It's Only Love(21)

“Hi, Mom,” Lucas said with a shit-eating grin.

“Get out of here, the two of you, before I break out the rubber spatula,” Molly said, smiling despite herself.

The threat sent the twins scurrying toward the dining room.

Ella’s brother Wade came in, dropping a kiss on her forehead and then shaking hands with Gavin. “What brings you to dinner?” Wade asked.

“Ella did.”

“Oh. Is that right?”

“Uh-huh.” Ella gave Wade a little shove. “Now mind your own business and move along.”

“I’m an Abbott. Since when do we mind only our own business?”

“Wade . . . I expect better from you than the rest of the clowns.” He was the one brother who’d never pulled her hair or deliberately tried to rile her.

“All right. When you put it that way . . .”

Colton and Lucy arrived a few minutes later with Hunter and Megan in tow.

“Everyone’s here,” Molly said. “Let’s eat!”





CHAPTER 7




Time takes away the grief of men.

—Desiderius Erasmus



While everyone enjoyed the delicious roast chicken dinner, Landon stood and cleared his throat. “’Tis the season you look forward to all year long.” He unfurled a scroll of paper. “Sign-ups to work at the Christmas tree farm!”

A chorus of groans and boos followed his announcement.

“Now, now. You can’t fool me. I know you all love working at the farm every year, so don’t be shy. Sign up now and sign up often. Boys, I need you cutting trees and dragging them to cars. Ladies, I need you selling cider, hot chocolate and donuts and collecting money. You know the drill.”

“What if I want to cut the trees rather than dole out cider?” Charley asked.

“Whatever you want to do is fine with me, stud,” Landon replied, “as long as you sign up for something. I need everyone to take at least three shifts over the next few weekends. Max, you’re exempted this year due to the baby watch.”

“Thanks. I’ll fill in when I can.”

“That’s so not fair,” Lucas said. “Why does he get to be exempt? I need to have a baby.”

“Please for the love of God and the sake of the imaginary child, do not do that,” Lincoln said, making everyone laugh. Pointing to Landon, he said, “And don’t you either.”

Scowling at his father, Landon sent the sign-up sheet around the table with a pen.

Ella signed up to spend three Saturday afternoons working the hot chocolate stand, which was secretly one of her favorite things to do this time of year. She absolutely loved the Christmas season in the store and at the farm, so while the others grumbled, she happily put her name on the list.

“I’ll take a few shifts,” Gavin said. “I’m rather good at cutting down trees.”

“That’s the attitude I’m looking for,” Landon said. “And he’s not even required to work.”

“Suck-up,” Hunter grumbled.

“Total suck-up,” Will said.

Gavin laughed at their good-natured teasing.

Ella smiled at Gavin and then watched him sign up for the same days she had picked. She had purposely avoided Thanksgiving weekend in the hope that she could talk him into going to his friend’s wedding.

“I can’t work any Saturdays in December,” Charley said. “I’m in training.”

“Oh thank God!” Colton said. “Someone is finally housetraining her.” The others howled with laughter.

“Very funny, but I’ll have you know I’m in training to run a marathon.”

“You are not,” Ella said.

“Yes, I am.”

“You haven’t run since high school.”

“I’ve been wanting to get back into it, so I joined a club and we do distance runs on Saturdays. We did six miles yesterday.”

“I think that’s wonderful, Charley,” Elmer said. “Good for you.”

“Thanks, Gramps.”

“We’ve got plenty of Sundays you can take,” Landon said to Charley.

“Let me see that sign-up sheet,” Elmer said. “I can still cut trees with you whippersnappers.”

“Gramps,” Landon said, glancing at Molly. “You don’t have to.”

“Don’t give me that nonsense,” Elmer said. “I’ve been cutting Christmas trees since before you were a glimmer on the horizon.”

“Still,” Landon said, “we’ve got plenty of guys to do the heavy lifting. I could use someone to play Santa, if you’re up for that.”

“I’d rather cut trees. Let Linc play Santa. He loves that gig.”

“Mom,” Landon said. “Do something about him.”

“What would you have me do? Tell my father he’s too old to be cutting Christmas trees? I think I’ll pass on that.”

Her sister Hannah laughed. “Don’t blame you, sis.”

“I raised smart girls,” Elmer said with a smile for his daughters. “They know not to cross their dear old dad.”

“I’ll take a couple of shifts,” Grayson said, surprising them all.