Chapter 8

CHAPTER 8

VIOLET

W e hiked in the opposite direction of the customers milling around at the cut lot and the other fields available for cutting. It was nice that we would get this time to ourselves to hunt for a tree.

We'd passed the main house. "I can't believe you grew up here."

"We got picked on at school for growing up on a farm."

"That's terrible."

Ryder merely shrugged. "The kids who lived in town were popular. But we didn't care. We had acres to run. When we dated, we could drive the pickup to a spot away from prying eyes and look at the stars."

I wanted to ask if that was all he did, but Faith was listening to us now. She bounded ahead of us, clearly excited about choosing a tree.

I would have liked that freedom to escape when things were tough at home. It was always, Why can't you be more like your sister? How hard is it to focus and study? What do you think you're going to do when you grow up?

If I could have disappeared into a line of trees for a few hours, it would have made all the difference. Other than hiding in my room, there weren't many places to disappear to.

"We have a few varieties of trees in this field. The Frasier Fir has blue-green needles with a silvery undertone, a good scent, and strong branches for decorating. The needles turn slightly upward and can hold medium to heavy ornaments." Ryder's fingers brushed over the needles, showcasing the silvery undertones.

Ryder moved to a tree in another row. "Fifty percent of our sales come from the Douglas Fir which get a nice pyramid shape, have blue or dark green leaves, and sturdy branches."

"How long do you have to wait for the trees to be full-grown?"

Faith was running around a nearby tree, and I wondered if she'd heard this speech from her father or uncles before.

"It takes seven to ten years to produce an eight-foot tree."

There was something about Ryder talking Christmas trees that got me hot. He didn't look like a nerd, but it was attractive when a man knew what he was talking about. And he'd grown up here, lived and breathed the facts he'd just relayed.

It was evident from his tone that he was proud of what his family had built. In the truck, he'd regretted that he hadn't been more involved with the farm the last few years. I wondered if he would be now that he was living here again.

"Do you have a preference?" Ryder's gaze settled on me.

"I love the blue-green color." There was just something about the shade with the silvery undertone that drew me in. I wanted to display it in the shop window.

"That narrows it down." Then he yelled to Faith, "We're looking for a Frasier Fir."

"On it," Faith called out.

"She knows all this already?" I asked him as we followed her down the line with her mumbling, "Too short, too thin," her fingers brushing the needles as she passed.

"She was interested in what our family does here. I think she would have liked to live closer."

I carefully stepped over tree roots and branches on the ground. "Mmm. But you're here now."

Ryder glanced down at me. "That's true."

I didn't know how long he'd be here, or if he'd stay, but I was planning to enjoy my time with him.

"What about this one?" Faith had stopped in front of one that was tall and fairly narrow. "You don't want a fat one in the shop. It will be too hard to move around it."

"I was thinking of putting it in the window." There's a bump-out by the window where it will fit perfectly, and everyone can see it when they walk past."

"Then I'd get this one." Faith hopped quickly over to one that was shorter and wider.

I'd collected ice-cream ornaments over the years but never had a place to hang them. They'd be perfect for the shop. "I love it."

"We'll cut this one, then look for one for the house. Remember what to do?" Ryder asked Faith.

Faith nodded seriously as she reached for the tree. I helped since I wasn't sure she'd be able to hold the weight by herself.

Ryder got on the ground with the saw he'd grabbed from the back of his truck and began cutting through the trunk. The tree swayed to the right, and we held onto it until Ryder stood and grabbed it from us.

"I'll put this one on the path while we look for more."

"How many trees do we need?" I asked him, amusement tinging my voice.

He ticked it off on his hands. "One for me and one for you."

"I have one." I pointed at the tree he'd dropped onto the path.

"That's for your shop. You need one for home."

I shook my head. "I don't think that's necessary."

"You have to have one at home. How else will Santa bring you presents?" Faith asked.

I wasn't sure if Faith still believed in Santa, or she was just being facetious. "I suppose it would be nice to have a tree at home."

"Do you think George would want one?" Ryder asked me.

"I wouldn't presume to get him one without talking to him." He was quick to remind everyone how capable he was.

Ryder nodded. "Good thinking."

Faith insisted on searching for the tallest tree for Ryder's house, and he didn't do anything to dissuade her. I had a feeling this was the first year they'd been involved in the decorating process. That Stacy might have taken over all these tasks and not asked for anyone else's input.

The two of them seemed giddy with excitement as they hunted for the perfect one. Faith finally settled on the tallest tree with sturdy branches. It took a bit longer to cut down because the trunk was thicker than mine.

When Ryder pulled it to rest next to mine on the path, I said, "I hope it fits."

Ryder studied it. "It should. And if not, I can trim more off the bottom."

"Is this the first year you've picked out a tree?" I asked him, wanting to know more about his life before he'd moved here.

Ryder looked over at me. "Decorating for the holidays was more Stacy's thing."

I wondered how much he'd allowed her to take over. Was he happy to do that, or had he not even realized it was happening? Was he happier now, or did he miss his family?

He rubbed his hands together. "Now you need a tree. How high's your ceiling?"

"More than eight or nine. Twelve?" I couldn't reach the lights when I got out the ladder.

"Your house is newer, so that's probably right. How big a tree are you thinking?"

"Well, it's just me. I don't need anything too big." Besides, how was I going to lug that thing to the curb when it was time to throw it out?

Ryder's eyes flashed with a challenge. "This is your first tree. It has to be perfect."

"Perfect. Perfect. Perfect," Faith agreed as she skipped up and down the path.

"Do you have one in mind?" I asked Faith.

"There was one, not as big as ours, over there. The branches are nice and full." She led us over to the one she was talking about and reached out to touch a branch. "The branches are sturdy. Right, Dad?"

Ryder walked slowly around it, closely examining the needles and the branches. "And the color is good. What do you think?"

I loved that Faith had picked it for me. "It's perfect."

Ryder held out the saw. "It's your tree. You should do the honors."

Nervous about handling a sharp tool, I took it from him, my fingers trembling. "Are you sure this is a good idea?"

"I'll help. Faith, grab the trunk." Faith rushed to comply, and I dropped to my knees onto the damp earth.

Ryder lay sideways on the ground, easing under the branches. He lifted them to show me. "You want to cut right about here."

I licked my suddenly dry lips. "Okay."

He rolled out of the way, and I mimicked his position as best I could. But when I put the saw where he indicated and moved it, nothing happened. "Um. Ryder?"

He squatted. "Yeah."

Sweat prickled my brow. He'd made it look so easy. "It's not doing anything."

"Let me help." He dropped to the ground and moved behind me. I was very aware of his chest pressed against my back. He leaned over me to cover my hand with his. His palm was warm and reassuring. "You just need more pressure."

I felt surrounded by him, his strength, and the smell of evergreen. It felt like heaven.

This time, the saw made an indent, and I was able to make some progress. After a few seconds, Ryder pulled back, then shifted to his feet so he could grab the tree when it swayed.

When the saw moved through the trunk and the tree fell to the side, I was elated. Other than opening the shop, I couldn't think of a time I felt more accomplished, and all I'd done was cut down a tree.

"You did it," Faith said.

Ryder grinned at me like I was his daughter learning to ride a bike for the first time.

"I did." I loved learning new skills.

We helped Ryder drag the trees to the truck. He hefted them into the bed, and then we got into the cab. "Should we stop and talk to your family?"

Ryder nodded. "We should if you're okay with that?"

I heard the vulnerability in his voice. He was used to Stacy telling him not to see his father and siblings. My heart squeezed. "I'd like to thank them."

At the barn, he parked, and an older gentleman approached the truck. Ryder got out to greet him, and I joined him.

"I thought that was your truck. Getting a tree for the rental?" he asked Ryder.

Ryder waved in my direction. "Violet needed one for the shop, so we got one for her house too. We cut three. Did you want me to pay for them?"

The man frowned. "Family doesn't pay for trees."

"I'm not family though," I pointed out.

"If Ryder showed you the family lot, then you don't pay." He held his hand out to me. "I'm Al."

"Violet. I'm friends with Daphne and now Ryder."

"Violet owns Sweet Scoops," Ryder added.

Al nodded. "Ah. You're the shop that mixes her pie with ice cream."

"That's the one."

"I should thank you for giving Daphne a chance when she was just starting her business."

"It was a mutually beneficial arrangement, and we've become good friends." Friends who should probably talk about the fact I was hanging around her brother. "Besides, her pies speak for themselves."

"That's what I told her. You know when she was a teen, she spent hours working on her pie recipes. I thought it was a hobby at first. But she never gave up. She experimented, watched baking shows, and finally perfected them."

"I can barely keep up with her apple and pumpkin-pie ice-cream flavors this time of year."

Al smiled proudly. "I knew she could do it."

I wondered what it would have been like to have that kind of unwavering faith from one of my parents. My grandmother bought me an ice-cream maker, but my parents thought it was merely a toy, not something to create a career out of. One would need to go to grad school for that.

Ryder inclined his head. "We have some tree decorating to do."

Faith hopped out of the back of the cab. "Grandpa."

Al leaned down and gave her a hug. "It's good to see you." When she pulled back, he said, "Ya'll are coming tomorrow, right?"

I wondered if Al was worried Ryder would get called into work, or if Stacy would insist he bring Faith home.

"We'll be there around lunchtime. I want to get this tree up and decorated before we come."

"What a nice idea." I loved the thought of decorating the tree on Thanksgiving day. My parents made us wait until after the holiday.

"What are your plans for tomorrow?" Al asked.

"I was planning on taking my grandfather out to eat." I wasn't a great cook. I hadn't attempted a turkey yet, and there were only the two of us.

Al frowned. "That won't do. Come with Ryder."

"I'm sorry?" I looked from Al to Ryder, trying to gauge his level of seriousness.

"We'll have plenty of food. You can enjoy your Thanksgiving with the Calloways." Without waiting for an answer, he waved as he walked away. "It was nice to meet you."

I stood there flabbergasted. "Did he just invite me to Thanksgiving dinner?"

Ryder chuckled. "It looks like it."

We got into the truck. "I don't know what to say."

"He didn't like the idea of you eating at a restaurant on Thanksgiving, and he assumes that if I brought you here to the family lot, you're important to me."

Wait. Was I? This wasn't just a friend helping a friend? I was almost afraid to ask.

"Ask George if he'll come."

I sent Grandpa a text.

Ryder's family invited us over to their farm for dinner tomorrow. Are you up for that?

I'd love a home-cooked meal.

I looked up from my phone, still a little shell shocked. "He said yes."

Ryder grinned, and Faith said, "Yay," from the backseat.

"Are you sure we're not imposing?" I asked him, hesitant to let the joy flow through me just yet.

"You're the one who's going to regret your decision as soon as you see our big crazy family. It's loud."

"Very," Faith agreed. "But different than my other grandparents. They're so quiet, and all they do is talk about the neighbors. The Calloway side is fun."

"Because of your siblings?" I asked Ryder.

"That, and we're more relaxed, less uptight."

"I see."

Ryder leaned over to touch my knee. "You'll have a good time. I promise. And I won't leave you to the wolves. I'll stay by your side."

I settled into the seat for the drive. "Spending time at your house will be better than a restaurant."

"That's the idea," Ryder said.

Al seemed to think it meant something that Ryder brought me to the farm and cut a tree from the family lot. Were we friends, or was Ryder hoping for something more? I was generally wrong about guys, thinking they wanted more when they didn't.

I should be cautious and not jump to conclusions.

Ryder double-parked in front of the shop so he could unload the tree. He set the tree just inside the door, then went outside to park the truck.

One of my employees, Julia, was helping a customer at the counter.

When she was finished, she said, "You got a tree!"

"Isn't it nice?" I arranged the stand in front of the window. Faith followed me to the back where I'd stashed the decorations I'd been collecting over the years. I'd brought them here, thinking I'd hang them in the window, but this was even better.

"These are so cool." Faith held up a small ice-cream shop, then another ornament that was three scoops of ice cream on a cone covered in tiny lights. "Are they all ice-cream themed?"

"I'm afraid they are."

Faith grinned, her eyes bright. "I love them."

My heart warmed. I loved everything about today. Spending it with Ryder and Faith, picking out trees, and even meeting his dad. I was worried it was a mistake to move to this place I'd only lived in for a short time as a kid, but I was making friends and building a business.

Ryder came inside, the bell sounding over the door. "It was hard to find a spot."

"Everyone's going out before their family day tomorrow." I felt a pang that I wouldn't be home with mine. But then again, my sister would be the sole focus, and I'd be feeling less than. I used the excuse that the shop was too new to leave in the hands of my part-time employees, Morgan and Julia. But the truth was, I didn't want to go home. I didn't want to hear all the reasons why I failed to measure up—again.

I was looking forward to spending Thanksgiving with the Calloways. Hopefully, it would give me more insight into Ryder's life.

Holiday music played over the speakers, and customers drifted in for pumpkin and blueberry-pie ice cream.

Ryder set up the tree, then hung the lights. Faith helped me wrap a garland of felt ice cream around the tree. Then we decorated the branches with the rest of my ice-cream finds.

"I've never seen so many ice-cream decorations before." Faith marveled over each one as she hung them on the middle to the bottom of the tree.

"I started collecting these when I was a teenager. Before I thought about opening a store. I just knew I loved ice cream."

"You've never used them before?" Ryder hung an ice-cream truck near the top of the tree.

I loved seeing them on the tree. It was a culmination of a dream come true. "This is the first time."

We stood back to admire our work. It was dark outside the window, and the tree was reflected back to us with its twinkling lights.

Julia approached. "Everything's ready for closing."

I turned to ask. "Oh, is it that late already?"

Julia nodded. "The tree looks great. I'll head out if that's okay."

I smiled at her. "Enjoy the holiday with your family."

"You too." Julia walked out the front door, leaving us alone in the shop. The twinkling lights illuminated the ice cream case.

"We should deliver your other tree and get home for bed."

I wanted to stare at the tree in my shop window for hours. There was just something about it that looked right. More than anything else I'd put in the shop, it was the best addition.

We turned off the tree's lights, then I locked the door behind us. I loved the way the tree looked in the window. I was creating a home here and making friends. Maybe this could work, and I wasn't crazy for leaving my family behind to move to Maryland.