Page 13 of Merry Christmas, You Filthy Animal
“Why not?”
“Because they’d never do that to me.” He points to his chest. “They know damn well the way you’d react to such a thing, which would in turn affect me, like it’s affecting me right now. So no, I don’t think they’d do that. They’d want you focused on taking care of the farm, not solving some obscure, irrelevant mystery about people you heard talking in the woods.”
He has a point.
So we’ll scratch that off the list.
“Okay, so then who is the lady walking around asking about vendors? Hmm?”
“I don’t know. Probably someone visiting the farm, looking to buy some presents for people she knows. Having a list of vendors is helpful because you can have a general layout of what people are selling before going in and searching aimlessly.”
I scratch the side of my head. “Yeah, I guess I never thought about it that way.”
“Exactly, because your mind immediately jumps to the ridiculous. Seriously, Max, just chill, okay? Take care of the farm the way you know how, and when your parents get back, you can show them that you were able to handle everything on your own.”
“You’re right.” I blow out a heavy breath, even though in the back of my mind, I still have this niggling feeling like something is awry. “I’ll just focus on the farm.”
“Thank you. Now, get that dustpan and help me out.”
“As long as I can tell you about the woman I ran into in town this morning. I stole her harpoon and harmonica.”
Cole tilts his head to the side, irritation written all over his face. “What the fuck are you talking about?”
Hunkering down, I say, “Listen to this . . .”
Betty
Sitting on a bench in the middle of Evergreen Farm, I take out my phone and snap a picture of the vendor setup, one of the pictures Uncle Dwight wanted me to take while here. I think that’s everything on the list other than the exit, which is the same as the entrance.
After we talked at the table this morning, Uncle Dwight went right into planning mode. He said the first thing I needed to do was to take a look at Evergreen Farm. I’ve never been, which is weird since I’ve visited Kringletown many times. It’s just never been on the list. When I asked him if he was coming with me, he told me he had work to do, so I happily took his car and made the short trip over. I was surprised to see how full the parking lot was when I pulled in.
Then when I entered, I realized why. It felt like I was stepping into a German market with gingerbread hanging from booths, the smell of freshly chopped-down trees permeating the air, and happy families skirting from one activity to the next while Christmas music gently played in the background.
Uncle Dwight wanted me to take my time, to take pictures of everything, and to take notes because he said he wants to make sure I have an idea of what he’s looking for in a business.
My only question is, why would we put up a business just like Evergreen Farm right next door? I mean, surely it’s not good business practice to open a competing Christmas farm next to such a successful one, right? I mean, yeah, there are some things that they could add here and there to make it more of that one-stop shop Uncle Dwight is looking for, but the businesses would still be very similar.
Something to ask him when I get back.
I stand and stuff my phone in my pocket. I’m chilled and ready to sit in front of the fire and start planning my move. Uncle Dwight said he has the perfect idea for my living arrangements, which he’s taking care of today, and he also said he would have movers bring all my stuff and my car so I wouldn’t have to worry about going back to Fort Collins and I can just focus on the new project. It almost sounds too good to be true.
I head toward the exit, a warm fire on my mind, just as I see a woman walk in my direction, holding a cute girl in her arms who just happens to drop her stuffed reindeer on the ground.
“Oops, you dropped this,” I say, picking up the reindeer and handing it over to the girl.
“Oh my gosh, thank you so much,” the woman says as her eyes meet mine. “It would not have been good if we lost that. Not sure who would be more upset, my daughter or my husband.”
I chuckle. “My money is on your daughter, but I don’t know your husband, so I don’t think I could make much of a judgment.”
“Ah, which means you aren’t from here.”
“I have family who lives here, but yeah, not quite a townie... yet.”
“Yet?” she asks. “Do you have plans to become one?”
“Well,” I say, about to divulge my life to a complete stranger. “I actually just accepted a job, and my stuff is being moved here as we speak.”
“Really?” the woman says and then switches the little girl to her other hip. “Let me be one of the first to welcome you. I’m Storee, and this is my daughter Florence. My other daughter, Evelyn, is with my aunt at home.”
