Tiptoe Around the Mistletoe by Kateri Collins

Author:Kateri Collins [Collins, Kateri]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Gripping Tales Publishing
Published: 2018-12-11T18:00:00+00:00

Ciernan barely slept. After the “Find Joy in Aquamarine” email he tried his best not to think about Wellyn and the way her smile lit up a room He failed miserably, thus the insomnia. He vowed to keep a distance from her, but tonight’s dinner would be all but impossible to do so. He figured that was the true reason why he couldn’t sleep. He wished for a double shot of espresso but settled for a steaming mug from the homebrew coffee his parents made every morning. His future hipster bosses would be impressed.

He hated to admit it, but there was something wonderful about the smell of coffee permeating through the house. He knew his mom wanted him to drop off another delivery to the shop this morning after he stopped at the Olivier’s for the cookies once the truck was loaded. Instead, he scrawled a note on the chalk board that he was running inventory on the trees and would be back by lunchtime. Sunday mornings at the farm were typically slow. People tended to sleep in or go to church before making their way out to the farm to pick their ideal tree for the upcoming Christmas season.

As he wandered through the fields clipboard in hand, he kept finding giant holes left from the tractor after a tree was balled. They reminded him how Noah always managed to fall into one every year, and Ciernan had to pull him out until he was tall enough to climb out on his own. They’d play hide and go seek in the trees while customers walked through the fields unaware that the boys were watching them. He also found four downed logs across the stream along the back boundary of the property. He knew if Noah was alive, he’d be the first one across. For as clumsy as Noah was around tree holes, he was sure-footed across logs. It was Ciernan who always slipped on the bark and wound up with a wet bottom.

A flat wide log with rough bark that promised good traction invited him to give it a go. He glanced around to make sure no one was looking before he ventured across. Halfway over he stopped and smiled. Noah would never believe he crossed the log without falling. He couldn’t wait to tell him. Then he remembered he’d never be able to talk to his brother again. His eyes watered. He missed Noah more than he realized. Successfully crossing the log no longer seemed important. As he shifted his feet to turn back, a strong breeze came out of nowhere and pushed him into the water. If he was superstitious or believed in ghosts, he’d swear that two hands shoved him.

When he returned home soaking wet, he was strangely warm. His dad and Mr. Olivier shook their heads as he passed by the tree baler.

“If you wanted to swim, you should have at least worn a bathing suit,” his dad said.

Mr. Olivier laughed. “I didn’t know Californians enjoyed Polar Bear Plunges.

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