Brianna patted him on the shoulder. “I’m going inside to help Mom with breakfast. You two have fun today.” She winked at me and hurried off to the inn.
Gaze narrowed, Colin watched her walk away. “Something going on I should know about?”
“Nope,” I said quickly. “It’s just Brianna being Brianna.”
“I understand that. You about ready to pick out a tree?”
Excitement bubbled in my veins. “More than ready.” We hopped in his truck, and I set my sketchpad in the backseat. “Are you sure you don’t mind if I buy a tree for your cottage?”
“I’m sure,” he said, grinning over at me. “It gives me a reason to break out the ornaments. They haven’t been used in a long time.” The way he said it made me curious. There was a sadness in his tone.
“Why not?”
Clearing his throat, he turned his attention back to the road. “Guess I never really had a reason to have a tree for myself. The last time I got one was when I was still with my ex.”
“I see,” I murmured. “Mine never wanted a real tree because he thought they’d make a mess.”
His gaze met mine. “Looks like we’re better off without them.”
“Can’t argue with you there.”
We pulled up across the street from the Christmas tree lot. This close to Christmas, I knew there wouldn’t be many trees left. Colin and I got out of the truck, and he pointed over at a white-haired man, wearing overalls underneath his heavy-duty jacket. “That’s Tom. He cuts down each one of these trees from his tree farm and brings them here to sell.”
“Wow. That has to be a lot of work.”
Colin agreed with a nod. “It is. He always saves his biggest and best ones for the inn.” He leaned in close. “I think it’s to impress my mother.”
“Has she dated at all since your father passed?”
A sad expression crossed his face, and he shook his head. “No. I wouldn’t mind if she did. All she does now is focus on the inn.”
I linked my arm with his. “Maybe one day she’ll be able to love again,” I murmured. “You never know.”
Smiling at me, he pulled me closer. “How about we find a tree?”
We crossed the street, and I still kept hold of his arm. It felt good to be close to him.
There were only a few trees left, some short, some tall, ranging from full to slim. There was even a Charlie Brown tree for good measure. A red ball hung from the top, making it slump over.
We walked up and down the rows, and it wasn’t until we got to the last one, where the perfect tree stuck out at me. However, there was a man I knew standing right in front of it, still dressed in the same dirty clothes from before. He stared at the tree with utter delight on his face.
“Hi, Gabe,” I called out.
He turned to us and took off his black cap. “Good morning, you two. Out Christmas tree shopping?”
Chuckling, Colin nodded down at me. “She couldn’t live without one. With her heater still on the fritz, we’re setting it up at my place.”
Letting him go, I smacked him on the arm. “Hey, I just thought your cottage could use a little Christmas spirit. Besides, I need a tree to put presents under.”
Gabe’s eyes twinkled mischievously. “I’m happy to see things working out for you two.” His gaze landed on mine. “Aren’t you glad you gave this place a chance? You might’ve missed out on where you were meant to be.”
Cheeks burning, I took a quick side glance at Colin. “I am. Turns out I found my inspiration again.”
He nodded. “Hopefully, that means more fashion designs?”
That caught me off guard. “How did you know that?”
His grin widened. “I know a lot of things, Ms. Aberdeen. With your newfound inspiration, don’t be afraid to take a chance.” Slipping on his black cap, he took a couple steps back. “That goes for both of you.”