Chapter 7

CHAPTER 7

CHARLOTTE

T oday, I was acting as the parking attendant. It was great for talking to customers. I gleaned a lot of valuable information like where they were from, if they’d been here before, and if they wanted something else to be offered.

I was busy jotting notes on my tablet while I talked to a driver when Teddy appeared at my side. He grabbed my elbow, pulling me to the side.

Will took over my post.

“Is it time for my break already?” I asked Teddy, whose expression was downright thunderous.

“What are you doing? You’re just supposed to direct the cars to the next attendant who tells them where to park.”

I followed Teddy’s finger to see another attendant directing cars to park on the field. “I was doing that.”

“You were holding up the line. Brian said you’ve been talking to every driver.”

“Some have questions about where they’re supposed to park and what fields are best for cutting.”

“Charlotte. Your job is just to wave them on to the next attendant. ”

“But they had questions, and I was happy to answer them.” I enjoyed being helpful. And this job reminded me of working the front counter at Matthews Inn.

Teddy growled.

“Are you growling at me?” That reminded me of Daphne calling him a bear. Is this what she was talking about? So far, I hadn’t seen much of the softer teddy bear she’d alluded to.

He ran a hand through his hair. “You’re exasperating.”

“Look at all the valuable information I gleaned from talking to people.” I showed him the chart I’d made of things customers wanted to see on the farm, including more holiday lights, Santa, and refreshments. Then the other chart that said where they came from. “I need a bit more data to make any conclusions.”

“You’re off parking attendant.”

“No.” Tears of frustration pricked my eyes.

“If it’s so important to you, you can talk to them as they get out of their car, and they’re getting their stuff ready to walk to the barn where the cut lot was located.”

I bounced on my toes. “Are you serious?”

“Yes.”

Then I frowned. “But that’s not very helpful.”

Teddy waved a hand at my tablet. “This is market research, isn’t it?”

I nodded, pleased he understood.

“Then it’s necessary.”

I curled my hand around his arm; the muscles flexed beneath my palm. “Thank you for understanding. I can help out more this afternoon. I just want to get more information so I have a variety of responses.”

“It’s fine.” The scowl was still present on his face, but it had softened slightly.

“You’re the best.” I couldn’t slow the surge of good feelings that flew through me at Teddy’s suggestion. I kept my grip on his arm as I went up on tip toe and kissed his cheek .

The scruff on his cheek sent tingles through my body. I moved away, dropping my hand. I shouldn’t have touched him, and I certainly shouldn’t have kissed him. We were coworkers. I was over friendly and touchy, but I couldn’t be that way with Teddy.

My body reacted to him in a way it didn’t to others. I wanted him, and it was hard to hide that reaction when I was close to him.

“Thanks for letting me talk to the drivers.” I waved at him as I walked away.

He didn’t respond, just watched me go. Today, I wore jeans and a holiday sweater under my red puffy jacket. I was dressed for warmth and holiday spirit, not sex appeal.

Then again, Teddy wore his standard farm uniform of a flannel, jeans, and work boots, and I was a quivering mess around him.

I focused on greeting each guest, welcoming them to the farm, and asking if they’d been here before, where they were from, and what they were looking for. I jotted down their answers after I directed them.

I was getting the information I needed. I hoped my personality was helping win over the customers, and they’d come back again next year.

My biggest challenge was to get customers to return more than once a year. Right now, the farm was a one-stop shop for trees. Customers didn’t need to return once they’d gotten their tree for the year. I wanted to change that.

The Monroes had the light display and several events throughout the year, like movie night, to draw them back. I wanted the same for the Calloways, but I was positive Teddy wouldn’t agree to year-round activities.

There had to be something we could do to bring customers back. My number one idea was Santa photos. Right now, area residents had to go to the mall. The Monroes weren’t offering that service.

What if I combined photos with a winter festival? My body hummed with anticipation. I couldn’t wait to get back to my cottage and write out my ideas. Then I’d talk to Al and Teddy.

I surveyed the customers until lunch, then went to the main house to snag a sub. This time, I pulled out soda and chips, then took everything out on the deck to eat. Normally, I preferred to observe the activity on the farm. But today, I wanted a bit of a break from it.

When I stepped outside, I startled when I realized Teddy was already sitting in one of the chairs, a beer bottle resting against his inner thigh.

I turned to go. “I didn’t realize you were out here. I’ll just sit on the porch.”

Teddy held up his hand. “You can stay.”

I turned back, still hesitant. “Are you sure?”

Teddy nodded. “It’s fine.”

I sat in one of the other chairs, setting my drink on the floor, then slowly unwrapped the sub. “Did you eat?”

“Not yet. I just wanted some quiet.”

“I’m sorry that I disturbed you.”

“The employees walk in and out all morning to grab food. It’s not a big deal.”

But I had a feeling no one came out here. They ate in the kitchen or on the porch. There were a few picnic tables scattered over the fields near the barn too.

We were quiet for a few seconds while I ate. I checked my phone for any messages, but there were none.

“How was your research?”

I was eager to share it with someone. “Most of your customers are loyal, coming back every year. Although a few said you were closer than the Monroes. ”

“What we already knew,” Teddy murmured as he rested his head back and closed his eyes.

I wasn’t sure if he was still listening to me. “My challenge is to bring them back again this season.”

Teddy shifted, opening his eyes. “How would you do that?”

“We have to create an event worth coming back for. We don’t have anyone who can build the light displays that the Monroes have, so it has to be something else.”

His gaze narrowed on me. “You have something in mind.”

My knees were bouncing with energy. “The Santa photos. If we tied it to a festival, it would be perfect. Customers could buy holiday items and get their photos in one day. If they haven’t bought a tree yet, they could get one.”

Teddy shook his head. “That sounds like a big undertaking.”

“I’ll handle everything.” My heart slowed as I waited for his response.

Teddy gave me a pointed look. “Why do I think you’re going to need my help?”

I couldn’t stop the grin that threatened. “I need you to be Santa.”

“You know how I feel about that.”

I set my sandwich on a small table next to my chair, so I could use my hands to demonstrate. “Think about it the way the community would. You’re a police officer. You’re a bit intimidating.”

He raised a brow.

“You know you are.” I waved a hand up and down indicating his body. “You’re not exactly approachable. If you dress up as Santa, and the kids see you in something besides your uniform, they might view you differently.”

He crossed his arms over his chest. “What if I don’t want to be seen differently?”

I let out a breath. “I think it would be good for your job and the farm. Everyone will love it.” There was a risk that more women would see him in a new way too. It was one I’d have to take if I wanted to accomplish what I promised for the farm.

“The chief has said I can be rigid.”

I snorted.

Teddy leveled me with a look. “Why is it you’re perfectly nice to everyone but me?”

My forehead wrinkled. “I’m nice to you.” I was exceedingly patient with a man that argued with me about every event I wanted to hold on the farm.

He shifted so that his elbows rested on his thighs. “You promised you’d wear the elf costume if I was Santa.”

I nodded eagerly. “This is going to be great.”

Teddy scowled. “I doubt that.”

“You won’t regret it.”

Teddy chuckled without any humor. “I already do.”

I pulled out a notepad and sketched the set up for the festival I had in mind. “The vendor tables will be here. We can move the picnic tables near the food trucks. Then we’ll take the Santa pictures inside the barn. I have my eye on a Santa chair that could work. Maybe you could help me with the rest of the setup?”

“I knew I’d be roped into this.”

“It won’t be a big deal. I promise. We’ll keep it simple this year. Once we know it works?—”

“You’re not suggesting we do this every year, are you?” Teddy’s voice was incredulous.

I looked up at him in surprise. “If it was successful, we’d be crazy not to do it again.” At his pinched look, I continued, “We’re testing things right now. Some events will work; others won’t. But we need to double down on what does.”

“We’re in a testing phase?” Teddy asked.

“That’s right.” I loved talking marketing and business terms. “It’s a risk but one worth taking in my opinion. People love festivals. It’s an excuse to take the family somewhere. And this one is relatively low cost. I researched the light displays in the area, and they are expensive. One charged hundreds of dollars to see lights in a baseball stadium and ice skate for twenty-five minutes. Twenty-five minutes,” I emphasized.

“You’ve done your homework.”

“That’s what your dad is paying me for.”

Teddy stiffened, and I wondered if I’d made a mistake in referencing my salary. “I didn’t know what to expect.”

I leveled him with a glare. “Did you think I wasn’t experienced in what I do?”

He looked chastened as he held his hands up. “I said I didn’t know. Not that I thought you were a fraud.”

I tipped my head to the side as if to say, Really?

“It’s hard not to think the worst of everyone in my line of work.”

“Everyone has good in them. Sometimes you just have to look a little harder.” I was specifically referencing Teddy because I didn’t see what Daphne did, but then again, she was his little sister. He’d probably catered to her and treated her differently than the other women in his life.

Teddy stood. “I’ll keep an open mind.”

“And not complain the entire time about wearing a costume.” I grabbed my things and followed him inside where he cleaned off the counter and put the dirty dishes in the dishwasher.

I wondered if he made it a habit to clean his dad’s kitchen every day.

Teddy closed the dishwasher, turned, and leaned against the counter. “I can’t promise that. I intend to be very grumpy.”

“Santa’s not supposed to be a grump,” I said as I sat on the stool and took a bite of my sub.

“We don’t know, right? It’s just speculation. He’s a fictional character after all.”

I rolled my eyes. “Everyone knows that Santa is jolly. ”

“You asked me to be Santa, so you get what you get. I’m not going to change.” He crossed his arms over his chest.

I bit my lip hard, so I didn’t scream in frustration. Just when I thought things were going my way, he had to be difficult. “The kids expect Santa to be a certain way. All you have to do is put them on your lap and ask them what they want for Christmas. The photo is snapped. Then I’ll hand them a candy cane and direct them on their way.”

“What if they want something ridiculous for Christmas like an airplane?”

“Most likely it will be a video game console or a phone.”

Teddy dipped his head. “Kids ask for that?”

I nod. “Yup. They all want technology these days. Izzy’s been bugging Daphne for a phone, saying everyone else has one.”

A line formed between his eyebrows. “That’s not working on her though.”

I laughed. “No way. Daphne said she’s home, and there’s no reason for Izzy to have one.”

“I thought they’d want a football or something.”

“Either way, you just smile and move onto the next kid. We don’t need to comment on their requests. That’s up to their parents to prepare them for reality.”

“Sounds easy enough.”

“And I’ll be there to help with the kids. They love me.”

“Of course they do.”

I couldn’t tell if he thought that was a good thing or not. Instead, I finished eating and got up to throw out my trash.

“You ready to go out with a family? I’ll show you what we do,” Teddy asked hesitantly.

“I’d love that.” That was something I hadn’t done yet, and I was eager to experience it.

Teddy glanced down at my shearling boots. “You got good shoes on? ”

I’d bought them because they were cute. I wasn’t sure if they were made for hiking.

“Those will do. Come on.”

I followed him outside eager to talk to a family and see what kind of tree they wanted. “This is so exciting.”

He gave a side glance. “You have an interesting take on what’s exciting.’”

“I love meeting new people and finding out what they like.” He walked so fast I had to skip to keep up.

When he noticed, he slowed.

“So what do we do? Do you cut down the tree for them? Or do you show them how to do it themselves?”

“We do whatever they want. Some prefer the full experience, and others want me to cut down the tree. I look for a family that looks lost and then ask them if they would like help.”

“Oh, that’s easy.” I scanned the area around the barn for anyone who looked like they wanted help.

There was a little girl who was holding her dad’s hand, pointing in the direction of the fields, but he was digging in his heels, saying, “I don’t know.”

Teddy approached. “You need some help?”

“My daughter wants me to cut down a tree. But I’ve never done it before.”

“I’d be happy to help. I can take you to the field, help you pick one out, and cut it down,” Teddy offered in a tone I hadn’t heard from him before.

“Does that cost extra?” the man asked him.

“It’s part of the experience. No charge.” He held his hand out to him. “Teddy Calloway.”

The man shook his hand. “Noah. So, you own the place?”

“My father does. The entire family works during the season. Except for my brother, Axel. He’s in the military for a bit longer. ”

We started walking in the direction of the field. I fell in step with the mother.

“I’m Gina, and this is my daughter, Eliza.”

“Nice to meet you. I’m Charlotte.” I purposely didn’t give my last name. I didn’t want to detract from the farm with the fact my family owned a competing farm. I had nothing to do with my cousin’s farm, but the public didn’t know that. “I’m learning the ropes around here. I hope you don’t mind if I tag along?”

Gina smiled. “Not at all. We can use all the help we can get.”

I noted the dad’s shoes were a shiny leather, not the ones you’d ordinarily wear on a farm. They came here for the experience but didn’t want to get dirty. I catalogued that information to write down later.

I tuned out Teddy’s now-familiar spiel on the types of trees, content to listen to the sounds of the outdoors. We occasionally ran into other groups coming down the hill with their trees. I was surprised when Teddy greeted each one. I shouldn’t have been because he’d have to interact with the public in his job. I just hadn’t expected him to be so congenial.

Maybe he was only grumpy with me? I wasn’t sure how I felt about that.

I represented change, which he obviously didn’t like. I wonder if I could get him to loosen up in other ways.