Page 29 of Noel I Won’t
Damn.
I turned away. “I better get this last batch of rolls packaged so I can open the store on time.”
He hesitated. “I’ll see you out there, then.”
It took only two hours at the shop before we were down to one package of cinnamon rolls. I watched each one sell with a mix of pleasure and resentment. Now, I’d have to make more, along with the cookie kits and the peanut brittle I wanted to get done.
With a sigh, I started a list of all the supplies I’d need to buy at the store later.
When there was a lull, I called Mom to watch the shop and headed out to my rental car. As soon as I was inside, I called Kody, crossing my fingers he’d have a few free minutes.
“Hey, Noel! I was just thinking about you!” Kody said when he picked up.
“Oh, yeah?”
“Yeah, if you’re not too busy with the job hunt, I’d love you to come over for our first wine tasting.”
“Oh, well, I would, but I’m still in Nebraska.”
“Right, you went for Thanksgiving. How is your dad?”
“He’s doing pretty good, all things considered,” I said. “I’m probably going to stick around here a while. They’ve got a Christmas tree farm, and they need some help with it.”
I started the car and switched the phone to hands-free as I turned down the lane.
“Okay. So, what’s up? I assume you didn’t call just to say hi.”
“Well, I always like to catch up, but actually, I was hoping I could pick your brain about some ideas. Like I said, my parents have this tree farm, but they’ve kind of let it slip a bit.”
“Okay…”
“Well, I want to revive it a bit, you know? Make sure they’re all set for a strong season after I leave. And maybe…”
“Maybe what?”
I hesitated to put it into words. Maybe my parents would decide to retire, and if they did, they’d get a better price for the farm if it wasn’t a faded version of its old self.
My heart twisted. I hated the idea of selling, even if it was best for them. It would break Dad’s heart to leave it, and the idea of never returning home, of never being able to revisit my childhood memories, was depressing.
“Maybe nothing,” I said. “I just want to liven up the farm with more events. And I thought, who better to ask than someone from Christmas Falls? How can I turn this tree farm into the holiday mecca of Elkhorn County?”
“Elkhorn County.” He laughed. “You really are out in the boonies.”
“Yeah, yeah.” I came to a stop at the end of the lane and flipped on my right blinker to take me to Granville. I loved the little Meat Market there, run by the Ellis family. “So, are you going to help me or not?”
“Don’t worry, Noel. You came to the right place. I’m going to give your number to Griff. He’s our festival organizer, and he’s a total idea machine. Before you know it, that Christmas tree farm will beglowingwith new life.”
“That’s what I like to hear,” I said with a smile. “Thanks, Kody.”
“No problem.” He paused. “You sound happier, Noel. Did you get some good news on the job front?”
“No, not yet.” Truth be told, I’d barely given my career any thought since getting home. “I’ve been focused on my family.”
“Well, it sounds like it’s doing you good.”
We said our goodbyes, and I disconnected, but Kody’s words lingered.
I thought of the kitchen this morning, Mom’s delighted smile when she saw the baking I’d done, Dad’s praise, and even Hopper’s teasing.
