Page 35 of Christmas on Ice
I needed to change the subject. “Are you going to the Christmas tree farm tomorrow?” I asked.
“I wasn’t planning on it. Jason said he was going, and we don’t need two trees. Why do you ask?”
“Svetlana invited me. It sounds fun. I’ve never been to one.”
“Me neither, actually. Not really a South Carolina thing.”
“Nope!” I smiled. “But… Maybe…you’d want to go with us and help Ryleigh and I pick out a tree?” He probably thought I was nuts, being so hot and cold in the same conversation. I was still working through some things, but I was determined to knock down my own walls.
“It would be my pleasure.”
I laughed. “Of course it would. So we’ll see you tomorrow, then?”
“Definitely.”
* * *
The Palmer CityChristmas Tree Farm was on the western edge of town. Trask picked us up in his truck, and after only a few minutes of struggling and grunting—with Ryleigh cheering us on—we managed to secure her car seat in the extended cab.
The Antonovs, Wards, and other members from the team gathered in the parking lot, awaiting the arrival of everyone else. I loved that about this group—they were a team in every sense of the word. Some were only here for a season or less, but while they were a Volt, they were tight. Once a Volt, always a Volt, Trask had told me.
Coach Conway arrived last, with Noel Allaire and his mother, Gemma. I’d met her a few times, and we’d chatted about mom stuff. Noel seemed close to his mother and didn’t seem to mind that she was involved with the team. She and the coach had become good friends, and some of the younger players had even taken to calling her “Mom.”
We checked in at the main building, and the guys were given handsaws and rope. As we turned down the first path of trees, Ryleigh broke free from my hand to run up at the front with the other children.
I smiled at Trask when I caught him stealing a glance at me. “Thanks for bringing us here today.” I adjusted my scarf nervously. “Ryleigh said she’s not going to leave until she’s sure she finds the prettiest tree. Are you prepared to be here a while?”
He laughed. “As long as it takes.”
“You’re a champ,” I said. “She’s very fickle.”
“I disagree. She seems to know exactly what she wants.” He was right, of course. How well he knew my daughter sent a flutter swirling around in my belly. Ryleigh always knew what she wanted, unlike me, who second-guessed just about every decision I made.
We walked farther, and Jason and Lauren fell into step with us as others found their trees and veered off the main path.
“Have you decided where you’re going to put your tree?” Trask asked.
“It depends how big it is.” Yesterday, when we chatted about the tree farm, I’d explained I wasn’t sure where I’d put a large tree. Last year, I’d purchased a three-foot synthetic for the front window ledge, and it had been enough since we’d gone home for Christmas. The cottage was so small, there were only a couple of spots that would fit it if we rearranged some things.
Ryleigh turned around on the path. “We need a BIG tree, Mommy! Daddy has a big tree at my other house. Please, Mommy!”
Her plea ripped at my heart. I swallowed and nodded. “Whatever you choose, baby girl. We’ll find a way to make it fit.”
“Oh goody!” She looked back as Natasha and her family turned off the path and stopped at a large spruce. “These trees are too prickly. Let’s keep walking!”
We trudged on. “Here!” Ryleigh called, and we turned off the main path among a path of grand firs. She stopped after a few trees and pointed to a short, round one. “This is my tree! Look how big around it is! Cut it down, boys!”
I snorted as Trask and Jason set to work cutting the tree. Ryleigh supervised as Lauren and I looked on.
“She’s an amazing little girl, Kami. I love her personality.” Lauren watched the scene before us with pure delight on her face.
“Thank you,” I said. “Do you miss teaching the littles?” She’d recently had to switch from teaching first grade to fourth grade.
“I do. It’s easy to fix their problems and comfort them when they’re little. They just need love. The older kids … they don’t believe in magic, you know? They’re too cynical, and there are so many academic and societal pressures. It’s hard to be a kid these days.”
I nodded, unsure of what to say. “I’m savoring every moment like this. I know it will all go really fast.”
“Okay, Ryleigh,” Trask called. “Yell ‘timber’ so it will fall!”
