Page 43 of A Very Merry Mistake

There are several windows in his shop, so it’s not entirely dark inside.

He grabs his ax and looks at the blade. “You ever chop wood before?”

I give him a look like he’s lost his mind.

“I’ll take that as a no, then. Wanna learn?”

My expression doesn’t falter.

“Heard loud and clear, but you’re comin’ with me once I sharpen this blade. It’s a good skill to have just in case you need it in the future.”

I hold back laughter. There is no way I’ll ever need to know how to do this, but I’m curious. Besides, I’ve seen some lumberjack TikTok videos and figure the visuals alone will be worth it.

Jake sets the ax down on the large table and then grabs something that looks like a stone. Carefully, he slides it across the blade several times, and I imagine how his muscular arms flex beneath that shirt. He’s mesmerizing as he pays close attention to detail, running his finger over the end to feel its sharpness. He flips the blade over and takes care of the other side until the metal edge is silver. “Cutting wood with a dull blade is how people get hurt. But I think we’re good now.”

He holds it up, examining his handiwork before turning on his heels. “Ready?”

“As ready as I’ll ever be.”

The wind howls against the building and blasts me as soon as I exit the doors. He leads me to the side, where a huge blue tarp is stretched over a large mass. He removes it, and the water from the melted ice falls to the ground. Under it are large slabs of tree trunks.

“Why can’t we just burn that?” I ask, tucking my hands into my pockets, really wishing I had a pair of gloves.

He chuckles, his hot breath immediately evaporating into smoke. “Because smaller logs catch easier and provide more heat. Just gotta chop some of this up, and we’ll be good to go for the rest of the week.”

“Be my guest,” I say as Jake lifts what looks like the entire trunk of a tree and sets it down on a clear spot on the ground. Then he lifts the ax above his head, slamming the blade on his target. The wood splits, and he continues his assault on it until it’s divided into six smaller pieces.

“Want to grab the wheelbarrow out of the shop?” he asks me over his shoulder.

“Sure,” I tell him. “Where is it?”

“Inside, directly to your left, leaning against the wall. Can’t miss it.”

I nod, wanting to be helpful. He’s still chopping, and I hear the blade’s steel cracking through the wood as I enter. I spot it immediately. As I move forward, I notice a board with pushpins all around, then I see a picture of an older man and two little boys. I lean in, trying to get a better look, when I’m startled by the clearing of a throat.

“Did ya get lost?” Jake asks in a light tone, moving toward me.

I’m still staring at the photo. “Who’s in this picture?”

Jake grins wide and points at the smaller boy holding a tiny ax in his hand. “That’s me. That’s my older brother Hudson. And my grandfather. Rest his soul.”

In the background, I see rows of Christmas trees, as they stand proudly together like they’re having the time of their life. Everyone is dressed in layers, so I imagine it was taken in December.

“I’m sorry.”

“Nah, it’s fine. I miss him every day. But he lived a very full life. Never saw him upset once.”

“Sounds like he was a treasure.”

“He was.” He lingers on the photograph.

“How many siblings do you have?” I ask, realizing I’ve not learned much about him besides what he’s willingly offered in conversation. The fact I want to learn more about him nearly scares me.

I’m not one who usually cares, especially when I’m dead set on accomplishing my goals. But being with Jake is different.

“An older brother and a younger one. This was before Luke was born, though. It was just me and Hudson. Oh, I’ve got a shit ton of cousins, too. I should introduce you to everybody. Y’all would probably get along great.”

“That’d be nice,” I say, but I doubt I’d have anything in common with anyone here. My life is on the other end of the spectrum from anyone who lives in Merryville. “Growing up on a Christmas tree farm must’ve been magical.”

---