Chapter 20: Chapter 20

“Hey, Michael!” Melody said, forcing a smile and trying to pretend like she hadn’t almost wiped out.

As usual, he flung himself around her legs, and Melody found herself losing her balance again.

“Are you okay?” Reid asked, coming up behind his son.

“Yeah. Old truck. No running boards,” she muttered.

“It’s nice. What is it? A ’63 Chevy?”

Michael released her as Delaney came around the front of the truck behind Melody. “It’s a ’64,” she said. And then extending her hand, she added, “Hi, I’m Delaney.”

“Reid, nice to meet you,” he said, reaching past Melody to shake her hand. “It’s a classic,” he added, obviously talking about the truck.

“Thanks. It’s my dad’s pride and joy. I’m surprised he even let me borrow it, but I wasn’t sure I could get a Christmas tree on the roof of my Charger.”

“Oh, with the right bungee cord hacks, you could, but why chance it?”

“Exactly,” Delaney said with a smile. Then, glancing down, she said, “And you must be Michael? I’m Delaney. It’s nice to meet you. I’ve heard so much about you.”

Michael smiled and took her outstretched hand. “Nice to meet you, too. Are you and Miss Melody sisters?’

Melody and Delaney both giggled. “No, but people ask us that a lot,” Melody clarified.

“We are like sisters,” Delaney added with a wink. “Are you ready to go find a Christmas tree, Michael?”

“I can’t wait!” Michael exclaimed.

“Well, then let’s go,” Reid said, gesturing toward the entryway, which was just a few hundred feet in front of them.

A wooden sign made in the shape of a jolly snowman welcomed them with a festive display naming the farm in bright red letters. A wooden fence made of roughly hewn timbers set off the perimeter, but looking down the lane, Melody could see lots of people walking around looking at various Christmas trees on display. There were lots of little buildings as well, and as they neared, she could hear Christmas music playing over what sounded to be an older PA system. She tuned it out and focused on the little boy who had slipped his hand into hers.

Delaney was walking slightly in front of them, and as she neared the entrance, she glanced back over her shoulder, as if she wasn’t sure if she could actually step through. Melody gave her an encouraging smile, and Delaney pressed on.

As soon as they got past the fence, Michael exclaimed, “Oh, wow!” They all stopped to take in the sights. Melody could see now that there was a gift shop next to what appeared to be a candy shoppe and an old wooden barn, painted bright red. Next to the barn was a pen with two live reindeer and a few other farm animals. Off in the distance, there were several rows of Christmas trees that had not been cut disappearing into the rolling farmland, and families were walking around, saws in hand, trying to decide which tree to cut down themselves and haul back to their homes for decorating. The snow was falling gently now, and several children ran back and forth amidst the trees and up toward the reindeer pen, a few couples sitting on benches near by sipping cider or cocoa and watching their children play. In a way, it reminded Melody of a Norman Rockwell painting; everyone was happy, dressed in festive winter wear, and any worries were easily left behind upon crossing through the entrance way.

“Now this is a pretty cool place, huh, buddy?” Reid asked, stooping to speak into Michael’s ear.

“Yeah!” he exclaimed. “Can we go look at the reindeer?”

Reid looked at Melody, as if he was waiting for her to answer. “Sure,” she said, looking at Delaney and shrugging. She had no idea what the plan was. She had never seen Josh herself, so she had no way of knowing if any of these gentlemen walking around helping people with the trees was him or not.

“Go on over, and we’ll be there in a second,” Reid said, and without waiting for him to change his mind, Michael let go of Melody’s hand and dashed off toward the reindeer where several other children were standing nearby, petting their noses and attempting to feed them individual pieces of hay.

“Do you see him?” Melody asked, placing her hand on Delaney’s shoulder.

“No,” she said with a sigh.

“That doesn’t mean he isn’t here,” Melody assured her. “Maybe you should ask one of the other workers.”

“What am I going to say? ‘Hi, my name is Delaney and I just drove all the way from Charles Town to see if Josh was working today’?”

Melody held back a giggle. “Maybe you should’ve worked that out before you drove all the way from Charles Town.”

Before Delaney could respond, Reid clapped Melody on the shoulder and walked off in the direction of one of the employees, clearly denoted by his festive green half-apron, and the girls exchanged glances and followed, Delaney grabbing Melody’s arm as they went.

“Excuse me,” Reid said, stopping the young man who looked like he might still be in high school. “Is Josh around?”

“Uh, yeah,” the kid, whose name tag announced that his name was Payton, answered. “He’s out on the tractor right now bringing in a few trees for customers, but he should be back in a few minutes. He’ll be over by the shaking station.” He pointed to the area where a few families were waiting on another employee to shake the loose needles from their Christmas tree.

Reid thanked Payton and then turned back to face Delaney and Melody, and echoing Payton’s tone exactly he repeated, “He’s out on the tractor right now bringing in a few trees for customers, but he should be back in a few minutes.”

“You’re a lifesaver,” Delaney exclaimed, throwing her arms around him. “I could kiss you. I won’t—but I could.”

Melody watched as a faint tint of red began to creep up his neck. She noticed he didn’t return the hug though, and she knew Delaney’s personality well enough not to be threatened by her friend’s antics.

“Asking questions is one of my specialties,” he replied with a shrug as she unwound her arms from around his neck. “I learned it from Michael. He can ask forty-five questions in a minute. Easily. Without taking a breath.” He raised and lowered his eyebrows rapidly, and Melody covered her mouth to hide a giggle.

“Well, he’s an awesome teacher,” Delaney said, matter-of-factly.

“All right. We have some reindeer to greet,” Reid said, looking at Melody.

“Okay. I’ll just have a look around at the trees and come find you in a bit,” Delaney said, bouncing up and down on her heels.

“Good luck,” Melody said with a quick squeeze of her shoulders as she walked around her.