Page 65 of Bad Boy Bachelor Christmas
Winter shook her head. “Nope. I’m done.” She hopped out of the sleigh, caught the toe of her boot on the lip, and pitched forward with a shriek.
I caught her in my arms and lowered her to the snow.
She giggled and fixed her white hat. “Thank you.”
Taking her hand, I led her to the hot cider stand and ordered us each a cup. Most of the hard work for the night was done—until I had to help customers get their trees out to and on top of their cars, of course—and I wanted to savor a little moment with my girl.
My intern.
Whatever.
A few minutes later, with drinks in hand, we found a good spot to stand back and observe the first ever lighting ceremony of Waylon Farms. Winter had outdone herself and added even more décor to the grounds, including twinkling white reindeer amongst the trees that looked rather unimpressive unlit, but would look beautiful and almost romantic once they were on. She’d added some lights sporadically to trees deeper in the fields, saying it would give the farm depth once night fell. I think I’d bought more extension cords in the last twenty-four hours than I had in my entire life.
All worth it, though.
Cami, a crowd-pleaser at heart, took to the stage where the carolers were performing to host the countdown to the lighting ceremony. Children ceased their playing to rush to their parents’ sides. Mothers whispered in the ears of their sons to hush. Fathers lifted their young daughters onto their shoulders so they could see. Grandparents cozied up together, men pressing wrinkled kisses to warm foreheads. Winter and I looked around, soaking up all the love and the magic of the evening.
She stretched to her toes as she always did when she wanted to whisper something to me, or steal a kiss, and I leaned over, thinking it would be the former. She pressed a warm kiss to my cheek just as Cami’s countdown reached one, and the whole farm came to life in a dazzling snap of light that painted the snowy ground in rainbows.
The crowd gasped, and despite myself, I did too.
Winter smiled radiantly. The lights reflected in her eyes, and her beauty stole all of my attention as the crowd made a huge fuss, and even my employees got caught up in the magic of the moment.
“Merry Christmas, Winter,” I whispered.
She turned to me, gathered the front of my jacket in her small fists, and whispered, “Merry Christmas, North.”
CHAPTER30
WINTER
Cami stood shoulder to shoulder with me as we leaned against the fence, watching families pull away from the estate with their trees strapped to their roofs. A few stragglers were still in the parking area, and as I watched, North hefted one tree onto his shoulder like it weighed nothing, carried it over to the nearest car, and laid it out gently on the roof, keeping hold of the trunk to avoid scratching the paint while the father used tie-downs to secure it. Beside them, Justin and two other men struggled to do the same.
North was a beast. After all the physical labor over the past hour of tying down trees, he’d removed his jacket and worked in his Henley shirt. Steam rose off his broad shoulders and back, and I imagined how nice it would feel to snuggle up against him and steal his warmth.
Cami giggled.
“What?” I asked innocently.
“You’re biting your lip and staring.”
I un-pinched my lower lip from between my teeth. “Can you blame me? Look at him. He’s like a… aGod,” I gushed.
“I’ve always seen him as something of an older brother, but I get it. Women in town have always gone crazy for him.”
Sighing, I wrapped my arms tighter around myself and snuggled my chin into my scarf. “It’s going to be hard to say goodbye. Six more days. They’re going to be over before I know it.”
“But you get to see your folks.” Cami gave me an encouraging smile. “I know how much you’re looking forward to seeing them. Just think. You’re only six days from sitting in their cozy living room drinking spiked eggnog and unwrapping stocking stuffers.”
I’d told Cami all about some of our special family traditions one afternoon when I was particularly homesick. “I’m surprised you remember all that.”
“Of course I do! They’ll lift your spirits when you get home. Besides, Maple Hill isn’t so hard to get to.”
“It’s on the other side of the country.”
“True, but it’s a direct flight, and North has money.” She pumped her eyebrows. “I’m sure you two could arrange to keep in touch or make something work long distance if you really wanted to. Go home. Finish your studies. Keep your rich hunky side piece in your back pocket. Then come back here when you’re ready and start your career.”
Giggling, I tipped my head back to the heavy, starless sky. Snow was coming. “That doesn’t sound so bad.”
