frustrations on trying to restore light and laughter into his nephew’s childhood, he’d forget about how much he wanted to kiss Isabella again, among other things. And, he might even be able to make Isabella forgive his actions this afternoon by trying to get into this festive Christmas outing. He’d do exactly what he’d agreed to do – make an effort.
And he’d pretend their hotter than hot kiss this afternoon had never happened.
***
Isabella trudged through the lot, keeping a close eye on Tyler’s red hat through the blowing snow. When she caught up to him, he was standing in front of what had to be the largest tree there. “Can we buy this one, Miss Stevens?”
The hope in his eyes warmed Isabella’s heart. He was doing better this week, rarely falling into his somber moods, acting like a normal six-year-old most of the time. She wondered if Jordan had noticed the change in him, as well.
“Well, it’s a big one, Tyler.” Isabella followed his gaze to the top of the nine-foot tree. She returned her attention to him, catching the touch of uncertainty fleeting across his features, not wanting to do or say anything to set his progress back even a little bit. “But, you’re right – it’s the only tree on the lot we could possibly consider taking home,” she reassured him quickly. To her delight, he threw himself at her, hugging her tightly. She bent to reciprocate, laughing gleefully.
“I see you found the one.” Jordan’s voice cut through the wind and their laughter. Isabella’s head jerked around at the warm sound of it, catching the surprise in his eyes as he witnessed their embrace.
“Uncle Jordan! I found our tree!” Tyler pulled away from Isabella, pointing and jumping as Jordan walked over to him, effortlessly scooping his nephew up into his arms.
“It’s big,” he said with false concern.
“Miss Stevens says it’s the only one we can con…sitter,” Tyler insisted, worried Jordan would disapprove of his choice.
“Ahh, but…” Jordan suppressed a smile at his nephew’s pronunciation, pretending to reason with him. “Miss Stevens doesn’t have to load it, unload it, or carry it into the house.”
Tyler wiggled in Jordan’s arms. Jordan put him down, then walked around the monstrous tree, rubbing his chin with his thumb and forefinger. Tyler watched him, intent on his uncle’s every move.
“Can we have this one, Uncle Jordan? Please?”
Jordan shook his head again, staring at the tree as if sizing it up. Isabella caught on immediately. She knew it was all a show, and Jordan seemed to be enjoying it. So, this afternoon wasn’t a total disaster, after all. He was teasing his nephew, and actually engaging him. Isabella smiled quietly. Well done, Jordan.
“Please, please,” Tyler begged.
Jordan turned to his nephew now. “It’ll be a lot of work getting this tree home, Tyler. But…” he knelt down to the boy’s level “…I’ll make a deal with you.” Tyler nodded his head quickly, looking as if he’d explode from anticipation. Jordan glanced briefly at Isabella before continuing. “If I agree to carry it all the way to the truck, then into the house, then set it up…you have to do the most important job. Once it’s decorated, you have to put the star on top. Okay?”
Tyler threw his arms around Jordan’s neck, hugging him fiercely. Isabella saw Jordan hesitate, then he put his arms around the boy and squeezed him back. Isabella watched Jordan’s features soften before Tyler pulled away.
“I’ll do it, I’ll do it! Yay!”
Jordan continued his pretend concern, and Isabella stifled a chuckle. He must have read her smug satisfaction. Their recent avoidance of each other was all but forgotten as he pinned her with a stern look.
“As for you, Isabella. I know you decorated the entire house but, if I have to do all this heavy lifting, there’s one more thing you have to agree to.”
Tyler stared at her expectantly. “Of course,” she agreed slowly. “What is it?”
Jordan seemed to enjoy her uncertainty. “Well, Tyler has the most important job.” He winked at his nephew, who visibly puffed up. “But…” he pierced her with his gaze “…you must agree to do the most difficult part.”
He paused for a moment. The snow was coming down even harder and there was an announcement over the speakers piping Christmas music through the lot – they’d be closing soon.
“Hurry up,” Tyler urged him.
“All right, it can wait until we get this monster home,” Jordan declared.
“Yippee!” Tyler went with Jordan, adorable as he tried to help his uncle hoist the gigantic tree into the truck.
Isabella took the ticket to the attendant. “It’s already been paid for, ma’am,” the young man said.
“Who…?” She looked toward the dark truck in the parking lot.
“Your husband – who else? He more than covered the price of any tree on the lot.” The attendant smiled at her quick glance. “Merry Christmas to you and yours.”
“He’s not – I mean, they’re not…”
The attendant had already started ringing up the next customer and Isabella shrugged. “Yes, Merry Christmas,” she replied, tucking the receipt into her pocket, pleased by Jordan’s generosity and thoughtful participation in his nephew’s quest for a Christmas tree.
And strangely, not as upset as she should be by the attendant’s incorrect assumptions.
***
“It’s a perfect fit.” Emily smiled, standing back to watch Jordan, Isabella, and Tyler struggle to stand the very large Christmas tree in the living room.
Jordan looked at her over his shoulder. “Straight?”
Emily nodded enthusiastically. “Perfect,” she said again.
Jordan finished tightening the bolts in the stand and Isabella and Tyler let go of the tree, joining Emily.
“Tyler picked the best tree on the lot,” Isabella declared.
“He did, indeed,” Emily agreed.
Tyler beamed as he ran to the box of ornaments Isabella had retrieved from the guesthouse. He excitedly began pulling the shiny baubles out, one by one.
“Whoa, buddy.” When Jordan spoke up, everyone turned around. He winked at Tyler, smiling wickedly. “Miss Stevens hasn’t fulfilled her part of the bargain yet.”
All eyes went to her, and Isabella felt the heat crawl up her neck. Finding her voice, she said, “I have to know what it is before I can do it.”
Jordan walked over to the box, then hesitated. His expression changed from playful to serious in mere seconds. He turned around, a blank expression on his face. “The lights,” he stated. “Tyler found the tree, I…” He stopped, then corrected himself. “Tyler and I loaded it, and…” He looked at Isabella for a long moment.
It
