On Christmas Hill (5 page)

An old pick-up rumbled into view with
an older man behind the wheel. He was wearing a hat with flaps that
hung over his ears and a sour expression. He parked next to my car
and slammed his door when he got out.

“
Hey, Cameron.” Nate raised
an eyebrow at me and smiled as if to say, sorry.

“
What the hell is wrong with
you, Nate! You not takin’ care of this place like you’re supposed
to?” The old man was thick through the waist, with a white mustache
and bushy eyebrows. “You got trees down all over my
fence!”

“
That’s not your fence, Cam,
but they’re your trees.” Nate shook his head and walked back into
the barn.

“
The hell they are.” Cameron
barely spared me a glance before marching after Nate.

“
The roots are on your side
of the property line.” I followed after him, irritated that he was
being so rude.

“
Who’s this?” He jerked a
thumb in my direction.

“
Molly, this is Nick
Cameron, your neighbor. Cameron, this is Gertie’s niece.” Nate
winked at me.

“
I heard about Gertie. I
hated to hear that about the old bird.”

“
Old bird?” I put my hands
on my hips.

“
She was a feisty broad.”
Cameron glared at me. “I guess you’re all for that women’s rights
mumbo-jumbo, huh? Don’t like the word broad.”

“
I’m all for that being
respectful mumbo-jumbo.” I narrowed my eyes. Was he trying to test
me or was he really that pig-headed? Nate snorted and I looked at
him to see that he was smiling.

Cameron snorted. “Are you gonna clean
up that mess then?”

“
No. We’re going to set up a
temporary boundary until you can get it taken care of.” I walked up
to him, my hands still on my hips. “And you’re going to get it
taken care of quickly, because that’s what my aunt would have
expected.”

“
You aren’t your aunt.” He
glared at me from under his thick eyebrows. “But you sure do sound
like her.” Something in his eyes brightened and his mouth curved
just a bit.

“
Thank you. I think.” I let
my hands slide off my hips.

“
Well, Nate. Looks like you
got a spitfire on your hands.” The old man laughed like that was
the funniest thing in the world. “Got your Christmas present early,
huh?”

“
Looks that way.” Nate’s
eyes gleamed as he watched me and I felt heat wash over my face as
I remembered his hands on my body.

“
Okay.” Taking a deep breath
I shook my head. “We were about to head to town for some supplies.
When do you think you’ll be able to get the tree
removed?”

“
Well, the snow’s gonna make
it hard. And tomorrow is Christmas, of course.” Pulling his cap
off, Cameron scratched at the bald spot on top of his head. With
the hat off, he looked a bit like a gnome and I chewed my lip to
keep from laughing.

“
You know I’ll help, old
man.” Nate slapped his shoulder.

“
You aughta.” Cameron mock
glared at Nate, making him laugh. “You sure you gonna have time?
When I pulled up, it looked like you might have your hands
full.”

My eyes widened when the old man
waggled the furry caterpillars on his face. I covered my mouth with
my hand, frozen in place. Nate’s smile never changed, he just shook
his head.

“
Get outta here, old man.
Before you chase her away.”

“
I’m going.” Pulling his hat
back on, Cameron winked at me. “I remember what it’s like to be
young!” The old man laughed all the way back to his truck, as if
that had been the funniest joke in the world.

I wanted to melt into the ground. Not
only had he seen my make-out session with Nate, he thought it was
funny.

“
C’mon.” Nate grabbed my
hand and tugged gently. I followed him around the side of the barn
to where a large truck sat under an awning. He walked to the
passenger side door and opened it for me. The truck was gigantic
and I had to jump to reach the sidestep.

“
Geez, Nate. Why didn’t you
get the bigger truck? This one seems a little small.”

“
Well, I wanted something
bigger, but I didn’t think it would fit on the road.” Nate picked
Remy up and handed him to me.

I shook my head at him and tucked my
dog close to my side. Nate swung into the driver’s side with a
goofy grin before turning the key in the ignition. With an ease I
didn’t feel, he reached over and laced his fingers through mine as
we drove down the driveway. Butterflies flipped in my stomach as
his fingers traced over my knuckles.

“
So, Christmas Hill. How
does it provide for itself?” I angled my body so that I could see
him clearly, even with the seatbelt on.

“
Gertie sold cookies.” Nate
adjusted the dials on the dash, sending more warm air out over our
legs and feet. “A lot of cookies. But from what I can tell, things
just took care of themselves. She paid me a salary, and that’s been
taken care of for the next two years.”

“
Okay.” How do you process
an answer like that? Things just take care of themselves? Yeah,
right. “She already paid you for the next two years salary? What if
I decide to sell? What will you do?”

“
I really hope you don’t
sell Christmas Hill, but if you do, I will be okay. There are lots
of people out there that need stewards for their properties.” Nate
squeezed my fingers before letting go of my hand so he could
drive.

“
I don’t bake.” There I said
it. “Trust me, there is no way I can support Christmas Hill on my
baking skills. I count my blessings when I don’t kill people with
something I cook. It’s scary.”

“
Baking was Gertie’s magic,
not yours.” Nate didn’t look at me as he maneuvered around a steep
bend. “There will be a way for you to take care of things with your
own gifts.”

I huffed and forced myself to not cross
my arms. This magic business was starting to get on my nerves. Even
if he was hot, his faith in Christmas magic was a bit much.
Thankfully, it wasn’t long until I saw Silver Town in the distance.
Soft snow fell through the air, and everything glistened from the
fine dusting. The buildings ranged in shapes and sizes, most of
them having an old English cottage look. There was a long line of
row houses that seemed to house shops and the closer we got, the
more details I could make out on their signs. Smoke billowed from
chimneys and holiday lights were strung everywhere. People crowded
the sidewalks, while very few cars actually drove down the main
drag.

“
Wow.” There wasn’t much
else to say. It did look like something out of a Christmas card,
complete with shiny decorations and bundled up tourists.

“
Welcome to Silver Town,”
Nate said.

He drove down the main drag, I assumed
to let me have a good luck of the area. People waved at the truck
as we passed them and Nate nodded his head to each one that
acknowledged us. After driving a short ways, he pulled into a small
parking lot tucked between some of the shops. I cringed, not sure
how he managed to get the massive truck into one of the tiny
parking spots and then cringed again at the thought of trying to
exit said parking spot.

As soon as we were still, I grabbed the
handle of the truck and opened the door, letting it swing free so I
could hop down. Nate managed to make it around to my side before I
had figured out where to put my feet and I was grateful for his
assistance. Grabbing a leash out of the glove box, Nate attached it
to Remy’s collar and we were off.

We didn’t say much as we walked, I was
intent on taking in the sights. A candle shop, followed by a
leather store, and a home goods store flanked one side of a block.
Across from that were the ornament shop, a seamstress, and a
bakery. I could smell the baking bread on the cold wind and my
stomach growled. Remy was obviously impressed by the smell too,
because I had to tug on his leash to keep him walking.

“
Do you think we have time
to eat before we head back?”

“
Sure. Mattie’s is around
the corner and next to the hardware store.” Nate reached down and
grabbed my hand, his fingers warming mine. Tugging gently, he
pulled me closer to his body as we walked. “I hope you like home
cooking.”

“
I have a great appreciation
for home cooking, since I can’t do it.” I smiled up at
Nate.

“
No wonder you were so
impressed with my chicken,” Nate chuckled.

“
Well, there is something
doubly impressive about a sexy man that can cook.”

“
Sexy, huh?” Nate stopped
and pulled me against his chest. “I’ll remember that when we get
back. What do you want for dinner?”

“
Hot dogs.” I laughed at the
face he made.

“
I’m a bit insulted that the
bar is so low.” He tucked some of the hair under my hat.

“
My dad and I used to roast
hot dogs in the fireplace.” I wasn’t sure why I was telling him
this. Part of me really wanted to keep up the tradition. “Drove my
mom crazy, but I looked forward to it every year.”

“
Hot dogs it is.” His face
softened for a minute. “I’m sorry he’s gone.”

“
It’s okay. I mean, it’s not
okay. But, it is what it is. Christmas hasn’t really been the same
though.” I stepped away from him and started walking in the
direction we’d originally been headed. “I think that’s why mom’s
trying something different this year.”

“
What’s that?” Nate stayed
close as we dodged the people walking along the
sidewalk.

“
She’s going skiing with
some friends. She’d always wanted to go, but dad hated leaving home
for Christmas and time off was far and few between at the
holidays.” I shook my head. “I guess that’s a family trait, huh?” I
couldn’t help but wonder if dad knew about Christmas Hill; if he
believed in everything that Aunt Gertie and Nate
believed.

“
You didn’t want to go
skiing?”

“
Not really. I just wanted
to stay home, but then I got the call about Aunt Gertie.” I
frowned. “I wish I had met her in person, had been here when she
needed me. I wish Dad had told me more about his family. I wish… a
lot of things.”

“
You’re here
now.”

“
Yeah.” I was here now.
Wouldn’t Dad have wanted me to take care of his family’s property?
Their legacy?

“
Nate! Nate!” Squeals
interrupted my thoughts as two small bodies slammed into the back
of Nate’s legs. Remy began bouncing and yapping happily. There
wasn’t much Remy like better than kids willing to play with
him.

“
Whoa!” Nate reached behind
him to steady the tiny children gripping his legs.

“
I knew it was you!” The
little boy looked up at Nate with large blue eyes. “Jilly didn’t
think it was you because you were making kissy faces at her.” The
little boy shot me a disgusted look.

“
Who is she?” The little
girl looked at me from where she held onto Nate. Remy jumped up to
try and kiss her cheek, making her giggle.

“
Jilly, Matt, this is Molly,
Gertie’s niece. And that little fella is Remy.” Nate winked at me.
“Where’s your dad, monsters? Have you finally finished him
off?”

“
They’re trying.” A deep
voice drew my attention from the munchkins clutching Nate. A man
walked in our direction, carrying shopping bags with a frazzled
look. “I’m not sure how much more I can take.” He smiled at the
kids who made huffing noises.

“
C’mon, Dad. We’re not that
bad!” Matt rolled his eyes.

“
Says who?” The man mock
frowned. “Who’s your friend, Nate?”

“
Molly, this is Taylor.
Taylor, this is Gertie’s niece, Molly.”

“
Ah! How are you liking the
Hill?” Taylor set one of his bags down and shook his
hand.

“
You knew Gertie?” Jilly let
go of Nate’s leg and hopped up and down. “She was so cool! Do you
make cookies, too?”

“
Gertie was my aunt.” I
smiled at the little girl.

“
No way.”

“
Yes, way.” I laughed. “But
unfortunately, I’m not so great at making cookies.”

“
That’s okay. Just put some
icing on them and no one will know. That’s what we do.” Matt smiled
and Taylor groaned. Matt was the older of the two and he knelt down
to pet Remy, who immediately flopped over so he could get belly
scratches.

“
I knew there was something
weird about that last batch.” Nate reached down and tickled Matt’s
sides.

“
Do you know Santa? Gertie
gave him my letter last year.” Jilly pulled on my jacket, the nails
on her little fingers painted messily red and green.

“
Um, I haven’t met Santa
yet.” Not wanting to disappoint her I changed the subject. “I like
your finger nails! Did you do them?”

“
Daddy did it!” Jilly
preened for a minute. “I bet he would paint your nails too if you
ask nicely.”

“
Or better yet, I won’t do
them if you ask nicely.” Taylor’s voice rumbled out of his chest,
holding a hint of embarrassment.