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He knew better He deserved whatever she served

“Well…” She got a hopeful look in her big brown eyes “If you were free, I’d love help carrying Aunt Jean’s Christmas decorations down from the attic”

“What’s the rush? Thanksgiving was just two days ago,” he reotten

“That’s right And today is the day I start decorating for Christmas”

“Isn’t it too soon?”

But he knew better This wasn’t too early for the town of Pine Hill There had already been decorations when he’d arrived in town and he’d noticed ht as he made his way to and from his hotel

Nor was it too early for Sarah, apparently, because she was headed toward the stairs and on up to the attic, no doubt

She turned and s her up those stairs and doing her bidding

“I don’t knohatever possessed you to coratitude and so Bodie couldn’t quite label, but that made him feel like his brain was in a vise

, preventing logical thought “But you’ve been a lifesaver, Bodie What would I have done without you chancing upon our little town this Christmas season?”

Her question made him uncomfortable as he wondered if he should tell her about what had truly brought hi her now felt aard and out of place And he couldn’t regret his decision not to tell her back at the start, when she’d first mentioned the job If she’d known his sole purpose in accepting her job offer was to repay her kindness, she ht not have let him

Without him, Hamilton House wouldn’t be ready for an open house on Christmas, and that would have been horrible It ive her that piece of her dream

“You’d have carried your own Christ her up the stairs and wondering what he’d gotten himself into, when all he’d meant to do when he came to Pine Hill was to tell Sarah thank you and leave

But nohen he left—as he’d have to do, sooner or later—howbehind?

Sarah had been both looking forward to and dreading pulling out Aunt Jean’s decorations She loved Christarland and bows, loved seeing the twinkling lights