#anywhere

"As long as you don't have a fake tree. Some people say it's better for the environment, but it just isn't so. See, these trees, we grow special just for Christmas. So, we're growing more trees, not less, and we never touch the forests. The smell of Evergreen, fresh sap, pine needles.. no aluminum or plastic can match that."

"See? I told you weren't all old and wrinkled" He tells Amy

She laughs. "You're a smart boy, Joe. Here, let me help you." Joe is perfectly able to get on and off the horses on his own, they understand him and he understands them, in their own way... but Amy is already beside him, offering a hand down.

He takes it anyway "Thanks. I needed that" And it's KINDA true

She squeezes his hand. Her hands are slender and manicured, and a little cold from the weather, but still, nice hands. Soon the horses are stabled.

"Here, let me help you up." Nick says first to Amy, and he notices there is no ring on her hand, but doesn't say anything... Rochallor may notice him noticing.

"Up you go, Champ!" He lifts up Rochallor next, easily. He's no troll, but is a strapping fellow, honest muscles from honest work. Amy notices his muscles... Rochallor may notice her noticing.

He smiles and helps as only a pooka can, "Tex sure is strong, isn't he, Amy?"

Touch of the pooka boon

"He is... " In fact, she is so entranced with noticing this, that she leans too far, and nearly falls off the side of the open 4-wheeler!

"Whoopsy Daisy!" Nick thinks fast and manages to catch her arm - only for the two of them to go toppling into a small drift! The snow POOFs up around them, glittering like crystals in the sunlight. From the laughter, no one is hurt!

And the boy laughs too "Are you okay?"

In fact, with her carefully coiffured hair mussed a bit, and rosy cheeks that have more to do with snow and laughter than maybelline, Rochallor can finally see a touch of that boggan blood she must have inherited from Dolph.

"Oh, I'm okay... but it's not fair that WE'RE all snowy, now, is it?" She - WHAT? There's a snow ball being lobbed at Rochallor!

He grins, trying to catch it, when means it pops, and bursts over him, then he laughs and dives into the drift to try to 'splash them' "Snowball fight!"

A fluffy, white one - not filled with a rock or ice chunks in the middle like Briar likes to do... PIFF!

A girlish shriek, as she gets snow down her neck, and laughter, as Nick is torn between siding with Joe or with Ms. Amy, until the two of them team up unexpectedly and cover him with snow!

One of the dogs - The Baron's wolfhound, watches this, and snorts. Silly pups. He is much too dignified to join in, though he, and the other dogs, keep eyes out on all visitors.

Roch laughs "We got him" His sudden but inevitable betrayal on Nick a joy

"Achoo!" Ms. Amy sneezes, and now Nick looks a little sheepish. "Let's get you two up to that big house. It's too chilly out, and you without a proper coat -"

"It's a Mont Clar original..." She says, and he laughs! "Maybe you need a puffer jacket from MegaMart. It might not be designer, but it will keep you warm." Soon his jacket is around her shoulders as they drive up towards the house.

"See, Joe here, he knows how to dress for the cold." Indeed, Rochallor has a fine winter coat. Not a froo-froo fancy brand, but warm and quality.

"Well, if i don't dress for the cold, I get the cold" He explains, patting his coat and he gawks as they drive

Nick drives well, not as fast as he could. He pauses a few times to point out, "See there, that's a spruce, fine looking one. Don't worry, I wouldn't dream of cutting it down. Look, there's a family of cardinals up there!"

Amy watches with a genuine smile. Finally Nick asks Joe, "Have you been good this year? I saw that Santa is going to be down at the plaza this afternoon."

He's not good, he almost got blossom hurt, but he lies and is glad of it "OH surre, done my chores, washed my hands before dinner, and pulled aragorn out of the river"

Nick nods solemnly. "I know it must be hard to be good all the time, but Santa claus, well, he knows what's in our hearts, and that's more important than any deeds."

Ms. Amy had been looking a bit guilty herself - could she have been on the naughty list? But she smiles when he says that. "That's lovely, Nick."

They pull around the corner, and Marigold is waiting for them - she has a gleam in her eyes.

"There's my tree! Joey, sweetheart, come in. Miss Amaryllis, it's been, oh 5 years since you've visited." Marigold quickly gives her a hug. "Oh, you're soaked! And you, sir - "

"Nick, ma'am, from Spruce Moose trees." "Nick, come in, we'll get that tree unloaded and you paid, but first, you all need some hot cocoa."

"Hot Cocoa? Well, I gguess if we GOTTA" He smiles really big at Tex eer nick and Amy

How did Marigold know they were coming? And three mugs ready? She certainly has a smug look on her face.

Cocoa, not just cocoa, but cookies, too, whipped cream, marshmallows, the works. Nick is left along with Joe as Ms. Amy is whisked back to get changed.

Joe looks at Nick "It's a good life, Tex."

"It's funny that you call me Tex, pal. You know, I used to live in Texas for a while. I was working on a degree in forest management, but, well, I had the opportunity to take over a friend's farm up here, and I couldn't pass up the opportunity. Believe it or not, there's a lot of Christmas tree farms outside of Austin... but not many for sale, you know."

"This town though, this is where my heart is."

"How far away from here is your friend's far xactly? Could I visit sometime?"

"It's just south, perhaps halfway between here and Ithaca. Some people prefer to visit the farm to cut their own, though right now, we have an entire lot set up near town square for people to choose from. Visit, well, I don't see why not - though you already have quite a tree."

"I wanted to tell the other trees that their friend got a good place and they would too one day" he says

He laughs. "You know, I talk to the trees, too. Some people think it's silly, but me? I know that they are good listeners."

"I know, right?" A pleased smile

ASIDE....

"You really must visit more often, Amaryllis."

"You're so sweet, Miss Mary. But you know, no one calls me that, it's just Amy these days. I'm due to make Partner at the firm, but when Pops said I had to come to visit for Christmas, well, he just wouldn't let me say no."

"Partner? Mmm, that's what you've wanted, isn't it? Finally, your heart's desire. A big office in the big city, your name on the building, and your own firm..."

Amy smiles, but it doesn't quite reach her eyes. "Of course, that's what I've been working for." Of course that's what she wants. Isn't it?

"Of course." Marigold agrees pleasantly.

Changing the subject, Amy asks, "What's the story with Joe? Pops mentioned he lived here - is he Mister Lowell's son? The one that was at boarding school?"

"Oh, no, no. Poor Joe is, well. No way around it, he's an orphan that we've taken in. Lost his parents in 2020, you see. Things were terrible, what with the virus and all." It's not quite a lie, though Amy is clearly drawing her own conclusions.

"You've adopted him?" Amy asks,

"Well, no. You see, I only just adopted a daughter of my own, and it wouldn't be fair of me to bring in another child. Especially one so young, and me, well, I'd hate to give him a mum the age of a grandmama, and have him lose a family all over again someday too soon."

"Miss Mary, you're still young!" Amy protests, "At heart." Marigold finishes.

"I just wish we could give him the experiences of real family Christmas, but I'm so busy here, I'm afraid that he's been quite overlooked." Marigold tuts. "Well, we do our best. It's all we can do. Let's get back to the boys, I'm sure that strapping young man has places to be, maybe a lady friend to get home to."

Amy finds that annoys her, though she can't quite say why. Soon, they return to the boys!
....

"Welcome, back, Amy. Tex and I were talking trees... I think I was a chatty Popular"