Page 19 of The Lie That Stole Christmas

Her lip trembled, and a glassy sheen appeared in her eyes before she blinked it away.

Without thinking, he took her hand and squeezed.His gloves were too big for her small, delicate hands.“I know,” he said.“And we’re going to get the best two trees on the lot.Your grandma trusted Glen.Now it’s your turn to trust him.”

“I’d feel better if I could meet the man.”

“Then why didn’t you say that?”

“I…”

“If you had waited for me, instead of wandering off to inspect trees like the head gardener of Rockefeller Center, I would have introduced you.”

“Whatever, now is just as perfectly good a time as any.”

She started toward the red barn where Glen had disappeared to, and he hurried after her, falling into step beside her.

Glen stood behind the counter, thumbing through a Rolodex before stapling the gold-edged business card in place.

“Glen,” Carter said, and Glen’s head popped up.

“Forget something?”he asked.

“I wanted to introduce you to Lily Wetherby’s granddaughter, Ashley.”

Glen stepped out from behind the counter, slipped off his glove, and held his hand out to Ash.She didn’t hesitate to shake it.“Ms.Ashley, it is a pleasure to meet you.You resemble your grandmother.She had the same glint in her eyes.”

“Thank you for saying that.I miss her.”

Carter’s hand found her shoulder before his brain could stop it.He gave it a gentle squeeze, then let it fall away.

“I just wanted to meet the man who was in charge of picking out the Christmas trees for Winterridge,” Ashley said, her voice softer now, but steady.“It was one of her favorite traditions.She made it feel like magic.”

Glen’s expression sobered with what appeared to be respect.“Your grandma made everything feel like magic.Picking out her trees was an honor.Still is.”

Ashley’s throat bobbed as she swallowed, her hand resting lightly in his.“Then I trust you’ll pick the perfect ones again.”

“I always do,” Glen said with a warm smile.“And now that you’re back, you can carry that tradition on.”

Her lip curved slightly.“We’ll see.”

Carter noted the way her shoulders relaxed, how the tension in her jaw eased.He knew that look and knew what it cost her to let her guard down, even for a moment.

Glen gave a quick nod and stepped behind the counter.“I’ll make sure they’re wrapped and delivered by noon.”

“Thanks, Glen,” Carter said, gently steering Ashley toward the exit.

They stepped outside into the biting morning air, their boots crunching over the snow.For a few long seconds, neither of them spoke.

“You were right.About Glen,” Ashley finally said.

Carter shot her a look.“You say that like it doesn’t happen often.”

“It doesn’t.”

He smirked.“Still good to hear.”

Ashley tucked her chin into her scarf and stared out at the rows of evergreens.“I didn’t think it would be this hard coming back.”

He nodded.“Me either.”