Merry & Sprite by Dani Lakely

Author:Dani Lakely
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Dani Lakely

JONATHAN CLICKS HIS seatbelt into place as Forrest thumbs at his phone, picking out some tunes. He’s preparing for a battle, but it’s Andrew Bird, whom Jonathan only mentioned once in passing, but apparently Forrest remembered.

Forrest guides the Subaru out of the village. The funny thing is, he’s driving almost five miles under the speed limit, hands on the wheel at the nine and three o’clock positions like he’s dying to pass his test at the DMV.

“Wow,” Jonathan says, trying not to grin too hard.

“What?” Forrest asks, glancing his way.

“Didn’t peg you as such a grandpa behind the wheel.”

The corner of Forrest’s mouth twitches. “Good things come to those who wait, Jonny.” His fingers curl over the stick shift as he nudges it into gear, and Jonathan reminds himself not to stare at the flex of muscles in Forrest’s arm.

After humming along to the music for awhile, Forrest says, “Good memories, the tree farm. My sister and I used to get pumped for it when we were kids. Something to look forward to each year.”

“Has it changed much since you were a kid?”

“Nah, not too bad. It’s split into two farms now, though. McCoy Tree Farm and the Real McCoy Tree Farm.” He barks out a laugh. “It’s pretty goddamn funny if you think about it. Setup’s the exact same, only Tucker does horse-drawn hay rides and Travis offers tractor-pulled wagon rides.” Forrest shakes his head. “Those two should get their shit together and call the whole feud off.”

“Which farm did you choose in the brother’s divorce?”

“I’m Switzerland,” Forrest tells him. “One year I go to McCoy’s, the next year things get Real.”

They pull up into an enormous field used for parking. Wooden cutouts of reindeer and elves display signs between the lanes of cars, shouting instructions. THIS WAY FIR U! MONTEREYS PINING FOR A GOOD HOME! Jonathan’s eyebrows shoot up when he reads: THIS WAY FOR TREES YOU’D KILL YOUR OWN BROTHER FOR!

Forrest motions for him to catch up. They make their way between two lit-up Christmas trees at the gate, and Jonathan’s greeted by complete mayhem. Children chase each other through rows of Monterey pines. Mechanical tree shakers quiver in unison. People of all ages stand in a long, curving line for cocoa and hot apple cider.

Meanwhile, at the farm next door, he spies a row of dancing elves on a platform stage tossing candy canes out to the crowd while “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer” blares through the speakers.

“This is…” Jonathan doesn’t quite have the words.

“Epic,” Forrest breathes, sounding awed, and when Jonathan glances over, his lips are curved in a boyish grin. Jonathan feels a little tug in his chest, watching the years peel off as Forrest’s mind flashes backward in time. It makes Jonathan want to do a lot of ridiculous things to that mouth. He shakes his head a little, tossing the thought away. They should really go for the trophy and get out.

Tugging him by the sleeve, Forrest says, “There’s Eve. Let’s check what’s up.

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