Page 41 of Bad Boy Bachelor Christmas
I took that as an indication to continue. “I would like to cut the bottom branches off the tree up to the eight-foot mark.”
North rubbed his jaw.
Mrs. Velton blinked. “Sorry?”
Bear with me.“Every year,” I said, “your tree has had the same physical shape, which makes sense, because it’s a Christmas tree. You’ve created different schemes using color and lighting, but there’s only so much we can do on that front, especially with a tree of this size. So, let’s make the tree an experience, just like the carnival rides. We’ll cut the bottom branches and hang lights straight down like rain. I’ve seen this done before, and it makes for beautiful photo-ops. Trust me, if we do this, every family and young couple at your event is going to be under that tree taking pictures, and those pictures are going to flood social media and serve as free marketing for you.”
North’s hand slid over his mouth, and I had a feeling he was concealing a smile.
I showed them photos of a Christmas market I’d been to two years ago with my parents and younger cousins. The kids loved the dangling lights, and their parents loved snapping pictures with them. Even if you were a God-awful photographer, you were bound to get stunning images.
“We can carry the white lights up to the top of the tree in vertical lines.” I spoke animatedly with my hands, trying to help paint a picture for them. “The star of the show can be the star on top, and I’d like to create something a bit more modern. Not a traditional star, but rather a blazing sun of sorts. I can sketch it, if you like.”
Walter shook his head. “I trust you.”
His wife nodded. “Me too.”
Just like that?
North took over the meeting, knowing I was a pitcher not a closer, and went over the details of what they could expect from us in the coming days, including our visit to their property in two day’s time to oversee the tree going up and the cutting of the lower branches. From there, we would manage the decorating to their liking.
While he spoke, my brain continued to fire. Snapshots of what the tree could look like flashed in my mind’s eye, and when I closed my eyes and painted it in full color against the black of my closed eyelids, I saw more glitz and glamor—I wanted giant ornaments in odd-numbered groupings in whimsical colors. I wanted a Grinch stealing some of said ornaments standing on a lift shouting down at kids passing by. I wanted magic and wonder.
A flutter of excitement rippled through me.
Who knew decorating Christmas trees could be so much fun?
CHAPTER19
NORTH
Justin did a little shimmy in the snow, leaving a mishmash of boot prints while I crouched down to set a trap. The damn coyotes had been out in more numbers than usual, and with Winter staying on the property, I didn’t want to take any risks. She hadn’t wandered off on her own since that night I had happened upon her walking alone and had to fire my shotgun to scare off the wayward coyote, but a man could never be too careful.
“It’s fucking cold out here,” Justin said through chattering teeth.
“You’ll be fine, princess.”
“How do those things work, anyway?” He nodded at the trap I was setting, a simple catch and release mechanism. “Is it going to hurt them?”
I shook my head and tightened the release. “No. It snares them, and then animal control comes to tranquilize them and relocate them.IfI even catch one. The farm opens for business in a couple of days for people to come buy their own trees. I can’t have wild animals wandering around.”
“You already have a giant grumpy one as it is.”
I looked up at him from beneath my brows.
“You,” he said. “I meant you.”
“I knew what you meant.”
“I thought it was funny.”
“Uh huh.” I rose to my feet and brushed snow off my knees. “How’d the rest of the showing go this morning? Any bites?”
We began walking back toward the house. Winter had been picked up about twenty minutes ago to join Cami for dinner and drinks, and Justin and I were going to drink whiskey and catch up. We’d both had so much on our plates work-wise recently that we hadn’t had much time to hang out. He might have been a tedious pain in my ass, but he was my closest friend, and he’d been the one person to keep me from losing my sanity after Veronica died.
Well, him and Marge.
“I have some interested parties,” Justin said. “There’s an out of town buyer looking at it to turn into a bed and breakfast, which let’s be honest, is a great idea for a property like that. Historic. Simultaneously close but removed from town. Plenty of land to build add-ons if desired. Lots of bedrooms and bathrooms. I have a good feeling about it.”
