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“Don’t you want to know what it is?” she asks with an adorable, dimpled grin.

“Will you be there?”

“Yes.”

“That’s all I need to know.” I kiss her on the neck, just below her ear, and she giggles and pushes me away with a smirk.

“Suit yourself. You’re gonna want to wear a pair of old jeans and a flannel shirt, though.”

I bite my tongue before I tell her I’d happily put on a Santa suit and drive a sleigh if she asked me to.

Paisley gets back to setting up the recording equipment, and I grab the paper where I’ve scribbled down the lyrics for “I Could Need Someone Like You, Baby.”

This song came together so fast. If only they could all be that way, but I know that’s wishful thinking. We still have a lot of writing to do—four whole songs’ worth—before the end of the year. So, while Paisley’s working hard here on the farm, I’m hoping I can come up with a few more ideas so that we can hit the ground running when I get back.

November 25

Paisley’s prepping Dunder and Blixem for today’s holiday photo shoot when I find her to say one last goodbye before I take off for Nashville. We already said (kissed) our goodbyes last night, after we finished recording in the studio. It was the kind of kissing you don’t do in front of reindeer or grandparents or families looking for the perfect fresh-cut Christmas tree. Because while it was sweet with a dash of mild salsa spicy, kissing in front of any of them would be ridiculously awkward.

“Granddad should be here soon,” I say, shoving my hands into my front pockets as I sidle up to the corral. I hitch my foot up on the bottom rail and lean my weight against the fence.

Paisley glances up from Blixem, her nose and cheeks rosy from the cool air. Her hair is wavy and loose under a red cowboy hat with a green band.

“I hope the two of you have a great visit,” she says.

A couple walks by, heading in the direction of the tree lot, a handful of younger kids chasing after them. A woman with a toddler in a stroller walks over and starts filming a video. “Say hi to the camera, peanut. Ooh, see the reindeer.”

Blixem, who’s a bit of a diva, shifts as if to say, “Oh yes, look at me.”

“Hold still,” Paisley says as she finishes attaching the jingle bell harness.

Dunder, who’s waiting for her turn, comes over, her ankles clicking with each step. The beat snags in my brain and I grasp at the early tendrils of a song.

She’s a real country girl.

Faded jeans, dusty boots, dirt under her nails.

Dunder sniffs at me through the fence, probably wondering if I’ve brought her a treat. I slip her a handful of the raisins I stashed in my pocket. Her chin tickles my hand as she snarfs down the dried fruit.

Paisley brings Dunder’s harness over and sets it on the reindeer’s back. She glances around to make sure we’re alone and then jumps up on the fence to brush her lips quickly over mine. A second later, her feet are back on the ground. “See you Sunday, Kash.”

A cold gust of wind nips at my skin and I pull up the collar of my leather jacket. It’s cold now, but I have a feeling Nashville is going to be a whole lot chillier without Paisley around. Hopefully thoughts of her will keep me warm.

Track 19

It’s Just Not Christmas for Me Without a Spruce Tree

Paisley

November 29

I’ve been up to my ears in work since Kash left with his grandpa for Thanksgiving in Nashville. It’s been one thing after another on the farm, and I can feel the exhaustion in my bones. If this year is like any of the previous years, we’ll be going full tilt until Christmas Eve. It’s a great thing for Hidden Acres’ bank account, but it doesn’t leave a whole lot of time for much else.

While I know that I wouldn’t have had much time to spend with Kash if he’d stayed, it’s still hard knowing there’s a distance between us, even if it’s only about thirty-five miles. It turns out that even when you’re busy as a bee, you still have plenty of time to think. And I’ve done a heckuva lot of thinking about Kash Murray.

Ringing up sales at the gift shop and thinking about the way Kash’s laugh rings in my ears.

Sweeping up the barn after a craft event and thinking about the crafty way Kash dipped me when we were dancing there at the hoedown.