Return to Virgin River (Virgin River #19) - Robyn Carr Page 0,78

about noon, just as the big flatbed was pulling in with the tree, and they were all stunned by the size of it. The raising of the tree was exciting and great fun. People were already lingering around what could almost be called a town square, waiting for the tree, and when it arrived, cheers roared. Then people kept coming as the tree was lifted with pulleys and positioned to be raised.

Kaylee was so glad that her friends had decided to stay a while longer; she wouldn’t have missed this for the world. She introduced Korby, Terri and Maggie to Mel and a few of the other women she knew, and they all admired the collection of ornaments and lights that would adorn the tree.

In the early afternoon the cars kept coming, people gathering around the tree to watch the complicated process of raising it. By midafternoon the tree was standing and Jack claimed possession of the cherry picker.

“We have to be going,” Korby said. “It’s going to be a very long day of driving. But I feel so good about you being here. This place—it’s a little magical.”

“Not what I was expecting at all,” Kaylee said. “I expected to be hiding out here, not having the time of my life.”

“Not having a new boyfriend...”

“That was the last thing I expected.”

“Well, I like him. I hope it works out for the two of you.”

“Thanks, I’ll be sure to let you know how things go.”

“Kaylee, you must be crazy about him. I see the way you look at him.”

“I might have fallen for him,” she said. “At least a little. And now I’m going to fall for that book, finish it and see what comes next. Please text me when you’re home safe.”

Her friends left with hugs and thanks, but Kaylee and Landry stayed for the afternoon, watching the decorating of the tree. They were in no hurry to leave, didn’t want to miss anything, and had a light dinner at Jack’s. When they realized the decorating wasn’t going to be finished in a day, they decided to head home to their dogs, planning to come back the next afternoon to see the tree lights come on.

“It’s like a circus,” Landry said. “I’m not very social, but I always drop by to watch the tree go up.”

They checked on the dogs, made sure Lady had a break from the pups and Tux got a bowl of food, and then fell into each other’s arms like lovers who had been apart for years. Their mouths were glued together, their arms clutching, their hands roving. “Damn, I missed you,” he said. “I’m glad your friends came, but I missed sleeping with you.”

“Seeing them again, especially on this particular holiday, I think it was just what I needed. But I missed you, too.”

“They’re fantastic,” he said, kissing her cheeks, her lips, her neck. “And now I’m glad they’re gone and I have you to myself again.”

“Aw, that’s very selfish.”

“Kaylee, I’ve found that when it comes to you, I am selfish. Thank you for including me. It was like meeting your family.”

“They are my family. The only other family I have is my aunt Beth, my mother’s sister. I talked to her yesterday. She lives in Seattle and was very busy, having a ton of people for Thanksgiving. I love Beth but I’m closer to Janette and the girls.”

“That’s kind of how things go,” he said. “Our close connections aren’t always planned. They grow. Sometimes they surprise you. Look at us. You rented my house and now—I’m closer to you than anyone I know.”

“Did you talk to Laura?” she asked. “Oh, I’m sorry. That’s none of my business. I didn’t mean to pry.”

“It’s entirely your business and you don’t have to apologize. She called me yesterday and asked me what I was doing for the holiday and I told her I was spending it with you and some of your friends.”

“How’d she take it?”

“She asked me if I loved you.”

“Ew, that was direct. You don’t have to tell me. Okay, what did you tell her?”

He chuckled. “I told her the truth, Kaylee. Maybe not quite as much truth as she really deserves. I told her we were the best of friends and that I hoped it worked into something more for us. I also told her we didn’t have any future plans and no matter where things go from here, I’m ready to be unmarried. A decade is long enough to test the waters, to