“You need me to swing by when I get off work and carry this inside for you?” he asked.

The white-haired woman smiled at him. “That’s very sweet, but my neighbor will do that for me when he gets home from work. He’s good that way. I’ve already made a batch of frosted sugar cookies to thank him.”

“Sounds like you have a good thing going on.” Micah double-checked the ropes, then patted the raised trunk. “You drive slowly. You wouldn’t want to hot-rod around a corner and have your tree go flying.”

The woman laughed. “No, I wouldn’t.” She got in her car and slowly drove away.

Micah returned to the lot and was surprised to see Reggie waiting by the checkout desk. For a second, he hoped Dena was with her, but he knew she would still be in class.

He crossed to Dena’s sister. “Afternoon. Looking for a tree?”

“No, my mom’s already taken care of that. You have a second?”

“Sure.” He smiled. “I’d invite you into my office so we could sit down, but I’m afraid this is as good as it gets.”

“I’m fine.” She looked at him, her gaze steady. There was an air of determination about her. “I don’t know how else to ask the question, so I’m just going to blurt it out. When it comes to my sister, what are your intentions?”

His first instinct was to laugh. No one had ever asked him that before. He wasn’t sure anyone in this century had used that phrase. But on the heels of that came the warmth of knowing that whatever happened in her life, Dena was never going to be alone. She had people who loved her and would always be there for her. He wanted that for her. He wanted her taken care of and looked after, even if she would resist, saying she was fine.

“You’re worried I’m going to hurt her.”

“Yes. Don’t take this wrong, but you’re Micah Ruiz. On the surface, that’s hard to resist. You’re good-looking and charming, plus the whole singing thing. You’re a big-time guy, temporarily living in the regular world. I’m not sure why you’re here, but I do know you’re leaving, and that worries me.” She wrinkled her nose. “Actually, I’d be worried even if you were staying. I love my sister and I know she’s amazing, but I’m not sure you see it.”

“I do.”

“I don’t believe you. I mean, I want to, but I don’t. She’s not like the other women you’ve been with.”

“What do you know about them?”