However, the moment I start walking through the rows of trees, it becomes obvious that Evermore doesn’t bring me what it used to. The only thing I see as I look around is not the peacefulness of the place, but the work it needs. We—well, my parents—have close to forty acres of land, most of it covered in conifers we eventually cut down and ship all across the United States during the Christmas season. Our trees are known for their quality, so making sure that we export them in pristine condition every year requires much more work than anyone might think. If I’m being honest, even I didn’t know the extent of the work that’s needed on the farm every year. I came to face the hard truth when I became the one responsible for overseeing it all.

Which means I need to get started if I want to be able to end my day before nightfall.

“Hey!” a voice I’ve known since I was in diapers calls behind me an hour later, as I finish cutting down what must be my twentieth tree of the day. Wiping a gloved hand over my sweaty forehead, I turn around and find Finn coming my way.

I’ve asked him a few weeks ago if he’d be willing to come help out, at least for the Christmas season. We have a few part-time employees on the farm, but I’m not used to overseeing everything yet, and Ma is way too busy dealing with Dad’s recovery, Callie, and the coming lawsuit to help. She would if I asked, but I never will. I can take care of this, and if I need to ask my best friend for help while he’s in between jobs to make sure our biggest period of the year runs smoothly, then I will.

“Hey, how’s it going?” I move closer to give him a quick hug and a pat on the back, then get back to work.

“Looking good, man,” Finn says with a chuckle. “Much manlier than in your little office.”

I roll my eyes, my lips curving just a little. As much as I like physical work from time to time, I miss my little office quite a lot right about now. No amount of nature and quiet will bring me the same amount of peace that working on a new design with my headphones on, lost in my own world, can.

“Kidding,” he says before tapping my back. “Where do you need me today?”

I tip my head toward the trees I’ve laid down in the past hour. “We need to prepare the truck for tomorrow’s delivery, so you can start packing those.”

“All right, captain.”

Working with Finn is easy. He always does what he’s asked without complaining, works efficiently, and stays quiet when I need him to.