It’s a store filled to the very brim with holiday décor, and it is dazzling. No tacky, cheesy Christmas decorations in here. It’s all elegant. Tasteful. Sections of the store are divided into themes and when you first enter the store, the front display has a strong, traditional Christmas vibe. Santa Claus and Rudolph with red and green everywhere.

I might be grumpy and feeling anti-holiday this season, but I can appreciate the beauty that surrounds me. My mother would love this place. I need to bring her here soon.

“Amelia! There are you are!”

I turn to find my friend Candice rushing toward me, a giant grin on her face. She pulls me into an enthusiastic embrace, and I hug her back, suddenly appreciating her sweet nature, the way she makes everyone feel as if they’re automatically loved. “This place is gorgeous,” I tell her when we pull away from each other.

“Isn’t it amazing?” She gazes around the shop with wide-eyed wonder, like it’s the first time she’s ever seen it. “Charlie’s sister Victoria runs it. She does a fabulous job.” Candice leans in closer to me, her voice lowering. “She let me tag along last summer to a wholesale expo where they were showcasing all the upcoming holiday décor, and it was amazing. I was beside myself, helping her choose items for the store.”

“I can only imagine,” I tell her with a genuine smile. Wow, can’t remember the last time I flashed one of those.

“So!” Candice claps her hands together, her expression eager. “You need a tree for your jewelry store.”

“Yes, we do. Do you already have something picked out for me?” I ask hopefully. Not really looking forward to walking through endless rows of trees searching for the perfect one.

“After I spoke with your mother, I talked to Charlie about it and he had some of his employees gather up a few options for you. I told him what you were looking for, and I’m positive one of the trees he chose will work. Come on, let’s go out back.”

I follow her through the store, my gaze busy, not sure where to look next. It keeps bouncing from beautiful item to beautiful item. The scent of cranberries mixed with spice drifts in the air, and there’s soft, jazzy holiday music playing in the background. Whereas outside is Christmas in your face, in the store it’s much more subtle. Downright soothing.

We exit through a side door and she takes me to a spot where a few cut trees are leaning against a low, wooden fence. “He didn’t cut all of these specifically for me, did he?” I ask, worried that I killed too many trees for no good reason.

“Not at all. These trees are going to one of the lots in Monterey, and we pulled these ones aside just for you. They were the best ones, according to Charlie.” Candice smiles. “He knows his trees.”

“I’m sure he does,” I murmur as I contemplate my choices. They’re all beautiful. But there’s one that’s very tall and extra fluffy, and it snagged my heart from the moment I set eyes on it.