A Hippogriff for Christmas - Zoe Chant Page 0,18

the shop, though, it became clear that all was not well at Johnstone’s Christmas Trees. Mr. Johnstone himself was on the phone, his back turned to them. Annie realized that he hadn’t heard them come in, and therefore hadn’t lowered his voice.

“– You’re sure it won’t start? There’s no one there who can give you a jump?” He paused, listening to the person on the other end of the line. “Well sure, but you know I’ve got that big order later. When can you be back? I can’t pretend this isn’t going to be kind of of a problem, Jimmy.”

Annie exchanged a glance with Beau. She knew Jimmy was Mr. Johnstone’s son, who worked with him here at the farm. What could have happened that was causing a problem?

Mr. Johnstone exchanged a few more words with his son, most of them telling him to be back as soon as he could, before hanging up. He turned, surprised when he saw them standing there by the doorway.

“Sorry to keep you folks waiting,” he said, coming up to the counter. “Hope you haven’t been here too long.”

Annie shook her head. “No, not long at all.” She hesitated, before deciding, well, if she was going to do this, she might as well jump in with both feet. “I know it’s a bit late in the season, but I’ve come to buy a Christmas tree.”

To Annie’s surprise, Mr. Johnstone winced. “Ah, jeez. Well, that might be an issue.” He jerked his head back toward the wall-mounted phone he’d been speaking on. “That was young Jimmy – you know Jimmy, my kid. His truck’s broken down on the way home from a delivery, and I don’t have any more pre-cut trees right now. I can’t swing an ax like I used to on account of my back.” He shook his head. “Actually, it’s a bit of an issue, I’ve got a late order to fill for ten trees, and nothing ready to go. So you’re not the only one who might be a bit put out. I’m sorry about that, Annie – maybe if you come back tomorrow.”

“Coming back tomorrow isn’t a problem,” Beau spoke up, his voice low and warm, “but are you going to be able to fill your other order today?”

Mr. Johnstone shook his head, though Annie noted the curiosity in his eyes when he looked at Beau. When you’d lived in the area as long as Mr. Johnstone had you got to know everyone around, and a newcomer like Beau was sure to spark some interest, even if he hadn’t looked like a walking, talking Greek statue.

“Not unless Jimmy can magically get his truck to work in the next ten minutes,” he said. “And that’s not looking likely, I gotta say.”

“Well then, maybe I could help you out,” Beau said, shucking off his winter jacket. “I’ve swung an ax or two in my time – I grew up helping my dad manage my family’s lands. I’m sure I could manage to chop down a Christmas tree or two if it’d help you out.”

Annie’s eyes widened as she looked across at him – but it seemed Beau was perfectly serious.

Oh – now the sweater he was wearing was following the jacket, leaving him in the t-shirt he was wearing underneath, which did nothing to disguise the broad flatness of his chest and abs, his bulging biceps, his smooth, tanned skin…

Annie was aware she was gawping, but she just couldn’t stop. It’d been clear Beau was built when he’d still been wearing a sweater, but this was ridiculous.

All at once, images of her running her fingers over those washboard abs, of resting her head on the broad plane of his pecs flooded her mind. Her mouth went dry as she stared, her heart doing double time against her ribcage. Warmth filled her stomach, and she had to stop herself from biting her lip in desire.

What the hell…

She’d never responded to a man this way before. She’d liked to flatter herself that her head couldn’t be turned for a pretty face.

But obviously, she’d been completely wrong – she just hadn’t seen the right pretty face.

She finally managed to tear her eyes away to look at Mr. Johnstone again, to see what he made of Beau’s offer.

He looked surprised, as if he hadn’t expected some out-of-towner to be so helpful.

“Well, that would be helpful,” he said slowly. “And I’d pay you a fair wage for the work you do, don’t you worry about that. But