Page 18 of Sweet Christmas Comeback
Leo couldn’t help grinning. “Cecily Glick, I’m guessing?”
“How did you know?”
“She’s the only person in town who would care enough to complain about it.”
“So you’ll help us find pine branches?”
“I’ll do you one better,” Leo said, an idea forming. “I’ll have Brice bring over his best later tonight after supper, and I’ll help you hang the new garland. Might as well make sure it’s done right.”
“You’d do that?”
“Partners, right?” Leo said, extending his hand. “Besides, I’ve got a vested interest in keeping Cecily from shutting down the bakery. Where else am I going to get reindeer cookies?”
Jade shook his hand, her grip firm and warm even through her gloves. “Partners,” she agreed.
As they walked back toward the bakery, Leo caught glimpses of the old Jade in her quick smile and steady stride, but there was something different too. It was like she finally knew what she wanted, not the starry-eyed girl chasing the next big thing. The question was, did what she wanted have anything to do with staying in Frost Pine Ridge?
“One more thing,” Jade said, pausing at the back door. “We should probably do a trial run before the actual event. Work out any kinks in the route, test the timing and figure out the best spots for the refreshment stands.”
“Good thinking. When were you thinking?”
Jade pulled out her phone, checking the date. “Today’s Monday, the Tree Lighting is Sunday... what about tomorrow evening? That gives us a few days to tweak things and solidify our plan.”
“That works,” Leo agreed. “Maybe we can use a smaller sleigh. Get a feel for how the timing actually works versus how it looks on paper.”
“Perfect. And it’ll give the town a preview of what to expect.” Jade’s eyes lit up with the possibility. “Maybe we can even use it to drum up more business for the bakery.”
Leo nodded, but as she walked back toward the bakery. A trial run, a garland project, a partnership with Jade Bennett—things he hadn’t expected this week. Maybe her return wasn’t here to ruin his rhythm after all. But he wasn’t ready to trust that just yet.
CHAPTER NINE
That night at seven p.m., the rumble of a diesel truck announced Brice’s arrival. Jade looked out the bakery window to see him backing up to the curb, the truck bed piled high with fresh-cut pine boughs that filled the air with their crisp, resinous scent.
Brice climbed out of the driver’s side, brushing pine needles off his flannel shirt. Leo jumped out of the passenger side.
“Jade Bennett,” Brice called when he spotted her. “Back in town and still causing trouble?”
“Only the good kind,” Jade said, stepping outside. The December air was sharp and clean, carrying the scent of pine. “Brice Matthews. It’s been forever.”
She hugged Brice, then glanced toward Leo, who was already hauling a bundle of branches off the truck bed.
“You took over the tree farm?” she asked, nodding toward the load of pine.
“After Dad died,” Brice said with a shrug. “Figured someone had to keep it running. It’s work, but I like it.”
“They’re beautiful,” Jade said, running her hand along a particularly lush branch. “How much do I owe you?”
“Free of charge—for an old friend,” Brice said, brushing it off. “Besides, Leo said you needed the real deal to satisfy Cecily Glick’s sensibilities.”
Before Jade could answer, Felicity came striding up the sidewalk, a cardboard carrier in one hand. “Pumpkin chai lattes for everyone,” she announced, setting them down before clapping her hands together at the sight of the pine. “Oh, Brice, these are gorgeous. I can already see how this is going to look.”
She took a sip of her latte, her decorator’s eye already at work. “We’ll need to remove the old garland first, obviously. Then drape these in natural swoops—nothing too formal. Brice, do you have wire?”
“Yes, ma’am,” Brice said with an amused salute. “Got a whole toolkit in the truck.”
“And Leo, you’re tall enough to reach the high spots without a ladder, right? Though we should probably use one for safety?—”
“Fee,” Leo cut in gently. “Breathe. We’ve got this.”
