He looked so serious. “I hope so.”
I took a deep breath and closed my eyes, concentrating on Christmas Day. It took longer than I expected—maybe because it was still a couple of weeks away—but the blackness gave way to my living room. A giant real Christmas tree filled the corner with decorations I didn’t recognize. Presents were scattered underneath, and someone’s back was pressed against my chest.
“I think this is the best Christmas I’ve ever had, Mason,” my voice said wistfully.
“Me too,” Mason said.
The vision faded, and I opened my eyes as I blurted out, “It’s gonna be the best Christmas we ever had.”
His face flooded with relief, and he pulled me to his chest. “Thank God.”
I wrapped my arms around his neck. “I didn’t know you were so worried about Christmas,” I teased. “I better be certain to get you the best present ever.”
He pulled back, smiling. “You’re the best present I could ever hope to get. Everything else would pale in comparison.”
“So you’re saying you don’t want a present . . .” I cocked my head to the side with a grin.
“Now I wouldn’t go that far,” he chuckled. “I like presents, no matter how small.”
That was good to know.
“Well, I like presents too, so I’m glad I didn’t see mine.”
A ringing filled the silence. Mason groaned and pulled his phone out of his pocket to check the screen. “Duty calls. I’ve got to get to work.” He lifted his eyes to my face. “What are you up to now?”
“I’m going to check on Bruce Wayne and the office before I pick up Ashley to help your mom. I suppose I should call Joe about the papers.” And meet with your current archnemesis.
“Well, I emailed the papers to him this morning from home, so he’ll have them. Hopefully, you’ll just have to show up and sign them.”
We both knew that was unlikely.
He gave me another kiss, then grabbed the side of the truck door. “Despite your vision, be careful, and if you feel unsafe for any reason, call me or the sheriff. Okay?”
“Mason, I’ll be fine.”
“Skeeter Malcolm is not a man to mess around with, Rose. He specifically mentioned you. That wasn’t for nothing.”
“Okay, and do I have a curfew too?” Mason’s forehead furrowed, and I laughed. “I’m teasing.”
“Well, I’m not. Be careful.”
“I’ll be as careful as I can be.”
“Try to be with someone all day if you can.”
I gave him a slight push. “Mason, go already. I’ll be safe. I promise.”
He grinned. “Why are you trying to get rid of me?”
“So you can get to work and come home to me sooner. Go.”
He gave me another kiss and shut my door. I watched him get into his car as I pulled out my phone. Cringing, I glanced at the screen.
You’re off the hook. For now.
I looked back at the restaurant. The text had been sent while I was sitting in the Big Biscuit with Skeeter watching my back. Had he changed his mind after seeing me with Mason? Maybe he was worried I’d tell his secrets to Mason. In any case, I’d earned a reprieve. With any luck at all, there wouldn’t be a next time.
And if I believed that, then Santa was going to bring me a pony.
Buying a saddle wasn’t a safe bet.
Chapter Five
I decided to suck it up and call Joe on the way to the landscaping office.
“Hey, beautiful,” he answered.
“Joe, you can’t call me that anymore.”
“Why not? It’s true.”
I groaned. “Mason said he sent you the papers for the nursery, but you want me there when you sign them.”
“I thought it would be good to go over all of it together.”
“Well, we still need to discuss some things about the business, so I guess that works. Do you want me to come by the sheriff’s office?”
“How about we meet at the nursery? I want to tell you a few ideas I have while we’re there in the space.”
“Is Violet gonna be there so you can both ambush me again?” I asked dryly.
“Rose, look.” He released a heavy sigh. “I admit that we handled that badly.”
“Oh, really? You think so?”
“I wish I had handled it differently.” He paused. “I wish I’d handled a lot of things differently.”
I wasn’t going down that road again. “If you feel so badly, then let me buy you out.”
He chuckled. “I don’t feel that badly.”
I bit my tongue to keep from cursing. “Then when do you want to meet?”
“How about mid-afternoon? I’m working on something, but I can be free by then.”
“Fine,” I grumbled. “Two o’clock?”
“That works for me.” He hesitated. “And Rose, if you don’t mind, I’d rather Violet not be there.”
I couldn’t help wondering what he had up his sleeve, but I had to admit that I didn’t want the two of them together. The last time they’d met me at the nursery had turned into a disaster. “Okay. I won’t tell her we’re meeting.”