Christmas at the Tree Farm by Maddy Reeves

Author:Maddy Reeves [Reeves, Maddy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: B&N Publishing
Published: 2019-12-13T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 16

Thanksgiving morning, I arrive at the farm with store-bought crescent rolls, and the spattering of ingredients that Frankie needed last minute.

“Sorry I couldn’t do more. This no kitchen, no oven deal at the motel is really getting to be a drag.” I give Frankie a hug and set everything on the counter in the kitchen.

“Are you kidding? You saved me. Even after sending Ed to the store yesterday, I still forgot a few things.” She digs through the bags to find the last few items.

“Where is everyone?” I try not to be too obvious, but I figured I’d see Clay and Ed today.

“They’re already in the other room watching football. They’ll resurface at some point to grab snacks from the kitchen.”

“Give me a job. I’m ready to help.”

Frankie gives me the job of making the green bean casserole, which I happily accept. I’m not as competent at cooking as I am at baking, but I can still follow a recipe without trouble.

“Something smells so good,” I say.

She walks over to the oven and opens the door, showing me the turkey cooking inside.

“Wow, I applaud you for that. I don’t know if I could pull off a turkey. It seems too complicated. Mine would turn out like the turkey from National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.”

We’re both giggling from that image when Clay comes into the kitchen.

“Hey, I didn’t hear you come in.” He walks over to the refrigerator to grab some more drinks. “What’s so funny?”

My cheeks blush as soon as he enters the room. Honestly, I still have the same reaction today to being around a hot guy as I did when I was in high school.

“Oh, nothing. We were just laughing about my cooking skills,” I say. “You guys are watching a big game?”

“Yes. It’s intense.” He leans over the counter, watching me as I add things to the bowl.

“Is Levi into football? Or are you forcing him into it,” I ask.

“Forcing,” Frankie says before he can answer.

“Very funny, Mom,” Clay says, “I beg to differ.”

“Did he like the parade this morning? I remember enjoying that when I was young. All of the big floats were so cool.”

“He watched it for a little while. It would’ve held his attention longer if they didn’t have so much random talking and commercials.”

I make a face, disappointed to hear it isn’t exactly as I remember it being.

“It smells good in here, Mom. You too, Naomi.” He winks, standing up to take the drinks back into the living room.

“Oh, I haven’t done anything…it’s all your Mom.”

“Let me know if I can do anything to help.” And with that, he disappears to go back to watch the game. I don’t realize I’m still smiling until I look up and find Frankie smiling while watching me.

I clear my throat and try to pull myself together.

“You two would be really good together,” she says.

I’m shaking my head, waving off her comments when she leans closer and whispers, “He likes you. I can tell.”

Once again, my face flames, and Clay isn’t even in the room.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.