Be Mine for Christmas Read Free Page B

were chock full of shiny holiday ornaments, Christmas plates, toy soldiers, and toy trains. If ever Hollywood needed a location for Santa’s workshop, this was the place.
    Ellie had always loved Christmas decorations. Being surrounded by every kind imaginable now made her smile. By the time she and Reece brought in all of the poinsettias, she realized she was enjoying herself. So much so that when he was ready to go she said, “Why don’t we just stay here?”
    Reece ordered a pizza delivered and made a pot of coffee. Pointing to a large self-serve canister in a corner, he said, “I like to have free coffee and hot chocolate or cider available for customers when the farm is open for business. That would be one of the things you’d do here in the shop.”
    He showed her the supply room and the record books where they logged in the orders and gave her a rundown on their cash register system.
    When the pizza arrived, he poured two mugs of coffee and set a couple chairs next to the warming cast iron stove that stood against a bricked section of wall. Ellie could hardly believe how at home she felt.
    Except for the sensation of Reece’s gaze on her.
    “Who renovated this barn?” she asked. “It’s amazing.”
    “Me and my brother.”
    “Did you grow up on this farm?”
    “No, but my family’s been in this area since the nineteenth century. Norwegian shipbuilders. Later turned to building houses. My dad and brother still run a construction company.” He set down his mug. “I can tell you’re not a NoFo girl.”
    NoFo was the local term for the North Fork, the top branch of the V that extended into the Atlantic Ocean at the eastern end of New York’s Long Island. A strip of land filled with farming and fishing communities.
    “No,” Ellie said. “I grew up in Illinois. Came to Manhattan to study art.”
    “No wonder you did such a great job designing the flower display. How’d you end up out here?”
    “A wine tasting party at one of the vineyards.”
    “You moved here because of the vino?”
    “Hardly,” she said, pretzelling her lips. “I was charmed by all the little farms and fishing villages. Don’t get me wrong. The South Fork’s beautiful. It’s just that.  . .”
    “You don’t have sixty five million right now for a mansion on Further Lane.”
    She laughed. “I was going to say I thought this would be a great place to raise Brandon.”
    “He’s a neat kid.” Reece noticed she’d finished eating. “Great pizza, too, huh? Time for another round.” He rose from his chair.
    Ellie waved him off. “I’m good.”
    “Give me a break. Don’t make me knock down the whole thing alone. And please don’t tell me after one measly slice that you’re watching your figure. Because I’ve been looking at it, too, and it’s perfect.”
    His upfront compliment caught her off guard, but she liked hearing him say it. A lot. Reece’s impulsive style, while it may have gotten him into hot water earlier, managed to tickle her. She found his exuberance endearing in a kind of innocent, boyish way.
    “Okay, you’ve talked me into it.” She followed him to the counter for another slice from the box.
    “You’re welcome to bring Brandon here while you’re working,” Reece said.
    “That’s kind of you, but I think he’d get bored after an hour or two. I have him in an afterschool and weekend daycare program that he likes. Especially the fun playground. When I got canned I had to give up the house I was renting and move into an apartment with no backyard for him.”
    “What kind of work are you looking for?” he asked, refilling their mugs.
    “Guess that’s one of my problems. I’m not sure. I have a degree in art and had been lucky enough to be hired right out of college for the membership department at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. I got promoted quickly, my hours were flexible, and after I moved I didn’t have to commute into Manhattan every day. But last year funds got cut and so did a lot