood up, coming to get a closer look at the cat.
“It looks like it stuck its tail in an electrical socket.” Jackson handed her the ornament.
“Or maybe it’s just excited for Christmas.” She held it up, twirling it, and he laughed.
“Come on, admit it. It’s hideously ugly.”
“Iloveit,” Vanessa declared, grinning at him. “In fact, I think this one goes on the very front of the tree.” She stepped past him, and he groaned theatrically.
“That awful cat isn’t going to be the first ornament on the tree!”
“It is,” she said firmly, hanging it from a branch right in the center, where it would be one of the first ones noticed when she looked at the tree. “There. Home sweet home.”
Jackson chuckled, leaning back as he looked at the tree with its single ornament. “Honestly,” he said with a laugh. “Go right ahead. You’re so beautiful, you can do whatever you want.”
Vanessa paused, her cheeks flushing bright red. She couldn’t recall the last time anyone had said that to her. She turned to look at Jackson, expecting that same teasing expression, but he was serious now, looking at her with a soft expression that made her heart flip in her chest.
“You mean it?” she asked in a whisper, and he nodded, getting to his feet as he came over to join her next to the tree.
“Absolutely.” He reached out, brushing a piece of hair away from her face.
Vanessa bit her lip. “I’ve had a great night. I know it isn’t over yet, but I wanted to tell you that. This has been wonderful.”
“I wasn’t sure if I should ask you out,” Jackson admitted. “I know you’re not staying. I even asked Imogen about it. She encouraged me to do it anyway. And now I’m glad I did.”
