“He can’t wait to meet her.”
Mildred smiled. “That sounds like him.”
While Amanda took more notes, Mildred shared funny stories about people who’d worked for the store and some of the customers who’d come through their door.
Much later, Amanda glanced at the clock on Mildred’s stove, stunned to see the time. “We talked for so long!”
“Time flies when you’re having fun.”
“This was wonderful. I’m so glad we got to meet, and I can’t wait to write about you for the catalog. Did Lucy call about the photo? Isabella Coleman is going to take it this week.”
“She did, and I’m looking forward to seeing my Izzie.”
“Great. Thank you again for your time and your stories and the wisdom.”
Mildred got up to walk Amanda out. “It was my pleasure. I hope you’ll come by any time you need wisdom. As Elmer likes to say, that’s one thing we’ve got plenty of.”
Amanda hugged her at the door. “I’ll be back for more very soon.”
“I’ll be here. Any time. I wish you all the best with your sweet Stella. And I hope things work out for you and Landon. I like you for him.”
“You couldn’t pay me a higher compliment.” Fred might not yet be certain about her, but it was nice to know that Mildred was. “Could I ask a favor? Could you give me directions to the Christmas tree farm?”
“Of course.”
A few minutes later, Amanda was on her way out of town, her mind racing as she thought about Mildred and how she would tell her story for the catalog. Mildred had given her so much to think about—and not just for the story. What she said about making a happy life in a small town like Butler had really resonated with Amanda. Everything she needed was truly right there in Butler, which had begun to feel like home to her in a way that nowhere else ever had.
She took a couple of wrong turns but eventually found the tree farm and parked next to Landon’s black pickup truck. No one was around, but the doors to the barn were open, and in the distance, she heard the faint sound of a machine. She decided to take a short walk to see if she could find him. Under bright sunlight, fields of trees dotted the landscape for as far as she could see. They were various sizes and shapes, and the fragrant scent of evergreen filled the air, making her think of Christmas in June.
Mindful of her recovering ankle, Amanda stayed on the well-worn paths that wound through the farm. About half a mile from the barn, she spotted Landon on a massive mowing machine and made her way toward him. She’d almost reached him when he finally noticed her coming, his face lighting up with a warm, welcoming smile.
He wore a faded blue T-shirt, jeans, work boots, noise-canceling headphones and a ball cap on backward. Work clothes had never looked sexier. He cut the engine to the tractor. “This is a nice surprise.”
“I wanted to see this place I’ve heard so much about.”
“And?”
“It’s beautiful.”
“I don’t know about that, but it’s a living.” He held out his hand to her. “Want to go for a ride?”
She stepped forward to take his hand. “On that thing?”
“Yep.”
“Sure. How do we do this?”
He helped her onto his lap and put his arms around her. “Ready?”
“As ready as I’ll ever be.”
“Put these on,” he said, handing her the headphones.
When she had them in place over her ears, he started the engine. Amanda felt the vibration through her entire body. The big machine lurched forward, but Landon tightened his grip on her as he drove them through rows of trees that seemed to go on for miles.
Sitting back against him, she was filled with peace.
Chapter Twenty-Two
“If you think in terms of a year, plant a seed;
if in terms of ten years, plant trees; if in terms
of one hundred years, teach the people.”
—Confucius
Amanda took in the vast landscape of the farm, realizing what a big job it must be to take care of so many trees. After about twenty minutes, they reached the far end of the property, a scenic overlook with a breathtaking view of Butler below. Landon turned off the engine and removed the headphones.
“What do you think?” he asked.
“It’s so much bigger than I thought it would be.”
“That’s what she said.”
Amanda elbowed him in the ribs, making him gasp with laughter. “I’m serious. This place is huge.”
“Trust me, I know. I cut grass and shear trees in my dreams.”
“I had no idea there was so much work involved in growing Christmas trees.”
“Most people have no clue, but I like it. There’s a rhythm to it. Every season brings new obligations to the trees, and after all these years, I’ve got the routine down pretty well.”
“It’s impressive.”
He laughed. “I’m sure it’s been your lifelong dream to date a Christmas tree farmer.”
“Maybe not, but I’ve always had a thing for hot firefighters with hidden talents.”
He nuzzled her neck and held on tighter to her. “I have a lot of hidden talents that you haven’t seen yet.”
“That sounds intriguing, but I don’t want to interrupt your work.”
“Please interrupt my work. I’m so bored.”
“I thought Max was working with you today.”
“He was here this morning, but he had a doctor’s appointment with Caden this afternoon.”
“Is the baby okay?”
“He’s fine, just some well-baby thing. Whatever that is.”
“That’s when they check to make sure he’s growing and thriving. And he probably has to have some shots.”
“Poor guy.”
“And poor Max.”
“He’s seemed really down lately. I’ve been worried about him.”
“How so?”
“Just kind of quiet and withdrawn, which isn’t like him.”
“He has a lot on his plate for someone so young. I look at him and see what my life would’ve been like if I hadn’t given Stella up for adoption.”
“He’s quite a bit older than you were when you had her.”
“Still, it’s like a bomb going off in your life. I know you all think he’s handling it well, but maybe he isn’t.”
“I keep meaning to talk to Colton to see if he’s noticed it, too.”
“That’s a good idea. From what I’m told, the first year with a baby can be grueling. Even with all the support Max has, it’s got to be hard on him. It’s not like he expected to be doing this alone.”
“Yeah, it was a shock to all of us when Chloe decided to surrender her rights. Max never had much to say about that, but it had to have been an even bigger shock to him.”
“Had they been together long?”
“Not long at all, which was part of the problem. Anyway, enough about my brother. What brings you to visit my farm today?”
“I had a little time, and since you’re working tonight, I was hoping to spend a few minutes with you.”